News On The Horizon 4/9/2012

2012 Indiana All-Star Team Announced--SB Nation Indiana

Kellen Dunham - Pendleton Heights - Butler Bulldogs
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Nick Osbourne - Muncie Central - Loyola of Chicago Ramblers

Utah Jazz-San Antonio Spurs: Report card--Deseret News

Forwards: With less points (two, on 1-of-8 shooting) than turnovers (three), Paul Mlilsap certainly had one of his worst games of the season. While Millsap's run of 21 straight games in double figures ended, Gordon Hayward reached a seventh consecutive game in the same category, scoring 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Derrick Favors saw more floor time than the cold Millsap (30 minutes to 21) and responded, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds. However, Tim Duncan still did his work with 13 points and 16 rebounds in 31 effective minutes. GRADE: C

Utah Jazz notebook: Injury, flu bugs plaguing Jazz--Deseret News

TIME MANAGEMENT: Al Jefferson played almost 38 minutes, Gordon Hayward logged just under 35 and Devin Harris saw 33 minutes of action in Sunday's game..

But Corbin isn't too concerned with anybody running out of gas in tonight's San Antonio Sequel.

"We'll figure it out," he said.

Butler move to Atlantic 10 far from certain, trustee says--The Indy Star
Strong Finish Caps Butler’s 2011-12 Season--ButlerSports.com

Heat coach Erik Spoeltra rests Dwyane Wade despite previous comments--Miami Herald

Tweaks are coming

Before the game, Spoelstra hinted toward minor “tweaks” in his rotation over the next few weeks. It didn’t take long to figure out just what those changes were on Sunday.

Rookie Norris Cole only played the final 4:32 and scored 10 points with the game out of reach in the fourth quarter while rookie Terrel Harris played 12:32 and was the first player off the bench in the first quarter.

“I’m actually cautiously optimistic about a couple of the tweaks that I’m going to make,” Spoelstra said. “Some of them I have been able to see and some of them I have not.”

Other adjustments to the rotation included James Jones receiving playing time in the second quarter.

He made three three-pointers in the period. Also, center Joel Anthony played a larger role off the bench against the Pistons after missing the first half against the Grizzlies.

“I think the majority of the guys are very comfortable with their roles,” Spoelstra said. “The small tweaks that I’ll make are to put in motion some other tweaks that I will make.”

The decision to bench Cole, who had played in a team-high 54 games before Sunday, wasn’t exactly a difficult one.

Before Sunday, he was 2 for 21 in his past four games and previously hadn’t made a field goal since last week’s embarrassing loss to the Celtics.

“I feel pretty comfortable about a few things going forward, even if I have not pulled the trigger,” Spoelstra said.

Easy win for Miami Heat a tuneup for brutal stretch--Miami Herald

In addition to those two changes, Heat rookie Norris Cole lost his spot in the rotation to rookie Terrel Harris. Harris played more than 12 minutes but failed to score. Cole came off the bench in trash time and scored 10 points.

Miami Heat's James Jones nets season-high 18 points--South Florida Sun Sentinel

More Harris, less Cole

Rookie Norris Cole has apparently fell out of the playing rotation, playing just four minutes Sunday.

Terrel Harris, who has come on strong of late, came off the bench ahead of Cole. It was Harris' third straight appearance after playing seldom earlier this season.

"He has earned these minutes," Spoelstra said. "He gives us another dynamic of speed and quickness. One of the positive things, I have been encouraged by his minutes lately."

Despite Harris' production, the reason for the switch has been more about Cole's struggles. He had made just 2 of 21 shots from the field the previous four games but was 2 of 3 while playing in garbage time.

Panthers must run transition game--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

News On The Horizon 4/8/2012

2012-13 Preview: Mid Majors, Part II--Basketball Predictions

Grueling schedule grinds rookies on Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons--Miami Herald
Summing up the Heat: The bad, the bad and the ugly--South Florida Sun Sentinel

-- After his point guards. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, shot a combined 0 for 9, Spoelstra was asked exactly what he is seeking at the position, going more often now without a true point guard on the floor.

"It is as clear as it can be: the front line of our defense, making an impact on the ball, trying to keep that ball out of the paint, guiding it into the rest of our help defense and setting the tone," he said.

"Offensively, to get us organized into offense efficiently without turning the ball over, understanding time-score situation, making those type of reads and then being aggressive looking for opportunities to score the way those guys do it: Rio with his shooting and ability to put the ball on the floor and Norris being aggressive."

Friday, it was more like none of the above.

