On The Horizon

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, January 26, 2016--Hoopville

Side Dishes
...
Oakland completed a sweep of the Wisconsin road swing in the Horizon League by winning at Wisconsin-Milwaukee 82-79. Kahlil Felder (17 points, 12 assists) against Jordan Johnson (20 points, nine assists) was a virtual draw in a battle of the nation’s two leading assist men, but the Golden Grizzlies received a big assist from Max Hooper, who scored 21 on seven three-pointers. Milwaukee played without Akeem Springs, its No. 2 scorer (14.3 ppg) who missed the game with a leg injury.
...
Meanwhile, Wisconsin-Green Bay survived Detroit 115-108 in overtime despite committing the same sin, fouling the Titans’ Anton Wilson as he made a three from the corner with six seconds left and eventually sent the game to overtime. Normally known for his defense, Green Bay’s Jordan Fouse scored a career-best 30 points and added 14 rebounds.

Horizon roundup: Oakland wins, UDM falls in OT on road--The Detroit Free Press
Horizon League point guards Felder and Johnson shine in head-to-head battle--The Catch and Shoot

We need more of Division 1 feel--Varsity Press
Former NBA star Haywood's number to be retired Friday--Varsity Press
Blackshear, McFolley Take Friendship To Titan Territory--detroittitans.com

Closer to home, transfer improves game--Varsity Press

Monday’s roundup: Hooper makes 7 3’s, Oakland wins--The Detroit News
Kampe calls Hooper turnover “worst pass in Oakland history”--The Catch and Shoot
Hooper helps Oakland finish off Milwaukee without Felder--Press Row Sports
Oakland completes two game sweep in Wisconsin, beats Milwaukee 82-79--Oakland Post

Q&A with Tai Odiase--UIC News

UWGB men win overtime thriller--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Puts Up 115 in Thrilling OT Win Over Detroit--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women crack USA TODAY coaches poll--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Receives Top-25 Ranking in USA Today Coaches Poll--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Max Hooper a perimeter problem for Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Drop Close Contest to Oakland--UWM Post
Springs’ MRI negative, no timetable for return--PantherU
Women's Bball Practice Squad Featured On Sports Weekly--Panther Blog Zone
Shorthanded Panthers Fall In Closing Seconds, 82-79--uwmpanthers.com

College Basketball AP Poll Week 12: Wichita State Shockers back in at No. 22--Mid-Major Madness

Other teams in our coverage area receiving votes this week were Dayton (77), St. Mary's (42), VCU (17), Valparaiso (9), Hawaii (9), UAB (4), Chattanooga (2), Grand Canyon (1), Navy (1).

Penguins Top Cleveland State at The Q--The Jambar

YSU women’s basketball team prepares for long stay at home--Youngstown Vindicator
Women's Basketball Starts Four-Game Home Stand Thursday vs. Wright State--ysusports.com

#HLMBB GIF of the Week (Jan. 18)--Horizon League Network
Clutch Play Late Leads to Wins for Green Bay & Oakland--Horizon League Network
Oakland's Felder on Midseason Watch List for Oscar Robertson Trophy--Horizon League Network
Athletes of the Week (Week of Jan. 18)--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Green Bay outlasts Detroit in overtime 115-108--CBS Sports
Hooper drills 7 3's in Oakland's 82-79 win over Milwaukee--CBS Sports
I Slept On It: No Unbeatens Remain; Iowa Sweeps Purdue; Providence Tops Nova--Blogging the Bracket

Elsewhere
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Valparaiso (17-4, 7-1) routed Northern Kentucky (7-12, 3-5) 71-46 to limit the damage from Friday's loss to Wright State. The Raiders (13-8, 7-1) remain tied with the Crusaders for the Horizon lead; however, thanks to their 80-66 home win over UIC (2-17, 0-8).

On The Menu: January 25, 2016--Blogging the Bracket

Elsewhere
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Detroit Titans (9-9, 3-4) at Green Bay Phoenix (12-8, 4-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN3)
Oakland Golden Grizzlies (12-8, 4-3) at Milwaukee Panthers (14-6, 5-2), 9 p.m. (ASN/ESPN3)

All four teams sitting immediately behind Horizon co-leaders Valparaiso Crusaders and Wright State Raiders are in action tonight.

