Monday, April 24, 2017

News On The Horizon 4/24/2017

Who's transferring where in college basketball?--ESPN
Recruitment of transfers are heating up, too. We've already seen Dedric and K.J. Lawson commit to Kansas; mid-major stars Marcus Evans (Rice to VCU), Michael Weathers (Miami Ohio to Oklahoma State), Kerem Kanter (Green Bay to Xavier) move up a level; and high-majors add key graduate transfers with Rice's Egor Koulechov going to Florida.

Who are the 10 best transfers on the market? And which players are coming or going from your school?

Top available transfers
...
6. Mark Alstork, RS Jr., SG, Wright State Raiders: The 6-foot-5 Ohio native averaged 19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season and has numerous high-major suitors. Georgetown recently reached out. Tennessee went to see him. Michigan assistant Billy Donlon coached him at Wright State.
2017 NBA Draft Early Entry List: Who is staying and who is going?--College Basketball Talk
DECLARING WITHOUT AN AGENT
...
Mark Alstork, Wright State
...
Kerem Kanter, Green Bay
...
Tevonn Walker, Valparaiso
Little Caesars Arena expected to announce U-M, MSU hoops games Tuesday--Detroit Free Press
Michigan-Detroit Mercy, Michigan State-Oakland to play a doubleheader at Little Caesars Arena--MLive.com
Report: LCA to host college basketball doubleheader--Detroit News
Former Cleveland State SG Rob Edwards transferring to Arizona State--Sun Devil Source
Cleveland State coach Dennis Felton has winning agenda for Vikings (photos)--Cleveland Plain Dealer
NCAA Championship Announcements Bring Excitement, Confusion to Cleveland State--Campus Pressbox
The Disgruntled Cleveland State Fan’s Guide to Finding a New Team to Root For--Campus Pressbox
CSU To Co-Host 2020 NCAA Men's Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds--csuvikings.com
Titans Named Host for Two NCAA Championships, 2021 Men's Tournament Games--detroittitans.com

Gaines, Reynolds, Thompson Selected President's Award Winners--detroittitans.com
Oakland U gets spirited blowback from decision to combine cheer, dance teams--Oakland Press
Third annual Black and Gold Awards hit Fox Theatre--Oakland Post
Athletics preaches innovation in decision to combine cheer and dance teams--Oakland Post
McClain receives contract extension--UIC News
Taking it on the ‘Chin’--Whoosh! Net
McClain earns faith--Whoosh! Net
Assistant Basketball Coach – University of Illinois at Chicago--Hoop Dirt
Steve McClain Earns Contract Extension--uicflames.com

Flames celebrate academic achievements--UIC News
Flames Celebrate Academic Achievements--uicflames.com
UWGB men face high roster turnover--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB men want to recruit area--Green Bay Press Gazette

Registration Open for the 2017 Prevea Fore Hoops Golf Classic--greenbayphoenix.com
Using the final scholarship--PantherU
Caleb Nero Signs National Letter Of Intent With Milwaukee--mkepanthers.com
Pair Of Seniors Reflect On 2016-17 Basketball Season--mkepanthers.com
Panthers Add NLI Signee Vance Johnson To Roster--mkepanthers.com
Milwaukee Men’s Basketball Golf Outing Set For July 10--mkepanthers.com
Marquette grad Ryan Fazekas comes home to Valparaiso, transfers from Providence--Post-Tribune
Marquette Catholic grad Fazekas transferring to Valparaiso--NWI Times

Johanson Signs with Valpo Women’s Basketball--valpoathletics.com
@NKUNorseMBB closes season ranked No. 21 in CollegeInsider.com Poll--nkunorse.com

@NKUNorseWBB inks Samari Mowbray for 2017-18--nkunorse.com
Graduate Transfer Update--Blogger So Dear
Finally, Alstork has received heavy interest from many programs (but does not list Wake as having shown interest) and has a visit set at Pitt in a couple of weeks.

