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Post by Retired Coach on Apr 8, 2007 14:32:04 GMT -5
Kyle Pressley did not make the Indiana All Star team. 2 Butler recruits and 1 Valpo recruit made the roster. Michael Bizoukas School: Munster. Height: 6-1. PPG: 15.1. College: DePaul. Nate Blank School: Terre Haute North. Height: 6-5. PPG: 19.0. College: Undecided. Ben Botts School: Muncie Central. Height: 6-0. PPG: 14.5. College: IPFW. Bryan Bouchie School: Washington. Height: 6-10. PPG: 15.5. College: Valparaiso.Eric Gordon School: North Central. Height: 6-4. PPG: 29.0. College: Indiana. Zach Hahn School: New Castle. Height: 6-1. PPG: 18.7. College: Butler.Clint Hopf School: Forest Park. Height: 6-9. PPG: 18.0. College: Evansville. Matt Howard School: Connersville. Height: 6-7. PPG: 23.1. College: Butler.Rob Hummel School: Valparaiso. Height: 6-8. PPG: 15.7. College: Purdue. JaJuan Johnson School: Franklin Central. Height: 6-10. PPG: 20.6. College: Purdue. Eshaunte Jones School: Fort Wayne North. Height: 6-4. PPG: 27.7. College: Indiana *. Scott Martin School: Valparaiso. Height: 6-8. PPG: 22.2. College: Purdue. E'Twaun Moore School: East Chicago Central. Height: 6-3. PPG: 21.9. College: Purdue. Jeff Teague School: Pike. Height: 6-1. PPG: 21.5. College: Wake Forest. Coaches Coach: Mike Miller (left), Lawrence Central. Assistant coaches: Jerry Bomholt, Madison Shawe; Murray Mendenhall, Fort Wayne Wayne. www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/SPORTS0203/704080394&theme=
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Post by Retired Coach on Mar 22, 2007 20:05:05 GMT -5
Thu, Mar. 22, 2006-2007 All-Area Boys team Damarlo Belcher North Side He averaged 15.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season as a senior. His rebounds were fourth in the state, with a game high of 17. He led the state with 141 offensive rebounds, only six fewer than his total for defensive rebounds. Kevin Fogler Bishop Dwenger A two-year captain, he led the Saints to the Summit Athletic Conference title with an 8-1 record and 17-4 overall, averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals. He had a high game of 30 points and 12 rebounds against North Side. Fred Ford South Side The Archers’ motor had his best games when the rest of his team might have been struggling. He averaged 13.9 points and came up with 31 in an early-season win over Concordia. He helped the Archers finish second in the SAC with 5.3 assists per game. Juston Hairston South Side He led the Archers to a top-10 ranking and their first sectional title since 2004 with 20 points in the championship game against Snider. The Western Michigan recruit averaged 13.8 points and six rebounds in a balanced Archers attack. Eshaunte Jones North Side He finished third in the state with 27.7 points per game after leading the state in the first half of the season. He hit 42 percent from three-point range and had a high game of 43 points. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Brice Miles Wayne The senior averaged 11 points per game and led the area with 7.8 assists, which ranked second in the state. He had 13 assists against Bishop Luers, and 10 each against North Side and South Side, including 18 points against the Archers. DeAundre Muhammad Harding He helped the Hawks stay in the top 10 in Class 2A and win their third sectional title in a row with his all-around play and leadership. The senior averaged 18 points, hitting 53 percent on field goals and 81 percent on free throws. Kyle Pressley Concordia Lutheran The Wright State recruit averaged 17 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and had his best contests against the best teams. He had 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists against Bishop Luers and 37 points and 20 rebounds against North Side.Tyler Shively Columbia City He averaged 16 points and 3.3 assists, hitting 51 percent from the field — including 42 percent from three-point range — and 90 percent of his free throws as the Eagles finished 16-5. He was also second on the team in rebounding as a 6-1 guard. Zach Taylor Carroll He helped the Chargers win the sectional title with 18.1 points and six rebounds per game. A solid all-around player, he made 53 percent from the field and 84 percent of his free throws to pass the 1,000-point mark for his career. DeShaun Thomas Bishop Luers The freshman helped the Knights win their first sectional title by scoring 29 points per game to lead the state. He was also third in the state with 13.3 rebounds per game. He scored a school-record 45 points against Wayne. Brandon Underwood Elmhurst The senior averaged 19 points and 3.5 assists per game, scoring 25 or more points six times this season. He scored 28 points in critical wins over Concordia and Homestead, including hitting a 35-foot three-pointer to beat Homestead. www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/16953018.htm?source=rss&channel=newssentinel_sports
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Post by Retired Coach on Mar 22, 2007 19:59:01 GMT -5
