On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Men's Basketball Preseason Tournament Game Breakdowns - November 12--College Sports Madness

Akron vs. Youngstown State-7:30 PM ET (ESPN3) Northeast Ohio Doubleheader Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer
Taking the number two spot we got Akron against Youngstown State, the second game of the doubleheader happening in Northeast Ohio tonight. Now, if this game was being played at a truly neutral location, there really wouldn’t be much to see here. Akron figures to challenge for the MAC title, while Youngstown State is improved in the sturdy Horizon League, but still has a few years to go before they can be seen as true competitors. Akron is currently ranked 87th in my rankings, while Youngstown State is at 255th. However, this game isn’t at a neutral site. It’s taking place at the Beeghly Center; the home court for Youngstown State. Now, will zero Akron fans show up? Absolutely not. The distance between the two schools is only 50 minutes. But, home court advantage is real in college basketball, quite possibly more than any other sport in the United States. For Youngstown to win this game, they’re going to have to defend at an elite level. This team can score, no one is doubting that. The Penguins are returning their top four scorers from a year ago, and that includes 20.3 ppg scorer Cameron Morse, a rising junior. But Akron, coached by Keith Dambrot (13th year), simply don’t allow a ton of points on the defensive end. They never have, and likely never will. So if the Penguins aren’t ready to play some defense against the likes of Isaiah Johnson (13.6 ppg) and Antino Jackson (11.8 ppg), it could be a long night for YSU. It doesn’t feature as much overall talent as the game above, but this early night clash shouldn’t be overlooked.

Cleveland State vs. Kent State-5 PM ET (ESPN3) Northeast Ohio Doubleheader Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer
Next up we got the opening of the Northeast Ohio Doubleheader between Cleveland State and Kent State. While Kent State was a popular pick last year in the MAC, 2016-17 figures to be a different kind of year for the Golden Flashes. Jimmy Hall, the team’s best player, returns; but the loss of Kellon Thomas (12.3 ppg), and Xavier Pollard (11.6 ppg) in the backcourt certainly doesn’t help the cause. Hall proved to the world a season ago that he’s a player to be feared (16.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), but he also proved that he can’t do it alone. Cleveland State, on the other hand, is a team on the rise. The young Vikings are returning a ton of talent from last year’s solid squad, and could very well compete in the Horizon League as soon as this season. With a coach as experienced and talented as Gary Waters, I doubt the potential solid season is much of a surprise to anyone. This game shouldn’t be nearly as competitive as the first two matchups, but this late afternoon clash has the potential to be a nice appetizer for the two better games happening later on. Kent State could move into the top 200 with a win (221st currently), and Cleveland State could only fuel the hype train (currently 103rd) if they put forth an honest effort. Not anywhere close to an elite matchup, but plenty to like here.

College basketball preview: Scouting WMU, CMU, EMU, UDM, Oakland--Detroit Free Press
College hoops roundup: Oakland tops WMU; Detroit Mercy falls at ETSU--Detroit Free Press
HLeagueHoops: Top 21 Players Countdown (Top 5)--HLeagueHoops.com
H-League is Solid in First Weekend of Season--HLeagueHoops.com

Michigan mid-major women's basketball preview--Detroit Free Press

Edwin lifts Kent State past Cleveland State in OT 79-74--CBS Sports
Cleveland State holds off Canisius 67-64--CBS Sports
Cleveland State rallies but falls to Kent State in overtime, 79-74--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State University’s president overseeing continued growth--The News-Herald
College basketball: Cleveland State men looking better on offense after last season’s struggles--The News-Herald
Garfield Heights Recruit Shawn Christian Signs National Letter of Intent with Cleveland State--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State Vikings Fall to Kent State In OT Thriller--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State Wins Home Opener over Canisius 67-64--NEO Sports Insiders
Vikings Open Season Plus a Scorer, Minus a Point Guard--Campus Pressbox
Cleveland State basketball: Gavin Peppers out 3-5 weeks with foot injury--Cleveland State Hoops
VIDEO: Wednesday With Waters--csuvikings.com
CSU Basketball To Air On WHK, 1420 AM & WHKW, 1220 AM--csuvikings.com
Shawn Christian Signs NLI With CSU Basketball--csuvikings.com
Vikings Rally to Force Overtime, but Fall to Kent State in Season Opener, 79-74--csuvikings.com
Vikings Top Canisius, 67-64, in Home Opener--csuvikings.com

11/14 Women's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

Madness High-Major Conference Players of the Week
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Horizon Khayla Livingston G Cleveland State

Women’s Basketball Announces 2017-18 NLI Trio--csuvikings.com
Vikings Pick Up 66-62 Victory At Evansville In Season-Opener--csuvikings.com
Vikings Travel To No. 8 Ohio State For Wednesday Night Contest--csuvikings.com

Detroit pulls away from Adrian College for 99-69 win--CBS Sports
Cromer scores 27, ETSU beats Detroit 107-78--CBS Sports
College hoops: Detroit Mercy wins opener; Eastern Michigan falls in OT--Detroit Free Press
Alexander hopes for quick learning curve at Detroit Mercy--Detroit News
Titans Leash Bulldogs For Coach Alexander’s First Win--detroittitans.com
McFolley, Titans Unable To Keep Up With ETSU--detroittitans.com

Titans Down Delaware State in Opener, 90-71--detroittitans.com
Titans Drop Overtime Thriller at East Carolina, 83-81--detroittitans.com
Women's Basketball Inks Two Local Products to NLI--detroittitans.com

Raitanen's FTs lifts San Francisco over UIC 82-80--CBS Sports
UIC comeback falls short at San Francisco--The Catch and Shoot
UIC preview: Dikembe Dixson, Tai Odiase raising Flames' talent level--Chicago Tribune
UIC signs Nigerian center from Detroit high school--Chicago Tribune
Eboigbodin signs letter of intent with UIC--UIC News
Showing heart in San Francisco--Whoosh! Net
Greg Eboigbodin Signs NLI with UIC--uicflames.com
Massive Comeback Falls Short at San Francisco--uicflames.com
Flames Open Home Slate vs. UTSA--uicflames.com

Flames Use Balanced Attack to Stomp Lake Forest--uicflames.com
Missed Opportunities Doom Flames--uicflames.com

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, November 15, 2016--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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Also overnight: Damon Stoudamire picked up a nice win for his first at Pacific, as the Tigers shut down Wisconsin-Green Bay in the second half to win 76-58.

