On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Sources: Butler eyeing Atlantic 10--ESPN
Utah Jazz-Detroit Pistons: Instant Analysis--Deseret News

The four Utah youngsters — Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Alec Burks — entered the contest averaging a combined 73.7 minutes per game. They totaled just 47 against the Pistons, including a “Did Not Play—Coach’s Decision” for Burks.

Report: Butler interested in joining Atlantic 10 Conference--The Indy Star
Report: Butler eyes move to Atlantic 10--The Indy Star
Clarke prepares for his one season at Butler--The Indy Star
Pluses and minuses of Atlantic 10--Indy Star Butler Insider
Stevens on Graves, transfers and Detroit--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler to the Atlantic-10. Hold on a Minute. Do the Cons Outweigh the Pros?--Bleacher Report
Tailgate At Butler's CBI Game--ButlerSports.com
Bulldogs Host Delaware In CBI--ButlerSports.com

Miami Heat strong even when two of Big 3 on bench--Miami Herald

The Heat’s best plus/minus lineup is its starting group. But No. 2 is one without Wade or Bosh: It’s James, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Norris Cole and Shane Battier. That group has outscored teams, 180-141, in 78 minutes.

This is a function of James’ greatness and the Heat’s improved bench. As one Heat official said, “look who’s around him now” when James is on the floor without Wade or Bosh to close the first quarter.

With Bosh, the story goes deeper. Last year, he played only 125 minutes without Wade and James, and the Heat was plus-11. Entering Tuesday, the Heat had played 210 minutes with Bosh (but no Wade or James) and had outscored teams by 45. In fact, the Heat’s second-most-used lineup is Bosh, Cole, Battier, Miller and Haslem, which is plus-13 in 118 minutes.

Miami Heat falls to Orlando Magic in overtime--Miami Herald

The Magic’s guard play outperformed Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole.

Cleveland State is NIT-Bound--Cleveland State Hoops

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.12.12 Edition--Rush The Court

Kansas head coach Bill Self is all business as his Jayhawks prepare to face Detroit. In an unusual twist, the 15-seed Titans have a 1-0 advantage over the storied Kansas program in active McDonald’s All-Americans (Ray McCallum, Jr.).

The Other 26: Bracket Analysis, East and Midwest Regions--Rush The Court

A Puncher’s Chance

These teams are unlikely to win their second round game, but if things break the right way, have an outside shot at a win.
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Detroit (#15, Midwest) – Do I think Detroit will beat Kansas? No. Do I think they might have a shot? Yes. The Titans started the year in disappointing fashion, hampered in part by the suspension of center Eli Holman. But they finished the season strong, winning eight of their last 10 in the competitive Horizon League and sweeping four in a row in the conference tournament to secure their bid. The keys for the Titans will be their defensive play inside — where the shotblocking combo of Holman and Lamarcus Lowe may be able to contain Thomas Robinson – and their ability to force (and score off of) turnovers out of a Jayhawks team that is sometimes susceptible to them. In the end, I suspect that Detroit’s poor shooting and Kansas’ ability to control the glass on both ends – if nothing else – will prove determinative, but I wouldn’t count the Titans out.

BIAH Bracket Breakdown: Midwest Region--Ballin' is a Habit

Upsets to watch for:

No. 15 Detroit over No. 2 Kansas: Detroit has size and athleticism up front. They have a McDonald's all-american at the point in Ray McCallum. They press and they try to force you to turn the ball over, and we all know about Tyshawn Taylor's propensity for the turnover. Do I think this happens? Probably not. There is a reason Eli Holman is no longer at Indiana, and it's not just because he threw a potted plant at Tom Crean. But Kansas but show up ready to play.
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Five players you should know:
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Ray McCallum, Detroit: He was a McDonald's All-American in high school that went to Detroit to play for his father. If Detroit has any chance against Kansas, it will be because McCallum goes off.

The 10 first-round NCAA tournament games you can’t miss--CollegeBasketballTalk

10. (2) Kansas vs. (15) Detroit: With Ray McCallum Jr. at the point the Titans have the floor general needed to author an upset, but they’ve also got multiple options inside to help deal with Thomas Robinson. Eli Holman and LaMarcus Lowe are both experienced big men who will offer up challenges to the Jayhawks, especially if Jeff Withey struggles. The Titans are experienced and they’re talented as well, and unlike most high-major teams in a position like Kansas’ the Jayhawks don’t enjoy a huge edge in the depth department.

No. 2 Kansas is on upset watch vs. No. 15 Detroit--CollegeBasketballTalk
Favorites, beware these 10 darkhorses the field of 68--CollegeBasketballTalk

Detroit (No. 15 Midwest)
In the dark: The Titans’ early season struggles killed all the preseason hype that was attached to this team. Playing in a Horizon League known primarily for Butler didn’t help either.

Why they can make a run: They have a surprisingly big and athletic team for the mid-major ranks. Ray McCallum Jr. is a five-star guard and Eli Hohlman is a dominant big-man that should be able to give Thomas Robinson so me trouble. They also have two athletic forwards in LaMarcus Lowe and Doug Anderson.
Tourney distance: They are a No.15-seed, so earning one win would be considered a success. earning that one win against Kansas would have to be considered an even bigger success. Plus, Kansas hsa a penchant for losing to mid-major teams. Maybe the titans can summon some Horizon League magic and become “the new Butler”.

Save the best for last: 5 players rolling entering the tournament--CollegeBasketballTalk

It happens every year. One player steps up his game and carries his team to a huge upset or a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Here are five guys to keep an eye one. Five who are playing the best hoops of their lives.

