On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Utah Jazz-Toronto Raptors: Report card--Deseret News

Forwards: Paul Millsap continues to build an All-Star resume. He carried the Jazz with 31 points, 11 rebounds and a 3-pointer that forced the second overtime. Gordon Hayward simply can't buy a bucket right now. He was 1-for-9 overall, and 0-for-5 from 3-point range with three airballs. Hayward usually finds other ways to contribute when he isn't shooting well, but not so much on this night.

Grade: B

Utah Jazz small forwards come up small in production--Deseret News

Gordon Hayward, Josh Howard and C.J. Miles were a combined 5-of-25 from the field — ouch! — and basically couldn't buy a basket between 'em. Hayward was 1-of-9, including an 0-for-5 night from 3-point range, while Howard went 0-for-5 from the field in a rare unproductive performance for the 6-foot-7 veteran.

And although Miles managed to score 11 points, he was just 4-of-11 from the floor.

"It's frustrating for me (because) I'm not shooting the ball well and I shoot so many in practice and I see them go in all the time," said Hayward, who did grab seven rebounds. "It's just something I'm working on and shoot it with more confidence."

Of course, it's tough to gain any confidence in your shot when you're struggling the way Hayward has. The second-year pro is now shooting just 37.6 percent (44-of-117) for the season, and only 23.1 percent (9-of-39) from beyond the arc.
...
Corbin admitted he was surprised to see his small forward trio of Hayward, Howard and Miles all struggle so much with their shooting — especially on the same night.

"It's just one of those things," he said. "We've got to find a way to get better. We've got to keep working at it. And I don't think the three of them will have a bad night on the same night much."

Utah Jazz shooters ice cold from the 3-point line--Salt Lake Tribune

As the Jazz continue to misfire from the 3-point line, the scrutiny of Gordon Hayward intensifies.

He shot 47.3 percent as a rookie and, this year, was expected to be a long-range shooter who stretches the defense.

Instead, Hayward has missed 30 of his 39 3-point attempts.

Since scoring 19 points in a 106-96 win at Denver on Jan. 15, Hayward has scored 18 points on 6-for-27 shooting.

In that four-game stretch, he is 0-for-10 on 3-pointers, including 0-for-5 against Toronto.

“He struggled a little bit — didn’t make shots,” Corbin said. “He’s not the only one but he was one guy, I think, who was thrown off a little by their zone [defense].

“He had a couple of good looks early and he turned them down looking for something better. That throws his rhythm off. … But he’ll be OK.”

Before Thursday morning’s practice, Hayward spoke quietly, vowed to keep working and suggested he’s thinking too much about which shots to take and which ones to turn down.

“That’s part of being a young guy — part of growing, man,” Corbin said. “He comes in early and works. He stays late and works on his shot. ... He’s a capable shooter. He’s just got to make them in a game.”

When it comes to struggling from the 3-point line, Hayward isn’t alone.
...
Hayward played a season-high 36 minutes against Toronto.

Given his struggles on offense, did Corbin consider going to Josh Howard, Alec Burks or Miles down the stretch?

“When you lose a game, you think a lot of different things,” Corbin said. “That’s one of the things I thought about. Do I leave my bench alone? Should I have done this or should we have run something different? When you lose a game, you critique everything and we’ll continue to do that.”

Bulldog bust: Butler's offense struggles in Milwaukee loss--The Indy Star
Bulldogs must buck up--Indy Star Butler Insider
VF on hold, migrating south--Victory Firelight
Butler vs Milwaukee: Recap Notes--Butler Blue Fever
Butler Beaten By Milwaukee, 53-42--Butler Blue Fever
Cold Shooting Sinks Bulldogs--ButlerSports.com

Bulldogs Fall To Unbeaten Green Bay--ButlerSports.com

First Place CSU Heads to Youngstown State For Key Contest--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Viking rebound--Youngstown Vindicator

Vikings Fall To Wright State, 64-54--csuvikings.com

Detroit (11-11) Faces UIC (6-14)--Titans Update
Former Titan Green Honored at Davis Ellis Academy--detroittitans.com
Detroit Aims to Keep Rolling Friday--detroittitans.com

Titans Fall To Hot-Shooting Youngstown State--detroittitans.com

UIC at Detroit--The Chicago Tribune
Hot Mays: Flame-retardant shooter--Whoosh!Net
UIC (6-14) vs. Detroit (11-11)--Flame Fanatic
Flames Trek to Detroit Eyeing Season Sweep--uicflames.com