Family gives update on Ryan Custer’s condition--Dayton Daily News
College Basketball: Wright State picks up transfer from Drake--Dayton Daily News
Recruiting: Trotwood-Madison’s Torrey Patton sets signing date--Dayton Daily News
Wampler Transfers to Wright State--wsuraiders.com
Penguins land commitments from three players--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Men’s Basketball Signs First-Team All-Ohio Pick Naz Bohannon--ysusports.com
Youngstown State Men’s Basketball Signs Jacob Brown to NLI--ysusports.com

Women's Basketball Announces 2017 Summer Camps--ysusports.com
Horizon League to Host 2020 NCAA Men's Basketball Regional--The Horizon League

Saturday, April 15, 2017

News On The Horizon 4/15/2017

2017 Mid-Major NBA Draft Early Entry List--Mid-Major Madness
Mid-Major Early Entry List
...
Mark Alstork - Wright State
...
Kerem Kanter - Green Bay (will transfer to Xavier if he returns to school)
Transfer Guard Rob Edwards Enjoys Pitt Visit--Pittsburgh Sports Now
Transfers could impact Cleveland State, Kent State, Akron basketball programs (photos)--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Three Titans Lead The HL In Statistical Categories In 2016-17--detroittitans.com

Great Day On Campus As Titans Host Special Olympics Day--detroittitans.com

Women's Basketball Hands Out Awards at Annual Banquet--detroittitans.com
Mann lands assistant coaching position at Mizzou--Oakland Post
Valentine honored as top coach under 30--Oakland Post
Illinois adds UIC assistant Chin Coleman to coaching staff--Chicago Tribune
Xavier Basketball: Graduate transfer Kerem Kanter commits to Musketeers--Busting Brackets
Xavier adds talented big Kerem Kanter, but only if he withdraws from NBA Draft--CBS Sports
Prized Green Bay transfer Kerem Kanter explains why he chose Xavier Musketeers--WCP0
Cody Schwartz is transferring home--Phear The Phoenix

Kraker selected by Mystics in WNBA draft--Green Bay Press Gazette
Mehryn Kraker Selected 27th Overall in WNBA Draft by Washington Mystics--greenbayphoenix.com
Tulsa Memorial scoring machine Caleb Nero picks Milwaukee--PantherU
Senior Salute Helps Bid Farewell To 2016-17 Season--mkepanthers.com

Don’t Miss Women’s Basketball’s 17th Annual Golf Classic--mkepanthers.com
Women’s Basketball Camps Update--mkepanthers.com
Northwestern basketball to host Valparaiso in 2017-18 non-conference schedule--Inside NU
MVC’s best options to replace Shockers just might be already in league--Hoopville
And while some will contend that it’s tougher to do now than before because of the proverbial “ever-widening gap between the haves and have nots,” that’s not entirely accurate. Valley schools have always had to do it on a budget compared to bigger schools. Southern Illinois had three coaches over its six-year NCAA streak. Wichita State lost Mark Turgeon one year after its 2006 Sweet 16 trip. It’ll always be a fact of life in leagues like the MVC, just like it is for the Atlantic 10, CAA, Horizon, and anyone else not in that top echelon.

It would be foolhardy to expect too much from a new addition or additions because every single school being suggested as a candidate has its drawbacks. Belmont has a terrific, model basketball program but is an afterthought in its own city. The relative same can be said about Valparaiso in its region just outside Chicago; like Belmont, Valpo is a relatively niched private school that isn’t going to attract a huge audience, even as its basketball program is regularly excellent.
Hefferman: Departure gives MVC opportunity to cement Midwest presence--The Southern
So, the Valley has three options, all which involve creating a bigger presence in their current geographic footprint. Adding a national presence will be tough, if not impossible, but the league can add depth, at least one great new market, and become a real player for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament next March.

Here's a quick look at their options:

No. 1 — Add Valparaiso or Belmont right now

The Valley still has a national brand, and still has an automatic bid to the Big Dance for the winner of Arch Madness. Adding Valparaiso or Belmont in the next month or two — the league added Loyola in less than 40 days after Creighton left in 2013 — gives the league a solid 10th member that can compete for the league championship.