Green Bay uses 25-0 run to beat Northland College 84-49--CBS Sports
College basketball marathon: Predictions to get you ready for 30 hours of hoops--CBS Sports

Game 5

Matchup: Green Bay at Pacific
Time: 2 a.m. ET
Thoughts: This is always the type of game I point to when I hear administrators talk about the importance of academics because it's those same administrators who schedule games to tip at 11 p.m. local time on a school night whenever a television network tells them to do it. But that's a column for another day. In the meantime, if you want to watch former NBA Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire coach, this is your opportunity. He's in his first year as Pacific's head coach after spending five seasons as an assistant at Memphis and Arizona.
Prediction: Green Bay 81, Pacific 78

Pacific tops Green Bay 76-58 in wee hours of morning--CBS Sports
Your College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon Study Guide--Mid-Major Madness

Championship expectations persist for UWGB men

Green Bay Phoenix head coach Linc Darner arrived in Green Bay to a program that had not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1996. It took Darner and his squad all of one season to end that streak. Green Bay plays at Pacific at 2 a.m.and Scott Venci explains here why last season may have been the start of a more positive streak.

ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon: Here’s what I’m told happened while I was sleeping--Mid-Major Madness

Try as I might, I could not stay awake past halftime of the Pacific-Green Bay game last night. I am a child and it was past my bedtime. Luckily, I woke up around midway through the Niagara-Hartford game, so there’s still plenty of college hoops tip-off marathon action for me to catch.

Here’s what I’m told I missed, but I didn’t really see any of it, so I’m just assuming it’s right:

Pacific 76 Green Bay 58

Green Bay led by one at the half, but the Tigers dropped 50 on the Phoenix in the second session to cruise to their first victory of the season. Pacific dominated on the glass, 61-28, as four Tigers tallied double-digit boards. David Taylor led all scorers with 17 points, while Trevor Anderson had 14 for Green Bay. Pacific used a 19-3 run midway through the second half to put the game away.

Torrance Jones, who stayed up for this game, will have more on it shortly.

College Basketball Viewing Guide For Monday, November 14, 2016--Blogging The Bracket

Green Bay Phoenix (1-0) at Pacific Tigers (0-1), 2 a.m. (ESPN2)

The defending Horizon League Tournament champs visit a squad likely to tussle with San Diego to stay out of the WCC basement this time around. UCLA mauled the Tigers by 39 on Friday, while the Phoenix blew out somebody called Northland by 35.

2016-17 RTC Preseason O26 All-America Teams--Rush The Court

Player of the Year

Valparaiso’s Alec Peters is our pick for O26 Player of the Year. (Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images)

Alec Peters – G – Valparaiso. Peters, an outstanding shooter with tremendous size, could have transferred nearly anywhere he wanted this offseason and probably started immediately—something people thought might happen following the departure of head coach Bryce Drew in April. Instead, the senior chose to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Valparaiso, making the Crusaders instant favorites to win the Horizon League and establishing himself as a legitimate AP All-American candidate. As a tall, mobile, high-percentage outside shooter (44% 3FG), Peters’ ability to stretch the floor is virtually unparalleled in the mid-major ranks, enabling him to create and exploit mismatches all over the court. His usage numbers are substantial (82% Min, 25.2% Shots), but you wouldn’t know if from his sparkling true shooting percentage (64.7% TS) or Offensive Rating (127.1 ORtg)—the 20th-best in college basketball. What’s more, Peters became a better offensive rebounder last season, which, along with his improved post game, helped him become nearly as dangerous in the paint as he is on the perimeter. The Illinois native could average more than 20 points per game this season, and even non-conference opponents like Oregon, Rhode Island and Kentucky may have a difficult time stopping him.

Mid-Majors to watch come March--College Basketball Talk

Valparaiso: The Crusaders are certainly no stranger to college basketball fans, but Valpo once again has the profile to play Cinderella. Alec Peters looked like he may transfer out of the program, but instead returned for his senior season and now may be the best player outside a Power 5 conference and is a potential All-American. The Crusaders lost a significant amount off last year’s 30-win team, but Peters’ presence means they’re going to be a program to contend with at the end of the year.

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Villanova tops Purdue; UConn upset at home again--College Basketball Talk

NOTABLES
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All-American candidate Alec Peters had 20 points and eight rebounds as Valparaiso knocked off Coppin State. The Crusaders were led by Shane Hammink with 23 points.

Expert Predictions: SI writers make picks for Final Four, Player of the Year, more--Sports Illustrated

Best shooter
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Winn: Alec Peters, Valparaiso. The nation’s best shooter is rarely a 6' 9" forward, but Peters is almost automatic in pick-and-pop situations, and he’s made 45.1% of his treys for the Crusaders over the past two seasons. Expect him to post another 40-plus percent year as a senior, and play well enough all-around to potentially be the first NBA draft pick out of Valpo since his ex-coach, Bryce Drew, was selected 16th overall in 1998.