Heat's slumping rookie Norris Cole remains confident--South Florida Sun Sentinel

News On The Horizon 4/7/2012

Utah Jazz want to win, but risk losing picks in process--Deseret News

Elsewhere, there has been plenty of obvious growth, with second-year players Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors making big strides.

Hayward has averaged 18.4 points the last five games, and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds Wednesday to go along with his 20 points.
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Head coach Tyrone Corbin said Hayward is realizing with each game that he can do more on both ends of the floor.

"It's just a process he's continuing to grow through," Corbin said.

Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward morphing into a star--Deseret News
Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap, Devin Harris to play tonight against Golden State--Deseret News

The Jazz starters will be the new usual: Harris, Gordon Hayward, C.J. Miles, Millsap and Al Jefferson.

Utah Jazz shoot past Golden State Warriors in fourth quarter to win 104-98--Deseret News

Jefferson also had 11 rebounds for Utah, while Gordon Hayward added 14 points and Paul Millsap chipped in with 12 points — 10 of those coming in the second half — and seven rebounds. The reserve point guard tandem of Jamaal Tinsley (seven points) and Earl Watson (six rebounds, six assists) was also instrumental in Utah's victory.

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

Random thoughts:
While Gordon Hayward saw 37 minutes of game time, the other young players— Burks, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter — combined for just 30.

Utah Jazz-Golden State Warriors: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Devin Harris shot the lights out of the EnergySolutions Arena from 3-point range, draining five bombs for the Jazz. His hot shooting forced the Warriors out of their zone defense, Utah's nemesis, and opened up the rest of the offense. The Jazz didn't get Gordon Hayward involved enough early on, but he regrouped and contributed. For Golden State, Charles Jenkins went silent after a solid start. Klay Thompson was just the opposite, as he shot the Warriors back into the game late in the fourth quarter. He scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime.

Grade: A-

Jazz lack strength of a clear-cut closer--Salt Lake Tribune

While Millsap and Jefferson have been the Jazz’s primary closers this season, second-year man Gordon Hayward appears to be a possibility down the road.

"Gordon has the talent where you can put the ball in his hands and be able to make plays," Corbin said. "He can grow into it with experience.

"The top guys in this league have grown into it. They weren’t those guys when they first started out. It takes awhile to get to that point."

Wizards vs. Nets: Washington’s defensive lapses lead to fifth straight loss--Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas played his final game in a Wizards uniform when the team lost in its lone visit last season, and two weeks ago, Nene played his first game for the organization and led the team to a spirited victory. But the Wizards probably won’t have many memories, pleasant or otherwise, from their final visit.

After a deflating 110-98 loss to the Nets, they likely won’t want to look back on how Jordan Crawford struggled to make shots and had one of his potential baskets goaltended by teammate James Singleton. No way would they want to bring up Shelvin Mack’s failed lob pass, which sailed out of bounds because Kevin Seraphin didn’t make a cut to the basket. And they certainly won’t reminisce on how Chris Singleton stared toward the ceiling after missing a breakaway dunk, prompting injured Nets reserve Jordan Farmar to leave his seat to applaud.
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“It’s a learning experience for us,” Mack said. “The great thing is, for the rest of our NBA careers, we’ll never have to go through anything like this again, because of the shortened season. You try to bring some energy every night, but it’s tough to do with all of this traveling. Coming off a back-to-back, then off a day, then three in a row, down a few guys, it’s definitely tough.”

And the Wizards can now look forward to facing the Nets in Brooklyn.

“Looking forward to seeing the new place,” Wittman said.

High school recruiting notebook: Final game still haunts Arabians' Kellen Dunham--The Indy Star
Butler in Top 25 discussion--Indy Star Butler Insider

Miami Heat’s Harris a must-see rookie--Miami Herald

Harris hasn’t had many practices to work his way into the rotation, but Spoelstra’s desire to pump a little energy into his team along with the bruise to Dwyane Wade’s knee and rookie Norris Cole’s struggles since the All-Star break have all contributed to Harris’ rise in minutes.

Miami Heat’s offense runs dry in home loss to Grizzlies--Miami Herald

The Heat trailed by at least 10 points for the entire second half and started the game with 11 turnovers in the first quarter, a season high. Led by the ineptitude of guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, who combined to go 0 for 9 from the floor, the Heat shot just 40.2 percent.

Terrel Harris works way into Heat's rotation--South Florida Sun Sentinel

It made Harris feel as if everything was worth it. He showed up for training camp on a whim, but now is pushing rookie guard Norris Cole for minutes in the rotation. Cole has struggled in recent weeks.