College Basketball Schedule & Scoreboard for January 25, 2016--Cleveland Plain Dealer

On the Horizon:

The Cleveland State Vikings had their two-game winning streak snapped in Sunday's loss to Youngstown State. CSU plays at Valparaiso on Thursday and at University of Chicago on Saturday.

Men's basketball wins two in a row--The Cauldron
Cleveland State Falls at the Q to Youngstown State 70-55--NEO Sports Insiders

Detroit’s Valiant Comeback Attempt Falls Short At Green Bay--detroittitans.com

HOOPER DRILLS SEVEN TRIPLES IN OAKLAND'S 82-79 WIN AT MILWAUKEE--ougrizzlies.com

JONES NAMED HORIZON LEAGUE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK--ougrizzlies.com

Illinois Rankings for the Week of Jan. 25--The Catch and Shoot

13. UIC (2-17, 0-8 Horizon). Last week: 13

UIC is yet to beat a Division I team this season. But with a five-game home stand about to start, that could change soon.

Chicago Weekly Awards, Jan. 25--The Catch and Shoot

Player of the Week

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

In three games last week, Dixson averaged 22.7 points, although he shot barely above 40 percent from the field. Dixson recorded a double-double Friday against Northern Kentucky with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Two days later, he posted 29 points and nine rebounds against Wright State.
...
Freshman of the Week

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

Dixson’s fire shines brightly--Whoosh!Net
Dixson Garners Fifth Horizon League Weekly Honor--uicflames.com

Men’s Basketball Wins Thriller vs. Detroit--UWM Post
Oakland’s offense pushes the pace--PantherU
Panther Basketball Featured By IAMUWM--Panther Blog Zone

Awards Pour In For Kostowicz--uwmpanthers.com
Women’s Basketball Set To Honor Pair Of NCAA Tournament Teams--uwmpanthers.com

NEW BRACKETOLOGY UPDATE: Hawkeyes surge to top line--CollegeBasketballTalk

Spokane Denver
5) Louisville 5) Baylor
12) ARK-LITTLE ROCK 12) VALPARAISO
4) OREGON 4) Providence
13) TULSA 13) UAB

Mid-Major Madness Power 15: St. Mary's Gaels Back on Top--Mid-Major Madness

4. Valparaiso Crusaders (17-4) 1

Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Jan. 25--The Catch and Shoot

2. Valparaiso (17-4, 7-1 Horizon). Last week: 1

Valparaiso defense smothers Norse--The Northerner

Alstork named HL Player of the Week--Dayton Daily News
Alstork Earns POW from HL, College Sports Madness--wsuraiders.com

Penguins, Santiago find rhythm in win at Q--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

WSU's Alstork and UIC's Dixson Collect Men's Basketball Honors--Horizon League Network
Milwaukee's Kostowicz and Oakland's Jones Garner Weekly Accolades--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

SUNDAY’S SNACKS: No. 16 Providence outlasts No. 4 Villanova, No. 8 SMU falls--CollegeBasketballTalk

OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS
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Valparaiso rebounded from its loss at Wright State Friday night with a 71-46 win at Northern Kentucky. Keith Carter scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Crusaders.

W-7 BP68--Basketball Predictions

Meanwhile, 8 new teams were eliminated from at-large contention: Air Force, Cal Poly, George Mason, Green Bay, Oral Roberts, South Florida, Tennessee Tech, and Vermont. That leaves 111 teams currently out of the projected bracket that still have a chance for an at-large bid.
...
12. MONMOUTH (MAAC)
12. VALPARAISO (HORIZON)
12. SAN DIEGO STATE (MOUNTAIN WEST)
12. ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK (SUN BELT)
...
Still alive, but pretty much need a miracle:
UCF, East Carolina, Tulane, Albany, Boston College, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, UMass, Saint Louis, DePaul, St. John's, Weber State, Minnesota, Penn State, Rutgers, TCU, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, Charleston, Elon, Northeastern, Towson, Marshall, Old Dominion, Western Kentucky, Milwaukee, Oakland

