News On The Horizon 3/31/2018

Cleveland State basketball: does strong finish mean Vikings are on rise?--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Freshman sensation Tyree Appleby looks back on great year with an eye on an increased future role--NEO Sports Insiders
CSU weekly rewind: Looking back at CSU athletics for the week of March 25--The Reserve News

Titans To Host Legends Classic Subregional In November--detroittitans.com

NUNN NAMED TO LOU HENSON ALL-AMERICA TEAM--goldengrizzlies.com
KAMPE'S STAFF: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?--goldengrizzlies.com

The Morning Dish – Wednesday, March 28, 2018--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu

Two tournaments are in action tonight as they wind down, and one could be all over.

The CIT has semifinal action with UIC traveling to Liberty (7 p.m.) followed by Northern Colorado hosting Sam Houston State (9 p.m.), with both games televised on the CBS Sports Network.

The Morning Dish – Thursday, March 29, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes

The CBI was not alone on the night, as the CIT held its semifinals with both being decided by double digits. UIC went to Liberty and won the battle of the Flames 67-51, pulling away in the second half after being up by four at halftime, then Northern Colorado scored 57 points in the second half to pull away from visiting Sam Houston State 99-80 behind 40 points from Andre Spight. The championship game will be played on Friday in Greeley, CO.

CIT Recap: Northern Colorado and UIC advance to finals--Hoopville
The Morning Dish – Friday, March 30, 2018--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu:
...
Playing at the exact same time unfortunately is the CIT final, with Illinois-Chicago at Northern Colorado (7 p.m., CBSSN). UIC has played just fine without forward Dikembe Dixson, who is not participating in the tourney after announcing he will be going pro, and we’re seeing in this tourney why the Flames-with a number of offensive weapons and tough defense when so motivated-were such an attractive team before the season. The Bears, meanwhile, have had a very nice season-25 wins coming into this one-and senior Andre Spight (40 points in the semifinals against Sam Houston State) is the type of scorer who can put UIC in retreat mode.

The Morning Dish – Saturday, March 31, 2018--Hoopville

Meanwhile, the CollegeInsider.com Tournament had its championship game, with UIC traveling to play Northern Colorado. Northern Colorado led by nine at halftime and ran the lead up to 16 in the second half before UIC went on a 21-6 run to get within one. UIC appeared to run out of gas, though, as they didn’t score the rest of the way as the Bears held them off 76-70 to win the CIT.

Northern Colorado was carried by Jordan Davis (29 points on 11-18 shooting, eight rebounds) and Andre Spight (23 points), while UIC was led by Marcus Ottey with 25 points on 10-18 shooting. The Flames have much of this team returning, while Northern Colorado will lose key pieces but still bring back a lot.

Illinois-Chicago advances to CIT title game, tops Liberty--CBS Sports
Northern Colorado vs. Illinois-Chicago odds: CIT championship game picks from model on 16-8 roll--CBS Sports
CIT Recap: Northern Colorado beats UIC to win CIT--Mid-Major Madness
News, Notes and CBI/CIT Championship Previews – Friday, March 30th--Hoops HD

CIT

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO AT NORTHERN COLORADO (7:00 PM, CBS Sports Network). The Flames of UIC got off to a slow start against Liberty on Wednesday night, but dominated the final 35 minutes to coast to a 16-point victory on the road. Northern Colorado was also firing from all cylinders against Sam Houston State on Wednesday night; they are looking to win a postseason title one year after a self-imposed postseason ban for the Bears.

One step away--Whoosh! Net
UIC’s Championship Quest Ends at Northern Colorado--uicflames.com

Green Bay's Khalil Small to Play in 3x3U National Championship in San Antonio--greenbayphoenix.com

McDonald named Lou Henson all-american--nkunorse.com

@UICFlamesMBB concludes 2017-18 campaign as CIT runner-up--The Horizon League

News On The Horizon 3/29/2018

3x3U Tournament--Hoops HD

Horizon League
Jalen Hayes, Oakland
Kendrick Nunn, Oakland
Grant Benzinger, Wright State
Lavine Holland II, Northern Kentucky

Men’s basketball makes tournament run--CSU Cauldron
Cleveland State's Dontel Highsmith to transfer, per report--Cleveland State Hoops

