On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Stardate 58-20110104: Dark Roads--The Mid-Majority

Conference Shootaround

Milwaukee 76, Butler 52 (Horizon League) -- So down goes Butler's 22-game Horizon winning streak and the six-game holiday funride the Bulldogs had been on since losing to Xavier on December 8. Milwaukee (8-8, 3-2 HL), not exactly a defensive juggernaut this season, erased the national runner-ups' offense and forced Shelvin Mack into perhaps the worst night of his career so far: 1-for-7 from the field, three points, and nary an assist. But the biggest takeaway from this game is the reappearance of the primary Achilles' heel from Butler's Final Four run, namely Matt Howard's arms. The Bulldog big man collected three fouls in a 36-second span during the second half, which left Brad Stevens scrambling for points and rebounds as the Milwaukee lead grew to an impossible size. Memo to the rest of the conference: drive on 54. In the big picture, Milwaukee lost to league-undefeated Cleveland State by an even more embarrassing score (89-52) in early December, so that gives a rough idea of how the league stack order is at the moment. The Viking-Bulldog game this Friday is a real throwdown-showdown-hoedown, for realsies.

Stardate 59-20110105: The 800 Game Project--The Mid-Majority
Ten Tuesday Scribbles--Rush The Court

- If you believe in the transitive property and root for Cleveland State, last night gave you even more hope this is the year that Butler could be supplanted atop the Horizon League. The reigning national runner-ups were outplayed in every way possible by Milwaukee to snap the Bulldogs 22-game conference winning streak on Monday night, falling in blowout fashion 76-52. Guess what happened when Cleveland State traveled to Milwaukee in early December? The Vikings blew out the Panthers by nearly the same margin, 82-59. With do-everything guard Norris Cole, the early frontrunner for HL POY who ranks ninth in efficiency among high-usage players, and adequate efficiency numbers across the board, Cleveland State has staying power. In fact, according to Basketball Prospectus, CSU is out-performing even last year’s 18-0 Butler team on a per-possession basis, numbers that are unsustainable but nonetheless eye-popping. Last night was a combination of Milwaukee’s red-hot outside shooting and stellar inside play from Anthony Hill and Butler’s deficiencies coming to light. Matt Howard was suckered into three early second half fouls that forced a benching, Ronald Nored was continuously dared to take outside shots and Shelvin Mack was chased off screens and harassed from his preferred shooting areas on the floor. Most importantly, Butler’s defensive efficiency has plummeted from fifth last season to 78th and both their rebounding and turnovers forced totals are down. Much like Kansas in the Big 12, until Butler doesn’t win the Horizon, I’m not going to predict their demise into (gasp) second place. Still, there are plainly evident signs it could be the year.

The Other 26: Week 7--Rush The Court
Pre-conference preview blowout: part 1--the kenpom.com blog

23. Horizon

Butler 7861
Cleveland St. 2085
Valparaiso 32
Wright St. 18
Loyola Chicago 2
Detroit 1

This is the closest thing to a two-team race in the nation - only 53 simulations have a team other than Butler or Cleveland State winning the title and receiving the honor of hosting the conference tourney. Even with Cleveland State already having two more wins than Butler, the Dawgs are still a substantial favorite.

The cause of Butler's struggles involve Gordon Hayward, just not the way you think--Ballin' is a Habit
Complex Jazz offense makes it tough for rookies to crack Sloan’s lineup--Salt Lake Tribune
Cutting down the ‘net: Seth Davis says “sell” Butler--Victory Firelight
VF Podcast 005: Nick Gardner suggests Butler will get back to basics--Victory Firelight
The misfortunes of Shelvin Mack--Victory Firelight

Bulldogs Start Important Road Swing At Wright State--ButlerSports.com

Players teams can't do without--Sports Illustrated

Norris Cole, G, Cleveland State

Cole is the epitome of a mid-major player who blossoms and lifts his entire team with him. Even with practically everyone back from last year's team, Cole has blown up this season, currently posting clear career highs in virtually every offensive category. He's averaging 20.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists a game while equaling Jimmer Fredette's scoring efficiency and possession usage. As a result, the Vikings currently sit in the top 60 in both offensive and defensive efficiency after ending last season at 126th and 205th, respectively.

