News On The Horizon 2/25/2012

Weekend Preview: St. Mary’s traveling to USF highlights the mid-major slate--Beyond the Arc

Five more mid-major games to keep an eye on

Fri. Butler @ Valparaiso, 7 p.m. (ESPNU): Valpo is the Horizon League champ, but they have been playing less-than-perfect basketball down the stretch. With Cleveland State looking like a different team without D’Aundray Brown, the surging Bulldogs are all of a sudden a trendy pick to win the league’s automatic bid, which they will need if they want to go dancing.

Today's Specials: WVU needs win vs. Marquette--Eye On College Basketball

Another one to watch: Butler at Valparaiso (7 p.m., ESPNU). Valparaiso has already clinched the regular-season title, but the favorite heading into the conference tournament could be Butler. The Bulldogs have won five in a row to move to 11-6 in the league, and could finish in second. Butler has been playing very solid defensively, but it will need to defend the 3-point line and avoid silly fouls. Moreover, it needs to hit outside shots.

Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward part of victorious Rising Stars squad--Deseret News
Shep Talk: Wither the Jazz go?--KSL.com

Assuming I'm right, and the playoffs aren't in the Jazz future, it is the responsibility of the franchise to prepare their young and talented players for the years ahead. Guys like Derrick Favors, Kanter, Gordon Hayward and Burks should be getting a major bump in playing time as the season moves on. The argument I always hear is, "But the vets give you the best chance to win right now." That logic only works if you're winning. The Jazz are a .469 team and playing guys strictly because they're vets only impedes the maturation of the guys that will be the team's future stars. I've said many times that Jazz fans are ready to deal with some losing as long as they can see that the future is bright.

Trivia answers? Here’s even more about the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward--Salt Lake Tribune
Jazz’s Hayward, Favors already enjoying NBA All-Star spotlight--Salt Lake Tribune
All-Star Notes: Jazz’s Jeremy Evans dreams of capturing dunk crown--Salt Lake Tribune
Jazz’s Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors shine bright in Rising Stars Challenge--Salt Lake Tribune
Butler Vs. Valparaiso: Bulldogs Look To Salvage Pride Against Horizon Leading Crusaders--SB Nation Indiana
Butler Vs. Valparaiso Final Score: Crusaders Slow Down Bulldogs In 71-59 Win--SB Nation Indiana
Indiana College Basketball: Purdue, Butler, and Indiana Road Warriors This Weekend--SB Nation Indiana
Butler loses season finale to Valparaiso--The Indy Star
Get ready for Tuesday (probably)--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler falters at Valpo (+Audio)--Victory Firelight
Butler Tripped Up By Valparaiso, 71-59--Butler Blue Fever
VALPARAISO 71, BUTLER 59--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Start Stops Bulldogs At Valparaiso--ButlerSports.com

Bulldogs Take On No. 12 Green Bay--ButlerSports.com

Miami Heat’s Norris Cole impresses in Rising Stars Challenge--Miami Herald
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers inspired by doubts, challenges--Miami Herald

Pushed by rookie Norris Cole, playing healthy for the first time in two years and trusted, finally, as the team’s starting point guard, Chalmers entered the All-Star break leading the Heat in three-point shots (68). That’s more than the combined three-point total for Mike Miller (30) and Shane Battier (61).

Cleveland State's D'Aundray Brown returns today, hopes to stick around for Horizon League Tournament--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State 77, Detroit 64--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State Finishes Their 2011-2012 Season With Wright State--Vikings Ball
Vikings Host Wright State in Regular Season Finale--csuvikings.com

Vikings Travel To Wright State For Final Regular Season Road Contest--csuvikings.com

Detroit Closes Their 2011-2012 Season With Youngstown State--Titans Update
Titans Still in Hunt for Three Seed Saturday at YSU--detroittitans.com

Senior Day Has The Titans Hosting Youngstown State--detroittitans.com

Saturday's matchup: Green Bay at UIC--The Chicago Tribune
UIC Finishes Their 2011-2012 Season With Green Bay--Flame Fanatic
Flames Host Green Bay on Senior Day Saturday--uicflames.com

Women's Basketball Welcomes City-Rival Loyola on Saturday--uicflames.com

Saturday's matchup: Milwaukee at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) Finishes Their 2011-2012 Season With Milwaukee--LU Wolf Ball
Loyola Closes Out Regular-Season Versus Milwaukee Saturday--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: Today's UWGB preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
Horizon League Tournament seeding scenarios--UWGB Basketball
Green Bay Closes Their 2011-2012 Season Against UIC--Phoenix Fever
Green Bay Looks to End Season with Win at UIC--uwgbathletics.com

Women's basketball: Today's UWGB preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Hosts Butler in Regular Season Home Finale Saturday--uwgbathletics.com

The Importance of sustaining momentum--PantherU
Milwaukee Closes Their 2011-2012 Season With Loyola (Chicago)--UWM Update
Panthers Close Out Regular Season Saturday At Loyola--uwmpanthers.com

Milwaukee Closes Home Slate With "Senior Day" Against Valpo--uwmpanthers.com

Blogger Spotlight: The Only Colors on Michigan State’s stiff defense, Draymond Green’s superior play and more--Beyond the Arc

Q: Past Draymond Green – who’s clearly headed for an All-America spot and is still undervalued – who’s the Spartans’ most essential player? Appling? Wood? Payne? Could they survive an injury to anyone (except Green) and still make the Final Four?

A: The key word here is essential, because there’s depth at many positions: Payne and Derrick Nix combine to make one heck of a center we like to call Derrick Payne, Brandon Wood’s done a great job filling in at the wing; ditto for Austin Thornton who’s made a quantum leap in his ability, going from role player to starter in seemingly days.

However, the one position where there’s currently a distinct drop off in ability is at point guard, and that makes Keith Appling the most essential. The other two players who could possibly run the point, Travis Trice and Brandan Kearney, are both inexperienced and lack the weight needed to play effectively in the Big 10 currently, though it should be said Kearney has earned his keep as a defensive presence. If Appling goes out this team either has to use one of the freshmen, Wood, or even Draymond as a point guard, and then the offense gets a bit dodgy.