Women’s basketball eliminated early and loses coach--CSU Cauldron
Women’s Basketball 2017-18 Season In Review--csuvikings.com

Bacari Alexander out as Detroit Mercy's basketball coach after 2 seasons--Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy fires Bacari Alexander after two seasons--Detroit News
Next up at Detroit Mercy? Nine candidates to watch--Detroit News
Kameron Chatman Declares For NBA Draft, Will Not Hire An Agent--detroittitans.com
Dave DeBusschere Center for Athletics Opens At Austin Catholic High School--detroittitans.com
University of Detroit Mercy Makes Change in Men’s Basketball Program--detroittitans.com

Women's Basketball Hands Out Awards at Year-End Banquet--detroittitans.com

The Morning Dish – Thursday, March 22, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes:
...
A pair of quarterfinals took place in the CIT. Illinois-Chicago won at Austin Peay 83-81, coming back from 14 points down and getting a jumper by Godwin Boahen with just over a second left for the winner. UIC has now won eight straight games on the road, a school record. Also, Northern Colorado won at San Diego 86-75 to move to the semifinals, also rallying from a halftime deficit. The Bears from the Big Sky Conference had three players score at least 20 points (Andre Spight with 26, Jordan Davis with 21 plus 12 rebounds and Anthony Johnson with 20 off the bench) and will make their first-ever CIT semifinal appearance.

Under The Radar Postseason News, Notes and Highlighted Games – Wednesday, March 21st--Hoops HD

CIT

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO AT AUSTIN PEAY (8:00 PM, CBS Digital Network). Both teams won their home openers to advance to the quarterfinal round; UIC beat St. Francis (PA) at home and Austin Peay beat Louisiana-Monroe in their opener dubbed the John McLendon Classic. Austin Peay is 4-0 at home in the brief history of the CBI and CIT Tournaments.

News, Notes and UTR Games – Wednesday, March 28th--Hoops HD

CIT

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO AT LIBERTY (7:00 PM, CBS Sports Network). UIC advanced to the CIT semifinals with a win at Austin Peay last Wednesday – it was the first time Peay had ever lost a postseason game at home. They will take on another group of Flames – Liberty has won a pair of home games against North Carolina A&T and Central Michigan to earn their spot in tonight’s first semifinal game.

UIC stuns Austin Peay in CIT quarterfinal--UIC News
Silent but deadly--Whoosh! Net
UIC Fires Back to Stun Austin Peay in CIT Quarterfinal, 83-81--uicflames.com
UIC Singes Liberty to Advance to CIT Championship Game--uicflames.com

Jevon Smith commits to UWGB men's basketball team--Green Bay Press Gazette
Jay’Quan McCloud racking up accolades--Phear The Phoenix
6’4″ forward Jevon Smith commits to Green Bay--Phear The Phoenix

UWM's men's basketball team loses two players to transfer--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UWM Panthers Head Coach Pat Baldwin recaps first year with the team--CBS 58
Roster Change Announced To Men’s Basketball Program--mkepanthers.com

After NKU made history in 2017-18, what comes next?--Cincinnati Enquirer
Former NKU walk-on Tyler Sharpe receives a scholarship--Cincinnati Enquirer
Carson Williams to transfer from NKU--Cincinnati Enquirer
NKU double-double machine McDonald selected to 2017-18 Lou Henson All-America Team--Northern Kentucky Tribune
NKU's Holland Picked for 3-on-3 Tournament at Final Four--River City News
Processing the loss of Carson Williams--The Norse Report
Williams granted release from NKU--The Northerner
With Williams transfer, where do the Norse go from here?--The Northerner
2018-19 Season Tickets Now Available for Men’s Basketball--nkunorse.com
Holland to play in inaugural Dos Equis 3X3U Tournament surrounding Final Four--nkunorse.com

Coffey awarded full athletic scholarship after walk-on rookie season--nkunorse.com

Wright State’s Benzinger to represent Horizon League at Final Four--Dayton Daily News
Wright State’s incoming class loaded with talent, success--Dayton Daily News
Are students a fan of Rowdy Raider?--The Guardian Online
Nagy Chosen District Coach of the Year--wsuraiders.com
Benzinger to Play in 3X3 Tournament--wsuraiders.com
New Season Ticket Deposits Available Now--wsuraiders.com

