News On The Horizon 2/5/2012

Wisconsin-Milwaukee women lose to No. 10 Green Bay--MICentralSports.com
Detroit at Butler, Feb. 4, Live Blog--Off The Mark

Afternoon Delight: Daytime games don't disappoint--Eye On College Basketball

Check out the chipped tooth on Ronald Nored--Searching for Billy Edelin
Sell-out crowd watches Detroit defeat Butler Bulldogs--The Indy Star
Detroit ends Hinkle drought with win over Butler--The Indy Star
Revising goals: Butler aims at 6th--Indy Star Butler Insider
Detroit Gets Win Over Butler, 65-61--Butler Blue Fever
DETROIT 65, BUTLER 61--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Detroit Defense Stops Bulldogs--ButlerSports.com

Dawgs Make 12 Treys To Edge Youngstown State--ButlerSports.com

Freshman Charlie Lee growing in confidence as Cleveland State heads down the Horizon stretch--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State (19-4) vs. UIC (7-15)--Vikings Ball
Vikings Conclude Chicago Swing at UIC on Sunday--csuvikings.com

Vikings Drop 66-48 Contest To Valparaiso--csuvikings.com

College basketball roundup: Ray McCallum's 20 points lead Detroit Mercy past Butler--The Detroit Free Press
Saturday's state college basketball roundup: Detroit holds on to beat Butler 65-61--The Detroit News
Detroit Gets Win Over Butler, 65-61--Titans Update
Detroit Sweeps Butler with 65-61 Win Saturday--detroittitans.com

Extra effort--Varsity Press
Shearer's Hot Hand Helps Titans Extinguish Flames In Overtime, 62-57--detroittitans.com

Sunday's matchup: Cleveland State at UIC--The Chicago Tribune
Flames Welcome Cleveland State in Pre-Super Bowl Matinee--uicflames.com

Detroit Outlasts Women's Basketball in Overtime, 62-57--uicflames.com

Sunday's matchup: Youngstown State at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) (5-17) Squares Off With Youngstown State (12-10)--LU Wolf Ball
Loyola Hosts Youngstown State In Sunday Matinee--LoyolaRamblers.com

Beavers, Skube Lead Ramblers To 74-66 Win Over Wright State--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: UWGB destroys UWM, 85-39, for 20th win in a row--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 10/9 Green Bay Improves to 20-0 with 85-39 Win over Milwaukee--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: Onslaught of 3-pointers boosts UWM past UWGB, 81-75--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game #22: UWGB vs. UWM (live updates)--UWGB Basketball
Green Bay Sinking After 81-75 Loss To Milwaukee--Phoenix Fever
Sykes, Phoenix Unable to Overcome Panthers' Shooting--uwgbathletics.com

UWM's three-pointers turn back UWGB again--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Beats Green Bay, 81-75--UWM Update
Postgame Report - Milwaukee at Green Bay--Panther Blog Zone
Gulley Sparks Panthers To Season Sweep Of Green Bay--uwmpanthers.com

Phoenix swarms to victory over Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
No. 10/9 Green Bay Stays Unbeaten With Victory Over Milwaukee--uwmpanthers.com

Women’s basketball: Valparaiso rolls past Cleveland State--The Post-Tribune
Varner's career high pushes VU women to victory--The NWI Times
Valpo Rolls Past Cleveland State Behind Varner’s 26 Points--valpoathletics.com

Valparaiso gets back at Wright State--The Post-Tribune
Drew, Smith head list of inductees--The NWI Times
Balanced scoring leads VU men to revenge win--The NWI Times
Scouting report for today's Michigan-Michigan State game--The Detroit Free Press

Guards

Trey Burke was the best player on the floor in the first meeting, particularly in the first half. Burke has a sense of the moment and can pull up with ease or get to the hole. He used screens effectively in the first meeting to penetrate and pass to open shooters. Keith Appling got into foul trouble. His charge is to slow Burke, run the team and push the ball in transition. Brandon Wood is struggling to shoot. Tim Hardaway Jr. has made a few clutch shots but has struggled to shoot consistently.