Div. I Spotlight: Troy Tabler, Cincinnati Moeller Thursday, March 22, 2007 Pat Tabler was respected for being a modest, hard-working and well-liked player during his days as an Indians infielder in the 1980s. His son, Troy, has earned the same reputation with Cincinnati Moeller's basketball team, which plays St. Edward in a state semifinal Friday. "His parents are tremendous people," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "Troy is very modest. He loves to compete . . . but it's important to him that he be a modest person." Troy is averaging 14.5 points per game, which are not quite the gaudy numbers his father put up as one of the best high school athletes Cincinnati ever produced. Pat averaged 26 points his senior year and was heavily recruited, but signed with the New York Yankees after being their No. 1 pick in the 1976 Major League Baseball amateur draft. "Troy could be a 20-point scorer on most teams," Kremer said. Troy, a 6-4 senior, has committed to play basketball at Wright State. He was a good baseball player, but quit after his freshman year to concentrate on basketball. "My dad supported me in the decision," Troy said. "He's helped me tremendously in backing me up in whatever I do, and teaching me little secrets and the work ethic that it takes to be good." -- Tim Warsinskey www.cleveland.com/hsboysbasketball/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1174466659192600.xml&coll=2
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Post by Retired Coach on Feb 15, 2007 22:42:50 GMT -5
Six players on McDonald’s listSix northeast Indiana basketball players have been nominated for the 2007 McDonald’s All-American high school basketball teams. For the boys, nominees are Concordia’s Kyle Pressley, North Side’s Eshaunte Jones and South Side’s Juston Hairston. For the girls, nominees are Canterbury’s Megan King, Harding’s Rashida Ray and South Side’s Sha’la Jackson. The six are among 2,500 nominated nationwide and could be among 24 selected for the two teams. www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/16704475.htm
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Post by Retired Coach on Feb 13, 2007 22:21:46 GMT -5
Scott Stucky would be a good start.
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Post by Retired Coach on Feb 9, 2007 22:28:13 GMT -5
La Salle just got biggerStandout football player adds size, skill to Lancers BY TOM GROESCHEN Ben Martin is back, and La Salle suddenly is the talk of Cincinnati high school basketball. Martin, best known as a Parade Magazine football All-American, rejoins the Lancers tonight for their Greater Catholic League South home game against Moeller (7:30 p.m.). "I've just had a bunch of stuff on my plate, but my friends on the team were really after me to come back," Martin said. "I thought it was the right thing to do for my friends." Moeller (16-1, 10-1 GCL South) is ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and La Salle (14-4, 8-4) is No. 5. Moeller beat the Lancers 74-44 at Moeller on Jan. 12. "La Salle already was pretty good without Ben Martin, and he definitely will make them better," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "It certainly makes playing over there much more of a challenge." Martin's return to basketball has had the Internet chat boards buzzing. After sitting out the 2006-07 season because of football recruiting and other commitments, Martin decided last week to rejoin the basketball team. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Martin signed a football letter Wednesday with Tennessee as a defensive end. He averaged 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior for La Salle last season, and his return gives La Salle the intimidator it has lacked inside. "Ben won't give us 30 points or 20 rebounds, but he's just a presence in the middle," said DeVier Posey, La Salle's junior point guard. "He helps us down low, where he can block a shot or stop a guy with his big body." Posey and other La Salle players including seniors Bobby Austin, Tony Schmidt and Sean Hennessy also had urged Martin to return. After La Salle upset St. Xavier 64-53 at St. X last Friday, an excited Martin came out of the stands and went into the Lancers' locker room. He told coach Dan Fleming he wanted to return. "He thought I was joking, but I was dead serious," Martin said. "I'm not sure how much I'll play, but I'll be ready." Fleming had talked to Martin during the season about returning to the team but had not forced the issue. "He's the one guy we can't afford to be without," Fleming said. Fleming actually said that last season, when Martin was nursing an injury midway through the season. This season, without Martin, the Lancers have been good but not always great. The low point was the 30-point loss at Moeller. "Over the course of the season, there have been games like Moeller and Elder (63-52 loss) where we said, 'What if Ben were here?' " Schmidt said. "We've had him on the team our whole career. It's good to have him back." Senior guard Austin (GCL South-leading 16.6 points a game), senior forward Schmidt (13.2), sophomore forward Danny McElroy (10.1), senior forward Hennessy (7.5) and junior guard Posey (5.7) lead La Salle. The 6-7 McElroy has committed to the University of Cincinnati. Moeller answers with junior forward Quinn McDowell (14.6 ppg), senior guard Troy Tabler (13.5) and senior forward Terry Martin (10.6). Moeller's biggest men, 6-9 senior J.J. Grycko and 6-8 junior Matt Roberts, combine to average 6.7 points a game.Fleming said Lancers fans should not expect miracles. He is not sure how much Martin will play tonight. "We were a little thin in the middle, so obviously Ben helps there," Fleming said. "I don't know how ready he is, but I know he's 6-5 and strong and he can jump. His teammates were disappointed when he wasn't playing, but they're a lot happier now." wrightstate.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=general
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 11, 2006 21:40:55 GMT -5
Thanks for posting all of the schedules. I am going to try to see Troy and Kyle play this year. They are both within driving distance.
