On The Horizon

Jim Squire

MKE Men’s Basketball Adds UCF Transfer Moses Bol--mkepanthers.com

Kailey Coffey earns distinction on CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team--nkunorse.com

Jim Squire

Former UWGB basketball coach Linc Darner hired at Ball State--Green Bay Press Gazette

Vincent Miszkiewicz Signs With MKE Men’s Basketball--mkepanthers.com

Jim Squire

Interesting details of Cleveland State basketball’s six-year contract with coach Dennis Gates--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Men’s Hoops Adds Radford Transfer Quinton Morton-Robertson--gomastodons.com

Flames Announce Addition of Five to Men’s Basketball Roster--uicflames.com

Jim Squire

Women’s college basketball: 30 mid-major stars to watch in 2021-22--Heat Check CBB

THE SENIOR TOUR

As mentioned before, part of the reason there is so much talent at the mid-major level is that most of last year’s senior class is back for more. Here’s a look at a few of the most notable players taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility and making one final run at the collegiate level.

Macee Williams, IUPUI

Is there a better model of consistency in college basketball than Macee Williams? The IUPUI star has now taken home three Horizon League Player of the Year awards, and with her return confirmed, the 6-foot-2 Williams could be on her way to a fourth. Last season, the Jaguar center went off for 18.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, dominating the Horizon along the way. Williams could end up leaving college as one of the most decorated individuals in history, but the true motivation for this final season will be on getting IUPUI to the NCAA Tournament after the Jags’ 2020 Big Dance ticket — the first in school history, mind you — was torn up due to COVID-19.
NOT SUPER-SENIORS, BUT STILL SUPER

While those seniors are certainly worth all of the accolades they’ve earned, the players in the classes behind them are already poised for greatness. Actually, forget “poised” — these mid-major hoopers are great right now.

Angel Baker, Wright State

Who could forget the stunning performance of Baker during Wright State’s first-round upset of Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament? While that game may have put the Raiders’ star on the national radar, Baker has been a consistent performer for her whole career. Last season, she scored 18 points per game while adding five rebounds, nearly three assists, and more than a steal per game. It may prove difficult to unseat Macee Williams for Horizon League POY, but Baker is as good a bet as anyone to be the one to do it.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS

As we circle back to the WCC, it is important to note that Gonzaga’s Bree Salenbien is not the only Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2021 star headed for the mid-major ranks — in fact, another one is touching down elsewhere in the conference. Here is a look at three first-year players from ESPN’s Top 75 who will be making big impacts at the lower levels.

Callie Genke, Green Bay

Though the Green Bay program is a few years removed from its incredible run of 20 consecutive Horizon League titles between 1998 and 2018, the Phoenix may be rising once again thanks to a little hometown cooking. Genke, a 6-foot guard, is not only the No. 73 recruit in the nation, but she is also a product of Freedom, Wisc., a suburb just minutes outside of Green Bay. The addition of a some serious local flavor should soften the blow of saying goodbye to team MVP Caitlyn Hibner.

While there is every reason to watch established, powerhouse programs like UConn and Stanford, don’t forget that there’s also a thriving ecosystem just beneath the high-major surface, full of legitimate stars ready to make their mark on the 2021-22 women’s college basketball season.

Vikings offseason highlighted by Gates extension--HoriZone Roundtable

Recruiting corner: Green Bay Notre Dame's Trista Fayta caps freshman season with UWGB offer--Green Bay Press Gazette

Whitaker announces roles for Payne, Smith on @NKUNorseWBB staff--nkunorse.com

Wright State adds transfer from another Horizon League school--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Men’s Basketball Adds C.J. Wilbourn--wsuraiders.com

Jim Squire

The Beginning is the End is the Beginning--HoriZone Roundtable

UWGB finds its big man, uses final scholarship on 6-foot-8 Tutu Majok--Green Bay Press Gazette

Next Edition Of “Panthers Sports Report” Now Available--mkepanthers.com

Pat Lepper Returns to Serve on Men’s Basketball Staff--gomastodons.com

‘Rock star’ Hoffman wows Wright State to land women’s coaching job--Dayton Daily News
Martin could see leadership qualities in new WSU women’s coach as a player--Dayton Daily News

Jim Squire

Detroit Mercy coach, AD deny players were forced to play through injuries, COVID symptoms--Detroit Free Press

Breaking: Wright State Hires Cedarville’s Kari Hoffman as Head Women’s Basketball Coach--Wright State Guardian

