On The Horizon

Jim Squire

We’re Still Talking About Ronald Berkman’s House--Campus Pressbox

The 2016 Effy Awards: Michigan State, Villanova win offensive honors--Sports Illustrated

6. Workhorse: Kay Felder, 5'9" junior PG, Oakland

Felder played 91.5% of available minutes for the Golden Grizzlies, who were the 10th-fastest team in the country. That means he was running their offense for an estimated 2,392 possessions—the most of any point guard in the nation—and taking on an insanely heavy workload: He was the only D-I player who, while he was on the floor, took at least 30% of his team’s shots (for Felder, it was 30.6%) and assisted on at least 50% of his teammates’ field goals (he was at exactly 50.0%).
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11. The Ultimate Specialist: Max Hooper, 6'6" senior SG, Oakland

Hooper attempted 257 field goals as a senior and every one of them was a three. As he told SI during this season, his role for Oakland was "not a circus act"—he was a vital weapon in one of the best mid-major offenses and a 45.5% shooter from deep. According basketball-reference.com, among players who attempted at least 20 field goals in a season since 2002, there have only been six who took 100% of their shots as threes. The next-closest to Hooper’s 257 is Iowa’s Devan Bakwinkel, who attempted ... 84 in ‘09–10.

Oakland gets commitment from North Farmington guard Billy Thomas--The Detroit Free Press

Male Athlete of the Year: Alec Peters--The Torch

Women's basketball notes: Walker on the move--The Torch

Brannen announces Tim Morris as @NKUNorseMBB Assistant--nkunorse.com

Women’s program gaining in popularity--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU Women’s Basketball Adds Graduate Transfer Tamira Ford--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Cleveland State reportedly in running for Ohio State transfer A.J. Harris--Cleveland State Hoops

Detroit Mercy coach Bacari Alexander gathering staff, outlining goals--The Detroit Free Press
Inside Coach Alexander’s Press Conference--detroittitans.com

Dixson Tabbed UIC Rookie of the Year--uicflames.com

With several spots to fill, 2017 recruiting is full steam ahead--Phear The Phoenix

Green Bay Southwest hires Templin as coach--Green Bay Press Gazette

UWM's Jordan signs first recruit--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UWM hires Chinedu Nwachukwu as director of basketball operations--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Nwachukwu Named Milwaukee Director Of Basketball Operations--uwmpanthers.com

Lottich rounds out Valparaiso coaching staff--The NWI Times
Matt Lottich Announces Coaching Staff--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Basketball Preview--valpoathletics.com

Former Penguin Hain working his way back from injury--Youngstown Vindicator
Youngstown State Struggles to Break Through Ceiling of Mediocrity--HLeagueHoops.com

Jim Squire

Chat with new UDM basketball coach Bacari Alexander Live--The Detroit Free Press

Darner's extension doesn't include pay raise--Green Bay Press Gazette

LaVall Jordan Adds Bryce Barnes As First NLI Signee--uwmpanthers.com

The 2016 Effy Awards: West Virginia, Syracuse win defensive honors--Sports Illustrated

All-Effy For Interior Defensive Impact: The Elite Eight Power Forwards/Centers

• Vashil Fernandez, 6'10" senior C, Valparaiso: He was the nation’s highest-impact interior defender, and not just because he ranked No. 1 in block percentage, swatting 14.3% of opponents’ two-point attempts. The Crusaders held opponents to just 36.1% shooting on the interior (and 0.86 PPP overall) when Fernandez was on the floor, as opposed to 48.6% (and 0.96 PPP overall) when he was on the bench, according to hooplens.com data. Fernandez also helped Valpo have the nation’s stingiest post defense, allowing just 0.61 PPP, according to Synergy.

Valparaiso makes bad move blocking David Skara's transfer to Vanderbilt--The Post-Tribune

Join MBB Coach Brannen on Facebook Live on Wednesday--nkunorse.com

Jim Squire

Rewind: 24 Hours Ago, Bacari Alexander Came Back Home--detroittitans.com

Mike Hutton: Next time, Valparaiso should not overlook Greg Tonagel--The Chicago Tribune

Bacari Alexander Named Detroit Head Coach--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

2016 NBA DRAFT EARLY ENTRY LIST: A complete list of who’s in, who’s out and who has an agent--CollegeBasketballTalk

SIGNED WITH AN AGENT
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Kay Felder, Oakland, Jr: Felder was one of the most productive players in the country this past season, averaging 24.4 points and 9.3 assists. He’s only 5-foot-9 and played in a system that was conducive to massive numbers, but he’s talented enough that he’ll likely get picked somewhere in the second round.
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TESTING THE WATERS FOR NOW
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Alec Peters, Valparaiso, Jr

Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello make their case to NBA teams--The Detroit Free Press