Youngstown State tops Cleveland State 70-55--CBS Sports
Valparaiso coasts to 71-46 win over Northern Kentucky--CBS Sports
Wright State runs away from Illinois-Chicago 80-66--CBS Sports
On The Menu: January 24, 2016--Blogging the Bracket

Elsewhere
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Valparaiso Crusaders (16-4, 6-1) at Northern Kentucky Norse (7-11, 3-4), 1 p.m. (ASN/ESPN3)

The Norse could be in for a long afternoon, considering they're the Crusaders' opponent following Valpo's first conference defeat of the season.

Under the Radar Game of the Day – Sunday, January 24: Illinois-Chicago at Wright State--Hoops HD

Day After: Wichita State 88, Bradley 54--Wichita Eagle

Rotation watch: Morris turned in another solid game with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.

A week ago, it seemed as if Morris and Anton Grady shared the center position. With Morris’ performances the past two games, it feels more like he is the starter and Grady the backup. That change, in my mind, reflects Morris’ improvement more than any slippage by Grady.

Morris scored most of his points around the basket in the past two games, largely abandoning short jumpers. He is finishing strong, often dunking, and moving aggressively without the ball to catch passes close to the rim from VanVleet. That seems a better fit for the offense than Grady’s preferred jump shots. Morris shooting 58.8 percent from the field. Grady is shooting 44.9.

Those numbers make the case for Morris’ playing time to continue to rise, if he can avoid fouls and play with focus.

Grady scored eight points against Bradley, his most since he scored 17 against Evansville. We’ve seen Morris play inconsistently before and his minutes limit will top out around 20 no matter how well he plays, so there no doubt will be games in which Grady will need to shine.

U of L's Lee, Lewis find their shots in win--Louisville Courier-Journal
MSU takes down Maryland in 'must-win' game--The Detroit News

Now, the confidence is back.

“We needed it a lot,” Forbes said. “We’ve been struggling for three games and no one saw that coming after starting 13-0. But to come back and play the way we played, be who we are, do the things that we do, it felt great.”

Effort on defense leads MSU to win over Maryland--The Detroit News

“The emotion and the attention to detail on defense (were the difference),” said senior Matt Costello, who blocked three shots to go with 15 points and 12 rebounds. “We knew they attacked the gap really well and if you look back on the film you’ll see Bryn (Forbes) was 20 feet off his man to help and then get back. Eron was doing the same thing, Denzel (Valentine) was doing the same thing. Alvin (Ellis III) came in and did the same thing.

College Basketball Schedule & Scoreboard for January 24, 2016--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Matinee at the Q: The Cleveland State Vikings play host to Youngstown State in a Horizon League game today at 1 p.m. in Quicken Loans Arena. The teams have identical records (7-13 overall, 2-5 HL), but while CSU is riding a two-game win streak, the Penguins have lost three straight.

Youngstown State tops off Cleveland State, 70-55, at The Q--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Drop 70-55 Contest to Youngstown State--csuvikings.com

Titans Set For Monday Night Match-Up At Green Bay--detroittitans.com

GAME 21: OAKLAND CONCLUDES WISCONSIN ROADTRIP MONDAY AT MILWAUKEE--ougrizzlies.com

Dixson Nets Career-Best 29 Points Sunday at Wright State--uicflames.com

Panthers Open “Suits & Sneakers” Week Monday Against Oakland--uwmpanthers.com

Keith Carter, Valparaiso bounce back to rout Northern Kentucky--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso suffers first Horizon League loss--The NWI Times
Crusaders overcome slow start to dominate Northern Kentucky--The NWI Times
Crusader Men Wrap Up Another Dominating Road Win--valpoathletics.com

College basketball: Wright State's turnaround has Raider fans thinking about dancing--NCAA.com
@NKUNorseMBB falls to Valpo, 71-46--nkunorse.com