Jim Squire

Gates gets contract extension at Cleveland State thru 2027--Associated Press
“Why not Cleveland State?” Gates inks extension--HoriZone Roundtable
Big win for Cleveland State basketball: Coach Dennis Gates signs six-year contract--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dennis Gates on new CSU contract: “They believed in me, I’ve never forgotten that.”--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Extends Head Men's Basketball Coach Dennis Gates' Contract Through 2026-27--csuvikings.prestosports.com

Schedule details slowly starting to emerge--Phear The Phoenix

UT Martin forward Jaron Williams transfers to Robert Morris--Colonial Sports Network

Wright State hires Cedarville’s Hoffman as women’s basketball coach--Dayton Daily News
Kari Hoffman Named Wright State Women’s Basketball Head Coach--wsuraiders.com

Jim Squire

Which college basketball programs will make the men’s NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2021-22?--Heat Check CBB

TIER 3 (0.600-0.799 OTS): “SO, WE’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE.”

PURDUE FORT WAYNE — HORIZON — 0.799 OTS

The Mastodons may have missed their best window a few years ago when they had John Konchar driving Horizon League defenses crazy. After putting in the program’s worst KenPom performance since 2005, PFW will look to bounce back in 2021-22. The problem? The league could have itself a moment next year, thanks to the talent oozing out programs such as Milwaukee, Wright State, and Cleveland State. Don’t sleep on the talent in Vermillion, though. Jarred Godfrey, Jalon Pipkins, and Bobby Planutis form the returning core, while transfer Damian Chong Qui (Mount St. Mary’s) brings his dynamic play – and amazing story – to Fort Wayne by way of Baltimore.
TIER 4 (0.400-0.599 OTS): “HEY, IT COULD HAPPEN.”
PRESBYTERIAN — BIG SOUTH — 0.479 OTS
SIU EDWARDSVILLE — OHIO VALLEY — 0.479 OTS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN — SWAC — 0.415
YOUNGSTOWN STATE — HORIZON — 0.415 OTS
STETSON — ASUN — 0.413 OTS
SACRAMENTO STATE — BIG SKY — 0.412 OTS
HIGH POINT — BIG SOUTH— 0.401 OTS

UDM women's basketball coach breaks silence: I was 'blindsided' by allegations--Detroit News

Jim Squire

Green Bay to Compete in Jersey Mike’s Classic in St. Petersburg--greenbayphoenix.com

A game against Patrick Baldwin Jr. leads Lake Central senior Kyle Ross to choose Milwaukee--NWI Times

Skobalj to Compete on Serbian U19 National Team at FIBA World Cup--uicflames.com

Wright State men’s basketball adds assistant coach--Dayton Daily News
Dan Beré Joins Wright State Men's Basketball Staff--wsuraiders.com

Jim Squire

Detroit Mercy women's basketball: Detailing the allegations against AnnMarie Gilbert--Detroit Free Press

It’s Drew McDonald!--HoriZone Roundtable

TALKING OAKLAND BASKETBALL WITH BLAKE LAMPMAN--goldengrizzlies.com

Jim Squire

Embattled Detroit Mercy women's basketball lands Louisiana Tech transfer--Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy's Maxine Moore back in transfer portal, calls ultimatum 'retaliation'--Detroit Free Press
How Detroit Mercy women's basketball's 'cry for help' shattered dreams, gutted roster--Detroit Free Press

Pat Baldwin Jr. will be a blast but let’s keep expectations realistic--Mid-Major Madness
Patrick Baldwin Jr., one of the state's highest-rated basketball recruits ever, will play at UW-Milwaukee. Here's how Twitter reacted.--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
'The Badgers should be afraid': Patrick Baldwin Jr.'s commitment has raised hype around UWM not seen since the Bruce Pearl era--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jim Squire

Detroit Mercy women's basketball player gets ultimatum: We'll pay for school, but you won't play--Detroit Free Press
UDM player claims team's 'cry for help' ignored; AD says abuse allegations unsubstantiated--Detroit News

Green Bay Adds In-State Standout Donovan Ivory to Roster--greenbayphoenix.com
Green Bay Welcomes Randy Tucker to Phoenix Roster--greenbayphoenix.com

Bonus: It’s PBJ Time!--HoriZone Roundtable
Elite prospect Patrick Baldwin challenges history in picking Milwaukee over powers Duke, Georgetown--Sporting News
Patrick Baldwin Jr. will play for his father at Milwaukee, a decision that comes with risks for both--The Athletic
College basketball recruiting: Patrick Baldwin Jr. enters exclusive lists by committing to Milwaukee--CBS Sports
Patrick Baldwin Jr. committing to Milwaukee over Duke could impact father's future more than his own--CBS Sports
Patrick Baldwin Jr. Commits to UW-Milwaukee--UWM Post