EDGE: Michigan

Valparaiso Wins 63-54 Over Wright State--Valpo Daily
StatSheet Projects Valparaiso as CIT Team: 02/05/2012--Valpo Daily
Game Wrap Up: Bench mob--Section EE
Hot Shooting Leads Crusaders to Win Over Wright State--valpoathletics.com

Cleveland State stays ahead of Horizon League pack in first place--Dayton Daily News
Raiders unable to keep up with Valparaiso--Dayton Daily News
WSU hopes to get redemption in upcoming games--Dayton Daily News
Wright State can’t overcome hot Valparaiso shooting despite forcing big turnovers in 63-54 loss--Wright State University Sports
Valparaiso Too Much for Wright State, 63-54--Rowdy Review
Men Fall at Valparaiso--wsuraiders.com

WSU women upset at home by Loyola--Dayton Daily News
Women Drop 74-66 Decision to Loyola--wsuraiders.com

YSU drops tough one to Butler on improbable 3-pointer--Youngstown Vindicator
Late Butler 3-pointer drops YSU women--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Heartbreaker in Beeghly--The Jambar
Late Butler 3 Dooms Penguins in 65-63 Loss to Bulldogs--ysusports.com

Youngstown State (12-10) vs. Loyola (Chicago) (5-17)--Guin Report
Men's Basketball Closes Long Road Trip at Loyola--ysusports.com

Standings Shaken Again After Milwaukee, Detroit, Valpo Wins--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 2/4/2012

At a Glance: Detroit at Butler--The Indy Star

Miami Heat’s ‘crunch-time lineup’ seals the deal--Miami Herald

The Heat (17-6) led by just eight points when James checked into the game for rookie Norris Cole, inheriting the point guard duties. Minutes later, Wade’s back-to-back dunks put the Heat ahead by 23 points. Wade had nine points in the fourth quarter, James had six assists and the Heat emerged with newfound confidence only one game after blowing a huge lead to the Milwaukee Bucks.
...
Lots of scoring

Six players scored in double figures for the Heat, including Mario Chalmers (13), Bosh (12), Mike Miller (12) and Cole (11). Thaddeus Young led the Sixers (16-7) with 16 points off the bench.
...
Ups and downs

Of course, it wasn’t a flawless performance from start to finish. As if anyone wanted to be reminded of the Heat’s second half on Wednesday in Milwaukee, the Heat began the second half in Philadelphia 0-10 from the field and 0-2 from the free-throw line. The Heat managed just 37 points in the second half against the Bucks.

Bosh snapped the drought with 6:52 left in the period, increasing the Heat’s lead to four points. step-back three-pointer by Cole with 8:45 to play gave the Heat an 11-point lead. Cole had eight points in the first half. For perspective, the Heat had seven points off the bench on Wednesday against the Bucks. The reserves had 27 points against the Sixers.

Heat wing it with Big 5 lineup combination, down 76ers 99-79--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Until the point guards were reduced to spectators, they helped keep the Heat afloat from distance. Mario Chalmers shot 3 of 4 on 3-pointers for 13 points. Reserve point guard Norris Cole shot 2 of 3 from beyond the arc for 11 points.

With Cole and Chalmers doing enough damage from distance, the Heat found a way to stay ahead despite shooting 6 of 18 from the field in a 16-point third quarter.

Cleveland State wins in Coach Waters’ 500th--Youngstown Vindicator
Cleveland State men's basketball team's freshmen respond to coach's call: Vikings Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State men's basketball team routs Illinois-Chicago, closes in on 20 wins--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Beats Loyola (Chicago), 65-47--Vikings Ball
StatSheet Projects Cleveland State as NCAA Tournament Bubble Team 14 Seed: 02/04/2012--Vikings Ball
Vikings Shoot 68 Percent in 65-47 Win at Loyola--csuvikings.com

Preview capsules for today's men's and women's college basketball games--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland State vs. Valparaiso

Tipoff: 2 p.m., Wolstein Center.

Notable: The Vikings (8-13, 3-7 Horizon League) have fallen flat at home, losing three straight at Wolstein Center and four straight overall. The four-game homestand ends with last-place Valparaiso (5-16, 1-9).

Next for CSU: Thursday, at Loyola, 8 p.m.