Loyola at Wright State--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) (5-15) Squares Off With Wright State (10-12)--LU Wolf Ball
Ramblers Wrap Up Road Trip At Wright State Friday Night--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: UWGB crushes Bulldogs--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 12/9 Green Bay Defense Stops Butler to Improve to 18-0--uwgbathletics.com
Phoenix Looks to Remain Unbeaten, Wrapping up Road Trip at Valpo--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: UWGB answers call, tops first-place Valparaiso--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game #20: UWGB vs. Valparaiso (live updates)--UWGB Basketball
On this day 7 years ago - Jan 26, 2005--Phoenix Fever
Valparaiso vs Green Bay: Recap Notes--Phoenix Fever
Green Bay Gets Needed Win Over Valparaiso, 75-60--Phoenix Fever
Cerroni Leads Phoenix to Win Over League-Leading Valpo--uwgbathletics.com

Panthers their balance--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Postgame Report: Milwaukee at Valparaiso--Panther Blog Zone
UWM Puts Away Victory Over Valparaiso From Long Range--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers' smothering defense chokes Bulldogs--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ugly but they’ll take it--PantherU
Work has just begun--PantherU
Butler vs Milwaukee: Recap Notes--UWM Update
Milwaukee Beats Butler, 53-42--UWM Update
StatSheet Projects Milwaukee as CIT Team: 01/27/2012--UWM Update
Milwaukee (14-8) vs. Valparaiso (14-8)--UWM Update
Defense Leads The Way As Panthers Pull Away From Bulldogs--uwmpanthers.com

Women’s basketball: Valparaiso’s offensive woes continue--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders rally but fall to Milwaukee women's basketball team--The NWI Times
Valpo Falls at Home to Milwaukee Thursday Night--valpoathletics.com

Valparaiso starts key trip with a loss to Green Bay--The Post-Tribune
Graduate hoop transfers offer teams immediate help--The NWI Times
VU men trail from start to finish in loss at Green Bay--The NWI Times
Live from Resch Center: Valparaiso vs. Green Bay (MBB)--Inside VU Sports
Tom Izzo worried that Brandon Wood-type transfers could become national problem--The Detroit Free Press
Valparaiso vs Green Bay: Recap Notes--Valpo Daily
Valparaiso Drops One To Green Bay, 75-60--Valpo Daily
Valparaiso (14-8) and Milwaukee (14-8) Square Off--Valpo Daily
Boggs’ Career High Not Enough as Valpo Falls at Green Bay--valpoathletics.com

Preview: Wright State vs. Loyola--Dayton Daily News
WSU coach wants team to spread ball around--Dayton Daily News
Raiders face tough league road games--Dayton Daily News
Wright State (10-12) Battles Loyola (Chicago) (5-15)--Rowdy Review

Wright State women back alone in second place after road win--Wright State University Sports
Annual trip gives students a chance to travel in style--The Guardian
Women lose to Detroit, look for improved consistency in play--The Guardian
Women Win at Cleveland State--wsuraiders.com

Penguins tie school record for 3s in victory--Youngstown Vindicator
Kenya Middlebrooks Breaks Single-Game 3-Point Record in 80-67 Win Over Detroit--ysusports.com

Men's Basketball Hosts Horizon League Leader Cleveland State--ysusports.com

Milwaukee, Green Bay Collect Wins to Further Close Standings--Horizon League Network
First Place On Line Throughout Weekend--Horizon League Network

Road Teams Take Three Games on Thursday Night in Women's Basketball--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Checking in on … the Horizon League--Rush The Court

Jazz offensive struggles without injured Al Jefferson--Salt Lake Tribune

“We rely pretty heavily on the post game and so when we don’t have that many points and that much of our offense, it’s going to hurt,” said Raja Bell. “… When you are missing someone of his caliber, obviously that’s going to put us in a bind.”

After finding little space on offense during a 1-for-9 shooting performance, Gordon Hayward agreed.

Miscues costly for Jazz in 2-OT home loss to Raptors--Salt Lake Tribune

Derrick Favors started in place of Al Jefferson and scored 16 points to go along with 12 rebounds. But the Jazz really missed Jefferson, who stayed out of the game with an inflamed ankle. His scoring in the middle was sorely needed in crunch time, as was his ability to draw double-teams.

Without him, Millsap was seemingly alone. Gordon Hayward struggled mightily, going 1-of-9 from the field and scoring two points in 36 minutes. In the overtimes, Millsap was the only player on the floor who wanted the ball in his hands.

“He’s our hub,” Bell said. “He’s our big guy. When you miss 50 percent of what you do, it affects the rest of the offense. We needed that tonight and it wasn’t there.”