Lorain’s Naz Bohannon transferring from Youngstown State to Clemson for fifth year--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Haley Thierry to Join YSU Women's Basketball in 2021-22--ysu.prestosports.com

Jim Squire

Patrick Baldwin Jr. commits to Milwaukee--HoriZone Roundtable
Top-five recruit Baldwin Jr. to play for father at Milwaukee--Associated Press
Elite 2021 recruit Patrick Baldwin Jr. chooses Milwaukee over Duke and no we will not provide context--Mid-Major Madness
Patrick Baldwin Jr. to Milwaukee--Zags Blog
Patrick Baldwin Jr., 5-star forward, commits to play for father at Milwaukee--The Athletic
College basketball recruiting: Five-star prospect Patrick Baldwin Jr. chooses Milwaukee over Duke, Georgetown--CBS Sports
Patrick Baldwin Jr., the nation’s 4th-ranked prospect, will play for his father at Milwaukee — shunning Duke and Georgetown--Chicago Tribune
Sussex Hamilton forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. was recruited by Duke, Georgetown but commits to UW-Milwaukee--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Patrick Baldwin Jr. has committed to UW-Milwaukee. Here's the scouting report on what the Panthers can expect.--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UW-Milwaukee gets some good news in another eventful offseason with commitment of Patrick Baldwin Jr.--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Patrick Baldwin Jr. Signs National Letter Of Intent With Panthers--mkepanthers.com

Jim Squire

Detroit Mercy women's basketball players flood transfer portal, abandoned by university--Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy player blasts school on Twitter: My 'dream may no longer be achievable'--Detroit Free Press

Wisconsin-Green Bay: Evaluating the ’21 Class--HoriZone Roundtable

Baldwin Named NKU's Asst. Athletic Director for Development--River City News

Robert Morris' Andy Toole doesn't fret over transfers, focuses on rebuilding roster--Trib Live

OPINION: Colonial Sports Network gives their favorite players to watch at RMU during the 2020-21 season--Colonial Sports Network

Ahale, Diggins Set to Return for 2021-22 Season--uicflames.com

Nagy: Love looking at pros, but hasn’t made final decision--Dayton Daily News

Jim Squire

College basketball players are transferring at a record rate. What does it mean for the sport?--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sometimes, a coaching change necessitates a move. In other instances, rifts can develop.

“Here at Oakland, I feel like I wasn’t able to show my versatility as a player,” said Daniel Oladapo, a transfer from Oakland University who signed with Pitt in April. “I kind of felt like coach was just holding me back. ... I was just telling him to get to where I want to get to, I need to show more of my game. We really didn’t see eye to eye.”

In that way, the portal can provide a valuable, much-needed reset.
Robert Morris coach Andy Toole can empathize with exiting players. He, too, transferred, leaving Elon in 1999 for Penn, where he helped lead the Quakers to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. At the time, Toole remembered feeling as if there was something wrong with him for making such a move. In the two decades since, it’s a mindset that has evolved dramatically.
“You’ll see guys that are successful players who play a lot of minutes on their team and they’ll say to you, ‘I just want to see what’s out there,’” Toole said. “You’ll hear guys say, ‘Well, I didn’t really get recruited that hard the first time. I want to get recruited.’ Some of the stuff doesn’t necessarily add up versus, ‘Hey, I’m in a good situation where I’m a big part of a team. There’s a plan in place for me. I have an opportunity to continue to grow and develop.’ Sometimes, that’s not even enough.”

Unintended consequences

What the transfer portal and the one-time transfer exemption offer for players on a micro level has larger, potentially lasting ramifications.

Perhaps the most apparent and immediate development comes with high school recruits, who some in grassroots basketball believe are being overlooked as college coaches devote time and resources to pursuing transfers.
College coaches have noticed, too, with Toole noting that he and his assistants hear regularly from high school and junior college coaches imploring them to take a look at one of their players. But the portal, a perpetually updating list of available players, is often too enticing.

While no program is immune to defections, there’s some fear that schools from outside the major conferences will serve as a farm system of sorts, even more than they have previously.
In the past four seasons, Duquesne and Robert Morris have lost four players who led the team in scoring in a given season, all of whom transferred to programs in bigger, more prominent leagues. The standout with remaining eligibility at a mid-major who guides his or her program on an NCAA tournament run now has options previously unavailable, as does the player working their way up the rotation in a program that gets old and stays old, much like Pitt did in its most decorated years.

Kailey Coffey garners third-straight CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition--nkunorse.com