Memphis will always be special to Heat's Shane Battier--South Florida Sun Sentinel

More comfort with point guard

The Heat have had several moments where they played without a point guard on the court, allowing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to handle the responsibility.

Still, coach Erik Spoelstra said he's more at ease with Mario Chalmers or Norris Cole on the floor. He only goes to the other lineup to surprise the defense, but maintains the offense is more efficient with a true point guard out there.

"Everybody feels more comfortable when we have a point guard on the floor," Spoelstra said.

"When we need to go to a three- to four-minute burst to change the dynamic of the game, that is a very unique lineup for us. It sometimes can pose immediate challenges for our opponents where they have to make some tough decisions on the fly."

Heat fall flat vs. Grizzlies; home win streak ends at 17--South Florida Sun Sentinel

And by the third quarter former rookie sensation Norris Cole was again out of the rotation.
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How little was there in support?

Cole, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem shot a combined 0 for 15 from the field.

Report: Ex-Loyola recruit Darrell Combs to visit Cleveland State next week--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State recruit: Bryn Forbes 2011-12 Highlight Tape--Cleveland State Hoops

2011-12 Season Recap: The 12 Most Iconic Moments of the Season--Rush The Court

Honorable Mention.
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Dickie V Is Honored in Detroit.

Mid-major ceiling led Bollant to Illinois--Daily Herald

Video: UW-Green Bay announces Kevin Borseth as new women's basketball coach--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women's basketball star Julie Wojta in Los Angeles for Wooden ceremony--Green Bay Press Gazette
Wojta watches Wooden award go to Griner--Green Bay Press Gazette
Kevin Borseth Introduced as Green Bay Head Coach--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Wooden Award Presentation to be Streamed Live--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Fickiesen to leave YSU hoops team--Youngstown Vindicator
Women’s Basketball Team Active in Youngstown Community--ysusports.com

News On The Horizon 4/5/2012

Utah Jazz-Phoenix Suns: Instant Analysis--Deseret News

Likewise, the Jazz had a trio of twenty-point scorers in Millsap (25 points), C.J. Miles (22), and Gordon Hayward (20). Hayward also earned his first career double-double, collecting 10 rebounds.

Utah Jazz-Phoenix Suns: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Earl Watson started in place of the injured Devin Harris, and it wasn't his best game. He played as hard as he usually does and helped out with five assists, two steals and two blocked shots, but something seemed to be missing from Utah's offense until the game's final minutes. Gordon Hayward was outstanding for the Jazz, recording his first career double-double.

Grade: B
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Bench: The Jazz did not get their usual lift from their bench, which was outscored 46-20. Coach Tyrone Corbin played Miles, Millsap, Jefferson and Hayward at least 35 minutes apiece, so the reserves didn't get too great of a chance to make an impact. Favors was probably the best of the bunch with nine points and eight rebounds. Phoenix, meanwhile, got 19 points from Michael Redd and 11 from rookie Markieff Morris.

Grade: D

Utah Jazz drop 107-105 duel to Phoenix Suns--Deseret News

Millsap had 25 points and eight rebounds, Miles added 22 points and Gordon Hayward had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Utah. Jefferson contributed 16 points and seven boards, and Derrick Favors had nine points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Utah Jazz: Devin Harris out, Earl Watson will start against Phoenix--Salt Lake Tribune

The rest of Corbin’s starting lineup will remain the same: Al Jefferson at center, Paul Millsap at power forward, C.J. Miles at small forward and Gordon Hayward at shooting guard.

Butler eliminated from Evan Smotrycz's list of transfer destinations--The Indy Star
Gordon Hayward heating up for Utah Jazz--The Indy Star
Smotrycz eliminates Butler--Indy Star Butler Insider

LeBron outduels Durant; Heat top Thunder 98-93 with Wade back--South Florida Sun Sentinel

With rookie point guard Norris Cole again struggling, Spoelstra shook up his rotation, utilizing rookie shooting guard Terrel Harris in place of Cole after Cole's initial stint.

"He continues to make me watch," Spoelstra said of Harris. The same couldn't be said of Cole, who missed all three of his shots.