Valparaiso competes in the Horizon League, where the Valley got the Ramblers. The Crusaders won 30 games in 2015-16 and 24 this past season, reaching the NIT, where they lost to Illinois on the road, and produced the Horizon League player of the year in forward Alec Peters. Three Division I transfers sat out this season and will be eligible in 2017-18.

Valparaiso is located in northwest Indiana, kind of between Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, and could help the Valley get a bigger hold in the Hoosier State.

Belmont is a home run because it would get the Valley into Nashville. The Bruins went 23-7 this past season and 20-12 in 2015-16 under longtime coach Rick Byrd. They are yet to win an NCAA Tournament game. Maybe joining the Valley would be a new beginning, and open up new recruiting areas for them.

Pick up Valparaiso or Belmont, you've got 10 teams, you've added a program that wins a lot, and the Valley gets into a new market close to its current geographic footprint.
Reports: MVC Interested in Belmont, Valparaiso & Murray State after WSU Departure--KXEL
MVC Basketball: Five teams the Valley should add--Busting Brackets
All-Mid-Major Madness: First Team and Player of the Year--Mid-Major Madness
2016-17 All-Mid-Major Madness First Team
...
Alec Peters, Valparaiso

We were all crushed when Peters sustained an injury at the end of the season that really stymied Valpo’s chances at a run to the NCAA Tournament. Before that, Peters was able to make a difference for the Crusaders from every spot on the floor. He shot nearly 40 percent from three in conference, often pulled down 10-plus rebounds, dished out assists, and knocked down his free throws with regularity. The Crusaders lost a couple surprising games, but with a healthy Peters, they certainly could have been a Cinderella team in March. Still, he leaves college as Valparaiso’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. By a lot.
Golder Signs NLI To Join Valpo Men’s Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com
NKU signee Chris Vogt talks basketball--Cincinatti Enquirere
WKU, Wright State to play 4-year series--Bowling Green Daily News
Injured Wright State player has no feeling in his legs--College Basketball Talk
Family of injured Elder grad asks for continued support, prayers--WCP0
Wright State, Miami University both offer Trotwood’s Torrey Patton--Dayton Daily News
Prep guard from Louisville signs with Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Sports Today: Reds best start since 1990, Ohio State spring winding down, NBA playoffs, etc.--Dayton Daily News
A couple of developments on the Wright State recruiting front this week:

1. Coach Scott Nagy signed Jaylon Hall, a guard from Louisville, and reportedly offered a scholarship to Trotwood-Madison senior Torrey Patton.

2. As chronicled last month, Patton had a puzzling lack of offers as the Rams made their run to the state final four, but he has caught the attention of a few schools since then.

At 6-4, Patton cuts a similar profile to Mark Alstork, the Raiders’ leading scorer last season. Alstork, a Thurgood Marshall grad, has announced he won’t be back in Fairborn next season.

If he is not satisfied with feedback during the NBA draft process, he will likely find a new team as a grad transfer.

Alstork told MLive.com last weekend his long list of potential destinations includes Michigan, Maryland and Cincinnati. Former WSU coach Billy Donlon is an assistant at Michigan.

The Raiders signed guard Tyler Mitchell from Kings High School during the early signing period last fall while guard Cole Gentry transferred to WSU from South Dakota State…
Facebook page for WSU’s Ryan Custer gains traction--Guardian
University/Athletics Statement on Ryan Custer--wsuraiders.com
Hall Signs With Raiders--wsuraiders.com
YSU hires Calhoun’s top assistant--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU hires Slay as men’s assistant--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
New Penguin coaching staff putting in plenty of hours--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Coaches reunite at Youngstown--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
The Journey Continues--The Jambar
Paul Molinari Named YSU Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach--ysusports.com
Youngstown State Men’s Basketball Names Jason Slay Assistant Coach--ysusports.com
Youngstown State Men's Basketball Tabs Mark Richmond as Director of Operations--ysusports.com