Ray McCallum – Detroit: McCallum, a sophomore, has been lighting up the Horizon all year. He led the team in scoring and finished 2nd in the conference. In the conference opener he had a pedestrian 10 points on 2-7 shooting. And then he got hot. In the next three games Detroit knocked off Youngstown State, the #2 seed (Cleveland State) and the #1 seed (Valparaiso) to clinch an automatic bid. In those 3 games the 6’2 McCallum made 78% of his 2s and 18-20 FTs. He averaged 23 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5 assists.

Opening round opponent: Kansas (2)

Personal Items: Trivia Tidbits on All 68 NCAA Tournament Coaches--CollegeHoopedia.com

DETROIT: Ray McCallum, the only Ball State athlete ever to have his uniform number retired (#10), won the Frances Pomeroy Award in 1983 as the nation's top player shorter than six feet tall. During his seven-year tenure as coach for his alma mater from 1993-94 through 1999-2000, he won an amazing 70% of his games decided by fewer than six points.

Tempo-free NCAA tear down: The Omaha Pod of the Midwest Bracket--Run The Floor

No. 2 Kansas (27-6; Pomeroy ranked 4th) vs. No. 15 Detroit (22-13; 115th)

How they got here: The Titans returned their entire lineup (save for 0.2 percent of their minutes) this season, including McDonald's All-American point guard Ray McCallum Jr. who turned down a number of high-major teams to play for his father. They were without big man Eli Holman for the first half of the season (he was put on personal leave) which lead to a rough 6-9 start. With Holman back, the team rapidly began to improve and their confidence on the court blossomed. They won 13 of their last 15 including the Horizon League tournament championship game over heavily-favored Valparaiso, 70-50, to snag the Horizon's auto-bid.

Kansas was in the hunt for a No. 1 seed before they lost to Baylor in the second-round of the Big 12 conference tournament, 81-72.

The venue: Omaha is 734 miles from Detroit, and 212 miles from Lawrence, Kansas. Out of the gate advantage: Kansas.

Pomeroy: 92% in Kansas' favor

Where Detroit has the advantage:

1. Turnovers Quality of competition aside, the Titans turn the ball over less (once per 19.2 percent of possessions) than the Jayhawks (19.5 percent). More importantly, Detroit creates more turnovers (22.4 percent) than Kansas (20.7 percent).

2. Blocking The Jayhawks may have a powerful shot-blocking force in 7-footer Jeff Whithey, who ranks second-nationally with a block in 14.7 percent of his chances, but the Jayhawks have two to contend with: 6-10 Holman (7.0 percent) and 6-11 LaMarcus Lowe (11.4 pecent). Withey has logged 60.2 percent minutes under Bill Self this season, but there's nary a minute that goes by without either Holman or Lowe on the floor for McCallum Sr.

3. Getting to the free throw line Detroit's free throw rate (44.0 percent) edges Kansas' (41.1 percent), and that's an important point of leverage for an underdog.

4. Possession sharing You don't even have to look at the numbers to know that the ball will usually end up in the hands of Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson when the Jayhawks have possession. In fact, those two account for 57.0 percent of Kansas' possessions when they're both on the floor and 55.9 percent of their shots. The story is less clear for Detroit. Chase Simon, McCallum Jr. and Holman each get greater than 21 percent of Detroit's possessions when they're on the floor, and each take more than 23 percent of the shots when on the floor. The Kansas D will be spread a little thinner planning their attack.

5. Swagger The Titans have nothing to lose and a ton of heart, and it shows. Junior dunker-extraordinaire Doug Anderson is a highlight-reel of his own. You have to watch these guys play to know what I mean. Detroit last knocked off UCLA in the NCAA tournament in 1999 and St. John's the year before that, but it would be a genuine Butler-style upset if they were able to bring Kansas to task.

Complete Midwest Region Analysis--Basketball Predictions

Detroit is actually a really good 15 seed. Their overall resume isn't wonderful, but remember that their core is Ray McCallum and Eli Holman. Holman missed ten games early in the season, and took a while after that to get in form. They closed the season very strong, winning 10 of their final 11 and rolling through the Horizon League tournament. There will be a lot of pressure on Jeff Withey to handle Holman here. I don't think Bill Self wants to risk Thomas Robinson getting in foul trouble. But that said, as good as Detroit is, you simply can't pick them over Kansas here. Don't even think about it.

The 68 things we can't wait to see in this year's tournament--Eye On College Basketball

7. Father-son combos: The Midwest region has two father-son duos leading their respective universities. Detroit is coached by Ray McCallum and led by Ray McCallum Jr., while Creighton counters with Greg McDermott and Doug McDermott. -- JB
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49. Eli Holman vs. Thomas Robinson: Holman called out Robinson on Sunday night, saying, "I can handle Robinson. He has to handle me." If there was any chance Robinson was going to overlook Detroit, that went out the window. -- JB

2012 NCAA tournament Haiku previews--Eye On College Basketball

Kansas vs. Detroit: Titans talking trash / That's not a good idea / To wit: meet this guy

Eli Holman, LaMarcus Lowe give Detroit Mercy some size vs. Kansas--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy poised to strike as spoiler--The Detroit News
MARCH MADNESS: Titans' opponent Kansas is plenty tested heading into tournament--The Oakland Press
Senior guard ‘so excited’ to be crowned a champion--Varsity Press
'It all starts with believing'--Varsity Press
Cheer on The Titans in The NCAA Tournament at Champps--detroittitans.com

Detroit Women's Basketball 2012 NIT Capsule--College Sports Madness
Titans To Open Up WNIT Against Defending Champion Toledo On Friday--detroittitans.com