Butler needs a little help--The Post-Tribune
With pressure off, Valpo rolls over Butler--The Post-Tribune
Butler at Valparaiso, Feb. 24, Live Blog--Off The Mark
Valpo solidifies top Horizon seed with win over Butler--The NWI Times
Van Wijk shines in VU's regular-season finale--The NWI Times
Live from the ARC: Valparaiso vs. Butler (MBB)--Inside VU Sports
Valparaiso Wins 71-59 Over Butler--Valpo Daily
StatSheet Projects Valparaiso as NCAA Tournament Bubble Team 16 Seed: 02/25/2012--Valpo Daily
Game Wrap Up: Sending a Message--Section EE
SectionEE's Post Season Awards--Section EE
Crusaders Cap Regular Season With Coast-to-Coast Win Over Butler--valpoathletics.com

VU women’s preview capsule--The Post-Tribune
Valpo Closes Road Slate Saturday at Milwaukee--valpoathletics.com

WSU vs Cleveland St. preview--Dayton Daily News
Wright State learns tourney foe today--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Finishes Their 2011-2012 Season With Cleveland State--Rowdy Review

Eargle: YSU’s sultan of swat--Youngstown Vindicator
Eargle sets benchmark for blocks in Horizon--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Closes the Season Against Detroit--Guin Report
Men's Basketball Hosts Detroit on Senior Day in HL Game of the Week on ESPN3.com--ysusports.com

Women's Basketball Heads to Detroit on Saturday--ysusports.com

Myriad of Scenarios in Play During Final Weekend--Horizon League Network
Valpo Caps Historic Regular Season with Win Over Butler--Horizon League Network

Men's Seed Race 2/25/2012

Scores from 2/24/2012:

Valparaiso 71 Butler 59

Seed Team             Conf 1st round matchup
                           (* means clinched)
---- ----------       ---- -----------------
#1   Valparaiso       14-4 Double-bye*; Host*
#2   Cleveland State  11-6 Double-bye
#3   Butler           11-7 Would host #10 Loyola
#4   Youngstown State 10-7 Would host #9 UIC
#5   Detroit          10-7 Would host #8 Wright State
#6   Milwaukee        10-7 Would host #7 Green Bay
#7   Green Bay         9-8*
#8   Wright State      7-10*
#9   UIC               3-14*
#10  Loyola            1-16*

CSU has WSU left.
YSU has Detroit left.
Detroit has YSU left.
Milwaukee has Loyola left.

Valpo swept CSU, is 1-1 against YSU, swept Butler, split with Milwaukee, and swept Detroit.
CSU split with YSU, Butler, and Milwaukee, and swept Detroit.
YSU is 1-0 against Detroit, swept Milwaukee, was swept by Butler.
Detroit swept Butler, split with Milwaukee
Butler split with Milwaukee.

Tiebreakers:

Valpo - Won: Detroit, CSU, Butler, UIC, Loyola; Lost: none
CSU - Won: UIC, Loyola, Detroit; Advantage: WSU; Disadvantage: none; Lost: Valpo
Butler - Won: Loyola, WSU, YSU, UIC; Lost: Detroit, Valpo
Detroit - Won: Butler, Loyola, Green Bay, WSU; Advantage: none; Disadvantage: YSU; Lost: Valpo, CSU
YSU - Won: Loyola, Milwaukee; Advantage: Detroit; Disadvantage: none; Lost: Butler
Milwaukee - Won: Green Bay, UIC; Advantage: Loyola; Disadvantage: none; Lost: YSU

Valpo has secured the 1 seed, WSU the 8 seed, UIC the 9 seed, and Loyola the 10 seed.

With last night's loss, Butler must hope for both CSU and Detroit to lose in order to get the 2 seed. If either one of those two things fails to happen, CSU gets the 2 seed. If CSU wins they win it outright as the only remaining team with 12 wins. But even if they lose and Detroit wins, Detroit's sweep of Butler spells disaster for the Bulldogs in the tiebreaker.

Detroit can secure the 3 seed if they beat YSU and either CSU wins OR both WSU and Loyola win. If CSU wins, Detroit would be tied with Butler and possibly Milwaukee, and would win either tiebreaker because of their sweep of Butler (Milwaukee split with both teams). If CSU loses, then the Milwaukee-Loyola game matters. If Milwaukee wins that game, CSU, Butler, Detroit, and Milwaukee all tie for 2nd at 11-7. CSU wins the 2 seed with their 4-2 record, Butler settles for the 5 seed with their 2-4 record, and Detroit remains tied with Milwaukee at 3-3. Since Milwaukee is the only one to have beaten Valpo, they would get the 3 seed and Detroit would have to settle for the 4 seed. However, if Milwaukee loses, then it's just CSU, Detroit, and Butler. CSU (3-1) is the 2 seed, Detroit (2-2) is the 3 seed, and Butler (1-3) is the 4 seed.

Butler can secure the 3 seed if CSU and YSU both win. This puts Butler, YSU, and possibly Milwaukee tied for 3rd at 11-7. Butler wins either tiebreaker since they swept YSU and split with Milwaukee and YSU swept Milwaukee.

If WSU, YSU, and Loyola all win (giving Butler the 2 seed), CSU is the 3 seed. Butler, CSU, and YSU will all be 11-7 (Detroit and Milwaukee 10-8), and Butler wins the 2 seed with a 3-1 record, CSU gets the 3 seed with a 2-2 record, and YSU falls to the 4 seed with a 1-3 record. As shown above, if CSU wins or Detroit beats YSU, CSU gets the 2 seed. If Milwaukee beats Loyola, then they make it a 4-way tie. Butler still wins the 2 seed with a 4-2 record, Milwaukee gets the 5 seed with a 2-4 record, and YSU remains tied with CSU at 3-3, and that tie favors YSU because they split with Valpo while CSU was swept by Valpo, dropping CSU to the 4 seed. That is why it is important for all 3 things listed at the beginning of this paragraph to occur.