Raiders roll past UIC for sixth straight win--Dayton Daily News
Tom Archdeacon: ‘Overlooked’ Alstork shining brightly for Raiders--Dayton Daily News
Raiders take 6th-straight with win over UIC--RaiderRoundball.com
Wright State men complete a perfect home stand--The Guardian
Men Defeat UIC for Donlon's 100th Win--wsuraiders.com

YSU men look to break three-game slide--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Sun. 5:30 p.m.: Youngstown State tops Cleveland State 70-55--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Stingy Defense Leads Men's Basketball to 70-55 Win Over Cleveland State--ysusports.com

YSU’s late rally falls short at Valparaiso--Youngstown Vindicator

Donlon Records 100th Career Victory; Valpo & YSU Win on the Road--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Saturday, January 23, 2016--Hoopville

Side Dishes
...
Wright State pulled into a tie atop the Horizon League by knocking off previously undefeated Valparaiso 73-62, getting 21 points from Joe Thomasson that included going 14-16 at the free throw line.

Felder with 29 points, Oakland beats Green Bay 111-95--CBS Sports
Johnson with 25 points, Milwaukee edges Detroit 83-80--CBS Sports
Oakland routs Green Bay; Detroit falls to Milwaukee--The Detroit Free Press

Video | Lewis talks Georgia Tech win--College Sports Madness
Cleveland State Battles Youngstown State Sunday at the Q--NEO Sports Insiders
Preview: Youngstown State vs. Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops

Vikings Fall At UIC, 80-62--csuvikings.com

Titans Tripped Up At Milwaukee--detroittitans.com

Detroit's Second Half Comeback Falls Short Against Oakland--detroittitans.com

Max Hooper scores career-high 27 points, frontcourt dominant in Oakland’s 111-95 win at Green Bay--Press Row Sports
Grizzlies' offense burns Phoenix--Oakland Post
OFFENSIVE SURGE LIFTS OAKLAND OVER GREEN BAY, 111-95--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND TAKES OUT TITANS FOR METRO SERIES WIN, 79-73--ougrizzlies.com

College roundup: UIC falls in overtime; NIU remains hot with win over Toledo--The Chicago Tribune
Flames Prepare to Face First-Place Raiders--uicflames.com

Dominate Performance by Campbell; Flames Halt Skid--uicflames.com

UWGB allows program-record 111 points in loss--Green Bay Press Gazette
Red-Hot Oakland Shoots Past Green Bay in Blackout Game--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women beat Wright State, win 14th in row--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Outlasts Wright State to Win 14th Straight, 63-58--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UW-Milwaukee's Jordan Johnson shows style in win over Detroit--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Prevail In Wild Finish Against Titans, 83-80--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers women win fifth straight--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
White-Hot Panthers Roll Past NKU--uwmpanthers.com

Bracket Bits: Early look at mid-major bubble--Bracketville

Here are a few other candidates:
...
Valparaiso – The Crusaders have the power numbers (much like Monmouth) thanks to a solid NC schedule that included wins at Oregon State and Rhode Island. URI’s injuries and subsequent struggles haven’t helped. Missing out on a chance to upset Oregon could prove huge. Much like Chattanooga, Valpo needs to start running away with the Horizon League, and that took a hit with Friday night’s loss at Wright State.

College basketball preview: Valparaiso at Northern Kentucky--The Post-Tribune
Valpo Looking to Rebound Sunday at NKU--valpoathletics.com

Local roundup--The Post-Tribune

VU women win: Abby Dean scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Valparaiso past Youngstown State 65-60 in Horizon League women's basketball at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso. Jasmyn Walker added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Crusaders (8-11, 4-4).