Hamilton: Peters. He eschewed the chance to play his final season as a grad transfer elsewhere, which means one of the country’s most efficient producers at all levels may toil in semi-obscurity again. But Peters shot 56.2% on two-pointers, 44% on three-pointers and 85% from the line in 2015–16. He averaged 1.191 points per possession on half-court jump shots, per Synergy Sports, good for the 93rd percentile nationally. Even in guarded catch-and-shoot scenarios, his 1.197 PPP landed in the 83rd percentile (still in Synergy’s “excellent” range). And Peters was a 1.254 PPP performer on post-ups, ranking again in the 94th percentile in that department. He doesn’t do much mid-range work—such shots accounted for just 41 possessions all year. But Peters doesn’t need to toil there when he’s so effective at the offensive extremes.

Sixty-eight predictions that are sure to come true (unless they don't)--The Dagger

56. Mid-major star whose name you’ll know by March: Alec Peters, Valparaiso. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds this past season. He could have transferred to one of many power-conference suitors last spring, but he chose to remain loyal to Valparaiso and new coach Matt Lottich.

Preseason Naismith Watch List released: 50 players deep, few surprises--CBS Sports

The college basketball season starts in one day.

On Thursday, the preseason 50-player watch list for the Naismith Award -- one of the six national POY awards in college basketball -- was released. No mega surprises here, obviously, with a list so deep.

In alphabetical order, here's who's on it:
...
Alec Peters, Valparaiso, Sr.

Lottich gets 1st win, Valparaiso beats Southern Utah 79-65--CBS Sports
Peters sparks Valparaiso comeback win over Trinity, 89-75--CBS Sports
Hammink, Peters lead Valparaiso past Coppin State, 78-58--CBS Sports
RECAP: Northern Iowa dominates, Davidson and Valpo sneak away and mid-majors falter out West--Mid-Major Madness
Valparaiso Crusaders see ups, downs in busy opening weekend--Mid-Major Madness
Amid changes, league favorite Valparaiso seeks return to NCAA Tournament--Post-Tribune
Max Joseph steps up as Valparaiso opens with win over Southern Utah--Post-Tribune
Lottich Era set to begin Friday night--NWI Times
Crusaders victorious in Lottich’s debut--NWI Times
Valparaiso avoids upset with second-half comeback--NWI Times
Crusaders improve to 3-0 under first-year coach Matt Lottich--NWI Times
Merrillville's McMillan signs with Valparaiso for men's basketball--NWI Times
Hazen Signs NLI With Valpo Men’s Basketball--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Take Down Thunderbirds in Season Opener--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Earns Second Straight Win Saturday--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Roll to Victory Over Coppin State--valpoathletics.com
McMillan Signs NLI to Join Valpo Men’s Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com

Franklin eager to give Valparaiso a better start--NWI Times
Franklin Turns in Program’s Best Individual Scoring Performance Since 1992 in Loss at Stetson--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Head to Chicago State to Collide with Cougars--valpoathletics.com

Garrett leads N. Kentucky to 96-56 win over D-III Earlham--CBS Sports
Illinois outlasts Northern Kentucky in 79-64 battle--CBS Sports
College roundup: Illinois outlasts Northern Kentucky in 79-64 battle--Chicago Tribune
2016-2017 Horizon League men’s basketball preview--The Northerner
Norse look to push pace in Brannen’s second season--The Northerner
Men’s basketball schedule preview--The Northerner
Norse cruise to season opening victory--The Northerner
Hill too large as NKU falls short at Illinois--The Northerner
Norse MBB radio broadcasts set for iHeartMedia stations--nkunorse.com
Seven-foot center Vogt signs with @NKUNorseMBB--nkunorse.com
Garrett’s double-double leads @NKUNorseMBB in win--nkunorse.com
Norse take fight to Illini, but fall 79-64--nkunorse.com
Williams named #HLMBB freshman of the week--nkunorse.com

Predictions for the basketball season--The Northerner
Men’s, women’s basketball with full slate of home ESPN3 contests--nkunorse.com

2016-17 Horizon League women’s basketball preview--The Northerner
Six seconds or less: NKU women look to push the pace--The Northerner
Women’s basketball schedule preview--The Northerner
Offense struggles as NKU women open with road loss--The Northerner
Gallery: Norse struggle to shoot in first home game--The Northerner
Six added to @NKUNorseWBB signing class--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB Signing Day: Reece Mungar--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB Signing Day: Grayson Rose--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB Signing Day: Jazmyne Geist--nkunorse.com
Sycamores down Norse in Terre Haute--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB Signing Day: Jazmyne Geist--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB Signing Day: Grace White--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB falls short in home opener against RedHawks--nkunorse.com

Scanning the Nation: Notes from opening weekend--Hoopville

It got little note, but Wright State’s 85-81 road win at Southern Illinois was a quietly very impressive debut for Raiders coach Scott Nagy. The former South Dakota State head man didn’t inherit a whole lot when he came to WSU, but in his first game the Raiders knocked off an SIU team that won 22 games a year ago and should be in at least the middle of the MVC this year.