Vikings Host Milwaukee on Thursday Night--csuvikings.com

First Home Game Of New Year Has Valparaiso Visiting Calihan Hall--detroittitans.com

Wright State at Illinois-Chicago--The Chicago Tribune
Men's Basketball Hosts Wright State on Comcast SportsNet Chicago Thursday--uicflames.com

UWGB roundup: Tetschlag named Horizon player of week--Green Bay Press Gazette
Watch Inside Phoenix Basketball: Jan. 4--uwgbathletics.com
No. 20 Green Bay Heads to Ohio for First League Road Trip--uwgbathletics.com

Flying with the Phoenix: Rahmon Fletcher--uwgbathletics.com

Jeter on cover of Milwaukee Magazine--PantherU
Doug Gottlieb and Andy Katz discuss MKE-BU game--PantherU
Basketball Notes: RPI Released; Luncheon Thursday; Green Bay Tickets; Jeter Show Debuts--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers Return To The Road At Cleveland State Thursday--uwmpanthers.com

Scouting Valparaiso University women's basketball--The NWI Times

Crusaders Return Home Friday, Host YSU--valpoathletics.com

Raiders silencing opponents’ top guns--Dayton Daily News
Winning short road trips can be critical in Horizon League--Dayton Daily News
Preview: WSU vs. Illinois-Chicago--Dayton Daily News
Reader reaction on WSU free throws on the mark--Wright State University Sports
Raider Games to be Streamed on WONE.com--wsuraiders.com

Men's Basketball Visits Horizon League Foe Valparaiso on ESPN3.com Friday Night--ysusports.com

Women's Basketball Returns Home to Face No. 20 Green Bay--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Stardate 57-20110103: Become What You Are--The Mid-Majority

Conference Shootarounds

Horizon League: The showdown-throwdown between the most recent two champions, Butler and Cleveland State, is still five days away. The Bulldogs (10-4, 2-0) have been getting things together in late non-conference play, but the Vikings (15-1, 4-0) are straight throwing bombs all over the ex-MCC. Gary Waters' team already ran through the Wisconsin road weekend (at Milwaukee and Green Bay) in mid-December, but here they go destroying the two Chicago teams at home by an average of 21 points. Even though UIC beat Illinois earlier, the Flames are still expected to take their hits in conference (like this 83-59 one on Saturday), but Cleveland State's 73-55 Thursday result against a Loyola team that came a possession of beating Butler is a real statement-lover's statement. On the Basketball State tempo-free aerial, the Vikings don't even fit in the grid. Probably because they've scored 1.23 points per possession and given up just point-nine.

January Viewing Guide--Ballin' is a Habit

Top-15 Games of January

- #15 - Friday 1/7 - 7:00PM - Cleveland State at Butler
Butler has been the cream of the Horizon League crop for too long. Cleveland State, led by Norris Cole has a legitimate shot at dethroning the reigning National Championship runners-up. If you like mid-major basketball, you do not want to miss this one.

Tuesday's Shootaround: Georgetown, Florida State, and Butler all go down--Ballin' is a Habit

Milwaukee 76, Butler 52: So much for Butler being back. Kaylon Williams had 10 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists as the Panthers lit up the Bulldogs. Shelvin Mack had three points and shot just 1-7 from the floor as the Bulldogs allowed Milwaukee to hit 11 threes and shoot 55.3% from the floor.

Big East displaying enviable depth--Sports Illustrated

The Others

Locks: None

There still isn't anyone in this category who's assured of getting in, or really even close at this point, which should make for an even-more intriguing championship week.
...
Butler (9-4, 2-0; RPI: 19, SOS: 12)
The Bulldogs put away Valpo at home to stay perfect in the Horizon. This should be a fun week, with a trip to UW-Wisconsin before a home date with Cleveland State, with first place at stake.
GW: Florida State (N), Washington State (N)
BL: Evansville (without Nored)
...
Cleveland State (13-1, 4-0; RPI: 26, SOS: 157)
The Vikings rolled to two home league wins ahead of a monster week in the Horizon: at Butler on Friday and at Valpo on Sunday. Next week's Bubble Watch will know a lot more about CSU's at-large hopes.
GW: Kent State?
BL: None

Bubble Games of the Week: Conference Kick-Off--The Bracket Man

Friday, January 7th:
Cleveland State @ Butler – 7PM ESPNU – Huge game in the Horizon League. These are the only two teams with shots at an at-large. Their opponent is also the only chance of a “good win” in the Horizon League. A must win for both; the loser faces a lot more pressure to win the Horizon League tournament (pending the second game later in the season).