Registration Opens for 2012 Regina Miller Basketball Camp--uicflames.com

Green Bay Women's Basketball 2012 NCAA Tournament Capsule--College Sports Madness
UW-Green Bay women to play at Iowa State in NCAA basketball tournament opener--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's basketball: Butler coach wouldn't bet against UWGB in tournament--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Will Return to Ames for NCAA Tournament--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Deja Vu at First Glance, But Differences Aplenty--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers Start 2012 Postseason With Tuesday Contest At TCU--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
TCU by the numbers--PantherU
Video: Meier Previews UWM Postseason Contest At TCU--uwmpanthers.com
Jeter A Part Of Inaugural WIAC Hall Of Fame Class--uwmpanthers.com

The 16 Sweetest NCAA Tournament Upsets of All-Time--Midwest Sports Fans

16. (13) Valparaiso 70, (4) Mississippi 69; 1998 First Round

In terms of seeding and talent differential, this upset isn’t on the same level as some of the others on this list. But few upsets have ended in such a memorable fashion.

Valparaiso, the 21-9 champions of the Mid-Continent Conference, kept the game close for 40 minutes. With ten seconds remaining, the Crusaders had the ball, trailing by two. Star guard Bryce Drew, son of coach Homer Drew, missed a three-pointer that would have given Valpo the lead.

Related: See where this moment falls on our list of the 10 Most Memorable March Madness Moments Ever.

Instead, Mississippi came away with the rebound, and Valpo fouled Ole Miss forward Ansu Sesay. Sesay, normally a very good free-throw shooter, missed both shots. In a scramble for the ball following the second miss, Mississippi’s Keith Carter knocked the ball out of bounds, giving Valparaiso possession with 2.5 seconds on the clock.

The Crusaders threw a cross-court pass to Bill Jenkins, who tipped the ball to Drew, who nailed a three-pointer as time expired to give Valpo a 70-69 win.

—–

The Crusaders beat Florida State in the second round then lost to Rhode Island in the Sweet Sixteen.

VU facing Canes, pains--The Post-Tribune
Broekhoff expected to play for VU in NIT despite illness--The NWI Times
Hurricanes could pose strong challenge for Valparaiso--The NWI Times
Drew Sharp: Michigan State has incredible chemistry, but is that enough?--The Detroit Free Press

Whereas they lost one Branden, two others stepped up. Freshman Brandan Kearney made some important contributions in the rematch with the Buckeyes on Sunday. Senior transfer Brandon Wood is now aggressively running the floor on offense and doggedly checking defensively. He led all scorers Sunday with 21 points.

Michigan State takes a punch, then punches back--The Detroit News

Senior shooting guard Brandon Wood jumped into the lineup and was tremendous, scoring a season-high 21 in the victory over Ohio State.
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It's not easy to make it work, and at some point, Dawson's raw ability will be missed. But opponents sagged off him because he's not a pure shooter, and his absence opened space on the floor for Wood, 16-for-29 in the Big Ten tournament. Wood also has the quickness to run the floor with the super-fast Appling.

Game Preview: Valpo at Miami--Section EE
Valpo Ready for NIT First Round at Miami--valpoathletics.com

Dayton is a basketball town — 10 examples--Through the Arch

8 — Wright State won the NCAA Division II national title in 1983. Central State University, the historically black college in nearby Wilberforce, won two NAIA national basketball crowns in the 1965 and 1968 and Wittenberg University in Springfield won NCAA college division national titles in 1961 and 1977.

Women Head to SIU Edwardsville for WBI First Round--wsuraiders.com

A slicker season for YSU hoops, Slocum--Youngstown Vindicator

Green Bay to Play Iowa State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament--Horizon League Network

Milwaukee, Cleveland State Tip Off Postseason in CBI, NIT Contests--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

It Ends With Frayed Edges and Hurt Feelings--The Mid-Majority
From 1-68: Ranking the NCAA field--Eye On College Basketball

57. Detroit: This isn't your typical No. 15 seed. The Titans have a McDonald's All-American in Ray McCallum and a future pro in Eli Holman.

3-point shot: Butler in the A-10?--College Basketball Nation Blog
Jazz’s Corbin, management plan to meet with Raja Bell--Salt Lake Tribune

Overall, O’Connor is pleased with the progress he’s seen from the Jazz — especially the development of youngsters Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Enes Kanter and Hayward — and believes an 11th-place Utah team still has a strong chance to make the Western Conference playoffs.

CBI Tournament 2012 Bracket: Butler, Evansville Accept Bids--SB Nation Indiana
Butler: NIT passes, Bulldogs to play Delaware at home in College Basketball Invitational--The Indy Star
Butler still plans on playing more--The Indy Star
CBI best option for Butler--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler To Play In The College Basketball Invitational--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State Vikings visit Stanford Cardinal and Akron Zips visit Northwestern Wildcats in nationally televised Tuesday night NIT games--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Head to Stanford For NIT--csuvikings.com
Vikings Travel to Stanford for NIT First Round Game--csuvikings.com

NCAA Tournament 2012: No Dog In Fight, But Plenty Of Boston College Connects--BC Interruption

Jesuits! The following members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities are dancing. Remember when you are filling out your bracket, God is on these guys' side.
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(15) Detroit. The Horizon League champs are facing (2) Kansas in the Midwest Regional.

Chat with Detroit Mercy star Ray McCallum Live--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy vs. Kansas: Quick facts--The Detroit Free Press
Scouting the state's NCAA tournament opening matchups--The Detroit Free Press

Titans vs. Jayhawks

Records: No. 15 seed Detroit Mercy 22-13, 11-7 Horizon League, No. 61 overall tournament seed; No. 2 seed Kansas 27-6, 16-2 Big 12 , No. 5 overall seed.