Benjamin’s Stellar Season Earns Her the MVP--The Jambar
Benjamin Named Coach DiGregorio MVP at Women’s Basketball Banquet--ysusports.com
Alexus Burkhart Joins YSU's Women's Basketball Program--ysusports.com
Kraker Selected by Washington Mystics in WNBA Draft--The Horizon League

Sunday, April 9, 2017

News On The Horizon 4/9/2017

2017 NBA Draft Early Entry List: Who is staying and who is going?--College Basketball Talk
DECLARING WITHOUT AN AGENT
...
Mark Alstork, Wright State
...
Kerem Kanter, Green Bay
The top mid-major graduate transfers of 2017--Mid-Major Madness
G Mark Alstork, Wright State

Have a need for a scorer? Alstork has you covered. The 6-4 wing finished third in the Horizon in scoring (19 ppg) to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also had some monster games: 39 vs. Toledo, 33 vs. Youngstown State, 30 vs. Southern Illinois. Alstork even had a near triple-double with a 29-10-8 line against Miami (OH).

F Kerem Kanter, Green Bay

He’s the younger brother of Enes Kanter and he’s in the same mold. He put up 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 19.1 minutes this season and has the ability to step out and shoot the three.He also has a body that’s equipped to bang in the paint. Four double-doubles in his last five games were a preview of the player he could be.
AAC presidents to vote this week on adding Wichita State; could begin play in fall--CBS Sports
Missouri Valley commissioner Doug Elgin is aware of Wichita State’s intentions. There have been reports the Valley could move quickly to replace Wichita State, possibly with Valparaiso.
...
A Wichita State move would kick off a significant round of conference realignment in basketball below the Power Five level. The Horizon League is reportedly looking at schools in large cities to improve its profile. The University of Nebraska-Omaha and the University of Denver have been mentioned.
Rob Edwards Should Stay at Cleveland State--Campus Pressbox
Student-Athletes Receive Numerous Awards At Honors Convocation--detroittitans.com
Oakland loses another assistant as Mann heads to Missouri--Detroit News
MANN ACCEPTS ASSISTANT COACHING POSITION AT MIZZOU--goldengrizzlies.com
UWGB men land junior college recruit--Green Bay Press Gazette
League is trending up, but are changes on the Horizon?--Phear The Phoenix

Kevin Borseth's Summer Basketball Camps Open for Registration--greenbayphoenix.com
LaVall Jordan Set To Join Bob & Brian MACC Fund Radiothon--mkepanthers.com
Support Milwaukee Basketball Alumni With Vote For TBT--mkepanthers.com
What Wichita State's conference move means for the AAC, Missouri Valley--USA Today
Creighton was quickly replaced by Loyola-Chicago in 2013, and odds are Valparaiso would be a sensible-yet-underwhelming fill-in for the void the Shockers leave.
Missouri Valley Conference needs to fill voids left by Wichita State and Creighton--CBS Sports
Valparaiso

State: Indiana
Division I since: 1978
Record: 634-552 (.535)
Conference history: Horizon and Summit League/Mid-Continent
Regular-season conference titles: 14
NCAA Tournament appearances: Nine