Wright State holds off Southern Illinois, wins opener 85-81--CBS Sports
Alstork has 29 points, Wright St. beats Miami (OH) 89-87--CBS Sports
11/14 Men's Basketball Players of the Week--College Sports Madness

Madness High-Major Conference Players of the Week
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Horizon Steven Davis F Wright State

Morse leads Youngstown State over Akron 90-82--CBS Sports
Under the Radar Game of the Day: Akron at Youngstown State--Hoops HD
2016 MAC Men’s Basketball Recap: Akron Zips vs. Youngstown State Penguins--Hustle Belt
YSU men open season with an upset of Akron--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU falls in OT to Rockets--Youngstown Vindicator
Penguins open season against powerful Akron--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Penguins to honor cancer victims--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU outscores Akron; Kent tops Cleveland State in OT--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU Men’s Basketball Confident as Season Approaches--The Jambar
YSU Upsets Akron in Season Opener--The Jambar
Second-Half Surge Lead Men’s Basketball to 90-82 Come-Back Win Over Akron--ysusports.com
Men's Basketball Inks Duane Moss During Early Signing Period--ysusports.com
Penguins Erase 21-Point Deficit But Fall to Toledo in OT, 103-98--ysusports.com

YSU women’s team opens with loss--Youngstown Vindicator
Down three players, short-handed YSU falls to Pittsburgh--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU women ink 4 in early signing period--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Women’s Basketball Deals With Injuries as Season Begins--The Jambar
More Injuries as YSU Drops Season Opener--The Jambar
Women’s Basketball Welcomes Four from 2017 Class on Signing Day--ysusports.com
Second Quarter Costs Penguins in Season-Opening Loss to American--ysusports.com
Penguins Show Grit in 63-50 Loss at Pitt--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, November 8, 2016--Hoopville

Side Dishes
...
Monday furnished a few exhibitions. Of note: Detroit Mercy-the school’s actual name, and now it wants to be known as such, not as ‘Detroit’-dropped its second straight exhibition to an NCAA Division II school, falling to Ferris State 85-79. Oregon, LSU, North Carolina State and Oakland all won exhibitions handily, while Texas-San Antonio needed a furious rally to top D-II Arkansas Tech 91-89 and South Florida slid past Nova Southeastern (Fla.) 72-64.

College basketball preview: Scouting WMU, CMU, EMU, UDM, Oakland--Detroit Free Press

Horizon League

Oakland University

Last season: 23-12, 13-5 in Horizon League, second place.

Key players: F Jalen Hayes, 6-7 redshirt junior; G Martez Walker, 6-6 redshirt junior; G Sherron Dorsey-Walker, 6-4 redshirt senior.

Opener: Friday 7 p.m. vs. Bowling Green.

Schedule highlights: Nov. 23 vs. Nevada at Great Alaska Shootout, Dec. 21 at Michigan State, Dec. 23 vs. Georgia, Jan. 6 at Valparaiso, Jan. 13 vs. Detroit Mercy, Feb. 10 at Detroit Mercy, Feb. 17 vs. Valparaiso.

Overview: For years, the Golden Grizzlies have revolved around a star player, most recently with Kay Felder, who led the nation in assists last year and finished in the top five in scoring. This team was built expecting him to be around for his senior year, but since he left early for the NBA, the Grizzlies will have to adjust. Coach Greg Kampe still has his explosive offensive system but has no natural point guard to take over — Dorsey-Walker probably will start there. Kampe also added two new assistants in the off-season, so there are a lot of changes in Rochester. Despite that, given the head coaching turnover in the league, Oakland should still be competitive for the Horizon title.
IMG_0822

Isaiah Brock at Oakland basketball media day Wednesday (Photo: Chris Nelsen/Special to the Detroit Free Press)

Detroit Mercy

Last season: 16-15, 9-9 Horizon League, sixth place.

Key players: C Jaleel Hogan, 6-6 junior; F Chris Jenkins, 6-8 senior; G Josh McFolley, 6-1 sophomore; G Corey Allen, 6-3 freshman; F Aaron Foster-Smith, 6-7 sophomore; F Gerald Blackshear, 6-8 sophomore; G Dre Black, 6-2 junior.

Season opener: Friday 7 p.m. against Adrian.

Schedule highlights: Nov. 18 at Illinois, Nov. 20 at Florida State, Dec. 17 Western Kentucky, Dec. 3 at Murray State, Jan. 8 at Valpo, Jan. 13 at Oakland.

Overview: First-year coach Bacari Alexander has his work cut out, but he is in it for the long haul. The team didn’t play that well in the exhibition season, losing to Wayne State and Ferris State. The offense is ahead of the defense, but the team hasn’t distinguished itself at either end. Allen has proven he’s the best of the newcomers and isn’t afraid to score. Jenkins should have a big season after averaging 12 points and 5.7 rebounds a year ago, and so will Hogan, who scored 10.5 points per game last season and chipped in 4.2 rebounds. Once Hogan and McFolley get 100% healthy, the Titans should be competitive in the Horizon League, but the schedule the first month of the season is difficult.

HLeagueHoops: Top 21 Players Countdown (#’s 10-6)--HLeagueHoops.com

Detroit Mercy hoops preview: Titans can score, but can they defend?--Detroit Free Press
Titans Host Special Promotion On Friday to Thank Veterans, Active Military--detroittitans.com

A game a day for the 2016-17 season: December--Hoopville

Dec. 23: Georgia at Oakland. Credit Mark Fox for playing this one, too. The Bulldogs’ Yante Maten against the Golden Grizzlies’ Jalen Hayes is a great frontcourt matchup. Honorable mention: Harvard at Houston

Oakland hoops preview: Martez Walker gets shot to lead Grizzlies--Detroit Free Press
Men’s basketball wallops Grand Valley in exhibition game--Oakland Post
Men’s basketball preview: New faces, same goal--Oakland Post

Women’s basketball preview: A fun team on the hunt--Oakland Post

Men’s basketball knocks out Judson--UIC News

Women’s basketball breezes past North Park--UIC News

UWM men's basketball at a glance--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wichmann will provide leadership on and off court--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Valpo Basketball Preview--valpoathletics.com