ATB: St. John’s Announces Relevancy to Astonished Nation--Rush The Court

… and Misses.
...
Butler & Shelvin Mack. Wow, the Bulldogs got smoked by Milwaukee tonight, 76-52, ending Butler’s 22-game Horizon League winning streak in the process. We’re sure there was a lot of pent-up aggression on the part of the Panthers for this game, but the size of this margin is disturbing along with the puny numbers that presumptive star Shelvin Mack put up — just three points on 1-7 shooting, four rebounds and zero assists. This is the latest in a number of poor shooting performances from Mack (39.7% on the season) that makes it clear that he’s struggling with the role of primary scorer this year. It’s particularly surprising given the unbelievable reviews that he got coming out of the summer camps from scouts and industry insiders — perhaps he will loosen up in the second half of the season and show us what those exceptionally kind words were all about?

A look at the college hoops calendar: A quick review of the early season with a lighthearted look ahead to 2011--espn.com

March 2011
...
8 -- Butler wins Horizon League. Frustrated other coaches convince league to institute rule that forbids coaches who cannot grow facial hair. Brad Stevens is fired.

Utah Jazz notebook: Gordon Hayward starstruck over T-Mac, Rip--Deseret News
College Basketball: Butler Falls 76-52 To Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 22-Game Conference Win Streak Snapped--SB Nation Indiana
College Basketball Rankings: Purdue Returns To Top 10--SB Nation Indiana

Butler is also included in this field, notably as an at large selection. Lunardi projects Cleveland State to take the Horizon League's automatic bid, but he has the Bulldogs as good enough to earn a 7 seed against Tennessee in Cleveland.

Butler sees Horizon win streak snapped in 76-52 rout--The Indy Star
Howard's foul concerns return at bad time for Butler--The Indy Star
Didn’t see that debacle coming--Indy Star Butler Insider
This event has ended, and your butt has been thoroughly kicked--Victory Firelight
MILWAUKEE 76, BUTLER 52--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Milwaukee Overpowers Butler, 76-52--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State needs some impressive wins to bolster top-25 case--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Trevon Harmon Wins Horizon League Player of the Week--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Pick Up Two Votes in AP Poll and One in USA Today Coaches Poll--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Remain Top Rated Mid-Major--Let's Go Vikes!
Harmon is the key to Cleveland State's defense--Let's Go Vikes!
Facebook Fan Page Dedicated to Tearing Down the Curtain at the Wolstein Center--Let's Go Vikes!
Butler Single Ticket Sales Starting January 24th as CSU Hopes to "Blackout Butler"--Let's Go Vikes!
Harmon Captures Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week Award--csuvikings.com
Vikings Travel To Butler--csuvikings.com

Shayok Top 50 In The Nation In Rebounding, Detroit 65th In RPI--detroittitans.com

All looks rosy for Harmon, Vikings--Whoosh!Net
Time Again To Match The Stache--uicflames.com

Ramblers Back Home For First Time In A Month, Host Detroit Thursday--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: UW-Green Bay defeats Houston Baptist 77-61--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game #16: UWGB 77, Houston Baptist 61 FINAL--UWGB Basketball
Frontline Leads Phoenix to 77-61 Victory--uwgbathletics.com

Tetschlag Named Horizon League Player of the Week--uwgbathletics.com

Getting back to basics yields shocking results for Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
New Year’s party--UWM Post
Pulling together: Game 16 vs. Butler--PantherU
Horizon League Power Rankings (December 28 – January 3)--PantherU
Enough Said--PantherU
Milwaukee Obliterates Butler 76-52, Panther's Season Now Looking Up?--Milwaukee Panther Tracks
Top 10 Moments of Milwaukee Athletics in 2010*--Panther Blog Zone
Live Men's Basketball Blog - Milwaukee vs. Butler--Panther Blog Zone
Postgame Extra – Butler at Milwaukee--Panther Blog Zone
Williams' Triple-Double Sends Panthers Rolling Past Butler--uwmpanthers.com