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Post by Retired Coach on Dec 28, 2006 22:43:48 GMT -5
Interesting that DaShaun is a 2 time HL player of the week and Blake Schilb has been AWOL from the honor.
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:13:26 GMT -5
Penguins report: Nov. 4, 2006 There's jumping into the fire, and then there's what second-year coach Jerry Slocumb and the Penguins must tackle in the first month of the season. "We have a great challenge right at the beginning of the year," Slocumb said. The challenge includes dates with Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State before the Penguins' Thanksgiving turkey digests. "We're going to see how good we are," Slocumb said. "It's going to stretch us and make us better prepared for our conference schedule." December and January might not be a gentle ride for Youngstown State, the team picked to finish next-to-last in the Horizon in the preseason coaches poll. The Horizon League won't rate with recognition of other mid-majors at this point, the five teams finished 8-8 behind the top two teams in the conference last season. The league isn't loaded, but it is evenly matched. All-Horizon first-team guard Quin Humphrey (19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds per game last season), called one of the hardest workers on the team by Slocumb, is a player to build around. He's part of the trio of guards Youngstown State depends on to carry the team. Senior Keston Roberts hit 42 3-point field goals last season. Transfer Byron Davis, who sat out last season after fleeing New Mexico, will start and contribute from Day One. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS Three new faces will be familiar names by the end of the season if Jerry Slocumb pushes the proper buttons. PG Byron Davis transferred last season from New Mexico and is now cleared to play. He's no rookie, with 35 starts and 57 games at the D-1 level. Junior-college transfers Chris Booth and George Cotal should see action. Booth averaged a double-double at Lincoln Land (Ill.) Community College. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Playing a school-record seven games in November, the Penguins quickly will find out if they are ready for the big-time. Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State dot the schedule in the first month before YSU digs right in with its earliest conference opener (Dec. 2 at UIC). PROGRAM DIRECTION Slocumb is stabilizing the program with an influx of junior-college transfers, but just one freshman appears on this year's roster. For long-term stability to be assured, for Slocumb and the Penguins, a better effort must be made to build with youth. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PG Byron Davis, G Quin Humphrey, G Keston Roberts, F Chris Booth, F John Barber. ROSTER REPORT Youngstown State was picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Horizon League. STRENGTHS Quin Humphrey, the lone preseason All-Horizon pick for Youngstown, scored in double figures in 27 of 28 games last season. He scored 30 points in three straight games against the Horizon's murderer's row of UIC, Loyola and UW-Green Bay. But when teams swarm Humphrey, senior G Keston Roberts and junior G Byron Davis, a transfer last season from New Mexico, can help carry the load. The three-guard lineup won't be easy to slow down. Plus, the Penguins have plenty of experience behind this troika. Coach Jerry Slocumb could be working with a deep bench. WEAKNESSES The Penguins are 10-17 at home the past two seasons. That mark must improve for Youngstown to make an impact in the Horizon this year. LAST YEAR 7-21 overall, 4-12 in the Horizon. HEAD COACH Jerry Slocumb (7-21); 2nd year at Youngstown State. QUOTE TO NOTE "You know what's expected, the facilities you're going to, the level of play. There's a lot of things about this fall that make me feel better about our program. ... We're excited about where we're going." -- YSU coach Jerry Slocumb. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/YST/9777849
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:11:24 GMT -5
Panthers report: Nov. 4, 2006 Wisconsin-Milwaukee was the darling of the Horizon League for the past four years, winning three regular-season championships, three tournament championships and three NCAA Tournament games in that stretch. But losing seven seniors and nine scholarship players will devastate any program, so the Panthers are probably going to be looking up at several teams in the league this season. All five of last year's starters are gone, leaving Milwaukee's cupboard almost bare. Its three top returnees, junior guards Allan Hanson and Avery Smith and senior forward Kevin Massiah, averaged a combined 9.7 points per game last season. But there is hope in the form of the returnees, whose talent should only get better with time, and the addition of nine players eligible for action his season and two more Division I transfers ready for action in 2007-'08. Some are walk-ons, some are on scholarship athletes, but they all have one thing in common: they know the legacy of UWM basketball, and they don't want to be remembered as the group that let it all slip away. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS Marcus Skinner was a standout power forward at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., and chose Milwaukee over Montana State and others. He has demonstrated the energy needed to be a low-post presence and proved he can step out and nail a few jumpers if he's open. Charlie Swiggett played on Pennsylvania's 4A state champion as a senior in 2005, then spent last season at Notre Dame Prep. Swiggett is noted for his ball-handling and for being a solid defender. Freshmen Ryan Thornton and Roman Gentry were standout high school players last year in Illinois and Iowa, respectively, but may need more time to get themselves ready for Division I college basketball. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: For the first time in school history, Milwaukee hosts an exempt tournament a rare feat for a mid-major. The Panthers host Radford, Alabama-Birmingham and Washington State Nov. 10-12, then visit Michigan Nov. 15 as part of the John Thompson Classic. Putting such a young squad in such a high-profile tournament won't make or break the season, but will definitely show the Panthers where they need to be to get back to the level they once knew. Milwaukee also enters hostile Missouri Valley Conference environments Nov. 19 at Northern Iowa and Dec. 6 at Missouri State. PROGRAM DIRECTION After being so high for the last four years, it was inevitable that the party was going to end, and that time appears to be now. But Rob Jeter is one of the nation's brightest coaching prospects for a reason. The program it still is winning recruiting battles off the court and playing hard with that new talent on the court, ensuring that Milwaukee will not be in decline for long. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PG Allan Hanson, SG Ricky Franklin, SF Avery Smith, PF Paige Paulsen, C Marcus Skinner. ROSTER REPORT Ricky Franklin, a 6-1 sophomore guard, was the 2005 Milwaukee City Conference player of the year but had to sit out last season due because he was a non-qualifier. The Panthers received a late gift in the form of Torre Johnson, a 6-6 forward who transferred in from Oklahoma State. A Milwaukee native and former junior college All-American, Johnson averaged about 10 points and four rebounds per outing in his lone season with the Cowboys. Johnson won't be eligible until 2007-'08, but the excitement of what he can do is already apparent and may help the team think positive during what could be a rough year. Deonte Roberts, thought by many to be a high-major guard, committed to Milwaukee this summer as a member of the 2007 recruiting class. He's attending Notre Dame Prep this season and was seriously courted by Big 12 and Big East schools. He joins Anthony Hill, a 6-7 forward from Milwaukee Bradley Tech who played his way into a Division I scholarship through his outstanding summer basketball play. Transfer C Sam Mauldin has a rare background that made him eligible to play immediately. His former school, Birmingham Southern, dropped its Division I affiliation and became an NCAA Division III institution. Therefore, he was allowed to transfer without penalty, and the Wedowee, Ala. Native wound up in Milwaukee. The Panthers have two native Canadians on board: redshirt freshman Kaylan Anderson and senior forward Kevin Massiah. STRENGTHS The Panthers have new players willing to learn Coach Rob Jeter's system and style, something that caused ripples at times with the senior-dominated group of last season. The players who are returning have plenty of upside as well. Junior Gs Avery Smith and Allan Hanson, who played in al 31 games last season, continue to improve. Smith is dangerous in the open floor and was second on the team in steals (37) as a sophomore. Hanson is the Panthers' top returning 3-point threat, having made 21 of 45 (47 percent) attempts last season. Paige Paulsen had to sit out 2005-'06 as a Division I transfer but obviously learned enough of what's expected of him while practicing with the team. The 6-7 forward has shown flashes of athleticism and intelligent player in the early going. WEAKNESSES Fifteen of the 19 players on Milwaukee's roster have been with the program two years or less. That lack of continuity and overall experience will dog this team all season. Also, learning the swing offense is a difficult task for any team at any level, let alone doing so under such circumstances where few players have had enough time to master it. LAST YEAR 22-9 overall, 12-4 in the Horizon League, won the Horizon League tournament, lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament. HEAD COACH Rob Jeter (career 22-9); second year at Milwaukee (22-9). QUOTE TO NOTE "This year is going to be a little different than most. Right now guys are starting to position themselves in front of other guys, but there are guys right behind them every day. For us, we're going to put the best five guys on the floor to start the year, and then it is up to those guys to continue to stay there or to have other guys push past them." - Milwaukee coach Rob Jeter on juggling playing time for so many new players on the Panthers. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISMIL/9777846