Valpo’s only been D-I since the late 1970s, but it’s got 1,100 wins, total, to its name over the ages. Its location, basketball-first mindset and solid history over the past 20 years make it an enticing replacement. If SLU really is a pipe dream, Valpo should be a reasonable get. And it’s a candidate that would make the Valley look fairly stable, if it were able to poach the Crusaders out of the Horizon. For Valparaiso, it’s a slight upgrade in league and a scene that allows the school to clearly remain top-three in its new digs. It’s going to be able to recruit at the same level still, if not a little higher. It has a workable basketball budget and name recognition to bring appeal to the league. Plus: the fanbase is good, too. From a culture-fit perspective, Valpo is a no-brainer.
...
If SLU is off the table immediately, I have to believe the next three in line would all consider leaving because they are in lesser leagues. You get any of the four programs listed above, you come out of the Wichita State situation looking pretty good. If, for whatever reason, you stay basketball-minded and are looking elsewhere, here are other possible candidates: Detroit (former member, big city spot), Oakland (stable program capable of making the move), UMKC (good location, would beg to get into the Valley), Fort Wayne (any school in Indiana fits MVC profile), SIU-Edwardsville (already a member in other sports, and is near the hub of the league, in St. Louis).
...
The Valley will be just fine, but there is no denying that it takes a huge hit with the loss of the Shockers. So if it wants to maintain its status as a top-12 league, it needs to lure in either Saint Louis, Valparaiso, Murray State and/or Belmont.
MVC targeting Valpo, Murray State as additions following Wichita State’s departure--Fan Rag Sports
Conference realignment: Rumors swirl amid Missouri Valley upheaval--Mid-Major Madness
But so far, the rumors seem to suggest expansion is on the MVC’s mind. The Des Moines Register summarized the schools that have been floated since WSU’s AAC announcement, and they square with our list from last week:

A list of possibilities has been reported, including Valparaiso, Belmont, UMKC, Omaha, the four Dakota schools and more. The decision will likely come down to numerous factors, such as geographical fit, financial stability and basketball relevance.

FanRag’s Jon Rothstein reported yesterday that Valparaiso and Murray State are the league’s targets. And given that it’s Rothstein, it might be safe to assume that those two schools are at the top of the MVC’s wish list.
...
Then there’s the market play. That would weigh in favor of schools like UMKC and Omaha, and the Kansas City Star confirmed that the Kangaroos are interested.

“Obviously we would love to be considered,” UMKC athletic director Carla Wilson said. “If we could be more regional with our conference affiliation that would create some geographic rivalries, help our travel and be a benefit to us.”

The Star also noted that UMKC, UIC and Valpo were considered when the MVC ultimately chose Loyola Chicago as Creighton’s replacement in 2013. That could mean that the Flames will be in the mix again.
Valparaiso reportedly in consideration for Missouri Valley--NWI Times
Does Valparaiso match with Missouri Valley Conference?--Inside VU Sports
Report: MVC targeting Horizon League team--Cincinnati Enquirer
TWO NKU PLAYERS DEPART: Northern Kentucky University men's basketball head coach John Brannen announced the release of Brennan Gillis (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis), who will pursue opportunities to finish his education while playing football, and Brandon Maxwell (Orlando, Fla./Daytona State CC).

"I'd like to thank both Brennan and Brandon for their contributions to NKU men's basketball," said Brannen. "I wish both of them nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

Gillis played in 64 games as a Norse, averaging 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds. Maxwell averaged 1.4 points in 24 games played this year.
Gillis, Maxwell released from men’s basketball team--The Northerner
Gillis, Maxwell released from NKU men’s basketball--nkunorse.com
Elder High School graduate Ryan Custer injured at large Oxford party--WCPO
Potential Grad Transfer: Mark Alstork--Blogger So Dear
Sports Today: Basketball ratings, Friday night Big Ten football development, Ohio State updates and more--Dayton Daily News
Wright State got some bad news yesterday as star guard Mark Alstork announced he is not only looking into the NBA draft but plans to graduate and potentially transfer.

The Raiders won 20 games in their first season under coach Scott Nagy, though they weren’t able to do all the things he wanted to do as far as style of play.

It will be interesting to see how they look when the roster is more of what he wants.
Wright State basketball player reported in critical condition--The Guardian
Report: Michigan reaches out to Wright State transfer Mark Alstork--UM Hoops
YSU fans can forget dismal past--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

Penguins’ new coaching staff nearing completion
--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU basketball veterans pleased with new system--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Morse’s Stellar Season, Semifinal Run Highlight Men’s Basketball Campaign--ysusports.com

Season In Review: Penguins Set Stage for Future Success in 2016-17--ysusports.com