Vikings Close Homestand Against Valparaiso Saturday--csuvikings.com

Free Tickets To Saturday's Game As UDM Hosts UIC--detroittitans.com

Titans Aim for Season Sweep with Butler Saturday on ESPN2--detroittitans.com

UIC to Conclude Road Trip at Detroit on Saturday--uicflames.com

Cleveland State at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola drops 10th straight in 65-47 loss--The Chicago Tribune
Cleveland State rocks Loyola 65-47--Daily Herald
Loyola (Chicago) Struggles in 65-47 Loss To Cleveland State--LU Wolf Ball
Loyola Drops 65-47 Contest To League Leader Cleveland State--LoyolaRamblers.com

Ramblers Set For Saturday Battle With Wright State--LoyolaRamblers.com

Today's UWGB men's basketball preview--Green Bay Press Gazette

Women's basketball: Lukan strives to be all-around player--Green Bay Press Gazette

Video: Haggerty Playing Bigger Role As Panthers Get Ready For Green Bay--uwmpanthers.com

VU can’t relax against Wright State--The Post-Tribune
Smith joins Drew, four others in Valpo Hall of Fame class--The NWI Times
Valparaiso University Hall of Fame | Class of 2012 Inductees--The NWI Times
Crusaders cruise into Wright State game on a roll--The NWI Times
Updated: Valparaiso (16-8) Faces Wright State (11-13)--Valpo Daily

Women’s basketball: Valpo (5-16, 1-9) at Cleveland State (8-13, 3-7)--The Post-Tribune

Raiders hoping to get off to fast start--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Wright State vs. Valparaiso--Dayton Daily News
Wright State (11-13) vs. Valparaiso (16-8)--Rowdy Review

Penguins Close Home Stand Saturday vs. Butler--ysusports.com

68 Percent Shooting Carries League-Leading CSU to Road Win--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 2/3/2012

Butler 64, Wright St. 53--Associated Press
Ill.-Chicago 72, Youngstown St. 68--Associated Press
Wright State at Butler, Feb. 2, Live Blog--Off The Mark

Injury-plagued Jazz trail Warriors 48-46 at halftime--Deseret News

Josh Howard, starting for Bell for the third straight game, has a team-high 11 points, and Gordon Hayward has 10 points. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap have only combined for nine points.

Utah Jazz-Golden State Warriors: Instant Analysis--Deseret News

Gordon Hayward continued his recent streak of aggressive play, leading Utah with 21 points, while also recording four rebounds and four assists. His confidence continues to grow. Small forward Josh Howard broke out of his five-game slump with 19 points and four assists of his own.

Jazz-Warriors: Report card--Deseret News

GUARDS: It's difficult to place too much blame on point man Jamaal Tinsley, a veteran who has become a third-string point guard for the Jazz. Tinsley tallied nine points, six rebounds and 13 assists in 34 minutes in place of Devin Harris and Earl Watson , who were sidelined with a strained left hamstring and strained left ankle, respectively. Gordon Hayward's 21 points in Raja Bell 's typical slot were offset by the high-octane play of Monta Ellis, who scored 33 points, and Stephan Curry, who scored 29 points on 10-14 shooting from the field. Together, the two Warrior guards went 11-13 from beyond the arc. Grade: B-

Jazz Notes: Jamaal Tinsley gets unexpected last-minute start for Utah--Salt Lake Tribune

Briefly

The Jazz only had 10 active players against Golden State. Utah starting shooting guard Raja Bell missed his third consecutive game due to a strained right adductor. Bell did not travel with the team and an update about his status was not provided by tipoff Thursday. … No Jazz player was among the top vote-getters for the 2012 Western Conference All-Star starters, which were announced Thursday. Reserves will be named Feb. 9. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson are Utah’s most likely options, but they face tough competition at the forward and center spots. Jeremy Evans could be selected for the dunk contest, while Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks are eligible for the annual Rookie-Sophomore game.

Utah Jazz blown out by Golden State Warriors--Salt Lake Tribune

Gordon Hayward scored 21 points to top the Jazz (12-9), who have dropped two consecutive games and four of six. Josh Howard and Al Jefferson added 19 points apiece.

Randy Wittman’s message of accountability coming across to Wizards--Washington Post

When starters Young, John Wall, JaVale McGee and Jan Vesely struggled in the first quarter against Orlando, Wittman had no problem letting reserves Crawford, Shelvin Mack, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker and Chris Singleton lead the Wizards back into the game with a 22-5 run that turned an 11-point deficit into a six-point lead. He also let them stay on the floor until their usefulness waned.