Men's college basketball preview: Butler at Milwaukee--The Indy Star
Postseason mind-set: Butler thinking win or go home--The Indy Star
Fireside chat with Stevens, minus fire--Victory Firelight
On this day 6 years ago - Jan 25, 2006--Butler Blue Fever
Butler (12-9) Squares Off With Milwaukee (13-8)--Butler Blue Fever
Nored Named Finalist For Lowe's Senior CLASS Award--ButlerSports.com

Butler Hosts No. 9 Green Bay Thursday--ButlerSports.com

Vikings Return Home To Host Wright State On Thursday--csuvikings.com

College hoops roundup: UDM wins; CMU, WMU lose--The Detroit Free Press
Loyola (Chicago) vs Detroit: Recap Notes--Titans Update
Detroit Beats Loyola (Chicago), 67-52--Titans Update
Fans Decide Feb. 10 ESPNU Game; Vote Now!--detroittitans.com
Titans Hang-On for 67-52 Win for Fifth Win in Last Seven--detroittitans.com

Titans Head To Youngstown State--detroittitans.com

Mays, Wright State beat Illinois-Chicago 69-63--Daily Herald
UIC vs Wright State: Recap Notes--Flame Fanatic
Wright State Gets Win Over UIC, 69-63--Flame Fanatic
Flames' Comeback Bid Falls Short at Wright State, 69-63--uicflames.com

Loyola still winless in Horizon after 67-52 loss to Detroit--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) vs Detroit: Recap Notes--LU Wolf Ball
Detroit Wins 67-52 Over Loyola (Chicago)--LU Wolf Ball
Loyola Rally Stalls In 67-52 Loss At Detroit--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's Basketball Blog Entry #8: Gabby Micek--LoyolaRamblers.com

Today's UWGB vs. Butler women's basketball preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 12/9 Green Bay Closes First Half of Conference Play on the Road--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: New defense the 'buzz' at UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette
Donations being accepted for Matt Hill memorial fund--UWGB Basketball
Green Bay (7-12) Goes Up Against Valparaiso (14-7)--Phoenix Fever

Panthers look to recharge at home--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tipping point--PantherU
Vote for Milwaukee-Detroit!--PantherU
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery--PantherU
Milwaukee (13-8) Takes On Butler (12-9)--UWM Update
Video: Panthers Set For Showdown With Butler On Military Appreciation Night--uwmpanthers.com

Traci Edwards Still Enjoying Life as a Professional--Panther Blog Zone
Video: Catching Up With The Women's Basketball Team--Panther Blog Zone

Chicago Brooks Super-Sophomore Erick Locke Puts His Passing Skills On Display.......Schools Stepping Up Interest--Chicago Hoops
Valparaiso embarks on key trip--The Post-Tribune
Revenge looms on tough road trip--The NWI Times
Michigan State gets Tom Izzo 400th victory--The Detroit News

The play of Green and Dawson was big on a night that Keith Appling and Brandon Wood combined to go 1-for-12 from the field, the only make coming on a layup late in the game by Appling.

StatSheet Projects Valparaiso as CIT Team: 01/24/2012--Valpo Daily
Valparaiso (14-7) vs. Green Bay (7-12)--Valpo Daily
Homer Drew Set to be Inducted into Valpo Hall of Fame--valpoathletics.com

Women’s basketball: Milwaukee (5-12, 1-6) at Valparaiso (5-13, 1-6)--The Post-Tribune
Valpo’s Varner Named Horizon League’s Scholar-Athlete of the Month--valpoathletics.com
Crusader Women Return Home Thursday to Host Milwaukee--valpoathletics.com

Mays returns from injury, lifts Raiders to victory--Dayton Daily News
WSU rebounds from big loss, gains confidence--Dayton Daily News
Broadcast for Wright State-Green Bay basketball game up for vote--Wright State University Sports
Return of leading scorer sparks Wright State in 69-63 win against Illinois-Chicago--Wright State University Sports
Raiders (10-12, 5-5 HL) defeat Flames (6-14, 2-8 HL) 69-63.--RaiderRoundball.com
On this day 15 years ago - Jan 25, 1997--Rowdy Review
UIC vs Wright State: Recap Notes--Rowdy Review
Wright State Wins 69-63 Over UIC--Rowdy Review
Fans to Decide ESPN Platform for February 10 Game--wsuraiders.com
Men Hold On for 69-63 Win Over UIC--wsuraiders.com

Student-athletes share HL honors--The Jambar
Second place in Penguins' sight--The Jambar

Women's Basketball Opens Big Week Thursday vs. Detroit--ysusports.com

Home Teams Hang On to Move to .500 in League Play--Horizon League Network
Rematches from First-Half Thrillers On Tap for Thursday--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Men’s basketball: Bulldogs sweep Chicago trip--Butler Collegian