When: About 9:57 p.m. Friday in Round 2 of Midwest Regional.

Where: CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Neb.

TV: TruTV. Line: Jayhawks by 15.

Round 3: Sunday vs. No. 7 Saint Mary's or No. 10 Purdue.

Chatter: The Titans' first NCAA game since 1999 will be against a storied program in a town sure to be filled with Kansas fans. The Jayhawks have won the Big 12 regular-season title eight straight years but lost to Baylor in the tournament semifinals. A history lesson: UDM stunned St. John's and UCLA in their NCAA openers in 1998 and '99.

Detroit Mercy excited to showcase its talent against perennial title contender Kansas--The Detroit Free Press
For Detroit Mercy's father-son team, trip to the Big Dance feels like a date with destiny--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy faces No. 2 seed Kansas, long trip in NCAA Tournament--The Detroit News
Interactive: University of Detroit's road--The Detroit News
MARCH MADNESS: Detroit Titans draw No. 2 Kansas in NCAA tourney--The Oakland Press
CAPUTO: State earned its No.1, but Detroit deserved better than 15th--The News-Herald
Titans to Face #2 Kansas in Omaha in NCAA Tournament--detroittitans.com

Detroit Mercy women fall in Horizon League title game--The Detroit News
MARCH MADNESS: Detroit women fail to Dance with men's team, drop Horizon final--The Oakland Press
Detroit's Quest For HL Title Falls Short, Drop Championship Game To #10/10 Green Bay--detroittitans.com

Bailey Named to Horizon League All-Tournament Team--uicflames.com

Women's basketball: UWGB clinches NCAA berth with win over Detroit--Green Bay Press Gazette

Men's basketball: UWGB excluded from CIT field--Green Bay Press Gazette
CHAMPS! Green Bay Wins Horizon League Tournament Title--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Postseason Props: Freshman and Senior Propel Phoenix to Title--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers to play on after all--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee to play at TCU in CBI--PantherU
Panthers Headed To TCU For College Basketball Invitational Opener--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers eliminated by Valparaiso--UWM Post
Women’s basketball season in review--UWM Post

NIT 2012 Bracket: Valparaiso Heads To Miami--SB Nation Indiana
Miami Hurricanes miss out on tournament berth--Miami Herald
Left out of the Big Dance, Miami receives No. 2 seed in NIT--South Florida Sun Sentinel
NIT sends Crusaders to Florida to meet Miami--The Post-Tribune
Mutka: Passing of the torch in Horizon League?--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso will play Miami (Fla.) in first round of NIT--The NWI Times
Michigan State 68, Ohio State 64: Spartans win Big Ten tournament title--The Detroit Free Press

Brandon Wood scored 21 points as Michigan State beat Ohio State, 68-64, in the Big Ten championship game today in Indianapolis. It's the first Big Ten tournament title for MSU since 2000, the year they won the NCAA championship.

• GAME STATS Wood was 8 of 14 from the field and 4 of 8 from the three-point line in 33 minutes. Draymond Green added 12 points and nine rebounds and Derrick Nix had 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting.

Michael Rosenberg: Spartans finally reign alone and earn last No. 1 seed--The Detroit Free Press

The star for Michigan State was senior Brandon Wood, who scored 21 points because … well, because it was his turn, I guess. Wood scored 21 points, and every one of them seemed huge. It was that kind of game. When MSU trailed, 52-45, and guard Keith Appling (who had just missed a lay-up) started to wonder if the game was slipping away, Wood grabbed it and wouldn’t let go. He passed to Derrick Nix for a dunk. He drained a three. He drained another. x The Spartans led, 53-52, and never trailed again.
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Green did hit a three-pointer to give MSU a five-point lead with 95 seconds left. But he didn’t even see the key stretch of the game, the 10-0 run keyed by Wood. Green had been hit in the head. He had his face in a towel.

“I was just dazed and woozy,” he said. “Then I heard we made an 8-0, 10-0 run or something. I didn’t see the first eight points.”

Wood can tell him all about it. Wood transferred from Valparaiso and this will be his only season as a Spartan. At times, he has looked like a tentative first-year player. Now he is playing like a senior, and a great one.

Michigan State Spartans 68, Ohio State 64: Spartans get the last laugh in Big Ten final--The Detroit Free Press

Then Derrick Nix scored inside. And Brandon Wood hit a three to cut the deficit to two. The next trip down, Wood hit another three-pointer. Brandan Kearney followed with a tip-in, Austin Thornton drained another three-pointer, and within 2 minutes MSU had turned the game around. The 12-2 run gave the Spartans a lead they never gave back.

"We were just locked in the whole time," said Nix, who often frustrated Sullinger and finished with 10 points. "Everybody brought it. We didn't have any letups."

Green finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Wood scored 21 points, 14 in the second half.

Michigan State dispatches Ohio State for Big Ten title--The Detroit News

That's when Brandon Wood began to will Michigan State back into the lead.

The Spartans went on a 10-0 run sparked by Wood to take the lead back with 11:59 to play.

The senior nailed two 3-pointers in the run and continued to spark the offense five minutes later when his reverse layup off a pass from Green put Michigan State ahead 62-57 with 6:42 left in the game. Wood finished with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
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Every player who entered the game scored and Green and Wood had seven pointes apiece while Green had four rebounds.
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Green was named the tournament's most valuable player and was joined on the all-tournament team by Wood, Sullinger, Thomas and Minnesota's Andre Hollins.