@NKUNorseWBB routs Berea College in exhibition game--nkunorse.com

Nagy Era Starts Friday--wsuraiders.com

Merriweather and Women's Basketball Team Opens Friday--wsuraiders.com

Interview with Gary Waters--The Horizon League
Interview with John Brannen--The Horizon League

Jim Squire

Top 10 mid-major teams heading into 2016-17--USA Today

No. 10 Valparaiso (Horizon)

The Crusaders lost their coach, Bryce Drew, to Vanderbilt, but bring back perhaps their biggest piece to making a deep March run in All-America-caliber big man Alec Peters (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), who bypassed the NBA to stay for his senior season. His return doesn’t make Valpo the clear-cut favorite in the Horizon, as many challengers — including Green Bay — figure to make things interesting. Coach Matt Lottich, who was promoted from Drew’s staff, has a linchpin in Peters to keep Valpo in the mix.

Others considered: Akron, Illinois State, Missouri State, Brigham Young, Long Beach State, Chattanooga, Belmont, Green Bay, Eastern Michigan, Tennessee State.

HoriZone Roundtable Season 2, Episode 1: No Media Day? No Problem!--PantherU
HoriZone Roundtable Season 2, Episode 2: Warming Up--PantherU
HLeagueHoops: Top 21 Players Countdown (#’s 15-11)--HLeagueHoops.com

Vikings Race to 89-67 Win Over Tiffin in Exhibition--csuvikings.com

Pistons’ Ray McCallum says he’ll use D-League as motivation--Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy drops drops exhibition to Ferris St.; Oakland tops GVSU--Detroit Free Press
Tip-Off Week For Titan Basketball--detroittitans.com
Titans Drop Monday Exhibition--detroittitans.com

Titans to Host Canned Good Drive for Nov. 21 Home Opener--detroittitans.com

Walker leads Oakland men to 30-point exhibition win over Grand Valley--Oakland Press
OAKLAND ROLLS PAST GRAND VALLEY STATE IN EXHIBITION GAME, 98-68--goldengrizzlies.com

Working out the kinks--Whoosh! Net

Phoenix by position - Wing (Small forward)--Phear The Phoenix

Gillespie says she's happy at UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette

UWGB women ready for title defense--Green Bay Press Gazette

Time Warner Cable SportsChannel To Televise 12 Milwaukee Basketball Games--mkepanthers.com

Panthers Kick Off 2016-17 Season Monday--mkepanthers.com
Milwaukee Women Impressive In Lone Exhibition Contest--mkepanthers.com

O26 At-Large Watch: Early Season Games With Late Season Impact--Rush The Court

#23 Rhode Island at Valparaiso – November 29, 8:00 PM EST. Rhode Island should have several opportunities to prove itself this season, including a bout with Cincinnati on November 19, so a win here might not be necessary. For Valparaiso, this game — which it won at Rhode Island last year — may be essential. If the Crusaders beat the Rams, knock off Alabama and BYU in the MGM Main Event, then roll through their Horizon League schedule — all legitimate possibilities — they could have nearly 30 wins come Selection Sunday. That may be hard for the committee to pass up, especially with a potential March star, Alec Peters, leading the way. Expect this game to be a defensive grinder.

Lute Olson Award Watch List announced--College Basketball Talk

On Monday, the Lute Olson Watch list was announced.

The Lute Olson Award is named after the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, who won 776 games Long Beach State, Iowa and Arizona. He took the Hawkeyes to a Final Four in 1980 and the Wildcats to four more, including a national championship title in 1997.

The annual honors goes to the best college basketball player who has played at least two seasons.
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Alec Peters, Valparaiso
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The Lute Olson Award, which began during the 2009-10 season, was won by Michigan State senior forward Denzel Valentine last season. Creighton’s Doug McDermott earned the honors twice.

The winner for the 2016-17 season will be announced on April 31. Here are the nominees.

Mid-major players who could become Cinderella stars--USA Today

Alec Peters, Valparaiso

Valparaiso forward Alec Peters makes the Crusaders the favorite to win the Horizon League. (Photo: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

The 6-9 Peters (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) bypassed the NBA and returns as one of the country's best big men. The only problem is he comes back to a somewhat depleted roster, including former coach Bryce Drew departing for Vanderbilt. No matter. The Crusaders won 58 games in two seasons with Peters the focal point of the offense. The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year, Peters gives first-year coach Matt Lottich a centerpiece other players can thrive around. The key — in Valpo's success and Peters impressing NBA scouts — is getting to the big stage, which is never easy in mid-major hoops. Green Bay stole the Crusaders' auto bid last season, so peaking in March should will be key.

Bracketology: Preseason 1-68 seed list for projected NCAA Tournament bracket--CBS Sports

39. Valparaiso Crusaders

Bryce Drew is gone to Vanderbilt and former assistant and Stanford star Matt Lottich takes his place. Most important though, Alec Peters is back.

Mid-major draft prospects to watch in 2016-17--Mid-Major Madness

Alec Peters, Valparaiso, Sr., F, 6’9

Ranking: DraftExpress #49, Nbadraft.net #47
The Skinny: Peters decision to not transfer after Bryce Drew’s departure keeps the Crusaders among the Horizon League elite. He’s a sharpshooting big (44.0% on 209 three point attempts) that still contributes down low (19.5% defensive rebounding rate). Plenty of NBA teams will be interested in that high demand skill set.
Big Test: Facing Oregon’s athletes (Nov. 17, Valpo @ Oregon) is merely a tuneup for the NBA talent Peters will play against at Rupp Arena (Dec. 7, Valpo @ Kentucky).