Times Set For Upcoming Crusader Games; Butler Single-Game Tickets on Sale Thursday--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Women Continue Road Trip Thursday at Detroit--valpoathletics.com

WSU adds women’s basketball transfer from Big Ten--Wright State University Sports

Looking back: 2010 WSU sports--The Guardian
Woods Transfers to Wright State from Northwestern--wsuraiders.com

Two-game home swing shows both ends of WSU free-throw shooting--Wright State University Sports
Woods transfers to WSU from Northwestern--Fairborn Daily Herald
Duggins pain not hampering his play--The Guardian
Tell Your Favorite Raider Story--wsuraiders.com

YSU Women seeking home remedy--Youngstown Vindicator
'Penguin Gameday' Starts Tomorrow Evening on WBCB--ysusports.com

Milwaukee Puts Emphatic End to Butler's Record Run--Horizon League Network
Cleveland State's Harmon Captures Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week Award--Horizon League Network

Green Bay's Tetschlag named women's basketball Player of the Week--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Tempo-free Horizon League--ChicagoNow.com
Loyola, DePaul, UIC still finding their way as new year begins--The Chicago Tribune

High highs, low lows: Loyola's play has been like Chicago weather. Mild one day, frigid the next.

The Ramblers would like to even out these swings as they move deeper into the Horizon League.

After hitting only 37.5 percent (18 of 48) of their shots in a loss to Cleveland State on Thursday, the Ramblers shot a season-high 60.9 percent from the field (28 of 46) on Saturday against Youngstown State.

The victory against Youngstown State broke a six-game losing streak in regular-season league play.
...
Turnover trouble: Illinois-Chicago ranks last among Horizon League teams in turnovers. It somehow got worse when the Flames lost 83-59 at Cleveland State on Saturday and turned the ball over 24 times.

The Flames, who have lost three straight since beating Illinois, average 16.1 turnovers per game.

"We ran into a buzzsaw," coach Howard Moore told reporters after the Cleveland State loss. "It's a lot of CSU. But it's us too. We have to do a better job of handling the basketball. We've been working on that throughout the year. We're trying to make sure that's something that's important to us."

Bigger, better, truthier Tuesday Truths in 2011!--Basketball Prospectus

All about the non-Big Six: Bulldogs’ bite--Yahoo Sports
Utah Jazz extra: The Starting 5--Deseret News

2 — The Offseason of Change

It looked ominous. The inevitable departure of Carlos Boozer finally, mercifully almost, came in July. On top of that, the Jazz lost Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews and their firepower. Then general manager Kevin O'Connor pulled off a titantic trade, acquiring Al Jefferson from Minnesota for Kosta Koufos and his mad dancing skills, a couple of picks and Boozer's farewell gift of a trade exception. Other offseason pick-ups — Raja Bell, Earl Watson, Francisco Elson and Gordon Hayward, particularly — have given the Jazz lifts at times as well. As a bonus, none have tripped over bags, either.
...
HOT

Gordon Hayward

Rookie has racked up three straight double-digit scoring games.

NBA: Jazz lay claim to the fourth quarter--Salt Lake Tribune

Since the Jazz do not have an official second option, they alternately turn to players as diverse as Millsap, Jefferson, Miles, Kirilenko and Gordon Hayward to take key final shots.

Jazz notes: More-confident Hayward impresses Sloan, Williams--Salt Lake Tribune
Indiana College Basketball: Butler, Notre Dame Look To Improve NCAA Profiles--SB Nation Indiana
Florida guard picks Butler--The Indy Star
Butler's Stevens tries for 100th win--The Indy Star
Butler lands another from Florida--Indy Star Butler Insider
Q & A with 2012 commit Devontae Morgan--Victory Firelight
Game Preview: Butler vs. UW-Milwaukee--Victory Firelight
Bulldogs Face League Road Challenge At Milwaukee--ButlerSports.com

Bowen's Double-Double Keys Butler Win--ButlerSports.com

Keane Scores Career-High 20 Points as Vikes Defeat the Ramblers, 76-58--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Breeze by Loyola, 76-58, as Keane Scores Career-High 20 Points--csuvikings.com