Pure elation for top-seeded Michigan State--The Detroit News

"But it's really been a good team effort, and this was a big win for us because it kind of validates maybe that we belong, and I even questioned it. I'm not gonna lie to you. I even questioned: Are we good enough? And if we would have been a 2 seed, I would have completely understood that, too."

It didn't surprise Brandon Wood, who scored 21 points in the title game and transferred from Valparaiso for the chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.

"I kind of knew that we were probably going to get the No. 1 seed because I watched some shows earlier and they said the winner of the game would probably get the No. 1 seed," Wood said. "So we were all excited. And just to be a part of the tournament for myself, it's something I've always dreamed of. And to now be a part of that with these guys, it's just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me."

Brandon Wood's hard work for Michigan State pays off--The Detroit News
Michigan State earns more than top seed with Big Ten title win--The Detroit News

They did it with contributions from just about everyone in this tournament, too, from point guard Keith Appling, who was snubbed for all-tournament honors, to the big-man tandem of Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix to freshmen Travis Trice and Brandan Kearney. And particularly from senior role players Austin Thornton, who poured in four three-pointers Saturday against the Badgers, and Brandon Wood, who finished with a game-high 21 points Sunday.

Crusader Men to Take On Miami In First Round of 2012 NIT--valpoathletics.com

Demmings Named to All-Tournament Team--wsuraiders.com

Green Bay wins Horizon League Tournament--Horizon League Network

Detroit Given No. 15 Seed; Will Meet Kansas in NCAA Second Round--Horizon League Network
Valparaiso, Cleveland State, Butler, Milwaukee Learn Postseason Destinations--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Utah Jazz-Philadelphia Sixers: Instant analysis--Deseret News

Struggling Starters: First, the good news: the Jazz bench was solid, combining for 48 points. Sophomores Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward had 14 and 13 respectively. They were efficient from the floor and played with good energy.

Chicago 'Jazz' blow out Utah Jazz, 111-97--Deseret News

Meanwhile, the Jazz's modge-podge lineup — Earl Watson and Gordon Hayward replaced Harris and Bell — struggled to get much of anything going while wrapping up their five-game road trip with a second blowout loss in a row.

Utah Jazz-Chicago Bulls: Instant Analysis--Deseret News

Gordon Hayward (26 minutes) and Alec Burks (19) got some solid playing time, but big men Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter combined for 20 minutes.

Utah Jazz-Chicago Bulls: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Considering that the Utah backcourt has let the likes of second-year player Jrue Holiday burn them, it should come as no surprise that Bulls guard Derrick Rose scored 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting with seven rebounds and six assists.

Rose was often let free to push the ball without many consequences. Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley combined for nine points (Tinsley shot 3-of-11) and 17 assists in Devin Harris' absence, while Gordon Hayward scored 10 points with Raja Bell also sidelined. GRADE: C-

Utah Jazz: Chicago Jazz are just too much for their Utah counterparts--Deseret News
Utah Jazz: Ex-Jazzmen lead Bulls to 111-97 win over Utah--Salt Lake Tribune

"We’ve got to find some way to be able to have an outside [offensive] threat," Utah forward Gordon Hayward said. "If we don’t, they’re just going to continue to just pack it in on us, and it just makes everything difficult. We’ve got to find some way to get 3s up, though. You can’t make 3s if you don’t shoot ’em."
...
Briefly

Jazz starters Raja Bell (internal matter) and Devin Harris (flu) were inactive. Earl Watson and Hayward replaced them. … Chicago starters Luol Deng and Joakim Noah were also inactive.

NCAA Tournament Preview: Detroit Titans--Searching for Billy Edelin

Detroit Mercy women's coach preaches cool as Titans face Phoenix--The Detroit Free Press
Titans ready for championship game--Varsity Press

Women's basketball: UWGB pumped for Detroit rematch, coach says--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 10/10 Green Bay Hosts Detroit in Championship Game Sunday--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers play the waiting game--PantherU

Spartans roll into Big Ten final--Fox Sports Detroit

The production came mostly from three role players, including Thornton. Reserve center Derrick Nix and guard Brandon Wood, who is starting in Dawson’s place, each scored nine points in the half. Neither even averages nine points.

Big Ten Basketball Tournament 2012: Kokomo's Brandon Wood Leads Michigan State To 35-25 Halftime Lead--SB Nation Indiana
Crusaders expected to earn NIT road game--The NWI Times
Michigan State 65, Wisconsin 52: Spartans reach Big Ten title game--The Detroit Free Press

Wisconsin jumped out to a 9-0 lead. MSU trailed, 20-9, before Thornton hit back-to-back three-pointers with about 9 minutes to go in the first half. Later, Thornton canned a third triple at the 7:30 mark to cut the lead to two. From there, a Badgers turnover turned into a Brandon Wood fastbreak layup, and a missed three-pointer became a Derrick Nix basket, giving the Spartans the lead.

A three-pointer from Wood and an Appling basket capped an 18-2 run, putting the Spartans up by five. Near the end of the first half, Wood converted on a jump shot and, after another Wisconsin miss, Appling scored on a fastbreak to take a 10-point lead.

MSU led, 35-27, at the half. The Spartans shot 57% in the first 20 minutes and held the Badgers to just 35% from the field. Thornton, Nix, Wood and Evans all had nine points each.