Wright State Raiders coach left in awe of Butler Bulldogs--The Indy Star
Third place realistic for Butler--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler Tops Wright State, 64-53--Butler Blue Fever
Butler (13-11) Takes On Detroit (12-12)--Butler Blue Fever
Ronald Nored Earns Academic All-District Honors--ButlerSports.com
Butler Uses Strong Start To Beat Raiders--ButlerSports.com
Butler Basketball Players Talk Super Bowl--ButlerSports.com
Butler Hosts Talented Detroit Squad--ButlerSports.com

Bulldogs Roll Past Vikings 68-62--ButlerSports.com
Bulldogs Look For Ohio Sweep At Youngstown--ButlerSports.com

Preview capsules for today's Northeast Ohio men's and women's college basketball games--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State men's basketball team hopes to leap to strong finish in February: Vikings Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Bandwagon CSU Fans Welcome to Jump Aboard--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Travel to Chicago to Face Loyola--Let's Go Vikes!
Viking Notes: Cleveland State Looks to Continue its Dominace on the road this week in Chicago--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State (18-4) Takes On Loyola (Chicago) (5-16)--Vikings Ball

Cleveland State women's basketball team loses to Butler--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Late Viking Rally Comes Up Short Against Butler--csuvikings.com
Vikings Close Homestand Against Valparaiso Saturday--csuvikings.com

Video: Detroit Mercy's Doug Anderson nasty dunk--It's Always Sunny in Detroit
POSTERIZED: MR.. (Doug) ANDERSON--Ballin' is a Habit
Valparaiso holds off Detroit Mercy with outside shooting, 78-73--The Detroit Free Press
Valparaiso Wins 78-73 Over Detroit--Titans Update
Detroit (12-12) vs. Butler (13-11)--Titans Update
Titans rout Ramblers--Varsity Press
Titans Fall To Valparaiso, 78-73; Anderson Dunk Earns SportsCenter Top Play--detroittitans.com
Titans To Host "Cardio For a Cause"--detroittitans.com

Titans Blast Loyola, 83-59--detroittitans.com

UIC tops Youngstown State 72-68 to end 4-game skid--The Chicago Tribune
Flames too hot for Penguins--Whoosh!Net
UIC Beats Youngstown State, 72-68--Flame Fanatic
Flames Defeat Youngstown State, 72-68--uicflames.com

Flames Fall to Sharp Shooting Raiders, 80-70--uicflames.com

Cleveland State at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) (5-16) Takes On Cleveland State (18-4)--LU Wolf Ball
On this day 10 years ago - Feb 02, 2002--LU Wolf Ball
Averkamp Named Capital One First Team Academic All-District V--LoyolaRamblers.com

Detroit Races Past Loyola, 83-59--LoyolaRamblers.com

No. 10/9 Green Bay Opens Three-Game Homestand Saturday at 7 p.m.--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: UWGB gets boost from freshman duo Josh Humphrey, Greg Mays--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay (9-12) Goes Up Against Milwaukee (14-10)--Phoenix Fever
Homestand Concludes with Black Out Cancer Game Saturday--uwgbathletics.com

Never say die--PantherU
Julius Mays doesn’t think Valpo, Indiana is hoppin’--PantherU
Milwaukee (14-10) Goes Up Against Green Bay (9-12)--UWM Update
Panthers Hope To Bounce Back In Saturday Contest At Green Bay--uwmpanthers.com
Meier Earns Capital One Academic All-Region Honors--uwmpanthers.com

Penguins hit eight 3-pointers in second half to hold off VU women--The NWI Times
Valpo Falls in Tough Road Battle at Youngstown State--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Continue Ohio Swing Saturday at Cleveland State--valpoathletics.com

Red-hot Broekhoff leads Valparaiso past Detroit--The Post-Tribune
Broekhoff lifts VU men over Detroit--The NWI Times
Valparaiso Tops Detroit, 78-73--Valpo Daily
Game Wrap Up: No Hustle Detroit--Section EE
Broekhoff Leads Way In Come-From-Behind Win Over Detroit--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Aims For Weekend Sweep Saturday Versus Wright State--valpoathletics.com