Valparaiso women upset Youngstown State--The NWI Times
WBB: Win over Youngstown State a ‘home run’ for Crusaders--The Torch
Dean, Walker Steer Crusaders to 65-60 Win over Youngstown State--valpoathletics.com

Murray lifts Norse to overtime win over UIC--The Northerner
@NKUNorseMBB, Valpo square off Sunday in #HLMBB tilt--nkunorse.com

Norse women face quick hardcourt turnaround, meet Milwaukee Saturday for second game in 48 hours--Northern Kentucky Tribune
GALLERY: Milwaukee frustrates, defeats Norse--The Northerner
Hot-shooting Milwaukee squad too much for @NKUNorseWBB--nkunorse.com

Second Thoughts: Donlon has Wright State looking rowdy--Dayton Daily News
Season-ending loss to Flames still burns Raiders--Dayton Daily News
Preview: UIC at Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Raiders come back to take down Valpo 73-62--RaiderRoundball.com

Wright State handed another loss by Green Bay--Dayton Daily News
Tom Archdeacon: WSU women’s coach changes tune after loss--Dayton Daily News
Raiders women drop back to back games--The Guardian
Women Fall to Green Bay--wsuraiders.com

YSU sophomore guard Morse leading Horizon League--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Slocum not excited about trip to Q--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU men look to break three-game slide--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

YSU women end road trip today--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
YSU women lose at Valparaiso--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Penguins Can’t Overcome First-Half Deficit in 65-60 Loss at Valparaiso--ysusports.com

Raiders Rally to Drop Valpo; NKU Dominates OT to Win--Horizon League Network
Oakland's offensive outburst leads to win; UWM fends off Detroit--Horizon League Network

Green Bay Stays at Top of #HLWBB Standings--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Friday, January 22, 2016--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu:
...
Valparaiso suddenly has a new challenger on its tails in the Horizon League in Wright State. Get ready for some defense in this one; Valpo ranks fourth in the nation in scoring defense, the Raiders aren’t far behind in 26th. Also in the Horizon, Illinois-Chicago travels south to take on Northern Kentucky.

PREGAME SHOOTAROUND: Key America East, MAAC battles on the slate--CollegeBasketballTalk

OTHER NOTABLE CONTESTS
...
Valparaiso looks to maintain its lead atop the Horizon League as they visit second-place Wright State (7:00 p.m.). Billy Donlon’s Raiders have done a good job defending the three as well as knocking them down at a solid clip, but they’ll have to be better offensively if they’re to knock off a Valpo team led by forwards Alec Peters and Vashil Fernandez.

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: George Washington comes back, Wright St. wins--CollegeBasketballTalk

GAME OF THE NIGHT: Northern Kentucky 82, UIC 69 (OT)

The shorthanded Flames managed to get this game to overtime but they were unable to get the win on the road. Cole Murray led three NKU starters in double figures with 21 points while also grabbing five rebounds, and Lavone Holland II added 19 points and seven assists. UIC’s Dikembe Dixson led all scores with 24 points to go along with ten rebounds on the night.
...
Wright State 73, Valparaiso 62: Billy Donlon’s Raiders began the season 3-7. Since then they’ve won nine of their last ten, with the most recent being an 11-point home win over Valparaiso. Wright State, now tied with the Crusaders atop the Horizon League, scored 51 second-half points and Joe Thomasson accounted for 21 points and eight rebounds in the win.

Thomasson leads Wright State past Valparaiso 73-62--CBS Sports
Murray hits 7 3s, Northern Kentucky beats UIC 82-69 in OT--CBS Sports

Cleveland State Emerges From the Cellar--More Than A Fan
Vikings Return to Action Sunday Afternoon vs. Youngstown State at Quicken Loans Arena--csuvikings.com

Women's Basketball Continues Roadswing At UIC--csuvikings.com

Milwaukee Up Next For Detroit On Saturday--detroittitans.com

Titans Host #MetroSeries Rival Oakland on Saturday--detroittitans.com

OAKLAND INSIDER BY TERRY FOSTER--ougrizzlies.com
GAME 20: OAKLAND BEGINS WISCONSIN ROAD SWING SATURDAY AT GREEN BAY--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND TRAVELS TO MOTOR CITY FOR METRO SERIES SHOWDOWN AT UDM--ougrizzlies.com

Paris Burns leaves UIC for personal reasons--The Catch and Shoot
Burns departs Flames--Whoosh!Net
Kentucky-fried--Whoosh!Net
Paris Burns Leaves UIC Basketball Program--uicflames.com
UIC's Spirited Effort Loses Steam in Overtime at NKU--uicflames.com