Brown Ends The Season Fifth Nationally In Field Goal Percentage--detroittitans.com

Forrmer UW-Green Bay basketball coach Mike Heideman to be inducted into Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame--Green Bay Press Gazette

U-M women's coach Kevin Borseth headed back to Wisconsin-Green Bay--The Detroit News
Women's basketball: After 5 years at Michigan, Kevin Borseth returns to coach at UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix women break records after season--UWGB Fourth Estate
Phoenix Tops National Statistic Rankings in Turnover Margin--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Kevin Borseth to be Named Women's Basketball Coach at Green Bay--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Green Bay to Name Kevin Borseth Women's Basketball Coach--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 4/4/2012

Indiana, Louisville top our too early 2012-13 preseason Top 25--CollegeBasketballTalk

16. Butler Bulldogs (22-15)
Bulldogs couldn’t hit a perimeter shot this season. That won’t apply next year when Rotnei Clarke and incoming freshman Kellen Dunham suit up. That’ll make life easier for Andrew Smith and Khyle Marshall down low, not to mention glue guy Roosevelt Jones.

College Basketball Top 25 For 2012-2013 [Very, Very Early Edition]--The Big Lead

14. Butler (22-15, NIT) – Lose senior guard Ronald Nored, but they’ll be adding Arkansas transfer transfer Rotnei Clarke. So your four top scorers are back, plus one of the country’s best 3-point shooters? Let’s just pencil in Brad Stevens for a deep NCAA run.

Utah Jazz Extra: 5 things that have to happen to get back in the playoff picture--Deseret News

3. BE MORE AGGRESSIVE

This goes from Gordon Hayward and C.J. Miles on the wings to Al Jefferson and Millsap on the interior. Utah is a much better team when it attacks first instead of responding to opponents' assertiveness.
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Alec Burks and Hayward have been scoring, but their shooting percentages are erratic at times. Miles has been more miss than hit lately.

Jazz beat Blazers in a 102-97 comeback thriller--Deseret News

The Jazz then sealed the losing-streak-snapping victory when Nicolas Batum missed a tying 3-point attempt, and Gordon Hayward grabbed the rebound and then hit a pair of free throws.

"P-Diddy, what can you say about him? The guy always getting his numbers any way he can get it," Tinsley said about Millsap. "We rely on him, Al (Jefferson), down in the paint. Gordon had a good game. It was an overall win for us."

The win improved Utah's record to 28-26, keeping the Jazz a full game behind also-victorious Houston for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Hayward finished with 20 points for the Jazz, who also got double-doubles from Jefferson (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Derrick Favors (11 points, 11 boards).
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With Harris out, Corbin turned to reserve Tinsley to start the third quarter with Hayward and the unconventional Big Three.

That lineup continued to mesh, even building an 11-point lead in the third quarter before Portland began chipping away to make a game of it in the end..
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But, knowing what was at stake, the Jazz gutted it up and scored the final eight points on a Jefferson hook, two Millsap dunks a pair of Hayward freebies.

Utah Jazz-Portland Trailblazers: Instant Analysis--Deseret News

Over the span of the next 11 minutes, the Jazz went on a remarkable 37-12 run. Behind offensive forays by Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward, the terrific defense of Derrick Favors, and the playmaking of Jamaal Tinsley, Utah took control of the game’s momentum. While it see-sawed down the stretch—including a 97-94 deficit with 2:34 left—Utah used this integral run to propel them to the win.
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Big line-up: For the first time this season, Utah head coach Tyrone Corbin went with a new line-up that caused mismatches with its length, versatility, and tenacity. The non-traditional line-up of Al Jefferson, Favors, Millsap, Hayward, and Devin Harris opened up things in the second quarter. Tinsley came in when Harris suffered an ankle injury and the line-up did not skip a beat.
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Last but not least, Hayward played a good part of his minutes at the small forward slot. So when you add his 20 points (including three triples), the Jazz front court were the main drivers behind the win.

Jazz-Blazers: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Devin Harris provided nine points and four assists in nearly 14 minutes, but Earl Watson's 0-of-5 effort in less than 17 mintes wasn't much worse than Jamaal Tinsley's 1-of-4 shooting in 18. However, Tinsley provided six dimes. Hayward's 20 points (on 6-of-12 shooting) in 40 minutes didn't quite match the 33 that Wesley Matthews scored in the same amount of time. At least Portland's Raymond Felton shot 2-of-10, though he offset that with nine rebounds and eight assists. GRADE: C+

Utah Jazz: Raja Bell to return to Utah, out indefinitely with injury--Deseret News

The 2011-12 season has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride for Bell. He reported to camp in excellent shape and was lauded for his hard work and leadership from Day 1 by Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin.