Horizon League teams emphasizing strong defense--Dayton Daily News
WSU's Battle hits from long range all night--Dayton Daily News
Raiders unable to keep up with Butler's offense--Dayton Daily News
Teams will focus on Mays in league’s 2nd half--Dayton Daily News
Butler uses hot start and keeps command and beat Wright State, 64-53--Wright State University Sports
Wright State Sinking After 64-53 Loss To Butler--Rowdy Review
Men Drop 64-53 Decision at Butler--wsuraiders.com
Daktronics Release on WSU Nutter Center Scoreboard--wsuraiders.com

Demmings leads WSU women past UIC--Dayton Daily News
Women Pull Away for 80-70 Win Over UIC--wsuraiders.com

Poor second half, weak bench doom YSU men against UIC--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU men fall on road--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Loses To UIC, 72-68--Guin Report
Cold Start to Second Half Hurts Men's Basketball in 72-68 Loss at UIC--ysusports.com

Sluggish YSU finds a way to get a win--Youngstown Vindicator
Inspirational halftime speech lifts Penguins over Valpo--The Jambar
Late Heroics By Middlebrooks, Brown Lifts Guins Past Valpo--ysusports.com

Three-Way Tie Moves Up the Ladder as Butler, Valpo, UIC Claim Wins--Horizon League Network
ESPN Contests, Intrastate Showdown Among Key Weekend Games--Horizon League Network

Butler, Detroit, Wright State and Youngstown State pick up wins Thursday night--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 2/2/2012

Utah Jazz: Team wary of Chris Paul-led Clippers--Deseret News

More from today's shootaround:
...
Small forward Josh Howard will start in Bell's place again, with Gordon Hayward moving to the shooting guard position.

Jazz report card--Deseret News

GUARDS: It wasn't a memorable night for Devin Harris, who had eight points and four assists. He was severely outplayed by Chris Paul, who usually outplays whoever is up against him, but still. Gordon Hayward started again at shooting guard, and played his heart out. He responded well to the tough-guy antics of Mo Williams and Blake Griffin. Paul just destroyed the Jazz though, and that factors into the grade.

Grade: D

NBA: Chris Paul guides Clippers to rare victory in Utah, 107-105--Deseret News

But Los Angeles wasn’t interested in playing defense, either. Seven of the Jazz’s first 15 points came via the fast break, a slam by Gordon Hayward gave Utah an early four-point lead, and the Clippers responded with a hastily called timeout.

Chris Paul slices and dices Jazz in 107-105 win--Deseret News

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin even put lengthy Gordon Hayward on Paul at the end of the game to no avail.

"He did a lot for their team," Hayward said.

Added Miles: "He made tough shots. G-Time's 6-8, and he shot over (Hayward) a couple of times and he made a couple of good plays on the other guys too.."

Wizards vs. Magic: Washington battles, but comes up short in Orlando, 109-103--Washington Post

The Wizards (4-18) remained competitive as Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 12 points, Kevin Seraphin matched his career high with 12 points and Jordan Crawford scored 19 points off the bench. That trio, along with fellow reserve Trevor Booker, scored all the Wizards’ points during a 22-5 first-half run that turned an 11-point deficit into a six-point lead. Seraphin soared for an emphatic putback dunk that put the Wizards ahead, 36-30, and the home fans began to boo the Magic.

Men's college basketball preview: Wright State at Butler--The Indy Star
Stevens not abandoning this season--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler (12-11) Takes On Wright State (11-12)--Butler Blue Fever

McDermott, McCallum, Ziegler find success playing for fathers--The Oakland Press
Detroit (12-11) Squares Off With Valparaiso (15-8)--Titans Update

Thursday's matchup: Youngstown State at Illinois-Chicago--The Chicago Tribune
UIC (6-15) Battles Youngstown State (12-9)--Flame Fanatic
Flames Return Home to Host Upstart Youngstown State Thursday--uicflames.com

Flames Begin Round 2 of League Play at WSU on Thursday--uicflames.com

Men's Basketball Blog Entry #9: Jordan Hicks--LoyolaRamblers.com

UWGB men's basketball: E. Michigan game to start at 1 p.m.--Green Bay Press Gazette
Sykes, Cougill leave Bulldogs drooling--UWGB Fourth Estate
NOTEBOOK: Post Duo Overshadowed in Valpo, Butler Wins--uwgbathletics.com
Green Bay to Host Eastern Michigan for Sears BracketBuster--uwgbathletics.com