Three YSU players will not return--Youngstown Vindicator
Looking at wins, losses for YSU men--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Two more depart YSU men’s team--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

Wright State's Nagy Named District Coach of the Year--The Horizon League
UIC advances to CIT championship game--The Horizon League
Nunn & McDonald named to Lou Henson All-America Team--The Horizon League

News On The Horizon 3/20/2018

CSU Weekly Roundup--NEO Sports Insiders

Evan Clayborne announces that he is leaving CSU

Evan Clayborne, who will be a junior next season, announced his departure from CSU’s men’s basketball program Sunday. He did not say where he would attend next.

Clayborne, a 6’8″ forwards, played in 24 games last season and averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He provided size and physicality off the bench.

Although no reason was given for the transfer, Clayborne likely wants to find a better fit for his play style.

In an announcement on Instagram, Clayborne thanked his team and staff for time as a Viking.

“I’m almost sad my time here is ending but it’s time to look forward,” Clayborne wrote. “These last 2 years have been a ride and and wherever I go next I’ll take what I’ve learned with me.”

Sean’s Sport Chips — A look at incoming CSU basketball player Seth Millner--The Reserve News
Cleveland State's Evan Clayborne leaving basketball program--Cleveland State Hoops
2017-18 Men's Basketball Highlights--csuvikings.com

Peterson Abiad Announces Plan To Step Down As Cleveland State Women’s Basketball Head Coach--csuvikings.com

Titans staff hopes to pull off success NCAA tourney--The Varsity News

@UICFlamesMBB Continues Postseason Run at Austin Peay--uicflames.com

Benjamin Repeats as Coach DiGregorio MVP as Penguins Host Postseason Banquet--ysusports.com

News On The Horizon 3/19/2018

Men’s basketball advances to CIT quarterfinals--UIC News
CIT Quarterfinal Matchup Set at Austin Peay--uicflames.com

Green Bay will compete in 2K Classic next season--Phear The Phoenix

Indiana 74, UW-Milwaukee 54: Panthers fall to Hoosiers in WNIT--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee’s WNIT Run Ends At Indiana--mkepanthers.com

Outlook for YSU basketball better in second season--Youngstown Vindicator

#HLWBB Roundup: Milwaukee Ends Season in WNIT Second Round at Indiana--The Horizon League

News On The Horizon 3/17/2018

Dixson leaving for pros--Whoosh! Net
Sharing the wealth--Whoosh! Net

Minnesota Women’s Basketball: Gophers to Take on Wisconsin-Green Bay in NCAA First Round--The Daily Gopher
Minnesota Women’s Basketball: Gophers Defeat Green Bay 89-77 in NCAA Tournament--The Daily Gopher
NCAA tournament: Minnesota catches fire, ends UWGB's season--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Takes Double-Digit Lead But Minnesota Comes Back to Win in NCAA First Round--greenbayphoenix.com

Milwaukee Heads To Indiana For WNIT Second Round Matchup--mkepanthers.com

Raiders End Season at Toledo--wsuraiders.com

#HLWBB Roundup: Green Bay Ends Season in NCAA Tournament, Wright State Falls in WNIT--The Horizon League

News On The Horizon 3/16/2018

The Morning Dish – Thursday, March 15, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes:
...
The CIT continued with three games, all home teams winning. Eastern Michigan won its 22nd game of the season, dumping Niagara 83-65; Texas-San Antonio defeated former Southland foe Lamar 76-69 in an all-Texas matchup, the Roadrunners’ second-ever postseason win, and Illinois-Chicago routed St. Francis (Pa.) 84-61.
...
Today’s Menu:
...
The real NCAA Tournament gets underway today with the first 16 games of the first round. The day tips off with Oklahoma against Rhode Island in a 7-10 game between two teams on the skids of late (12:15 p.m. Eastern, CBS). Other games in the first window include Wright State against Tennessee (12:40 p.m., truTV), UNC Greensboro vs. Gonzaga (1:30 p.m., TNT) in what could be a real dogfight if the Spartans’ tough defense can slow down the Zags, and Pennsylvania meets top seed Kansas (2 p.m., TBS).