Lexus Williams, Valparaiso win exhibition game in Matt Lottich's debut--Post-Tribune
UPDATE: Crusaders dominate in lone exhibition contest--NWI Times

Mix of Newcomers, Returnees Creates Fresh Energy for Women’s Basketball--valpoathletics.com

@NKUNorseWBB hosts Berea College in Election Day exhibition--nkunorse.com

Raiders Handle Business in Exhibition Game against Cedarville--The Guardian

Home openers for YSU are set--Youngstown Vindicator

YSU to have host of players fill Arbanas’ spot--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

Interview with LaVall Jordan--The Horizon League
Interview with Jerry Slocum--The Horizon League

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Saturday, November 5, 2016--Hoopville

Continuing our look at conferences:
...
Valparaiso and Oakland have been the teams to beat in the Horizon League of late, and despite the departure of Bryce Drew from the former, the Crusaders will remain the team to beat this season. They return star forward Alec Peters and more winning experience for first-year head coach Matt Lottich. Oakland has three starters back and will always be well-tested, while Green Bay is an intriguing team with six seniors but also having lost two all-league players.

SITTING DOWN WITH JC--goldengrizzlies.com
GETTING TO KNOW BRAD BRECHTING--goldengrizzlies.com

UIC holds off Judson in preseason exhibition--The Catch and Shoot
UIC Knocks Out Judson, 95-78--uicflames.com

Jordan Debuts With Victory As Panthers Top Falcons--mkepanthers.com

The Morning Dish – Sunday, November 6, 2016--Hoopville

Side Dishes

Notable exhibition results from Saturday: Butler handled Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) 77-50, the same team that played Michigan State within 10 points. Indiana took care of Bellarmine (Ky.) 73-49, Gonzaga rolled up a 122-76 win over West Georgia, Xavier topped Ferris State (Mich.) 80-56, St. Bonaventure ran over Alfred (N.Y.) 99-72, Houston defeated N.C.-Pembroke 94-67 and Valparaiso got by Hillsdale (Mich.) 78-63.

Crusaders Down Hillsdale In Exhibition Action Saturday--valpoathletics.com

Jim Squire

What-If Projections: How draft decisions, transfers & commits impacted '16–17--Sports Illustrated

What if Valparaiso’s Alec Peters had up-transferred?
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This is a scenario fit for Seth Davis’s Jigsaw Man column, and there did seem like a possibility that Peters, the nation’s top mid-major stretch-four, would consider grad-transferring away from Valpo after coach Bryce Drew bolted for Vanderbilt. If Peters hadn’t chosen to stay, one of his best fits for his senior season would’ve been Iowa State, where he could’ve stepped into the role vacated by Georges Niang and become a lethal pick-and-pop weapon for point guard Monte Morris. Peters would’ve been a major upgrade over the Cyclones’ current leading options at the 4-5 spots, transfers Merril Holden and Darrell Bowie, and made a big impact on Iowa State’s ranking.

Here are the Cyclones’ projections with and without Peters:
                        Off     Def     PWP     National Rank
Iowa St. with Peters  118.5  97.2  0.9069  9th
Iowa St. current roster 115.6   99.9    0.8422  39th
Peters is clearly good enough to elevate a team into the Top 10, and his projected stat line in that situation would’ve made him Iowa State’s second most important player after Morris:
Name            Pos.    PPG     RPG     APG     ORtg    Volume  Mins
Alec Peters     PF      13.8    7.2     1.6     114.7   19%     80%
Instead, Peters will obliterate those numbers as the star of the Horizon League, where he could easily average more than 20 points per game this season. With Valparaiso returning just half its minutes from last year and breaking in a rookie coach, Peters will have less of a chance to get national recognition, but pay attention to him: His production could very well be All-America worthy.

WBB aims to surpass expectations--The Torch

@NKUNorseMBB cruises to exhibition win over Wilmington

2016-2017 MAC Basketball Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas--Hustle Belt

Marcus Keene, a 5-foot-9, 175 lb. guard from San Antonio, Texas, who averaged 15.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game with the Youngstown State Penguins in 2014-2015 in a stacked Horizon League leads the list of new faces in Mount Pleasant.

Penguins Hit 17 3s in 100-61 Exhibition Win Over Penn St.-Behrend--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

2016-17 College Basketball Round-Robin Exempt Tournaments--Blogging The Bracket

Red Diamond Roundball Classic
FIU
FIU Panthers (C-USA)
JU
Jacksonville Dolphins (A-Sun)
USA
South Alabama Jaguars (Sun Belt)
YSU
Youngstown State Penguins (Horizon)

The Jaguars host this event over the weekend before Thanksgiving, but Jacksonville is the only squad of the four that finished with a record of .500 or better last season—at 16-16.

This is another event that serves as a conference reunion of sorts. South Alabama and JU were both charter Sun Belt members, though the Dolphins left for the A-Sun in 1998, with FIU arguably taking their place. The Panthers eventually left for C-USA 15 years later.
...
Tarkett Sports Classic
APSU
Austin Peay Governors (OVC)
Delaware
Delaware Blue Hens (CAA)
Miami U
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (MAC)
NKU
Northern Kentucky Norse (Horizon)

Of the four teams headed to Oxford, Ohio for the weekend before Thanksgiving, only OVC Tournament champion Austin Peay finished .500 or better, and the 18-18 Governors had to claim their conference's auto bid to do that. Even though NKU has participated in its previous two conference tournaments (one in the Horizon, one in the A-Sun), 2017 will be the first March in which they'll be eligible for the Big Dance.
...
Bill Frack Tournament
BGSU
Bowling Green Falcons (MAC)
GB
Green Bay Phoenix (Horizon)
Murray St
Murray State Racers (OVC)
UMKC