If WSU, Detroit, and Milwaukee all win (giving CSU the 2 seed), Milwaukee is the 3 seed because CSU, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Butler all will be tied at 11-7. CSU wins the 2 seed with a 4-2 record and Butler gets the 5 seed with a 2-4 record, leaving Milwaukee and Detroit tied at 3-3. Milwaukee wins that tiebreaker since they split with Detorit and they split with Valpo while Detroit was swept by Valpo, giving Milwaukee the 3 seed. If CSU beats WSU, Detroit wins the 3-way tie with a 3-1 record, leaving Milwaukee as the 4 seed. If YSU beats Detroit, YSU wins the tiebreaker with a 3-1 record (they swept Milwaukee) so they would get the 3 seed (Butler gets the 2 seed). Obviously Milwaukee needs to win themselves to have any shot at the 3 seed.

If WSU, YSU, and Milwaukee all win (giving Butler the 2 seed), YSU is the 3 seed because CSU, Milwaukee, Butler, and YSU all will be tied at 11-7. Butler wins the 2 seed with a 4-2 record and Milwaukee gets the 5 seed with a 2-4 record, leaving CSU and YSU tied at 3-3. They split with each other, and YSU wins the tiebreaker because they split with Valpo while CSU was swept by Valpo, giving YSU the 3 seed. If CSU beats WSU, Butler gets the 3 seed with a 3-1 record (Milwaukee 1-3 is the 5 seed, YSU 2-2 is the 4 seed). If Loyola beats Milwaukee, Butler wins the 2 seed with a 3-1 record, CSU gets the 3 seed with a 2-2 record, and YSU falls to the 4 seed with a 1-3 record. Obviously YSU needs to beat Detroit in order to have a shot at the 3 seed.

Butler secures the 4 seed if Loyola beats Milwaukee and Detroit beats YSU because only CSU (2 seed) and Detroit (3 seed) finish 11-7 or better.

CSU secures the 4 seed if WSU, YSU, and Milwaukee all win because Milwaukee is the big loser in the 4-way tie (Butler 4-2 for 2 seed, YSU 3-3 for 3 seed).

Detroit secures the 4 seed if WSU, Detroit, and Milwaukee all win because Butler is the big loser in the 4-way tie (CSU 4-2 for 2 seed, Milwaukee 3-3 for 3 seed).

Milwaukee secures the 4 seed if CSU, Detroit, and Milwaukee all win because Butler is the big loser in the 3-way tie (Detroit 3-1 for the 3 seed; CSU 2 seed with 12-6 overall).

YSU secures the 4 seed if YSU and CSU both win OR if YSU, WSU, and Loyola all win. In the first case, CSU gets the 2 seed at 12-6, Butler wins the tiebreaker with YSU for the 3 seed (Milwaukee would lose a 3-way tie for the 5 seed), leaving YSU with the 4 seed. In the second case, YSU gets the 4 seed because only Butler and CSU finish with 11 wins.

Butler gets the 5 seed if Detroit and Milwaukee both win because only CSU, Milwaukee, and Detroit also finish with 11 wins and Butler loses that tiebreaker. They get the 5 seed because both YSU and Green Bay finish at 10-8 tied for 6th.

Milwaukee gets the 5 seed if YSU wins because if they win they finish ahead of Detroit and Green Bay and lose the 4-way tie for 2nd and the 3-way tie for 3rd. If they lose, they win a 3-way tie with Green Bay (Green Bay loses this tiebreaker because they were swept by both; Milwaukee split with Detroit but also split with Valpo while Detroit was swept by Valpo).

YSU gets the 5 seed if Detroit beats them and Loyola beats Milwaukee. CSU wins the 3-way tie with Butler and Detroit (or wins 2 seed outright if they beat WSU), Detroit beats Butler for the 3 seed giving Butler the 4 seed, and YSU wins the tie with Milwaukee because they swept them. If Milwaukee beats Loyola, then they would finish ahead of YSU and push them down to 6th.

Detroit falls to the 6 seed if they lose to YSU because they win a tiebreaker with Green Bay with their sweep of the Phoenix, but they lose a tiebreaker with Milwaukee because they were swept by Valpo.

Milwaukee falls to the 6 seed if they lose to Loyola and Detroit beats YSU because they lose the 2-way tie with YSU and they finish in the middle of the 3-way tie with Green Bay and YSU.

Last night's win by Valpo sealed Green Bay into the 7th seed because they lose a 3-way tie with Milwaukee and Detroit (0-4) and they lose a 3-way tie with Milwaukee and YSU (1-3 to Milwaukee's 2-2 and YSU's 3-1). In all other cases, 6 teams finish with 11 or more wins. WSU is locked into the 8th seed because they are 2 games behind Green Bay with 1 left to play.

As always, if you see a mistake, by all means let me know and I'll be sure to correct it.

Men's Seed Race 2/23/2012

4 more games played, down to 32 possibilities, the picture may not be much clearer but the analysis is simpler.

Scores from 2/23/2012:

Youngstown State 61 Wright State 54
Cleveland State  77 Detroit      64
Milwaukee        72 UIC          61
Green Bay        73 Loyola       70 OT

Seed Team             Conf 1st round matchup
                           (* means clinched)
---- ----------       ---- -----------------
#1   Valparaiso       13-4 Double-bye*; Host*
#2   Butler           11-6 Double-bye
#3   Cleveland State  11-6 Would host #10 Loyola
#4   Youngstown State 10-7 Would host #9 UIC
#5   Detroit          10-7 Would host #8 Wright State
#6   Milwaukee        10-7 Would host #7 Green Bay
#7   Green Bay         9-8
#8   Wright State      7-10*
#9   UIC               3-14*
#10  Loyola            1-16*

Valpo has Butler left.
CSU has WSU left.
YSU has Detroit left.
Detroit has YSU left.
Butler has Valpo left.
Milwaukee has Loyola left.