Sean’s Sport Chips — A look at incoming CSU basketball player Deante Johnson--The Reserve News

CIT round-up: Eastern Michigan, UIC, UTSA advance--Mid-Major Madness
Under The Radar Postseason News, Notes and Highlighted Games – Thursday, March 15th--Hoops HD

Chalk also held in the opening round of the CIT – Eastern Michigan, UT-San Antonio and Illinois-Chicago all won at home against Niagara, Lamar and St. Francis-PA, respectively. Another strange development is that there are 4 late entries into the field – Wofford, Portland State, Northern Colorado and Sam Houston State will now play 2nd round games against opponents to be determined.

UIC Cruises to CIT Victory Over Saint Francis--uicflames.com

Purdue edges IUPUI in the WNIT on Karissa McLaughlin's basket--The Indy Star
JAGS FALL SHORT IN WNIT MATCHUP WITH PURDUE--iupuijags.com

Minnesota Women’s Basketball: Gophers to Take on Wisconsin-Green Bay in NCAA First Round--Daily Gopher
UWGB women ready to make noise in NCAA Tournament--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB's fanatical statistician much more than numbers--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Preview: First Round vs Minnesota--greenbayphoenix.com

Panthers Shoot Lights Out To Win 81-67 In WNIT Opener--mkepanthers.com

The Morning Dish – Friday, March 16, 2018--Hoopville

NCAA Tournament Roundup:
...
Also winning in the South was Tennessee, which rolled past 14 seed Wright State 73-47. Undoubtedly the SEC will crow about going 4-0 on the tourney’s first day.

32 NCAA Tournament First Round Quick Takes--Rush The Court

Tennessee vs. Wright State: If Wright State big man Loudon Love stays out of foul trouble, he could grab enough rebounds against the Volunteers to give Wright State a reasonable chance at an upset.

VIDEOS: Tennessee’s Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield posterizes Wright State--College Basketball Talk
No. 3 Tennessee cruises past No. 14 Wright State--College Basketball Talk
Tennessee wins NCAA opener, routs Wright State 73-47--CBS Sports
NCAA Tournament First Round: Wright State goes cold, falls to Tennessee--Mid-Major Madness
NCAA Tournament: First Round Preview – Thursday, March 15th--Hoops HD

DALLAS

(14) WRIGHT STATE VS (3) TENNESSEE (12:40 PM, TruTV). This could be a potential upset with the Raiders’ inside-outside combo of Loudon Love and Grant Benzinger, but they haven’t faced as many teams with the size and defensive intensity that you would expect from a Rick Barnes-coached team so far this season. Even with their loss to Kentucky in the SEC Championship, the Vols come into this game with a share of the SEC regular-season title and a lot of momentum.

Wright State's Loudon Love brings his football backgroud at Geneva to the basketball court--Chicago Tribune
39 players from Illinois on NCAA tournament rosters--Chicago Tribune
NCAA Tournament: No. 3 Tennessee Vols Handle Business Against No. 14 Wright State, 73-47--Rocky Top Talk
LIVE: Wright State battles Tennessee in the NCAA tournament--Dayton Daily News
NCAA Tournament: Tennessee ends Wright State’s season--Dayton Daily News
Sports Today: The NCAA tournament still rules--Dayton Daily News

As for Wright State, well, I was optimistic going in, but Tennessee was favored for a reason.

The Raiders were bad offensively even compared to their normal game, which is obviously a recipe for disaster against a good Tennessee squad.

I thought the Volunteers played an average game while WSU came out cold and never recovered.

Of course, Wright State had to be at its best to win, and the Raiders were far from that.

I would imagine some of those shots in the second half would have been more likely to drop if not for the hole the Raiders were in.

But this could be the type of experience they can build on for the future.

“I think as time goes on, they’ll be able to look back and see what a special season this was,” he added. “One thing I told them is that I haven’t enjoyed every team that I’ve coached, but I really enjoyed these guys. This team has been a joy to coach, and for as thin as we were and as young as we are, we accomplished so much.”