Cold Shooting Stymies the Flames--uicflames.com
Game Alert: Women's Basketball To Play At Pavilion Saturday--uicflames.com
Flames Tangle With Vikings Saturday at UIC Pavilion--uicflames.com

Green Bay Ready for Challenging Home Weekend, Hosts Oakland & Detroit--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women win 13th straight--Green Bay Press Gazette

Play of Springs helps elevate Panthers' offense--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UWM students: Panther Basketball can be your escape--PantherU
A Titan of a Job--PantherU
Panthers defense is indefensible--PantherU

UWM women 82, Wright State 60 - Balance propels Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Looks To Keep It Rolling At Northern Kentucky--uwmpanthers.com

Emulating his favorite player, Valpo’s Alec Peters growing into scoring threat--American Sports Network
Wright State hands Valparaiso its first Horizon League loss--The Post-Tribune
Breaking Down Valparaiso vs. Wright State--Inside VU Sports
Crusaders Drop First Horizon League Contest--valpoathletics.com

Dean provides senior wisdom--The Torch
Sophomore Standouts on Display Saturday at the ARC--valpoathletics.com

Murray leads @NKUNorseMBB past UIC in OT, 82-69--nkunorse.com

@NKUNorseWBB faces Milwaukee to close #HLWBB weekend--nkunorse.com

Wright State's Benzinger hits 70-foot buzzer beater, makes ESPN--Dayton Daily News
WSU blisters Valpo D to move into first-place tie--Dayton Daily News
Tom Archdeacon: WSU’s Thomasson deadly from the line--Dayton Daily News
First place: Wright State--The Guardian
Men Rally for 73-62 Win Over Valparaiso--wsuraiders.com

Penguins have huge hole in lineup with Hain injured--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

YSU women top Illinois-Chicago on road--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Cash Scores 23, Penguins Make 10 3s in 69-64 Win at UIC--ysusports.com
Penguins Look to Sweep Road Trip at Valparaiso on Saturday--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Niyo: Skid leaves MSU grasping for answers--The Detroit News

East Lansing — You could see it in the slump-shouldered posture of Bryn Forbes in the locker room.
...
“It’s hard to explain,” said Forbes, the senior sharpshooter who kept firing blanks Wednesday, missing his first four open looks and finishing 1-for-8 in the loss.
...
“I know how to get to this team, and this team will bounce back. But it has been shaken, there’s no question about it. It should be shaken.”

And stirred? Time will tell — Izzo certainly will, too — but as Forbes said Wednesday in a quietly-confused locker room, “We’re gonna learn a lot more about ourselves these next few games.”

Smith Scores Career-High 18 Points As Vikings Fall To Valparaiso--csuvikings.com

Join The Titans In Recognizing Spencer Haywood On Jan. 28 & Jan. 29--detroittitans.com

Greg Kampe’s Oakland Golden Grizzlies need answers--USports

UIC Voyages to Northern Kentucky for First-Ever Meeting--uicflames.com

Flames Host Penguins Tonight--uicflames.com

Phoenix weekly: UWGB, Oakland should provide fireworks--Green Bay Press Gazette
Pivotal stretch begins Saturday--Phear The Phoenix

Green Bay Pulls Away Late, Defeats NKU 81-73 for 12th Straight Win--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers Rout Wright State In Big Road Win--uwmpanthers.com

College basketball: Become acquainted with these possible bracket busters--NCAA.com

Valparaiso
Record: 16-3
KenPom: 19

We’ve been high on the Crusaders since the preseason, and aren’t hopping off the bandwagon now. The polar opposite of St. Mary’s, Valpo is blazing through the Horizon League (6-0) behind a ferocious defense that’s surrendered more than one point per possession in only three of 19 games. Need more proof? Study how coach Bryce Drew’s club bottled dynamic Oakland scoring guard Kay Felder on Jan. 8 in a convincing 84-67 road victory. The Crusaders hounded him into 8 of 28 shooting and a season-low 78 offensive rating.

NCAA tournament bracketology: Projecting the field of 68--USA Today
Bracketology: Iowa grabs No. 1 seed, Big 12 with five on top three seed lines--The Catch and Shoot