Wright State Women's Basketball 2012 NIT Capsule--College Sports Madness

Jim Squire

Jazz-Sixers: Report card--Deseret News

Forwards: Josh Howard went 0-6 with a turnover while being largely responsible for letting Andre Iguodala notch 10 points on perfect 5-5 shooting with 10 assists and seven rebounds. Howard's lackluster performance ended an eight-game stretch where he scored in double figures. Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward assuaged part of Howard's awful game by combining for 28 points on 9-16 shooting. Millsap also had nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. GRADE: B-

Utah Jazz notes: Jeremy Evans’ second half hasn’t been a slam dunk--Salt Lake Tribune

Evans won the 2012 All-Star dunk contest Feb. 24, linking up with teammate Gordon Hayward to leap through the air and grab the title via a fan vote.
...
Little change

Jazz guard Raja Bell acknowledged there’s been little overall change to the Jazz’s first unit, despite the insertion of Josh Howard and Hayward’s move to the bench.

Philadelphia 76ers pack paint, down Utah Jazz 104-91--Salt Lake Tribune

If anything, the Jazz stayed within sight via gutsy play from reserves Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward, while relying on putback tip-ins to remain at arm’s length.

Miami Heat proving they can play a physical style--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Spoelstra said the criticism of their toughness was unwarranted last season. He felt the team has never feared playing physical.

He listed James, Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers as some of the Heat players who have no problem when basketball becomes a contact sport. Rookie point guard Norris Cole has also drawn praise for his tough play.

"Again, that's somebody else's truth," Spoelstra said.

Jermaine Jackson Selected to Israeli Basketball League All-Star Game--detroittitans.com

Titans Advance To Horizon League Championship, Down Wright State 78-70--detroittitans.com
#2 Titans Ready To Battle #1 Green Bay For Horizon League Championship On ESPNU--detroittitans.com

Women's basketball: UWGB rolls past UIC to advance to Horizon title game--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix Fans Invited to Monday's Selection Show Festivities--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Balanced Green Bay Beats UIC, Moves to Sunday's Championship--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Postseason Props: Eichler and Ritchie Combine for 41 Points--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Michigan State 92, Iowa 75: Draymond Green's double-double lifts Spartans into Big Ten semis--The Detroit Free Press

When forward Branden Dawson went down with a torn ACL on Sunday, Izzo said getting Trice back would be crucial to the team's postseason plans. Izzo envisioned playing not just Trice and Appling together but having guard Brandon Wood join them, too.
...
Now that job falls to Wood. The fifth-year senior has played inconsistent defense all season, which is why at the walk-through Thursday night, Izzo and assistant coach Dane Fife challenged him to stay with the Hawkeyes' leading scorer, Matt Gatens, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard.

Said Izzo: “We told him if you don't play (defense), he is gonna kick your (butt)! You know what? He played pretty good.”

Wood spent the night studying film of Gatens, who had averaged 23.6 points in his last five games.

“I came out with the attitude that he wasn't going to do that against me,” Wood said.

Gatens finished with 10 points but shot 1-of-6 and didn't make a basket until midway through the second half. Izzo said Wood played the best defense of his life.

It was the kind of effort that MSU will need in order to keep playing, both from Wood and from Trice, a couple of perimeter players trying to fill the void of an injured, athletically gifted small forward.

Spartans 92, Hawkeyes 75: Notes, quotes from Friday night's win--The Detroit Free Press

SPARTAN STANDOUTS: Brandon Wood led the defensive charge by holding Iowa's leading scorer, Matt Gatens, to 1-for-6 shooting. Draymond Green led the way on offense with 20 points and five assists.

Injured Travis Trice gives Michigan State a big lift--The Detroit News

Wood steps up

With Dawson out, MSU lost one of its best perimeter defenders, a player who stymied many of the Big Ten's top players.

If there were any concern as to which player might fill that role moving forward, senior Brandon Wood might have answered any worries.

Wood was the primary defender against Iowa's Matt Gatens , the senior who came in averaging nearly 16 points. On Friday, Gatens was held to 10 points on 1-for-6 shooting.

"I knew coming in I had to watch more film and take more pride in playing as good a defense as I can," Wood said of checking Gatens. "That's what I tried to do and it worked out."

Wood also provided an offensive spark, scoring 10 points.

"I don't think Gatens was quite as fresh as he was (Thursday)," Izzo said. "But it's nice to see Wood step up. He made some shots, he got a couple rebounds and he definitely defended better than he's defended probably in his life."

WSU women's tourney road ends in semifinals--Dayton Daily News
WSU women fall to Detroit in HL semifinals--Fairborn Daily Herald
Women Fall to Detroit in HL Semifinals--wsuraiders.com

Detroit and Green Bay to Meet in Championship Game--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Butler basketball still has postseason options--The Indy Star

Defense escorts Detroit Mercy Titans to NCAA tournament--The Detroit Free Press

Horizon League tournament semifinal preview: UWGB vs. UIC--Green Bay Press Gazette

Jim Squire

Green Bay women top Valpo to reach Horizon semis--MICentralSports.com
2012 All Mid-Major Team--CollegeHoops.net

Utah Jazz-Charlotte Bobcats: Report card--Deseret News

Forwards: Josh Howard and Paul Millsap combined for 28 points and five steals, while Gordon Hayward filled the box score with eight points, six rebounds and four assists, though he shot 3-of-9 and committed a few turnovers. Jazz forwards did have a difficult time slowing Corey Maggette, who scored 25 points and earned 14 trips to the free-throw line. Then again, neither Orlando or New Jersey slowed him much either: the swingman has scored 78 points in the last three contests. GRADE: B+

Utah Jazz notebook: Gordon Hayward sad, Earl Watson hopeful about Peyton Manning situation--Deseret News
Jazz notes: Favors plays big in post for Utah--Salt Lake Tribune

Gordon Hayward scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in his second game off the bench.