Titans Cage Panthers For First Win In 2011--detroittitans.com

Hot Shooting Continues For Women's Basketball Against Youngstown State--uicflames.com

RPI WATCH: 1/2/2011--Bring On The Cats

Cold Shooting Loyola Falls To Cleveland State, 76-58--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: Phoenix burned by slow starts--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Breaks from League Play, Hosts HBU Monday--uwgbathletics.com

Women's basketball: UW-Green Bay defeats Wright State 75-57--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women vs. Wright State--UWGB Basketball
Wojta Leads Phoenix to 75-57 Win Over Wright State--uwgbathletics.com

Weekly Panthers report--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Bests Detroit in Overtime Thriller, Improves to 7-8 (2-2)--Milwaukee Panther Tracks
Live Blog: Milwaukee vs. Detroit--Panther Blog Zone
Post-Game Wrap-Up: Milwaukee vs. Detroit--Panther Blog Zone

Meier, Laur Earn First U.S. Army ROTC Athlete Of The Month Awards--uwmpanthers.com

UW-Milwaukee loses eighth straight--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Tumble To Eighth-Straight Loss--uwmpanthers.com

VU women's basketball loses Horizon League opener to Butler--The NWI Times
Valpo Falls at Butler in Horizon League Opener--valpoathletics.com

Duggins again shows special place for WSU with career performance--Wright State University Sports

Women Drop 75-57 Decision at #21 Green Bay--wsuraiders.com
Woods Transfers to Wright State from Northwestern--wsuraiders.com

Ramblers embarrass Penguins--Youngstown Vindicator

Middlebrooks Ties School Record With Seven Treys in 74-61 Loss at UIC--ysusports.com

Cleveland State's Harmon Captures Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week Award--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

You heard it here first, 2011 will be a great year--Deseret News

May: In a grueling seven-game series, the Jazz eliminate the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals. Utah's much-maligned rookie, Gordon Hayward, clinches Game 7 with a clutch pair of free throws, sending Lakers coach Phil Jackson off into retirement — minus the smug smile he's normally worn on his face for the last couple of decades.

Utah Jazz: Rookie Gordon Hayward improving quickly--Deseret News
Utah Jazz game at a glance--Deseret News

Rookie Gordon Hayward played the entire fourth quarter and finished with 13 points and four rebounds. He has scored in double figures in three straight games.

Utah Jazz open new year with win--Deseret News

The reserves again had their moments of excellence, from rookie Gordon Hayward's 13 points and four rebounds, to the rekindled two-way spark provided by Ronnie Price (seven points), Kyrylo Fesenko (five points) and Earl Watson (six assists).
...
Andrei Kirilenko resumed his starting role after missing the past two games with a strained lower back, but Sloan opted to go with Hayward in the fourth quarter.

Reserves push Jazz past Grizzlies, 98-92--Salt Lake Tribune
Millsap gets the job done – quietly--Salt Lake Tribune

There was Deron Williams with his fourth-quarter wizardry. Gordon Hayward with his continued emergence as an impact player. The Utah Jazz bench, which once again provided the spark needed for a 98-92 win over Memphis on Saturday night.

Butler Basketball: Bulldogs Defeat Valpo 76-59 Behind Shelvin Mack's 16 Points--SB Nation Indiana
Bulldogs getting timely 3s from Hahn--The Indy Star
Bulldogs' Horizon win streak at 22--The Indy Star
Win over Valpo not routine after all--Indy Star Butler Insider
Welcome home: Butler takes down Valpo--Victory Firelight
Say hello to Devontae Morgan--Victory Firelight
Bulldogs set conference record against visiting Valpo--Butler Collegian
Butler Pulls Away From Valparaiso, 76-59--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State fine tunes for Butler with domination of Illinois-Chicago--Cleveland Plain Dealer
With CSU putting on the defensive heat, there's a warm basketball story building in Cleveland: Terry Pluto--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Forward Tim Kamczyc's defense earns praise from coach Gary Waters: CSU Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Harmon Sets Career Scoring High As CSU Topples UIC, 83-59--csuvikings.com

Titans beaten by Wisconsin-Milwaukee in overtime--The Detroit Free Press
Panthers Edge Titans in Overtime, 84-81--detroittitans.com