Mike Vandermause column: UWGB women's basketball is 19-0 but far from satisfied--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix women continue to rise to the top--UWGB Fourth Estate

Panthers unable to keep up with Redhawks--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Video: A Chat With Alex Klawitter--uwmpanthers.com
Seattle Secures Last-Minute Road Victory At The Line--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Face Tough Road Challenge At No. 10/9 Green Bay--uwmpanthers.com

Press On--Milwaukee Panther Tracks

Women’s basketball: Valparaiso visits Youngstown State--The Post-Tribune

Valparaiso returns home after long road trip--The Post-Tribune
Another 'Titan'-ic test for the Crusaders--The NWI Times
Valparaiso (15-8) vs. Detroit (12-11)--Valpo Daily

Raiders face challenge with Butler road game--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Wright State vs. Butler--Dayton Daily News
Horizon League favorite Butler riding offensive issues into fifth-place start--Wright State University Sports
Wright State (11-12) Takes On Butler (12-11)--Rowdy Review

Youngstown State (12-9) Goes Up Against UIC (6-15)--Guin Report
Men's Basketball Seeks Season Sweep Over UIC Thursday--ysusports.com
Get Your "I Heart Penguins" T-Shirt, Win Prizes All Next Week--ysusports.com

Overcoming injury--The Jambar

Standings In Flux On Thursday Night--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 2/1/2012

The Other 26: Bracketbuster Preview and Analysis--Rush The Court

Most Intriguing Defensive Matchup — Drexel at Cleveland State (2/18, 11am, ESPNU) — These two teams thrive off of their defense, but have markedly different styles. Cleveland State applies a good deal of perimeter pressure, forcing lots of turnovers (ranked second in the country) and choking off the three-point line. The flip side of that is their vulnerability underneath and on the boards, and their tendency to foul too much. Drexel, meanwhile, grinds it out in the half court. They don’t allow much from the three point line either, but they invert Cleveland State’s strong turnover percentage and weak rebounding; the Dragons are the best defensive rebounding team in the country and force few turnovers.
...
Wait Till Next Year — Valparaiso at Loyola Marymount (2/17, 9pm, ESPNU) / Buffalo at South Dakota State (2/18, 1pm, ESPNU) — Tune into these games for a sneak preview of two teams that could make some noise next year: Valpo and SDSU. Valparaiso, which currently sits at second in the Horizon League, doesn’t feature a single senior in its rotation. South Dakota State, meanwhile, has taken hold of second place in the Summit League behind junior sensation Nate Wolters and a supporting cast that includes just one senior. With their respective conference leaders (Cleveland State and Oral Roberts) featuring at least three senior in their starting lineups, don’t be surprised if both of these teams are preseason conference favorites in 2013.

Utah Jazz glad poor free-throw shooting wasn't costly--Deseret News
Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward finds his shot in the second half--Deseret News
On this day 5 years ago - Jan 31, 2007--Butler Blue Fever
Men’s basketball: Wisconsin trip leads to conference losses--Butler Collegian
Men’s basketball: Sun setting on the Horizon?--Butler Collegian
OVERTIME: Stevens reminds of legend--Butler Collegian
Bulldogs Open Brief Homestand Against Wright State--ButlerSports.com

Tribute, plaque to honor Hinkle creators--Butler Collegian
Athletics department hosts Hinkle tours--Butler Collegian

Women’s basketball: Hamm leads team to split--Butler Collegian
Women’s basketball: Stratman, McClung make jump to Butler--Butler Collegian
Butler Looks To Climb HL Standings At Cleveland State--ButlerSports.com

BracketBusters Breakdown--Run The Floor

Drexel at Cleveland State

In stark contrast to a couple of these other matchups, this game will be a defensive struggle throughout. Drexel currently ranks 21st in adjusted defensive efficiency, while the Vikings are just outside of the Top 50.

The Drexel offense ranks outside the Top 100 in all four factors, although their FTR has improved in conference play. That’s good news since they shoot 72.8% from the line and also because the Cleveland State defense ranks 345th in opponents’ FTR. The Vikings do rank third in TO% and 11th in three-point shooting defense, which will be important against a Drexel team hitting 36.5% from beyond the arc.