Utah Jazz: Right now, Hayward at best with ball in his hands--Salt Lake Tribune
Wizards vs. Lakers: Washington rallies from 21 points down to stun Los Angeles--Washington Post

Yes, that was Nick Young leading a fast break, flipping a pass ahead to Trevor Booker for a layup rather than pulling up for a jumper. Yes, that was Roger Mason Jr. camped out in the corner, whirling around screens, burying three-pointer after three-pointer and confidently strutting down the floor. Yes, that was Kevin Seraphin soaring high above the rim to catch a missed layup by Shelvin Mack to dunk with two hands and swing on the rim.
...
But the Wizards really started rolling when John Wall sat in favor of Mack. Mack stole the ball from Lakers reserve Andrew Goudelock and Mason buried a three-pointer to bring the Wizards within 83-75. Booker later had a steal, batted the ball out ahead to Young, who gave it right back. Booker made the layup and got fouled on the play, hopping up and down to an approving audience.

Butler awaits postseason date--Indy Star Butler Insider

Butler Loses In Tournament At UIC--ButlerSports.com

Vikings Fall At Detroit In Horizon League Quarterfinals--csuvikings.com

Bracket Prep: St. Mary’s, Western Kentucky, Detroit, and South Dakota State--Rush The Court

Detroit Titans

The McCallums Got It Done in the Horizon League (AP)

Horizon League Champion (22-13, 14-7)
RPI/Pomeroy/Sagarin = #128/#115/#119
Adjusted Scoring Margin = +2.1
Likely NCAA Seed: #14-#15

Three Bruce Pearls of Wisdom.

Detroit was picked to finish second in the Horizon League this year, selected narrowly behind two-time defending national runner-up Butler. With three players on the preseason All-Horizon First Team, the Titans had the talent to do big things this year. Head coach Ray McCallum’s son, Ray Jr., is a former McDonald’s All-American. Things didn’t go as planned for Detroit for much of this season, but the past eight weeks have proven how talented this team is. The Titans finished 13-2, including a dominant run through the Horizon League Tournament capped off by a 20-point victory over #1 seed Valparaiso on its home floor.
Ray McCallum is a top guard at the mid-major level. The sophomore averages 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as an explosive athlete with plus-skills on both ends. He’s not an experienced scorer or leader, but this team has other pieces to fill those roles. Chase Simon is a bigger guard and the senior leader averages 13.5 points per game, while senior Eli Holman, a former Indiana transfer, is a solid big off the bench (10.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG). Detroit proved it was the most talented team in the conference, and it’s no fluke.
Detroit plays an aggressive style on both ends of the floor. The Titans’ 108.0 season-long offensive efficiency was the tops in their conference and in the top-55 nationally. They had a top-30 free throw rate and played at an above average pace speed. Their steal percentage (11.2%) and block percentage (8.7%) both ranked in the top 70 in the country, again proving the attacking mentality of the game plan. However, this team does not shoot well from deep (30.2% from three) and is just average in terms of defensive efficiency. The Titans were more athletic than their conference foes but obviously won’t have that luxury against a top NCAA Tournament seed. They will have to play smarter and hit more outside shots in order to have a chance at pulling a #14-#3 kind of upset.

Morning Five: 03.08.12 Edition--Rush The Court

One of the big storylines of the opening week of the NCAA Tournament will be that of Detroit, which features the father-son combination of Ray McCallum Jr and Sr. Most college basketball fans are very familiar with their story, but if you need a refresher before next week’s onslaught, this column is a pretty good place to start. Between the father-son combo and the school’s former coach (some guy named Vitale) the school will be getting plenty of publicity as long as they stay alive.

Detroit Men's Basketball 2012 NCAA Tournament Capsule--College Sports Madness
Drew Sharp: McCallums' titanic goals produce title for Detroit Mercy--The Detroit Free Press
NCAA berth for Detroit Mercy a hard birthday present to top--The Detroit News
Former UDM coach Dick Vitale believes Titans could be dangerous No. 14 seed--The Detroit News
Butler has thrived in NCAA Tournament, so UDM asks: Why not us?--The Detroit News
MSU-Detroit Mercy basketball series needs to get cranked up again--The Detroit News
Detroit is Horizon League's next hope--The Oakland Press
NCAA Bracket Release Party Sunday at Calihan--detroittitans.com

Detroit domination--Varsity Press
Dominating Titan Defense Vaults Detroit To Horizon League Semifinals--detroittitans.com
#2 Detroit To Face #3 Wright State In Horizon League Semifinals On Friday--detroittitans.com

Flames Advance To Horizon League Semifinals; Defeat Butler 66-53--uicflames.com
Flames Set For Semifinal Showdown with No. 1 seed Green Bay--uicflames.com

Red-Hot Wright State Drops Loyola In Horizon League Quarterfinals, 91-67--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: Phoenix fights past pesky Crusaders in Horizon quarterfinals--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's basketball: UWGB senior Quilling praised for toughness, team spirit--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix women finish season with road wins--UWGB Fourth Estate
Ritchie flies with the Phoenix--UWGB Fourth Estate
Quick Runs Spark Phoenix to 77-53 Win in Tourney Opener--uwgbathletics.com
Postseason Props: Quilling's Gutsy Performance Inspires Teammates--uwgbathletics.com
Top-seeded Green Bay Hosts No. 4 Seed UIC in Semifinal Friday at 7:30 p.m.--uwgbathletics.com

UWGB's Williams won't return--UWGB Basketball
Penguins push past Phoenix in tournament--UWGB Fourth Estate