Think inside the box for sports insight--Butler Collegian

Women’s basketball: Bulldogs grab first road victory in Loyola--Butler Collegian
Athletic Hall of Fame: Skinner, Greenburg lead female inductees--Butler Collegian
Bulldogs Add Transfer From Xavier--ButlerSports.com

Bosh's big finish helps Heat top Cavs, 92-85--Miami Herald

Former Cleveland State star Norris Cole scored 10 for Miami, and Udonis Haslem grabbed 10 rebounds for the Heat. Miami committed 18 turnovers, leading to 22 Cleveland points, but found a way - thanks to Bosh - down the stretch.

Miami Heat’s double play at point guard--Miami Herald
Chris Bosh saves the day as Miami Heat defeats Cleveland Cavaliers--Miami Herald

Heat rookie Norris Cole, who was a collegiate star at Cleveland State, had 10 points off the bench. An important jumper by Cole put the Heat ahead 67-61 with 9:10 left in the game. Chalmers finished with nine points and had three assists to go along with three turnovers.

“I just wanted to play better — play like I can play and how they know I can play,” said Cole, who had struggled offensively in recent games.

Chris Bosh's 35 help Heat escape with ugly 92-85 win over Cavs--South Florida Sun Sentinel

At one point in the fourth quarter, after getting a pass from Norris Cole late in the shot clock, which led to a turnover, James turned and bereted the rookie point guard, "Shoot it!"
...
While the Heat had 10 of those, many were of the hideous variety, including Cole throwing an alley-oop attempt off the backboard, Bosh trying to go behind his back with a dribble and losing the ball out of bounds, and James dribbling into a one-on-two turnover in transition.

And that did not even count the 3-point attempt Heat forward James Jones shot off the top of the backboard in the second quarter.

Youngstown State a red-letter matchup for Vikings: Cleveland State Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Student athlete spotlight: Tim Kamczyc--The Cauldron

Detroit (10-11) Takes On Loyola (Chicago) (5-14)--Titans Update
Titans Look to Continue Streak Over Loyola Wednesday--detroittitans.com

Shareta Brown Featured On The Horizon League Network--detroittitans.com

UIC at Wright State--The Chicago Tribune
On this day 8 years ago - Jan 24, 2004--Flame Fanatic
UIC (6-13) Battles Wright State (9-12)--Flame Fanatic
Flames Kick-Off Road Trip at Wright State Wednesday--uicflames.com

Loyola at Detroit--The Chicago Tribune
Ramblers remain winless in conference--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola (Chicago) (5-14) Squares Off With Detroit (10-11)--LU Wolf Ball
Walt Gibler Named Horizon League Scholar-Athlete Of The Month--LoyolaRamblers.com

Loyola women’s basketball flirts with .500 record, fifth in Horizon League--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola Attempts To `Jam The Joe' This Saturday Against UIC--LoyolaRamblers.com

Phoenix women jump to No. 9 in coaches poll--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women's basketball: Finding a role off the court--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix women set program record--UWGB Fourth Estate

Phoenix fly past Raiders in second half--UWGB Fourth Estate

Watch: Inside Phoenix Basketball: Jan. 23--uwgbathletics.com

Green Bay Opens Homestand Thursday Against Valpo--uwgbathletics.com

While you were sulking, Anthony Hill won an MVP--PantherU
Ohhhhh... [hi] Ohhhhh.... Tough Luck on the Road as Milwaukee Drops Two and Falls to #2--Milwaukee Panther Tracks
Panthers Open Homestand With National Runner-Up Butler--uwmpanthers.com

Milwaukee Looks To Build On Momentum At Valparaiso--uwmpanthers.com

Game Preview: Vaplo at Green Bay--Section EE
First-Place Valpo Heads to Green Bay--valpoathletics.com

Raiders need an assertive Darling--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Illinois-Chicago vs. Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Week 11 Horizon League Power Rankings: Once again, Cleveland State on top--Wright State University Sports
Wright State (9-12) Faces UIC (6-13)--Rowdy Review

Brown, Penguins look to erase losing skid--The Jambar

A proven leader--The Jambar
Blake Allen Named Horizon League, CollegeSportsMadness.com Player of the Week--ysusports.com

Teams Start Second Half Looking to Climb Ladder--Horizon League Network

Varner and Gibler Earn Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

College Hoops Week in Review: Kansas and Missouri headline, but the MWC, Maalik Wayns and Florida State show up--Ballin' is a Habit

Five teams that deserve a shout out:

Cleveland State: The Vikings went 2-0 this week and moved into a tie for first place in a balanced and competitive Horizon League. They started out their weekend with a 10 point win over Green Bay, following that up with an 83-57 win over Milwaukee, who was leading the conference as of Thursday. The Vikings, who has been my pick to win the league since the beginning of the season, are now in the driver's seat for the conference title. The team they are tied with -- Valpo -- still has to play at Cleveland State.