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:09:29 GMT -5
Phoenix report: Nov. 4, 2006 Like Loyola, Green Bay hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament in a while but may finally be on the verge of something special. Just last season, the Phoenix used a freshman-dominated lineup - it was considered the fourth-youngest team in Division I - to mediocre results. Yet game by game, Green Bay improved and scored enough victories against significant opponents that it vaulted into a third-place tie in the Horizon League. Three players started all 31 games, including all-Horizon second-team honoree Ryan Evanochko, and are back in the fold. They're joined by two others who registered 30 starts. The frontcourt is loaded with players capable of using their height to rule the area around the basket yet step outside for long jumpers when necessary. The backcourt, led by Evanochko, does enough to spread the ball around while handling its share of the scoring load. Instead of running from or downplaying the expectations placed on the program, Green Bay is ready show how grown up it is now and what it's capable of achieving. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS The Phoenix adds two key freshmen, one a redshirt and the other a true blue rookie, to the mix. Randy Berry, a 6-9 forward, won't wow anyone with his play but is a punishing force underneath. Coach Tod Kowalczyk calls Berry the team's best low-post defender and rebounder. Troy Cotton, an all-state performer out of prep powerhouse Milwaukee King, committed to UWGB early in his junior season of high school. The Phoenix like his jump shot, and he'll add athleticism to the backcourt. Junior G Chase Sukut arrives in Green Bay from Sheridan (Wyo.) College. The 6-1 Sukut is being groomed as the primary backup and possibly heir apparent to Ryan Evanochko at the point guard position. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Green Bay's second game of the year is at Wisconsin, a team that could win the Big Ten. Playing at the Badgers' Kohl Center is tough, but a solid showing could galvanize the Phoenix right out of the gate. Before the winter break, UWGB gets an early doze of Horizon League action with a matchup at favorite Loyola-Chicago. Whoever emerges ahead in this matchup of the pre-season No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the league will likely carry that banner for the rest of the year. PROGRAM DIRECTION Kowalczyk noted that excitement around Green Bay for this squad, as evidenced by attendance at exhibition contests and other preseason events, hasn't been this high in years. Now in his fifth year, Kowalczyk thinks he's finally found the right group of players to ascend to the top of the Horizon League and stay there for the next few seasons. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP Submit in this order and format: PG Ryan Evanochko, SG Ryan Tillema, SF Terry Evans, PF Randy Berry, C Mike Schachtner. ROSTER REPORT Josh Lawrence suffered a major concussion in March during the quarterfinals of the Horizon League tournament and has yet to fully recover. He sat out early exhibition action but should be worked back into the lineup by the start of the season. Randy Berry's rapid development in the post, however, gives Green Bay more flexibility should Lawrence not be ready yet. Evanochko's steady hand guided the Phoenix through the growing pains last season and is the right point man for this squad. A second-team all-Horizon pick last season, Evanochko also averaged 15.8 points along with a second-best 5.2 assists per game. Kowalczyk has stockpiled much of the height from Wisconsin's high school ranks for the last three years. He's picked up a couple of key guards recently in freshman Troy Cotton and now Bryquis Perine, who recently committed to the school from Milwaukee Vincent. At 6-2, Perine is capable of playing both the point and off-guard positions. Green Bay also has received commitments from J.J. Henley, a 6-7, 210-pounder from Chicago Lincoln Park and 5-10 guard Rahmon Fletcher of Kansas City (Mo.) Paseo. STRENGTHS Energetic SF Terry Evans has already made his mark as a defensive player and has shown that his offensive skills are catching up quickly. Much like Marquette University, where coach Tod Kowalczyk was an assistant before joining Green Bay, the Phoenix's offense consists of several set plays and strict ball-handling. With more experience in the system, the five returning starters should know more