In return, Bell was rewarded the starting shooting guard spot that he relinquished to Gordon Hayward at the end of last season. Bell started in all 33 games he played, averaging 6.6 points on a career-best 47.9 percent shooting.

Jazz fight back to down Blazers, 102-97--Salt Lake Tribune

But the Jazz outscored the Blazers 8-0 down the stretch, with everyone from Al Jefferson and Gordon Hayward to Jamaal Tinsley and Millsap rising up.
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While Portland shot 54.5 percent (12 of 22) behind the 3-point line, the Blazers were hollow inside. Favors recorded 11 points and a co-game-high 11 boards, Hayward added 20 points — with key baskets coming via dunks and tip-ins — and the Jazz outscored Portland 56-34 in the paint.

Utah Jazz rally to beat Portland Trail Blazers--Salt Lake Tribune

But the Jazz outscored the Blazers 8-0 down the stretch, with everyone from Al Jefferson and Gordon Hayward to Jamaal Tinsley and Millsap rising up.
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While Portland shot 54.5 percent (12 of 22) behind the 3-point line, the Blazers were hollow inside. Favors recorded 11 points and a co-game-high 11 boards, Hayward added 20 points — with key baskets coming via dunks and tip-ins — and the Jazz outscored Portland 56-34 in the paint.

Wizards vs. Bucks: Washington falls behind early, never recovers--Washington Post

Jan Vesely grabbed a rebound, turned and saw Washington Wizards teammate Shelvin Mack standing nearby. Mack approached, but Vesely tossed the pass fast and high, giving Mack only enough time to deflect it out of bounds for a turnover.

Nored nabs job at high school--Butler Collegian
Shelvin Mack Comes Back To Indy--ButlerSports.com

Final Detroit Titan Court Report Debuts April 4--detroittitans.com

Averkamp And Gibler Named To I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: UWGB alum inducted to Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame--Green Bay Press Gazette

Final Basketball Numbers--Panther Blog Zone
Meier Earns Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Honors For Second-Straight Year--uwmpanthers.com

While We've Been Away--Section EE

YSU basketball, Covelli Centre explore collaboration--The Jambar

Boldon Recognized For Early Success at Walsh--ysusports.com

Homer Drew Receives Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award--Horizon League Network
Meier, Averkamp, Gibler Collect I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team Honors--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 4/2/2012

Jazz notes: Utah’s second unit suddenly out of sync--Salt Lake Tribune

Athletic wings Gordon Hayward and C.J. Miles are taking the court at tipoff, and Corbin has been left to draw from a mix-and-match collection of veterans, rookies, role players and castoffs in the attempt to keep Utah moving forward. The path has seldom been smooth, and the Jazz’s watered-down bench was exposed Saturday during a 105-96 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA: After 3 months, Utah Jazz finally have stable starting 5--Salt Lake Tribune

Report: Cleveland State offer Josh Ivory--Cleveland State Hoops

Green Bay's Wojta Named to the John R. Wooden All-American Team--Horizon League Network

News On The Horizon 4/1/2012

Utah Jazz notebook: Players, coaches try not to pay too much attention to playoff standings--Deseret News

"I know where we're at based on the white board in there (the locker room)," said second-year swingman Gordon Hayward, who two years ago was getting ready to lead his upstart Butler Bulldogs team into the NCAA's Final Four. "If we just focus on ourselves and not worry about that, if we win our games, we'll be fine. So that's all we can do."

Utah Jazz: The numbers add up to a not-so funny thing: A bad loss--Deseret News

C.J. Miles went 0-of-4 and didn't score, Gordon Hayward had an off night (6-of-15) and Alec Burks went 4-of-10.

Utah Jazz: Rough first half for Jazz vs. Clippers--Deseret News

Al Jefferson (12 points) and Gordon Hayward (10) have been bright spots for the Jazz, who are obviously tired after playing a total of 19 games in the month of March.

Jazz-Clippers: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Devin Harris (2-of-4 shooting, six assists) and Gordon Hayward (14 points) were decent offensively, though they were largely responsible for yielding big offensive outings to Chris Paul (26 points, 10-of-14 shooting, six assists) and Randy Foye (17 points, six assists). Hayward's 4-of-12 effort from the floor means that the second-year player has shot below 45 percent from the field in six of the past eight games. GRADE: C-

Utah Jazz notes: Gordon Hayward hits stride in starting role--Salt Lake Tribune
Washington Wizards’ rookies have rough first season--Washington Post

Drew receives Wooden 'Keys to Life' Award--The NWI Times
Dr. Homer Drew Receives Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award--valpoathletics.com