Cleveland State’s offense will have its hands full with a stingy Drexel defense. The Dragons rank first in DReb% and three-point defense and sixth in defensive eFG% Interestingly enough, those match up well with Cleveland State’s offensive strengths. The Vikings are have a 35.4 OReb% and rank 55th in three-point shooting at 37.5%. They are next to last in FTR and don’t take particularly good care of the basketball.

CSU has some nice pieces on offense with Trevon Harmon, D’Aundray Brown, and Jeremy Montgomery, but I’m just not sure they can score enough to win this one. Drexel is playing better offensively as well, thanks in part to the addition of freshman Damion Lee. Give me the Dragons…and the under.

Miami Heat (16-5) at Milwaukee Bucks (9-11), 8 p.m. (ET)--Miami Herald

Mike Miller finished with 14 points of 6-of-8 shooting, while rookie Norris Cole and Chris Bosh had 12 points each for the Heat, who have won eight of their last nine overall and lead the Southeast Division by one-half game over Atlanta.

Cleveland State Draws Drexel--Cleveland State Hoops
On this day 10 years ago - Jan 31, 2002--Vikings Ball
Vikings Head to Loyola for Friday Contest on ESPNU--csuvikings.com

Vikings Host Butler At 5:00 p.m. Thursday--csuvikings.com

On this day 14 years ago - Jan 31, 1998--Titans Update
Moving up--Varsity Press
Roundball "Evening Edition" with Coach McCallum--detroittitans.com
UDM Athletics Turns Dedication into Dollars for Cancer Research--detroittitans.com
Second-place Valparaiso Tasked with Slowing Hot Titans Thursday--detroittitans.com

Jesuit Battle Has Loyola At Detroit On Thursday--detroittitans.com

Profile: Freshman Walk-On Sutter Relishes His Opportunity--uicflames.com
Levinson Accepts Position with Houston Rockets, Juday to Finish Broadcast Schedule--uicflames.com

Ramblers held off by UIC, fall to 9-11 overall--Loyola Phoenix
Sports Brief: Concerned fan or religous advocate?--Loyola Phoenix
Ramblers Open Key Road Swing In Motor City--LoyolaRamblers.com

Back Home, Loyola Takes On League Leader Cleveland State Friday Night--LoyolaRamblers.com

On this day 3 years ago - Jan 31, 2009--Phoenix Fever

Watch: Inside Phoenix Basketball: Jan. 30--uwgbathletics.com

VIDEO: On the Road with Ritchie--uwgbathletics.com

Panthers' downward spiral continues--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Butler fans vote Sheets v. MKE as best three-ball and it’s not even close--PantherU
On this day 3 years ago - Jan 31, 2009--UWM Update
Milwaukee Slips With Loss To Youngstown State, 73-65--UWM Update
Penguins Hold Off Panther Rally In Claiming Road Win--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers' BracketBuster Contest With Fairfield Set For 3 PM--uwmpanthers.com

UWM Hosts Seattle To Open February Schedule--uwmpanthers.com

Michigan State suffers bruises in loss at Illinois--The Detroit News

But Green wasn't the only one hurting coming into the game. He already was suffering from the flu, as was guard Brandon Wood. Also, guard Travis Trice played for the first time in two games because of a groin injury, and Branden Dawson aggravated a left knee injury during the game, but still played 28 minutes.

"We were just like a MASH unit," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

On this day 2 years ago - Jan 31, 2010--Valpo Daily
Weekend Preview: Welcome Home--Section EE
Tom Smith Among Hall of Fame Class of 2012--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Return Home to Take On Detroit--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Opens Second Half of League Play at Youngstown State--valpoathletics.com

Former Wright State player signs with team in Melbourne, Australia--Wright State University Sports

YSU men rebound, sweep Milwaukee--Youngstown Vindicator
Youngstown State Wins 73-65 Over Milwaukee--Guin Report
Kendrick Perry's Career-High 30 Points Leads Guins Past Milwaukee, 73-65--ysusports.com

Guins Hope to Open Second Half on High Note Thursday vs. Valpo--ysusports.com

Perry's Career Night Pushes YSU to Season Sweep of Milwaukee--Horizon League Network

Perspectives: The NCAA Convention--Horizon League Network

CSU's Brandee Kelly To Receive 2011 Cleveland Clinic Courage Award Release--Horizon League Network