Power Rankings: Week 11--Horizon League Hoops

Non-Conference Opponents Update: January 23--Hammer and Rails

Butler Bulldogs - 12-9, 6-3 Horizon, RPI: 107 - Of all our small conference opponents Butler may have the best chance of stealing an auto-bid in their conference tournament. They won twice in Chicago at Loyola and UIC this past week to move within a game of first place in the Horizon League. Unfortunately, five teams are either 7-2 or 6-3 in this league. The No. 1 seed gets a double bonus of hosting the conference tournament as well as a bye to the semifinals, while the No. 2 seed also gets a bye and the right to host the conference title game if the No. 1 seed loses in the semis. Butler at least needs to get above the 100 line for us.

Roosevelt Jones is Runner-Up for the StatSheet Horizon Freshman of the Week - January 23rd, 2012--Butler Blue Fever
NBA: Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard nears return to lineup--Salt Lake Tribune

Howard has been invaluable to the Jazz as an off-the-bench scorer — an athletic perimeter player whose size, strength and quickness make him a difficult matchup for opponents.

That’s why Corbin might be scratching his head.

His Howard-less wing rotation, which has included Gordon Hayward, Raja Bell, C.J. Miles and rookie Alec Burks, has been effective:

• Miles scored a season-high 19 points against the Clippers.

• Bell matched his season high with 12 against Minnesota.

• Hayward scored 19 points during a road win at Denver.

• Burks reached double figures in three of the past four games.

Now, however, Corbin must figure out how to reintroduce Howard into the rotation without having his other players take a step back.

Butler preview: Style points don't matter--The Indy Star
Bulldogs Begin Wisconsin Swing At Milwaukee--ButlerSports.com

Beth Couture Show - Episode 5--ButlerSports.com

Norris Cole struggles with place at a slower pace--Miami Herald
Vikings Manhandle Milwaukee for Share of First Place--Let's Go Vikes!
CSU Superfans Discuss Blowout Win Over Milwaukee--Let's Go Vikes!
Cleveland State Has Inside Track in Wide Open Horizon League Race--Let's Go Vikes!
StatSheet Projects Cleveland State as NCAA Tournament Bubble Team 14 Seed: 01/24/2012--Vikings Ball

Flames can’t handle Crusaders--Whoosh!Net
Travis suspended indefinitely (1/22/12)--Whoosh!Net
Bailey Collects Horizon League Player of the Week--uicflames.com

Ramblers Open Second Half Of League Slate At Detroit Wednesday--LoyolaRamblers.com

Rob Demovsky column: Getting Wichmann is a must for UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette

A humbling experience--PantherU
Military Appreciation Night Highlights Crucial Three-Game Homestand--uwmpanthers.com

Izzo on Brandon Wood--Inside VU Sports
StatSheet Projects Valparaiso as CIT Team: 01/24/2012--Valpo Daily
Halfway Home HL Stat Leaders--Section EE

Former Wright State recruit enrolls at Tennessee, walks on to basketball team--Wright State University Sports
Raiders Host UIC and Loyola; Blackout Game Friday--wsuraiders.com

Proof that hard work pays off--Youngstown Vindicator

UIC's Jasmine Bailey Named Women's Basketball Player of the Week--Horizon League Network

YSU's Allen Collects Men's Basketball Player of the Week Honor--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Cleveland State Vikings Overwhelm Milwaukee Panthers 83-57--Hoopville
Weekly walkthrough: Cincy looks for big win over Syracuse--Sporting News

Four underrated games

Butler (12-9, 6-3 Horizon) at Milwaukee (13-7, 6-2), Thursday 8 p.m. In the Horizon League, the prize for a regular-season title is greater than most: homecourt advantage in the conference tournament. The winner here remains in striking distance of first-place Valparaiso (7-1).

Miami Heat runs on empty against Milwaukee Bucks--Miami Herald

The Heat trailed 73-72 with 8:06 left in the game before imploding. It began with an air ball by rookie point guard Norris Cole followed by a desperation three-point attempt by James to avoid a shot-clock violation. Meanwhile, the Bucks rallied with fast break dunk by Luc Mbah a Moute and a three-pointer by Jennings, his only three of the game.