UMKC Kangaroos (WAC)

This event is named in memory of one of Falcon basketball's most vocal supporters, so vocal in fact that the court at the Stroh Center bears his name. The hosts can make Frack proud by punching above their weight in this pre-Thanksgiving round-robin that features a 2016 NCAA squad, Green Bay, and perennial OVC contender Murray State. On the other hand, UMKC, like Bowling Green, finished last season under .500.
...
Men vs. Cancer Classic
CSUB
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (WAC)
North Dakota
North Dakota Fighting Hawks (Big Sky)
UNF
North Florida Ospreys (A-Sun)
Wright St
Wright State Raiders (Horizon)

While just one 2016 NCAA squad—Cal State Bakersfield—is headed to Dayton for this event, A-Sun regular season champ UNF and the hosts, who fell to Green Bay in the Horizon final, both had chances to join the Roadrunners in the field of 68. All three, and the Fighting Hawks, a team on the rise in the Big Sky, will aim to use their three games at the Nutter Center to get on the right track for 2017.

NIU Showcase
Cal Poly
Cal Poly Mustangs (Big West)
Elon
Elon Phoenix (CAA)
NIU
Northern Illinois Huskies (MAC)
UIC
UIC Flames (Horizon)

For the second season in a row, the Huskies will look to sweep through their own round-robin tournament, as NIU took down the South Dakota Coyotes, CSUN Matadors, and Wright State Raiders to open the 2016-17 season—one that ended with 21 wins and a Vegas 16 berth. Mark Montgomery's team will be favored to go 3-0 again, as none of their rivals managed to be even remotely competitive in their respective league races last season.
...
Sanford Pentagon Showcase
ETSU
ETSU Buccaneers (SoCon)
Milwaukee
Milwaukee Panthers (Horizon)
SD State
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (Summit)
UCI
UC Irvine Anteaters (Big West)

Even with Milwaukee and SDSU welcoming new coaches this November, this tournament in Sioux Falls should be one of the more competitive ones of this type. The Jackrabbits are coming off an NCAA bid, and they should compete for another, while UC Irvine will tussle with the Long Beach State 49ers in the Big West, even if Mamadou Ndiaye is now a pro, while ETSU should be the Chattanooga Mocs' most serious challengers in the SoCon. Note that South Dakota State won all four of its Cancun Challenge games last season, as a team in the visitors' bracket.

Will Cleveland State’s Student Outreach Pay Off?--Campus Pressbox
Vikings Host Tiffin on Monday Night in Exhibition Game--csuvikings.com

Grand Rapids Drive gives Ray McCallum best chance to excel--Detroit Free Press
Whipped by Wayne State--Varsity News
One On One With DeShawndre Black--detroittitans.com
Monday’s Exhibition Against Ferris State FREE For All Fans--detroittitans.com

Men’s Basketball Hosts Judson in Exhibition Action--uicflames.com

UIC Breezes Past North Park, 84-51--uicflames.com

Men's Basketball Opens 2016-17 Campaign Saturday With Exhibition Game--valpoathletics.com

Women’s Basketball Team Tops Indianapolis in Exhibition Opener--valpoathletics.com

Testimony raises questions about NKU's handling of 'sexual incident' involving hoop players--Cincinnati Enquirer

Jim Squire

Key Assistant Coaching Hires--College Basketball Talk

2. Saddi Washington and Billy Donlon, Michigan: Head coach John Beilein lost two talented assistants to head jobs as LaVall Jordan (Milwaukee) and Bacari Alexander (Detroit) are moving on to the Horizon League. Saddi Washington (Oakland) comes to the Wolverines from that same conference as he’s helped land and develop program changers like Kay Felder and Travis Bader. Billy Donlon is also a Horizon veteran as he most recently was the head coach as Wright State. He gives Beilein another experienced assistant with Midwest ties.

Ranking every team in college basketball from Florida A&M (351) to Duke (1)--Sports Illustrated

Rank    Team    Proj.   Off.    Proj.  Def.    Proj.  Proj.  Proj.
                Off.            Def.    Rank    Pyth.   Conf.   NCAAs
                Eff.            Eff.            Win%    Rank    seed
...
86      Valpo   103.2   209     94.8    21      0.7258  1st in  13 seed
                                                        Horz
...
125     Oakland 113.6   34      108.5   273     0.6290  2nd in
                                                        Horz
...
128     Green   108.2   104     103.8   183     0.6164  3rd in
        Bay                                             Horz
...
218     Detroit 106.4   137     109.1   290     0.4279  4th in
                                                        Horz
...
221     YSU     106.5   135     109.6   300     0.4180  5th in
                                                        Horz   
222     WSU     98.1    303     101.0   114     0.4171  6th in
                                                        Horz
...
229     NKU     102.2   235     105.5   227     0.4082  7th in
                                                        Horz
...
264     CSU     95.6    326     101.9   133     0.3246  8th in
                                                        Horz
...
285     Milw.   100.7   269     108.7   279     0.2938  9th in
                                                        Horz
...
304     UIC     94.9    331     104.6   205     0.2457  10th in
                                                        Horz

Horizon League: Three players to watch--Mid-Major Madness
Mid-Major Madness Preseason Top 25--Mid-Major Madness

8. Valparaiso
...
Others receiving votes (in order): College of Charleston, Middle Tennessee, Ohio, Long Beach State, Siena, UAB, William & Mary, Florida Gulf Coast, Fort Wayne, Iona, Yale, Eastern Michigan, Oakland, North Florida, Vermont, Winthrop, Georgia State, Texas Southern, Little Rock

MARK ADAMS SPOTLIGHTS THE ALL-ENTHUSIADAMS TEAM--American Sportsnet
HLeagueHoops: Top 21 Players Countdown (#’s 21-16)--HLeagueHoops.com