One of the fun parts of March Madness is seeing those teams that come back with the same group two or three times in a four-year span and get that big win after absorbing some hard lessons…

Wrapping up the disappointing ending to Wright State's record-breaking season: https://t.co/2HbOPJOAuY pic.twitter.com/9TbYT9jYfL

— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) March 15, 2018

Special Season Comes to an End--wsuraiders.com

Revitalized Raiders open WNIT play at Toledo--Dayton Daily News

YSU ousted from WBI--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

Wright State falls to Tennessee in NCAA First Round--The Horizon League

#HLWBB Roundup: Milwaukee Advances, IUPUI Falls in WNIT First Round--The Horizon League

News On The Horizon 3/14/2018

The Morning Dish – Wednesday, March 14, 2018--Hoopville

Side Dishes:
...
Also in the NIT, Western Kentucky made Conference USA 2-0 for the night with a solid 79-62 win at home over Boston College. Louisville also held off Northern Kentucky 66-58 and Oregon fought off a challenge by Rider to win 99-86.
...
Tonight’s Menu:
...
The College Insider Tournament is back with three more games, including a pretty good one with Niagara at Eastern Michigan. Others include St. Francis (Pa.) at Illinois-Chicago and Texas-San Antonio facing Lamar.

Kendrick Nunn nominated for Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year--Oakland Post

Dixson Set to Pursue Professional Career--uicflames.com

IUPUI women's coach Austin Parkinson knows Purdue well--The Indy Star
Scouting Purdue women's basketball at IUPUI--Journal & Courier

Louisville rallies past Northern Kentucky 66-58 in NIT--CBS Sports
NIT First Round: Saint Mary’s, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky advance; UNC Asheville falls in 2OT--Mid-Major Madness

Louisville 66, Northern Kentucky 58

Northern Kentucky disappointed everyone when it lost to Cleveland State in the Horizon League Tournament. The Norse nearly made up for it, but Louisville overcame a five-point halftime deficit to knock out the men from Sweden Highland Heights, Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky shot 5-for-28 from three-point land. For those keeping track, these three mid-major losers shot a combined 12-for-78 from beyond the arc.

Under The Radar Postseason News, Notes and NIT/CBI Games – Tuesday, March 13th--Hoops HD

NIT

(7) NORTHERN KENTUCKY AT (2) LOUISVILLE (7:00 PM, ESPN). While the Norse were upset early in the Horizon tournament, they appear to be the far more enthusiastic team in this matchup where they make the short drive down I-71 to face off against in-state foe Louisville in the first round.

NKU loses 66-58 to Louisville in first round of NIT--Cincinnati Enquirer
Louisville rallies in second half, posts 66-58 win over NKU in opening round of NIT Tuesday night--Northern Kentucky Tribune
Photos & Reaction: NKU Falls to Louisville in NIT--River City News
Gallery: Cardinals rally in second half to end NKU’s season--The Northerner
@NKUNorseMBB falls to Louisville in the NIT, 66-58--nkunorse.com

2018 NCAA Tournament Players to Watch – Part 1--Hoopville

Grant Benzinger, Sr. G, Wright State
The son of former Major League Baseball player Todd has been the go-to guy for the Raiders, and he came up big not only in the Horizon League final, but earlier this year when he scored 31 points on 8-13 shooting in a win at regular season champion Northern Kentucky.

RTC Bracket Prep: South Region--Rush The Court

Great Storyline: Ryan Custer and Wright State. The Raiders endured tragedy last spring when freshman forward Ryan Custer suffered an off-the-court injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Nearly one year later, he has served as inspiration for a Wright State team dancing for the first time in over a decade.

2018 NCAA Tournament: Stats, facts to know to fill out a March Madness bracket--CBS Sports

17: Kansas has 17 wins against teams in the field, the most of any team participating. Next best is Virginia (14), then Villanova and UNC (12). Teams with no wins against 2018 tournament teams: North Carolina Central, LIU Brooklyn, Texas Southern, UMBC, Radford, Lipscomb, Cal State Fullerton, Wright State, Iona, Penn, Stephen F. Austin, Bucknell, Buffalo, Montana and Charleston.