Valpo swept CSU, is 1-1 against YSU, is 1-0 against Butler, split with Milwaukee, and swept Detroit.
CSU split with YSU, Butler, and Milwaukee, and swept Detroit.
YSU is 1-0 against Detroit, swept Milwaukee, was swept by Butler.
Detroit swept Butler, split with Milwaukee
Butler split with Milwaukee.

Tiebreakers:

Valpo - Won: Detroit, CSU, UIC, Loyola; Advantage: Butler; Disadvantage: none; Lost: none
CSU - Won: UIC, Loyola, Detroit; Advantage: WSU; Disadvantage: none; Lost: Valpo
Butler - Won: Loyola, WSU, YSU, UIC; Advantage: none; Disadvantage: Valpo; Lost: Detroit
Detroit - Won: Butler, Loyola, Green Bay, WSU; Advantage: none; Disadvantage: YSU; Lost: Valpo, CSU
YSU - Won: Loyola, Milwaukee; Advantage: Detroit; Disadvantage: none; Lost: Butler
Milwaukee - Won: Green Bay, UIC; Advantage: Loyola; Disadvantage: none; Lost: YSU

Valpo has secured the 1 seed.

After tonight's 4 games, only Butler and CSU have a chance at the 2 seed:

Now that Detroit has lost, Butler can win the 2 seed if they beat Valpo. In this scenario, the only team that can compete with them for the 2 seed is CSU, who can do no better than tie them by winning out, and Butler wins the tiebreaker by virtue of a split with Valpo vs. CSU's 0-2 against Valpo.

Even if Butler loses their final game, they can back in to the 2 seed if Detroit loses to YSU and CSU loses to WSU. This would put CSU, Butler, YSU, and possibly Milwaukee in a tie at 11-7. CSU split with everybody in this group, so they don't affect anything. Butler swept YSU and split with the other teams for a +2. YSU was swept by Butler and split with CSU for a -2, but if Milwaukee is also in the tie, YSU's record is even. Milwaukee was swept by YSU and split with everyone else for a -2. Butler's differential is +2 whether Milwaukee is involved or not, so Butler wins the 2 seed in this scenario as well. Obviously Detroit needs to lose out in any scenario for Butler to get the 2 seed. Furthermore, YSU participating in the tie is also crucial for Butler.

CSU can lock up the 2 seed if Butler loses their final game AND either CSU beats WSU or Detroit beats YSU. Certainly if they win out, they keep Detroit from tying them, so if Valpo beats Butler, then CSU will be the only team at 12-6. However, even if CSU loses to WSU, as long as Butler loses and Detroit beats YSU, CSU gains the upper hand in the tiebreakers because they swept Detroit. Just as YSU is gold for Butler, they are danger for CSU in these ties, which is why CSU needs Detroit to beat YSU if they don't beat WSU.

That's it for the 2 seed.

Jumping ahead a bit, with their OT loss to Milwaukee tonight, Loyola has ceded the 9th seed to UIC and fell to the 10th seed themselves. UIC maintains their 2 game lead with only one game left to play.

Furthermore, WSU is now the 8th seed. They are two games behind Green Bay with only 1 game left.

This leaves seeds 3 through 7 to work out.

Green Bay will get either the 6 seed or the 7 seed. If they lose to Loyola, they will be the 7 seed because there are 6 teams with 10 or more wins and they would be only 9-9.

If Green Bay beats UIC AND Butler beats Valpo AND Milwaukee beats Loyola AND WSU beats CSU AND Detroit beats YSU, Green Bay can get the 6 seed and host a first round game. If CSU beats WSU and YSU beats Detroit, Detroit and/or Milwaukee tie with Green Bay and these are the only two teams who have swept the Phoenix. They need both teams to win to avoid this situation. What they need is to be tied for 6th with YSU, and the only way for that to happen is if Detroit beats YSU and Milwaukee beats Loyola. If this happens, Butler as the 2 seed breaks the tie in favor of Green Bay because they split with the Bulldogs while YSU was swept by them.

Butler, CSU, Detroit, Milwaukee, and YSU are all eligible for the 3 seed and a home game against Loyola in the first round.

Butler is the 3 seed if they lose to Valpo, CSU beats WSU, and YSU beats Detroit. Butler is the 4 seed if they lose to Valpo AND Detroit beats YSU AND Loyola beats Milkwaukee. Butler is the 5 seed if they lose to Valpo, Detroit beats YSU, and Milwaukee beats Loyola. Butler cannot fall further than 5th.

CSU is the 3 seed if Butler is the 2 seed AND CSU beats WSU. Otherwise they are the 4 seed.

Detroit is the 3 seed if they beat YSU and either Butler, WSU, and Loyola win OR Valpo, Green Bay, WSU, and Loyola win OR Valpo, Green Bay, and CSU win OR Valpo, UIC, WSU, and Loyola win OR Valpo, UIC, and CSU win. They are the 4 seed if they beat YSU AND Butler and Loyola win OR Valpo and Milwaukee win. They are the 5 seed if they beat YSU AND Milwaukee beats Loyola AND Butler beats Valpo. They are the 6 seed if they lose to YSU.

Milwaukee is the 3 seed if they beat Loyola AND Valpo beats Butler AND WSU beats CSU AND Detroit beats YSU. They are the 4 seed if they beat Loyola AND Detroit beats YSU AND either Butler beats Valpo OR Valpo beats Butler and CSU beats WSU. They are the 6 seed if they lose to Loyola AND Detroit beats YSU. Otherwise they are the 5 seed.

Finally, YSU is the 3 seed if they beat Detroit AND WSU beats CSU AND either Butler beats Valpo OR Valpo beats Butler and Milwaukee beats Loyola. They are the 5 seed if they lose to Detroit AND Loyola beats Milwaukee. They are the 6 seed if they lose to Detroit AND Milwaukee beats Loyola AND either Valpo beats Butler OR Butler beats Valpo and UIC beats Green Bay. They are the 7 seed if they lose to Detroit AND Butler beats Valpo AND Green Bay beats UIC AND Milwaukee beats Loyola. Otherwise they get the 4 seed.

