Tuesday, December 29, 2015

News On The Horizon 12/29/2015

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Rough night for mid-major bubble hopefuls--CollegeBasketballTalk
GAME OF THE NIGHT: Belmont 85, Valparaiso 81

Evan Bradds finished with 26 points and 10 boards and Craig Bradshaw chipped in with 21 points of his own as the Bruins picked off a Valparaiso team that still had some slim hopes of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament come Selection Sunday. There’s no shame in losing to Belmont in Nashville — the Bruins won at Marquette on the season’s opening night, after all — but Valpo’s non-conference schedule is now locked in at 10-3, the only noteworthy wins coming against Rhode Island, Oregon State and Indiana State. The Horizon League is going to be one of the toughest mid-major conferences in the country, with Oakland and Milwaukee both looking like they could be good enough to snag the regular season title from Valpo’s grip, but it’s not a league that will provide the Crusaders with many opportunities to strengthen their at-large profile.

Valpo may very well be the best mid-major team in the country, a veteran group with size that can really, really defend. They could, in theory, reach the Sweet 16, but to have a shot at doing so, it looks like they’re going to need to win the Horizon’s automatic bid.
...
STARRED

Kahlil Felder, Oakland: 23 points, 13 assists, eight steals, five boards and a 101-93 win over Chicago State. Light work.

Big Ten preview: Tony Paul’s team-by-team breakdown--The Detroit News
MICHIGAN STATE

Coach: Tom Izzo (21st year; 508-199)

2014-15: 27-12; lost in NCAA Tournament Final Four

Record: 13-0

Best win: Kansas (79-73, Nov. 17, neutral)

Worst loss: N/A

Outlook: The Spartans are off to their best start ever, but they’ll have to work around the two-week absence of star Denzel Valentine (two triple-doubles). He’s not expected to miss any of the marquee showdowns, but the absence will give Bryn Forbes time to shine.

Predicted finish: 1st
Preview: Cedarville vs. Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops
CSU Hosts Cedarville on Tuesday Night in Final Nonconference Game--csuvikings.com

Eastern Michigan's strong second half upends Detroit 88-73--CBS Sports
EMU 88, UDM 73: Eagles' second-half run tops Titans--The Detroit Free Press
Monday's basketball: Eastern Michigan handles Detroit--The Detroit News
Titans Drop Road Affair At EMU--detroittitans.com

Hoop Thoughts: Pressing reset on the season before conference play begins--Sports Illustrated
ALL-DIMINUTIVE
...
3. Kahlil Felder, 5'9" junior, Oakland: He ranks second in the country in points (26.9) and is first in assists (8.9) per game. He also just had 37 points and nine assists in the Golden Grizzlies’ near-upset of Michigan State last week.
Felder's big 2nd half leads Oakland past Chicago St. 101-93--CBS Sports
Metro & state: Felder, Oakland steal win vs. Chicago St.--The Detroit Free Press
Felder’s big second half leads Oakland past Chicago St., 101-93--The Oakland Press
FELDER'S BIG FINISH LEADS OAKLAND PAST CHICAGO STATE, 101-93--ougrizzlies.com

NASH AND JONES EARN HORIZON LEAGUE WEEKLY HONORS--ougrizzlies.com

UIC vs. Northern Illinois preview: How to watch, listen, stream, bet--The Catch and Shoot
Dixson adds to collection--Whoosh!Net
Dikembe Dixson Captures Third Horizon League Weekly Award--uicflames.com
UIC Closes Nonconference Slate vs. NIU Tuesday--uicflames.com

VIDEO: Ruvanna Campbell Featured by the Horizon League--uicflames.com
Flames Tame The Panthers 66-54--uicflames.com

Green Bay pulls away from Morehead State in 2nd half, 78-72--CBS Sports
Green Bay Knocks Off Morehead for Seventh Win in Nine Games--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Johnson Named Horizon League Player Of The Week--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers have smooth sailing--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Close Out 2015 With 73-60 Victory Over IPFW--uwmpanthers.com

Belmont holds off Valparaiso 85-81--CBS Sports
Valparaiso drops nonconference finale at Belmont--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders’ Comeback Falls Just Short at Belmont--valpoathletics.com

Crusaders Enter Uncharted Territory for Horizon League Opener--valpoathletics.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Tennessee State Wednesday in Final Non-League Game--ysusports.com

Milwaukee's Johnson, UIC's Dixson Collect Men's Basketball Honors--Horizon League Network
GB & Oakland Both Win on Monday Night--Horizon League Network

Oakland's Nash and Jones Tab Weekly Honors--Horizon League Network

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