Vikings Defeat Ursuline In Exhibition Contest--csuvikings.com
Kevin McManaman Joins Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff--csuvikings.com
Abshaw Named To Horizon League Preseason First Team--csuvikings.com

Kearney, McCallum Join NBDL Teams--detroittitans.com

Titans Picked Second, Reynolds Voted Preseason Player of the Year--detroittitans.com

Army vet Isaiah Brock ready for new tour of duty with Oakland U.--Detroit Free Press
Grizzlies feel disrespected with lack of Top 25 votes--Detroit Free Press
Pat Caputo - Oakland will be different without Kay Felder, but doesn’t mean it can’t be better--Oakland Press
Golden Grizzlies driven to prove they’re still pretty good, even without Kay Felder--Oakland Press
Basketball kicks off with breakfast--Oakland Post
GETTING TO KNOW NEELY--goldengrizzlies.com
SITTING DOWN WITH CP--goldengrizzlies.com
GETTING TO KNOW ISAIAH BROCK--goldengrizzlies.com
OAKLAND WELCOMES MEDIA TO O'RENA FOR ANNUAL MEDIA DAY--goldengrizzlies.com

Talented Oakland women will need to grow into contender status in stacked Horizon--Oakland Press
OAKLAND PICKED SEVENTH IN HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL--goldengrizzlies.com
THE GOLDEN GRIZZLIES HOST ANNUAL MEDIA DAY INSIDE O'RENA--goldengrizzlies.com

Flames Welcome North Park For Preseason Tune-up--uicflames.com

Phoenix by position - Center--Phear The Phoenix
Phoenix by position - Power forward--Phear The Phoenix
Green Bay Explodes in Second Half as RP40 Returns for 2016-17--greenbayphoenix.com

Strong 2nd half propels Phoenix in exhibition--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women picked to finish first in Horizon--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix women roll in exhibition finale--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Picked as Preseason Favorite for Ninth-Straight Year--greenbayphoenix.com
Green Bay Ready for Regular Season with 76-34 Exhibition Win--greenbayphoenix.com

Tickets For Veterans: Come On Out To The Game!--mkepanthers.com
Jedlicka Joins Milwaukee Athletic Training Staff--mkepanthers.com
Jordan Era Begins Saturday Against Concordia Wisconsin--mkepanthers.com

Panther Freshman Sits Down With espnW--Milwaukee Panthers Blog Zone
Kostowicz Named Preseason All-League First Team--mkepanthers.com

2016-17 Mid-Major All-Americans--College Basketball Talk

MID-MAJOR ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM

ALEC PETERS, VALPARAISO

Alec Peters could have not appeared on this list. He initially declared for the NBA Draft before withdrawing his name. After Bryce Drew left for Vanderbilt, it would have been understandable if Peters elected to enroll in a high-major school as a graduate transfer. But the 6-foot-9 big man decided to stay at Valparaiso for his final year. In many eyes, he’s the best mid-major player in the country this season, ranked the highest by NBC Sports.

29. Alec Peters, Valparaiso: @petersalec could've transferred anywhere. He decided to return to @ValpoBasketball https://t.co/SOR6H2kYCR pic.twitter.com/Jb4GeIA5T4
— CollegeBasketbllTalk (@CBTonNBC) October 27, 2016

A well-rounded forward, Peters averaged 18.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, shooting better than 44 percent from three (and that percentage was down from his sophomore season). He also led the Crusaders to the NIT championship game.

2016-17 Mid-Major Power Rankings--College Basketball Talk

https://nbccollegebasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/467075670-e1470155127975.jpg?w=1448&h=916
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 20: Alec Peters #25 of the Valparaiso Crusaders reacts after losing to the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 20, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Valparaiso’s Alec Peters (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

11. Valparaiso

Alec Peters is the best mid-major player in the country. He was named a third-team NBCSports.com Preseason All-American and is on the radar of every NBA team. The Crusaders, in the first season of the post-Bryce Drew era, will go as far the 6-foot-9 Peters can take them. That isn’t to say the cabinet is bare outside of Peters. Valpo also returns starting guard Tevonn Walker and Shane Hammink.

2016-17 College Basketball Preseason All-American Team--College Basketball Talk

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICA
...
Alec Peters, Valparaiso: Peters is the best player at the mid-major level in the country, a kid that graduated from school in three years and had the chance to leave for literally any other program in the country. He didn’t. He opted to stay at Valpo, where he’ll be the centerpiece of new head coach Matt Lottich’s offense. It’s not crazy to think he could average 23 points.

New Faces in New Places: Ranking new head coaching hires--College Basketball Talk

4. Bryce Drew, Vanderbilt: In five seasons at his alma mater, Drew proved he was more than just the guy who hit one of the NCAA tournament’s most iconic shots or a legacy hire, going to two NCAA tournaments and winning 20 games, including 30 last year, in all but one season. He’s charged with reinvigorating a program fans felt stagnated at the end of Kevin Stallings’ 17-year tenure.

Horizon League Releases Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll--valpoathletics.com

Update on Victor E. Viking--nkunorse.com
Exhibition tilt with Wilmington awaits @NKUNorseMBB--nkunorse.com

@NKUNorseWBB tabbed sixth in Horizon League preseason poll--nkunorse.com

College Basketball: Wright State races to easy exhibition win--Dayton Daily News
New era Raiders rout Cedarville in exhibition play--Raider Roundball
Men Defeat Cedarville in Exhibition 88-62--wsuraiders.com

Women's Basketball Picked Fifth in HL Preseason Poll--wsuraiders.com