As always, if you see a mistake, by all means let me know and I'll be sure to correct it.

News On The Horizon 2/24/2012

No. 12 Green Bay blasts Valparaiso 72-36--MICentralSports.com

The More Things Change...--The Mid-Majority
Cleveland State Vikings Use Solid Contributions By Freshmen To Defeat Detroit Titans, 77-64--Hoopville
Butler's issue is perimeter shooting. Seriously.--Eye On College Basketball

3 Jazzmen happy to be playing in Orlando--Deseret News

Utah's young duo of 6-foot-8 swingman Gordon Hayward and 6-10 forward/center Derrick Favors will play in the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge that tips off tonight at 7 p.m. MT. The selection of Hayward and Favors marks the first time since 2008 that the Jazz will be represented in the annual game that features first- and second-year NBA players.
...
"I think it shows that the Jazz have some young talent," said Hayward, who's averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his second season with the Jazz. "And it's great that D-Fave's gonna be able to go, and it'll be cool to be just out there representing the Jazz."

Many NBA players look forward to the annual All-Star break as a chance to take some time off, catch their breath and get re-energized for the second half of the season. And that may be even more true in this condensed NBA season.

But Hayward's happy to be spending his "off" weekend in Orlando.

"You only get this opportunity your first two years in the league," he said, "so I think you've got to be excited about being able to play and represent your team.

"It's still going to be relaxing. It's still going to be fun. We still get the time off, but we get to play basketball while we're at it. It'll be fun."

Utah Jazz: Corbin considering changes as Jazz continue to fall--Salt Lake Tribune

Toward the end of his postgame interview, Corbin unexpectedly announced he’s considering inserting small forward Josh Howard into Utah’s starting lineup for more than just a temporary run. During the Jazz’s last two games, Howard filled in for an injured Raja Bell, with Gordon Hayward sliding down to shooting guard. But after viewing Howard in full-attack mode Wednesday — 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting and six rebounds in 31 minutes, 48 seconds — Corbin embraced an idea he spent the first 30 games of the season avoiding.

From late December through mid-February, Utah’s coach was reluctant to make Howard a permanent starter for a variety of reasons. Now, with Bell shooting better than he has since signing with the Jazz 18 months ago and Hayward more involved in the offense than ever, Corbin’s acknowledged he’s open to shaking up Utah’s starting five in an attempt to increase the team’s offensive output while spurring a bench that sometimes fails to find traction.

Monson: At the break, Jazz need to rethink, readjust--Salt Lake Tribune

Moreover, at some point, it has to dawn on Corbin to play Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward as much as possible, even when it hurts.

Jazz’s Gordon Hayward: The brother from Brownsburg--Salt Lake Tribune
Men's college basketball preview: Butler at Valparaiso--The Indy Star
Valpo owns Horizon, but Butler has a lot on the line in finale--The Indy Star
Win at Valpo would secure No. 2 seed--Indy Star Butler Insider
Tourney’s 2nd seed on line at Valpo--Victory Firelight
On this day 7 years ago - Feb 23, 2005--Butler Blue Fever
Butler Finishes the Season With Valparaiso--Butler Blue Fever
BUTLER 69, UIC 44--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Ronald Nored Named Academic All-America--ButlerSports.com

Bulldogs Edged At Milwaukee In Final Seconds--ButlerSports.com

Recap: Miami vs. New York--Miami Herald

Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole did a stellar job of persistently flustering Lin, and Miami continually frustrated him with its trapping defense.

Heat contain Lin, roll to 8th straight win, 102-88--Miami Herald

If proof was needed that the Heat wanted to make a point against Lin, there was some clear evidence.

Exhibit A: Mario Chalmers stole the ball from Lin and went in for a two-handed dunk in the early minutes. Exhibit B: Norris Cole, Chalmers' backup at point guard, did the same thing in the second quarter.

Combined dunks this season for Chalmers and Cole entering Thursday? Zero.

Those strip-and-scores were part of a six-turnover first half from Lin, matching his third-highest total in any half this season. Amare Stoudemire also had six turnovers in the first 24 minutes, the Knicks were outscored 30-16 in the paint, 12-1 on fast breaks and 12-3 off turnovers.

Relentless Miami Heat defense overwhelms Jeremy Lin--Miami Herald
Miami Heat’s defense a cure for Linsanity--Miami Herald

From heartwarming to benchwarming — that was the story for Lin during this reality check. James, Dwyane Wade and Norris Cole turned his bobbles into dunks. For most of the fourth quarter he was an afterthought. When he returned, the Heat led by 14 and the Knicks looked demoralized by a series of offensive rebounds and follow-up baskets by Miami. Lin finished with one field goal in 11 attempts after averaging 24 points the previous 10 games.

Miami Heat contains Jeremy Lin, defeats New York Knicks--Miami Herald

The Heat imposed its will early, using a furious defensive start to build a 24-20 lead after the first quarter. Guards Chalmers and Norris Cole played the first half as if the arrival of Lin and all his overexposure was an affront to their collective manhood.

So amped was Chalmers that he picked up four fouls early in the third quarter and only played 25 minutes. Cole, after stealing the ball from Lin on his first possession of the second quarter, sprinted to the rim on a fast break and threw down the first dunk of his NBA career. His momentum during the play carried his 6-2 frame around the rim, and he crashed to the court on his side. The play sent even more electricity flashing through an already pulsating arena.

Jeremy Lin not the only New York Knick the Miami Heat hadn’t seen this season--Miami Herald

More depth

Last season, the Heat was in a similar position heading into the All-Star break, having won 10 of 11 games. The difference between last season’s team and this year’s team, according to Spoelstra, is the increased depth of the current team. Not only has Miami added Shane Battier and Norris Cole, but also Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller are healthy and contributing off the bench.

