On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Scanning the Nation: Notes from the first weekend of Jan. league play--Hoopville

Oakland’s win at Valparaiso on Friday was some kind of impressive, a sign that the Golden Grizzlies (gasp) just might be even better this year in the first year without Kahlil Felder. Martez Walker has been able to step up now and bewildered Valpo with a mix of three-pointers and left-handed hooks and leaners in the lane on his way to 25 points, and Xavier Hill-Mais is a much-improved player in the post. Also, analyst Mark Adams is right on: the Golden Grizzlies are a significantly improved defensive team so far. Oakland noticeably frustrated Crusaders star Alec Peters and had Valpo in general out of sorts with its gnat-like attacking of the ball…

Also in the Horizon League: Northern Kentucky is a very surprising 12-5 and 3-1 early in league play after an 83-75 win over Cleveland State on Saturday. John Brannen has guided the Norse in their upgrade from the Atlantic Sun to the Horizon and made this school from just outside Cincinnati competitive in a hurry…

Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings: 3 new teams join the poll, while Oakland and Nevada jump

Oh, and remember the Valpo or Oakland debate? For now, the edge goes to the Grizzlies who won the first head-to-head matchup between the two teams on Friday and overtook the Crusaders in the rankings.
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RANK TEAM RECORD LAST WEEK POINTS
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12 Oakland 14-3 17 102
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15 Valparaiso 12-4 8 82

Reynolds Earns Horizon League Player of the Week Honors--detroittitans.com

Field of 68: UCLA takes final No. 1 seed in SN's first NCAA Tournament projection

No. 12 seeds: N.C. State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Boise State (Mountain West), Oakland (Horizon)

N.C. State (12-4): Pomeroy/RPI: 57/27. vs. RPI top 25: 0-2. vs. RPI top 100: 3-4
Texas Tech (12-3): Pomeroy/RPI: 30/61. vs. RPI top 25: 0-1. vs. RPI top 100: 2-3
Oklahoma State (10-5): Pomeroy/RPI: 32/54. vs. RPI top 25: 0-2. vs. RPI top 100: 2-4

BREAKING: Coaches Poll picks new No. 1--CBS Sports

Others Receiving Votes

South Carolina 18; Kansas State 15; Indiana 15; North Carolina-Wilmington 12; New Mexico State 10; California 7; Virginia Tech 5; Southern Methodist 4; Clemson 4; Maryland 4; Seton Hall 3; Northwestern 2; Iowa State 2; Wichita State 2; Miami (Fla.) 1; Dayton 1; Oakland 1.

My big weekend wrapup: A flippin’ fantastic weekend full of comebacks, star performances, fights, and more--Mid-Major Madness

Stock Rising:

Oakland: The Golden Grizzlies’ five-game winning streak started with a home win over Georgia and was punctuated on Friday by a win at conference rival Valparaiso. With a pair of home games up next, Oakland could be looking at a 6-0 Horizon League start.

Quick Takes: Road wins for Cal, Northwestern--Bracketville