Surprising Tennessee opens tourney against Wright State--CBS Sports
Tennessee vs. Wright State odds: 2018 NCAA Tournament picks from proven computer model--CBS Sports
What to Watch For: The first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament--Team Speed Kills

WHICH TENNESSEE WILL WE SEE?

NCAA Basketball: Georgia at Tennessee Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The co-regular season champion Tennessee Volunteers have been a bit up-and-down over the last few weeks. They defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 76-54 back on February 27. They then had two close calls to the Georgia Bulldogs on March 3 and then against Mississippi State in the Quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. But, they followed that up with a demolition of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Semis and played Kentucky close in the Final.

Tennessee, a 3 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, start off with the Wright State Raiders. On one hand, Wright State shouldn’t inflict too much fear in Vol fans if you look at the numbers. Tennessee ranks 40th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. Wright State... ranks 246th. The Vols rank 162nd in PPG, with 74.2. The Raiders... rank 224th, with 72.1. So they are a bit deficient on offense. The problem is, as we touched on: Tennessee’s offense has sputtered in recent weeks. And the Raiders play pretty good defense. They rank in the Top 30 in PPG allowed (65.7, good for 27th in the nation) and rank 54th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.

If the Vols that we saw for most of the year, the ones who made the push to the top of the SEC appear again, then they should be able to handle WSU. However, if the plodding Vols appear, the ones who can’t really score at will, then the Raiders could keep it close. And if it comes down to a game of inches, there’s no telling what that means for the 3-seeded Volunteers.

NCAA Tournament: Voice of Volunteers - Wright State’s first-round foe - is Kettering native--Dayton Daily News
Ryan Custer-inspired shirts fit Wright State Raiders to a T--Dayton Daily News
Wright State vs. Tennessee: Everything you need to know about Thursday’s game--Dayton Daily News
Hall happy to be home in Texas for biggest game of career--Dayton Daily News
Raiders Enjoying The Dance--wsuraiders.com
Busy Day in Dallas--wsuraiders.com

Penguin women excited for WBI--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU Women’s Basketball Playing Well against Binghamton in WBI--The Jambar
Penguins Fall 70-59 in Opening Round of the WBI--ysusports.com

News On The Horizon 3/13/2018

FINAL EPISODE OF OAKLAND-ALL ACCESS TO AIR WEDNESDAY ON FOX SPORTS DETROIT--goldengrizzlies.com

Flames earn spot in postseason--UIC News
Season extended--Whoosh! Net
Flames Welcome Red Flash in CIT Opener--uicflames.com

Gametime set for Thursday's women's basketball game at IUPUI--Purdue Exponent
JAGS TO HOST PURDUE IN WNIT FIRST ROUND ON THURSDAY--iupuijags.com
IUPUI GEARING UP FOR WNIT MATCHUP AGAINST PURDUE--iupuijags.com

2018 Linc Darner Boys Basketball Camps Information--greenbayphoenix.com

The Aspire Group & Green Bay Athletics Form Ticket Sales Partnership--greenbayphoenix.com

Women's Basketball 2018 NCAA Tournament Spokane Regional Overview--College Sports Madness

What Possible Matchup is Interesting?
Green Bay against Oregon in the second round would be interesting because of the fun contrast in styles between these two teams. The Phoenix are a tough defensive minded team that is not afraid to grind the tempo of the game down against a team like the Ducks. While Oregon can light up the scoreboard with anyone in the country on any given night and is a tough team to prepare for on the second half of a tournament weekend.

Women's Basketball 2018 NCAA Tournament Spokane Region Round of 64 Game Breakdowns--College Sports Madness

#7 Green Bay vs. #10 Minnesota
This should be a game that goes down to the wire. Green Bay has consistently hung around the top 25 all season long. Minnesota is dangerous enough offensively to create their share of problems for the Phoenix. Allie Leclaire is a senior guard for Green Bay that will provide strong leadership and is averaging over 14 points per game on the season. For the Golden Gophers, it will be important for them to get the tempo of the game sped up into the 80’s or 90’s and use their great guards, led by Kenisha Bell and Carlie Wagner, to their advantage.