“We’re much deeper this year,” Spoelstra said. “It’s well-documented; we played the majority of the season without [Haslem and Miller] last year, and when they did come back they were a shadow of who they really were as players. This is the team we really anticipated.”

Heat step up to challenge of Lin, Knicks in 102-88 victory--South Florida Sun Sentinel

At times Thursday, it could have been argued the Heat possessed the game's two best point guards, with Norris Cole offering a solid, 10-point effort off the bench after starting point guard Mario Chalmers found himself in foul trouble. It was Chalmers' early defense, however, that set the tone.

Cleveland State's D'Aundray Brown ready for action: Vikings Men's Basketball Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State men's basketball team tops Detroit, snaps five-game losing streak--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Beats Detroit, 77-64--Vikings Ball
StatSheet Projects Cleveland State as NIT Eight Seed: 02/24/2012--Vikings Ball
Freshmen Help Spark CSU Past Detroit, 77-64--csuvikings.com

Ohio State's Samantha Prahalis sets school record with 42 points: College Basketball Roundup--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Detroit 65, Cleveland State 55 Shalonda Winton scored a game-high 26 points and had a team-high nine rebounds but the Vikings (10-17, 5-11 Horizon League) lost to the host Titans (15-12, 11-4).

Second Half Rally Falls Short At Detroit, 65-55--csuvikings.com

State basketball: Balanced Cleveland State cools off Detroit Mercy--The Detroit News
Detroit Falls to Cleveland State, 77-64--Titans Update
Second-Half Drought Costs Detroit in 77-64 Defeat--detroittitans.com

Jones breaks record--Varsity Press
Jones Breaks Titan Assist Record As Detroit Downs Cleveland State, 65-55--detroittitans.com

UIC loses to Milwaukee 72-61--The Chicago Tribune
Milwaukee’s barrage too much--Whoosh!Net
UIC Tripped Up By Milwaukee, 72-61--Flame Fanatic
Milwaukee Pulls Away From Men's Basketball Late, 72-61--uicflames.com

Loyola loses in overtime to Green Bay--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) Falls To Green Bay in Overtime, 73-70--LU Wolf Ball
Ramblers Drop Second Straight Overtime Heartbreaker, Fall To Green Bay, 73-70--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: Cerroni's last-second 3 in OT lifts Phoenix to 4th straight win--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game: 28: UWGB at Loyola (live updates)--UWGB Basketball
Cougill, Sykes, Phoenix push past Penguins--UWGB Fourth Estate
Keifer Sykes continues leading Phoenix--UWGB Fourth Estate
Green Bay Survives Loyola (Chicago) in Overtime, 73-70--Phoenix Fever
Cerroni's Game-Winning Three Ends Overtime Thriller--uwgbathletics.com

Women's basketball: UWGB clinches 14th straight Horizon title--Green Bay Press Gazette
Wojta Earns Accolades for Work in the Classroom--uwgbathletics.com
No. 12/12 Green Bay Cruises to 72-36 Win over Valpo--uwgbathletics.com

Williams helps lead Panthers to third straight win--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bombs away--PantherU
Milwaukee Gets Win Over UIC, 72-61--UWM Update
StatSheet Projects Milwaukee as CIT Team: 02/24/2012--UWM Update
Williams, Meier Spark Panthers Past UIC--uwmpanthers.com

Offensive rebounds key Panthers over Butler--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Postgame Report: Milwaukee vs. Butler--Panther Blog Zone
Milwaukee Women Hold Off Butler In 54-52 Victory--uwmpanthers.com

Drews receive welcome news--The Post-Tribune
Senior walk-on Shelton is Valparaiso’s unsung hero--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso playing to win against Butler--Off The Mark
Keith Appling turns it around at the end--The Detroit News

Slam dunks
...
… Brandon Wood scored 13 points, his first game in double-figures since a win over Iowa on Jan. 10 when he scored 12.

Valparaiso Finishes Their 2011-2012 Season With Butler--Valpo Daily
1 vs. 2 to end the season--Section EE
Crusaders Close Out Regular Season Friday Versus Butler--valpoathletics.com

Crusaders Fall at #12 Green Bay--valpoathletics.com

Raiders land No. 8 seed with loss--Dayton Daily News
Raiders trying to find positives near season’s end--Dayton Daily News
Wright State locked into No. 8 seed in Horizon League tourney with 61-54 loss to Youngstown State--Wright State University Sports
Youngstown State Wins 61-54 Over Wright State--Rowdy Review
Men Fall at Youngstown State--wsuraiders.com

Boyd, Demmings lift WSU women to win--Dayton Daily News
Women Pull Away for 84-62 Win Over Youngstown State--wsuraiders.com

YSU, Perry have the Wright stuff--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU surges past Wright State--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Gets 61-54 Win Over Wright State--Guin Report
Perry, Strong Second Half Lift Penguins Past Raiders, 61-54--ysusports.com

Big 2nd half aids Wright State vs. Penguins--Youngstown Vindicator
Wright State Pulls Away in Second Half from Women's Basketball--ysusports.com

Stretch Run Hits Thursday Night--Horizon League Network
Tickets On Sale for Men's Basketball Championship Monday--Horizon League Network
Butler's Nored Named Academic All-America--Horizon League Network
Perspectives: NCAA Mock Selection--Horizon League Network
Thursday Draws Standings Tighter for Closing Run--Horizon League Network

Green Bay's Julie Wojta Named to Capital One Academic All-America Team--Horizon League Network
Green Bay Clinches Share of Regular Season Title in Women's Basketball--Horizon League Network

Men's Seed Race 2/22/2012

3 more games in the books, 1 seed clinched, scenarios simplify slightly

Scores from 2/21/2012:

Butler     69 UIC             44
Green Bay  71 Cleveland State 67
Valparaiso 66 Loyola          62 OT

Seed Team             Conf 1st round matchup
                           (* means clinched)
---- ----------       ---- -----------------
#1   Valparaiso       13-4 Double-bye*; Host*
#2   Butler           11-6 Double-bye
#3   Detroit          10-6 Would host #10 Loyola
#4   Cleveland State  10-6 Would host #9 UIC
#5   Youngstown State  9-7 Would host #7 Green Bay
#6   Milwaukee         9-7 Would host #8 Wright State
#7   Green Bay         8-8
#8   Wright State      7-9
#9   UIC               3-13
#10  Loyola            1-15

Valpo has Butler left.
CSU has Detroit and WSU left.
YSU has WSU and Detroit left.
Detroit has CSU and YSU left.
Butler has Valpo left.
Milwaukee has UIC and Loyola left.