Sources close say CBI "almost a done deal"--PantherU

Valparaiso Men's Basketball 2012 NIT Capsule--College Sports Madness
Lazerus: Plenty of room for optimism at Valpo--The Post-Tribune
Lazerus: Crusaders enjoy the view from the top--The Post-Tribune
Plan B: Michigan State to replace Branden Dawson with 2 players--The Detroit Free Press
On this day 8 years ago - Mar 08, 2004--Valpo Daily

VU women’s HL tourney run ends--The Post-Tribune
VU women close out season with loss to No. 10 Green Bay--The NWI Times
Valpo Season Comes to a Close at 10th-Ranked Green Bay in Quarterfinals--valpoathletics.com

WSU women rout Loyola; advances to semifinals--Dayton Daily News
WSU women roll past Loyola in HL quarterfinals--Fairborn Daily Herald
Women Roll Past Loyola in HL Quarterfinals--wsuraiders.com

Top Seeds Move on to Semifinals--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Set Your TiVo: 03.06.12--Rush The Court

Horizon League Championship: Detroit at Valparaiso – 9:00PM EST on ESPN (****)

Detroit has already lost to Valpo twice this season, but you can ask Cleveland State how much that means. The Vikings found out on Saturday that it’s very difficult to beat a team three times in one season. Detroit has turned things around, having only lost twice since the beginning of February. They are going to have to improve their field goal defense if they want to beat a solid-shooting Valpo squad on its home floor. The Titans allowed Valparaiso to shoot an eFG% of 58% and 68% in its first two matchups this season. Detroit was able to keep the previous games close by winning the battle on the boards and getting to the free throw line. Keep an eye on those indicators as this game progresses.
Valparaiso has been a solid shooting team throughout the season. They excel at hitting shots inside the arc, where they are making 54.1% of their two-point attempts. The Crusaders should be able to outshoot the Titans in this matchup, and they have proven they can knock down shots in the last two meetings. It is imperative that they maintain some presence on the boards too, though. Second chance points and fouls could make Valpo the latest victim of the Titans.
This game hinges on Valpo’s shooting. If they can shoot like they did in the previous games against Detroit, they will win the game. However, if they come out cold, this one could be very, very close.

ATB: Big East Tourney Begins and Four More Teams Punch NCAA Tickets…--Rush The Court

Last night’s Quick Hits…
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Detroit Reaches Its Upside En Route to Berth. In the preseason, Detroit was expected to have a big-time year under the guidance of Ray McCallum, Sr., thanks to his son, Ray Jr.’s expected emergence as a star in the Horizon League. Throw in two other talented seniors in Eli Holman (former IU transfer) and Chase Simon, and the Titans had the talent to take the Horizon League crown from Butler. A very mediocre start to the season left this team as a disappointment, but by the end of the year it has gelled to reach that high upside. It culminated in the 70-50 beatdown of #1 seeded Valparaiso in the conference tourney finals, and the Titans have indeed stolen the Horizon bid from Butler (and Valparaiso, on its home floor). A team with solid talent that is 13-2 in its past 15 games, Detroit will be a scary matchup as a projected #14 seed.
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Tuesday’s All-Americans.

Ray McCallum, Detroit (NPOY) – A former McDonald’s All-American who went to Detroit to play for his father, McCallum but the Titans on his back with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals on Tuesday night en route to the Horizon League title.

Utah Jazz: Young, old unite as Jazz slowly mature as a team--Salt Lake Tribune
Butler and coaching carousel--Indy Star Butler Insider
Catching up during downtime--Victory Firelight
On this day 6 years ago - Mar 07, 2006--Butler Blue Fever
Men’s basketball: Streak broken, Stevens looks to future--Butler Collegian

Women’s basketball: Team victorious on Senior Day--Butler Collegian

Cleveland State Men's Basketball 2012 NIT Capsule--College Sports Madness
Atlanta Hawks (23-15) at Miami Heat (29-9), 7:30 p.m. (ET)--Miami Herald

Dwyane Wade tweaked his ankle late in the second quarter and sat out the remainder of the contest. Wade had 13 points and is expected to play tonight versus the Hawks. Norris Cole had 13 points off the bench for Miami, which has won 10 straight at home and is 16-2 in south Florida. The Southeast Division- leading Heat will close out the homestand Saturday versus Indiana.

CSU falls to Detroit in HL semifinals--The Cauldron

Vikings finish season in fashion--The Cauldron

Ray McCallum Jr. leads Detroit (and his dad) into NCAAs--CollegeBasketballTalk
Detroit thumps Valpo, heads to tourney--ESPN
NCAA Tournament Cheat Sheet: Get to know Detroit--CollegeBasketballTalk
11 Tourneys, 11 Celebrations--Run The Floor
Tiny Dancers: Detroit--Eye On College Basketball
March Madness 2012: The Detroit Titans are Dancing in the NCAA Tournament--The Big Lead
The NC-Double-Eh Schedule - Mar. 6--Raptors HQ

9:00pm Detroit @ Valparaiso - Detroit's Jason Calliste is a forgotten man of sorts behind Ray McCallum, Chase Simon and Eli Holman all season but that only makes him an X-factor in this game. In the Titans' last two games in the Horizon League tournament, he's averaging 11 points, 4.5 rebounds and an assist. Look out for him tonight to have a big game.

Detroit Mercy 70, Valparaiso 50: Ray McCallum leads Titans to Horizon crown, NCAA tournament berth--The Detroit Free Press
National columnist: 'Best birthday' ever for Detroit Mercy coach Ray McCallum--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy tops Valparaiso, punches NCAA ticket--The Detroit News
Titans Are Going Dancing After Downing Valpo in Title Game--detroittitans.com

No. 4 UIC Hosts No. 5 Butler In Horizon League Quarterfinals--uicflames.com