Minnesota Women’s Basketball: Gophers a #10 Seed and will play #7 Green Bay--Daily Gopher
UWGB women draw Minnesota in NCAA tournament--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay a No. 7 Seed, Facing No. 10 Seed Minnesota in Oregon in NCAA First Round--greenbayphoenix.com

Milwaukee Women's Basketball 2018 NIT Tournament Capsule--College Sports Madness
Panthers Headed Back To WNIT, Will Play Northern Iowa Thursday--mkepanthers.com

Louisville vs. Northern Kentucky in NIT: Schedule, streaming info, betting odds, TV--CBS Sports
Louisville players decide to play in the NIT after initially voting against it--The Dagger
Louisville basketball players voted against accepting an NIT invitation, sources say--USA Today
NKU excited to play Louisville, 'one of the greatest schools in college basketball history'--Cincinnati Enquirer
NKU faces major challenge against Louisville shot-blocking duo Tuesday night in NIT opener--Northern Kentucky Tribune
Norse "Excited" for NIT Match-Up with Louisville on ESPN--River City News
Game Preview: NKU at Louisville (NIT)--The Norse Report
Like mother, like son; Drew McDonald joins mother Christie in NKU history books--The Northerner
Preview: Norse set to battle Louisville in first round of the NIT--The Northerner
McDonald, Holland collect NABC All-District recognition--nkunorse.com

March Madness 2018: Ranking all 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament field--CBS Sports

57 Wright St.
There are a lot of really good coaches at the mid-major level who do not get their due nationally. Scott Nagy is among them. He took the Wright State job after guiding South Dakota State into Division I. Now, year two, he has the Raiders as the champions out of the Horizon League.

NCAA Tournament 2018: Tennessee vs. Wright State live stream, TV channel, time, date--CBS Sports
March Madness: 68 reasons to love and obsess over the 2018 NCAA Tournament field--CBS Sports

65. Always love examining the tip time windows and ranking them accordingly. Here's your viewer's guide and priority list. I'd rank them like this, with the qualifier that these are really balanced blocks this year.
...
6. Thursday early afternoon: URI-Oklahoma, Tennessee-Wright State, Gonzaga-UNC Greensboro, Kansas-Penn

NCAA Tournament: (3) Tennessee vs. (14) Wright State Preview and Prediction--Rocky Top Talk
Sports Today: Bengals start critical week with strong move--Dayton Daily News

Lastly, it’s a pretty big week for Scott Nagy.

Not only has he done precisely what he was hired to do by leading Wright State back to the NCAA tournament, he can also brag about his old team being in the Big Dance, too.

“I’m happy for them,” Nagy said. “A lot of those kids we recruited, and we want them to have good experiences. If they can walk away from South Dakota State and say they had a great experience, that’s good.”

March Madness: 10 potential NCAA tournament upsets ranked by likelihood--Dayton Daily News

Upsets define the NCAA tournament.

Without them, it the next two weekends would probably be cool but not nearly as memorable.

Picking the right upsets — and avoiding the wrong ones — is a key to winning bracket pools, too.

That’s a shame because those are the hardest things to do.

Well, I can’t tell you which upsets to pick, but here are 10 matchups that caught my eye for one reason or another.

They are rated by likelihood with “1” meaning we don’t think it will happen, but it’s not out of the question and “5” meaning put it down in ink.
...
Likelihood: 4

Wright State vs. Tennessee

The biggest challenge for the Raiders will be scoring enough points. They have the defense to keep it close and a big lineup for a small-conference team, so they don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed from that standpoint.

The Volunteers have four players who average at least nine points per game and can shoot the three. They foul a lot, though, and aren’t a great rebounding team.

Wright State women to face another Ohio squad in WNIT--Dayton Daily News
Raiders Draw Toledo in WNIT--wsuraiders.com

Cameron Morse Closes Stellar Career In Year One of Calhoun Era--ysusports.com

YSU women to play in WBI--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Penguins Begin WBI Wednesday Against Binghamton--ysusports.com

@NKUNorseMBB closes 2017-18 campaign with narrow NIT setback at Louisville--The Horizon League

Motor City Madness Reaches New Heights In 2018--The Horizon League

Three #HLWBB Teams to Compete in WNIT--The Horizon League