Valpo swept CSU, is 1-1 against YSU, is 1-0 against Butler, split with Milwaukee, and swept Detroit.
CSU split with YSU, is 1-1 against Butler, is 1-1 against Milwaukee, is 1-0 against Detroit.
YSU is 1-0 against Detroit, swept Milwaukee, was swept by Butler.
Detroit swept Butler, split with Milwaukee
Butler split with Milwaukee.

Tiebreakers:

Valpo - Won: Detroit, CSU, UIC, Loyola; Advantage: Butler; Disadvantage: none; Lost: none
CSU - Won: UIC, Loyola; Advantage: WSU, Detroit; Disadvantage: none; Lost: Valpo
Butler - Won: Loyola, WSU, YSU, UIC; Advantage: none; Disadvantage: Valpo; Lost: Detroit
Detroit - Won: Butler, Loyola, Green Bay, WSU; Advantage: none; Disadvantage: CSU, YSU; Lost: Valpo
YSU - Won: Loyola, Milwaukee; Advantage: Detroit; Disadvantage: WSU; Lost: Butler
Milwaukee - Won: Green Bay; Advantage: UIC, Loyola; Disadvantage: none; Lost: YSU

Tiebreakers are no longer needed for the 1 seed as no one can reach 13 wins to tie Valpo, so the 2nd and 3rd rounds will be held at the ARC this year, with Valpo playing the late game on Saturday after a week's rest.

Butler, YSU, Milwaukee, CSU, and Detroit all have a chance at the 2 seed:

Butler can win the 2 seed if they beat Valpo AND Detroit loses at least once. In this scenario, the only team that can compete with them for the 2 seed is CSU, who can do no better than tie them by winning out, and Butler wins the tiebreaker by virtue of a split with Valpo vs. CSU's 0-2 against Valpo. If Detroit wins out, that includes a win over CSU, so it would just be Detroit tied with Butler, and Detroit prevails because of their sweep of Butler.

Even if Butler loses their final game, they can back in to the 2 seed if Detroit loses to both CSU and YSU, CSU loses to WSU, and YSU beats WSU. This would put CSU, Butler, YSU, and possibly Milwaukee in a tie at 11-7. CSU split with everybody in this group, so they don't affect anything. Butler swept YSU and split with the other teams for a +2. YSU was swept by Butler and split with CSU for a -2, but if Milwaukee is also in the tie, YSU's record is even. Milwaukee was swept by YSU and split with everyone else for a -2. Butler's differential is +2 whether Milwaukee is involved or not, so Butler wins the 2 seed in this scenario as well. Obviously Detroit needs to lose out in any scenario for Butler to get the 2 seed. Furthermore, YSU participating in the tie is also crucial for Butler.

CSU can lock up the 2 seed if they beat Detroit AND Butler loses their final game AND either CSU beats WSU or Detroit beats YSU. Certainly if they win out, they keep Detroit from tying them, so if Valpo beats Butler, then CSU will be the only team at 12-6. However, even if CSU loses to WSU, as long as they beat Detroit and Butler loses, CSU gains the upper hand in the tiebreakers because they will have swept Detroit.

Detroit can secure the 2 seed simply by winning out. The only other team who could tie them at 12-6 would be Butler since one of their 2 wins would come against CSU. Even if Butler beats Valpo, Detroit wins the tiebreaker because of their sweep of Butler.

If Detroit loses to YSU but beats CSU, they can still get the 2 seed if WSU beats YSU and Valpo beats Butler. In this scenario, YSU finishes 10-8, Butler and Detroit finish 11-7. CSU and/or Milwaukee can also finish 11-7. As shown above, Detroit wins the 2-way tie with Butler. CSU and Milwaukee both split with both teams, so they don't change the tiebreaker result. If Detroit loses to CSU but beats YSU, then CSU owns a tiebreak advantage against Detroit that cannot be offset. Needless to say, if Detroit loses out, CSU wins at least 11, so Detroit absolutely has to win at least once this weekend to have a chance at the 2 seed.

YSU can get the 2 seed if they beat both WSU and Detroit AND Valpo beats Butler AND Detroit beats CSU. In this scenario, YSU, Butler, Detroit, and possibly Milwaukee and/or CSU are all 11-7. The 3 way tie is an interlocking chain of sweeps that cancel each other out. Detroit swept Butler, Butler swept YSU, and YSU swept Detroit, so we'd have to resort to common opponents, and of the 3 teams in this scenario, YSU is the only one to win a game against Valpo so they would get the 2 seed. Milwaukee split with Butler and Detroit but was also swept by YSU so their inclusion only further solidifies YSU's grip on the 2 seed. CSU in this case split with everybody so they have no impact. CSU, Butler, and Detroit obviously all need to lose at least once, and it is important to YSU that CSU loses to Detroit so they don't mess up the last tiebreaker just mentioned.

That's it for the 2 seed.

As for the rest of the seeds, action tonight is already half-over and it only gets hairier, so I'm going to wait until later to go further.

As always, if you see a mistake, by all means let me know and I'll be sure to correct it.