Matchup: Illinois-Chicago at Cleveland State--The Chicago Tribune
Cleveland State rolls past UIC 83-59--Daily Herald
Follow the Flames LIVE from Cleveland State!--uicflames.com
Men's Basketball Falls at Cleveland State, 83-59--uicflames.com

Matchup: Loyola at Youngstown State--The Chicago Tribune
Ramblers rout Penguins behind Gibler, Avercamp--The Chicago Sun-Times
Loyola Rolls To 83-53 Win At Youngstown State--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: Today's UWGB-Wright State preview--Green Bay Press Gazette

Men's basketball: Duggins' 3 at the buzzer sinks UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game #15: Wright State 67, UWGB 64 FINAL--UWGB Basketball
Duggins' Buzzer Beater Sinks Green Bay in Road Thriller--uwgbathletics.com
Team Effort on Glass Leads to Rebounding Dominance--uwgbathletics.com

UWM uses long-range attack to beat Detroit--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Videos from today--PantherU
Pleased, but…--PantherU
Green Bay tip time may change--PantherU
Live Men's Basketball Blog - Milwaukee @ Detroit--Panther Blog Zone
Postgame Extra – Milwaukee at Detroit--Panther Blog Zone
Panthers Claim Thrilling Overtime Win In Detroit--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers Start 2011 With A Home Game Against Detroit--uwmpanthers.com

VU comeback falls short against Butler--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders sorely miss Kenney in loss--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso fails to come back from big early deficit--The NWI Times
VALPARAISO MEN'S HOOPS NOTEBOOK: Kenney misses Butler game with concussion; hopeful for Youngstown State--The NWI Times
Live from Hinkle Fieldhouse: Valparaiso vs. Butler--Region Sports Extra
Crusader Comeback Effort Falls Short at Butler--valpoathletics.com

Valpo breathing easier with return of Watts--The Post-Tribune
Scouting Valparaiso University women's basketball--The NWI Times

Duggins beats the buzzer for WSU--Dayton Daily News
WSU coach hails toughness in late-game comeback--Dayton Daily News
Duggins’ 3 at the buzzer gives WSU 67-64 win against UW-Green Bay--Wright State University Sports
Raiders Open the New Year by Sinking Green Bay at the Buzzer--RaiderRoundball.com
Duggins Buzzer-Beater Gives Raiders 67-64 Win Over Green Bay--wsuraiders.com

Loyola 83 YSU53--Youngstown Vindicator
Out of sorts--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Hot-Shooting Loyola Tops Penguins, 83-53, on New Year's Day--ysusports.com

Records, Buzzer-Beaters Define Saturday--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Mid-Majority Chat Block, Episode 708--The Mid-Majority

4:03

[Comment From Craig Hanford (Indiana) Craig Hanford (Indiana) : ]
171 hours and counting until a likely HL showdown between Butler and Cleveland State! Should be a good test for each team. Are you going to make it?
Friday December 31, 2010 4:03 Craig Hanford (Indiana)
4:05

I definitely will! The Bulldogs really look like they're putting more pieces together, and these should be a couple of good barometer games coming up against Valpo and at Milwaukee. Cleveland State pretty much showed where they stand with that destruction of Loyola last night. The Ramblers were supposed to be third or so in this stack, but they looked miles behind. Might be a really clear two-team race.

Mid-Major spotlight: Ten defensive powers--College Basketball Blog
Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko, C.J. Miles to play tonight; Mehmet Okur to sit again--Deseret News

Coach Jerry Sloan said Kirilenko will return to the starting lineup, replacing rookie Gordon Hayward.

Hayward delivering in clutch--Salt Lake Tribune
Jazz: Williams expects more out of team--Salt Lake Tribune

Deron Williams should have been ecstatic.

The Jazz had just pulled off yet another hard-fought comeback victory Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, rallying from 12 points down despite being depleted by injuries and, at times, relying on 20-year-old rookie forward Gordon Hayward for offensive inspiration.

Butler knows every Horizon League game is tough--The Indy Star
ame Preview: Butler vs. Valparaiso--Indy Star Butler Insider

Bulldogs Open League Play--ButlerSports.com