News On The Horizon 2/23/2012

Utah Jazz-Minnesota Timberwolves: Report card--Deseret News

Guards: Gordon Hayward slipped to the two-guard position in place of Raja Bell to give a mediocre effort (seven points, three turnovers). He also let Minnesota's Ridnour (17 points, six assists) blow by him for the game-winning floater. Devin Harris was solid with 10 points and eight assists and Earl Watson went just 1-4 from the field but delivered five dimes. GRADE: C-

Jazz’s Jeremy Evans ready to fly to NBA dunk contest--Salt Lake Tribune

Evans had been talking about the event for nearly six weeks. During the build-up, he revealed he’d randomly jumped over his Camaro during the NBA lockout. Teammates such as Earl Watson and Gordon Hayward had openly campaigned for him.
...
Evans will join teammates Derrick Favors and Hayward during all-star weekend. Favors and Hayward will participate in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday.

Hayward spent part of Wednesday discussing dunk ideas for Evans with Matt Harpring, the Jazz broadcaster who used to play for the team.

Utah Jazz enter All-Star break in shock after 100-98 loss to Minnesota--Salt Lake Tribune

After Corbin kept the locker-room doors closed longer than normal, second-year forward Gordon Hayward had his head down and was staring into nothingness when reporters were allowed in. When he looked up, he was red-eyed, appearing as affected by a loss as he’s been since joining the Jazz. Earl Watson also stared into space, speaking soft and slow and holding on to every word. Al Jefferson was not available, walking out before the press entered.

Robin Miller--The Ride with JMV
Maybe these Dawgs can shoot--Indy Star Butler Insider
Men’s basketball: Men rout Flames on Senior Night--Butler Collegian
Men’s basketball: Managers play big role in basketball--Butler Collegian
Butler Closes Regular Season At Valparaiso--ButlerSports.com

Women’s basketball: Team grabs two league contests--Butler Collegian
Women’s basketball: Managers play big role in basketball--Butler Collegian

Cleveland State needs fast cure for losing--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State (20-9) Takes On Detroit (17-12)--Vikings Ball
Vikings Begin Final Weekend of Regular Season Against Detroit--csuvikings.com

Lady Vikings fight back in thrilling 70-68 victory--The Cauldron

Detroit (17-12) Squares Off With Cleveland State (20-9)--Titans Update
On this day 11 years ago - Feb 22, 2001--Titans Update
Final Road Trip Commences Thursday with Seedings on the Line--detroittitans.com

Titans Open Final Homestand Of The Year On Thursday--detroittitans.com

Thursday's matchup: Milwaukee at UIC--The Chicago Tribune
Same story: Butler does it again--Whoosh!Net
UIC (8-19) Takes On Milwaukee (17-12)--Flame Fanatic
Flames Begin Final Homestand versus Milwaukee Thursday--uicflames.com

Flames Play 4Kay on Saturday; Miller Remembers the Legend--uicflames.com

Thursday's matchup: Green Bay at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola (Chicago) (7-20) and Green Bay (13-14) Face Off--LU Wolf Ball
Loyola Returns Home To Host Green Bay Thursday Night--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: It's homecoming weekend for UWGB in Chicago--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay (13-14) vs. Loyola (Chicago) (7-20)--Phoenix Fever
Streaking Phoenix Hits Windy City to End Regular Season--uwgbathletics.com

Women's basketball: Eichler ready to start again for Phoenix--Green Bay Press Gazette
OLD OUT - Green Bay's Game vs. Butler Saturday, Feb. 25--uwgbathletics.com
Quilling Uses Childhood Lessons in Unselfish Play--uwgbathletics.com
Phoenix Tips off Final Regular Season Homestand with Valpo Thursday--uwgbathletics.com

Panthers try to keep momentum going agianst UIC--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jerard Ajami's in transition--PantherU
Dangerous prey--PantherU
Milwaukee (17-12) and UIC (8-19) Square Off--UWM Update
Panthers Start Final Weekend Of Regular Season At UIC--uwmpanthers.com
Video: Panthers Getting Ready For Thursday Contest At UIC--uwmpanthers.com

Video: An Interview With Milwaukee Freshman Kiki Wilson--uwmpanthers.com

VU women visit Green Bay--The Post-Tribune
Michigan State 66, Minnesota 61: Spartans survive scare at The Barn--The Detroit Free Press

Michigan State needed some extra defense and Brandon Wood's eight second-half points, but the No. 6 Spartans avoided the upset, beating Minnesota, 66-61, tonight in Minneapolis.
...
After trailing by nine in the second half, MSU got to within two, 54-52, on a steal and layup by Wood with 4:51 to go. But Appling fouled Welch on a jump shot attempt and Welch made both free throws. Minnesota went up six on a Welch jumper in the lane with 3:23 to go, but Wood responded with a basket.

MSU called time-out with about 3 minutes left and then Green came up with a steal. He found Wood streaking ahead and the senior drove for another layup to pull to 58-56. The Spartans then forced another turnover, they went inside to Green for a hoop to tie the game with 1:42 to go.

Michigan State 66, Minnesota 61: Brandon Wood steps up, leads Spartans' comeback--The Detroit Free Press
Michigan State rallies to beat Minnesota, keep hold on first place--The Detroit News

Brandon Wood scored eight of his 13 points in the final seven minutes to spark Michigan State while Keith Appling his six straight free throws in the final 32 seconds to ice the victory.
...
A steal and dunk by Wood cut the Minnesota lead to 54-52 with 4:50 to play before Minnesota scored four straight. Wood then scored on a runner in the lane and a layup on a break after a steal by Green to get it to 58-56 with 2:30 left in the game.

Why the HL Loves Valpo--Section EE
Ticket Info For 2012 Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship--valpoathletics.com

WSU freshman Griffin seeing improvement on court--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Wright State vs. Youngstown State--Dayton Daily News
Wright State (13-16) and Youngstown State (14-13) Face Off--Rowdy Review

Youngstown State (14-13) Takes On Wright State (13-16)--Guin Report

The Charles and Dorothy Butler Scholarship Fund Added to Athletic Endowments--ysusports.com

Youngstown State women hope for first-round home game--Youngstown Vindicator

The Barbar Shop: Senior Moments--Horizon League Network

Brown and Nored Earn Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors--Horizon League Network