of what's expected of them when they touch the ball. WEAKNESSES For all the experienced gained last season as a group of freshmen, the Phoenix is still primarily dominated by sophomores. Are they ready to take the next step? Defensive discipline is also a concern. And if opponents can sustain a high tempo, the Phoenix may not be able to keep up that kind of intensity up for 40 minutes. LAST YEAR 15-16 overall, 8-8 (T-3) in the Horizon League, lost in semifinals of the Horizon League tournament. HEAD COACH Tod Kowalczyk (career 59-58) fourth season at Green Bay (59-58). QUOTE TO NOTE "I have to allow him to take some gambles and take some risks because he's good at it." - Coach Tod Kowalczyk to the Green Bay Press-Gazette on sophomore F Terry Evans, an all-defensive team honoree who was third in the league in steals (50) and sixth in blocks (29). www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISGB/9777841
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:07:36 GMT -5
Ramblers report: Nov. 4, 2006 This could be the year of the Rambler. With its top four scorers returning, Loyola is considered a heavy favorite to win the Horizon League title. The Ramblers also possess the league's most heralded player, senior Blake Schilb. A two-time first-team all-Horizon player and true point guard at 6-foot-7, Schilb not only can post up opposing guards and score with regularity (19.1 points per game as a junior) but has also shown a knack for rebounding and handling the ball in the open court. Coach Jim Whitesell, entering his third season, has revived a program that hasn't tasted success on a consistent basis since the 1950s and 60s. He has transformed Schilb into a likely NBA draft pick for 2007 and is restocking the program with talented athletes sought after by high-major and mid-major programs alike. Add guard J.R. Blount and forward Leon Young, two sophomores who took the league by storm as freshmen, and the forecast is nothing but sunny on Chicago's North Side. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS Freshman F Andy Polka led his Oshkosh West High School team to a state championship with an undefeated record and was subsequently named Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin. Already, Polka is showing why he was a steal for Loyola's rising program. The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder is a tough player to box out, so teams facing the Ramblers must account for him near the hoop. Cortney Horton comes to back home to Chicago after a stop at Southeastern Iowa Community College. A 6-2 junior, Horton will be counted on to be a disruptive force in the backcourt defensively and provide an athletic flair back the other way. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: If Loyola can get past Princeton in the first round of the BCA Classic on Nov. 10, it'll get a crack at tournament host Ohio State, widely considered a Top-10 team. How the Ramblers handle themselves here could go a long way in determining if their mid-major depth can stand up to a high-major opponent. The Ramblers' first Horizon League game will be Dec. 2 at home against UW-Green Bay, another program on the move that was picked to finish second in the league. The tough slate continues Dec. 16 and Dec. 19 against 2006 NCAA qualifiers Northern Iowa and Bradley, respectively. PROGRAM DIRECTION Loyola last won a national championship in 1963 and hasn't graced the post-season since 1985. That may change soon. The Ramblers have the most experience of any Horizon League team, previous stalwarts such as UW-Milwaukee and Butler are mired in the rebuilding phase and challengers such as Detroit and Illinois-Chicago lack the depth owned by Loyola. A strong finish to 2005-'06 and has optimism running high, and anything less than an NCAA berth around these parts would be considered a disappointment. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP Submit in this order and format: PG Blake Schilb, SG J.R. Blount, SF Majak Kou, PF Leon Young, C Brandon Woods. ROSTER REPORT Blake Schilb was held out of the Ramblers' lone exhibition game on Oct. 31 because of a dislocated left pinky finger but was expected to be ready in time for the season opener against Princeton on Nov. 10. In addition to being the Horizon pre-season pick for player of the year, Schilb is also a Wooden Award candidate. Last season, he earned All-America honorable mention recognition from the Associated Press, becoming the first Loyola player to gain that since 1985. J. R. Blount started the first 16 games before missing six games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 8 due to a stress fracture in his left foot. He returned with authority and sparked Loyola's run to the Horizon League tournament semifinals, and played 35 minutes in the exhibition opener. Loyola thought it would have highly-touted Canadian forward Marvell Waithe on board, but his paperwork was not approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse in time for this year. Several appeals were unsuccessful and he now is reportedly back home playing club ball in Toronto. Leon Young is sporting a new look - his infamous afro has been shaved off - but his game is expected to be as strong as ever. He easily made the league's all-newcomer team after averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and posted five-double-doubles as well. STRENGTHS Much of the attention is focused on senior Blake Schilb, but in crunch time, sophomore G J.R. Blount has proven himself to be just as reliable. The heady 6-1 guard plays smart and often plays like a second point guard alongside Schilb. Senior G Majak Kou is a defensive force who contributed a quiet 12.8 points per game last season. Experience will be this team's strength in a league undergoing a serious overhaul in the coaching and player ranks. The Ramblers can also shoot from the perimeter. Schilb wasn't one of the top four 3-point qualifiers during the team's Midnight Madness 3-point contest. WEAKNESSES The Ramblers are a Blake Schilb injury away from mediocrity. Schilb missed the Ramblers' exhibition contest against NAIA foe Robert Morris on Halloween, and it was a frightful experience. The Ramblers needed a late comeback to avoid the major upset. Whether that game serves as a wake-up call remains to be seen. LAST YEAR 19-11 overall, 8-8 (T-3) in the Horizon League. HEAD COACH Jim Whitesell (Career 310-222); third year at Loyola, (32-28). QUOTE TO NOTE "I've told my mom and my coach this: If we don't make it to the (NCAA) tournament, I don't know if I could continue playing basketball. -- All-Horizon G Blake Schilb to the Chicago Sun-Times on returning to Loyola for his senior season after testing the NBA draft and the Ramblers' high expectations foe 2006-'07. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/LOYCHI/9777838
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:05:08 GMT -5
Flames report: Nov. 4, 2006 Illinois-Chicago may be one of the best-kept secrets in the Horizon League. While schools like Butler and Wisconsin-Milwaukee usually dominate the few national headlines the league grabs, 11-year veteran coach Jimmy Collins has quietly built a reputable program in Chicago that has won 20 or more games in three of the past five years. In that stretch, the Flames have appeared in the NCAA Tournament twice (2002 and 2004) and reached the NIT once (2003). Now equipped with the proper personnel at all positions, the Flames may be poised to return to their most recent glory days. Not only can Chicago get up and down the floor with ease, they may finally have the inside presence to slow the game down in the half-court set. The Flames boast two of the Horizon's top newcomers, junior forward Othyus Jeffers and sophomore Josh Mayo. Both were named to the Horizon League all-newcomer team, and Jeffers earned preseason second-team accolades. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS A pair of transfers, Scott VanderMeer and T.J. Gray, are expected to step in immediately and possibly rack the rotation. VanderMeer played one season at Bowling Green and, at 6-11, could be the tallest player in the Horizon League. Gray, who played high school ball at Chicago Julian, spent two seasons at Western Illinois. Jovan Ignjatovic, a 6-9 forward, joins the fray after sitting out 2005-'06 as a redshirt. Spencer Stewart is a 6-4 guard who hails from Edwardsville, Ill., and was a second-team Class AA all-state pick as a high school senior. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Chicago Challenge Invite pits the Flames against Sweet 16 qualifier Bradley in Peoria, Ill., on Nov. 15. Outside of that, and matchups against Illinois and Mississippi, UIC's schedule lacks the oomph it did in 2005-'06, which likely built the toughness that resulted in its late-season surge. Tipping off Bradley could be a sign of better days ahead for the Flames. PROGRAM DIRECTION Chicago has more depth than it has since its stretch of postseason runs from 2002 through 2004. While the team has its ups and downs, Othyus Jeffers and Josh Mayo have proved themselves as galvanizing individuals, and their enthusiasm should start to rub off on the others. In other words, Jimmy Collins and his crew are ready to climb back to the Horizon League's elite. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PG Josh Mayo, SG Karl White, SF Othyus Jeffers, PF Jovan Stefanov, C Danijel Zoric. ROSTER REPORT While other Flames were inconsistent at times last season, junior F Othyus Jeffers could be counted on night in and night out. He rebounded tough (7.6 average per game) and led the team in assists (3.0 average). His one weakness is free-throw shooting: Jeffers made just 53 percent of his attempts (80 of 151) as a sophomore. The Flames boast three athletes who hail from Serbia: Jovan Stefanov, Danijel Zoric and redshirt freshman Jovan Ignjatovic. Jovan Stefanov, at 6-9 and 230 pounds, can play four different positions, and his stats reflect that. Last season, Stefanov averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2,4 assists per game. Josh Mayo started 26 games as a freshman and finished third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game. His career-high of 23 points came Feb. 18 in the Bracket Buster Matchup at Murray State. He made at least one three-pointer in 25 games, including his last nine outings. STRENGTHS Othyus Jeffers may fool you with his cheesy smile, but he is a beast underneath the basket, averaging 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Jovan Stefanov and Danijel Zoric have the European flair to their game, and being more consistent will compliment their soft touch with the ball. If both areas, the front court and backcourt, can play in sync, Chicago will cause fits in the Horizon League, even for favorites like Loyola-Chicago and Wisconsin-Green Bay. WEAKNESSES Three-point shooting is such a problem that the Flames, if not careful, may find themselves all alone around the arc while opponents pack defenders in the paint. A consistent 3-point shooter lures the defense back outside, allowing Josh Mayo to penetrate and Othyus Jeffers to scoop up the offensive boards for putbacks. LAST YEAR 16-15 overall, 8-8 (T-3) in the Horizon League, lost in the Horizon League tournament quarterfinal. HEAD COACH Jimmy Collins (career 162-138); 162-138, 11th season at Chicago. QUOTE TO NOTE "We are expecting him to take his game to another level this season. His jump shot has surfaced and he is shooting very well. He has always been a very good driver, but now he is in more control of what he does." -- UIC coach Jimmy Collins, as quoted in the Near West Gazette, on preseason second-team All-Horizon pick Othyus Jeffers. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/ILLCHI/9777835
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:03:00 GMT -5
Titans report: Nov. 4, 2006 With health finally working in its favor, at least for now, Detroit is gearing up for a serious run at the Horizon League championship. Long considered one of the Horizon's most dangerous teams, the Titans have been a thorn in the side of teams like Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Butler, teams that eventually went on to postseason success. With those teams rebuilding, Detroit could knock off less-seasoned teams like Loyola-Chicago and Wisconsin-Green Bay on its way to the top. Perry Watson, the dean of Horizon League coaches, is entering his 14th season. Even when his program is having an off-year, like the injury-decimated 2005-'06 campaign, his mastery leads Detroit to steal a victory or two. Brandon Cotton, a two-time all-Horizon second-team selection, is an uncontrollable force on offense. He averaged 17.5 points overall but stepped up that average to 18.8 points in the Titans' league games. Ryvon Covile returns to Detroit's lineup after missing all of last season due to a knee injury. Even without the 6-8 Covile roaming the post, Detroit still finished second in the league in rebounding margin (4.1) last season. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS Perry Watson added four players to the 2007 recruiting class, including Russell Allen. The 6-8, 225-pounder from Paris, Ky., averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds last year for Bourbon County High School. Allen is joined by 5-10 G Woody Payne, 6-6 junior-college transfer Theron Washington, and 6-4 freshman Eulis Stephens. Justin Sample, a 6-8 center, made a brief appearance as a freshman but wound up redshirting last season after injuring his ankle in the first game. He'll join Ryvon Covile as the tallest of the Titans. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Detroit opens the season Nov. 13 and 14 with two games as part of the CBE Classic hosted by Marquette University in Milwaukee. If the Titans can get past Maine, they'll likely encounter Marquette, which took the Big East by storm last season and would force Detroit's pieces to fall in line quickly. The Titans will have to regroup quickly as they head to Ohio for a matchup with Mid-American Conference champion Kent State. PROGRAM DIRECTION Injuries notwithstanding, no one wanted to face Detroit last season, and with good reason. Now that their personnel have stabilized, taking on the Titans is more daunting than before. The two Brandons -- Bell and Cotton -- could form a dangerous backcourt for the next two years and could be the springboard that puts Detroit back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since this millennium. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PG Brandon Bell, SG Brandon Cotton, SF Zach Everingham, PF Theron Washington, C Ryvon Covile. ROSTER REPORT Brandon Cotton played most of the 2005-06 season with pins in his left hand following an offseason car accident. Cotton is right-handed but often dribbles with his left hand. Despite the injury, Cotton still managed to start 29 of Detroit's 32 games and average 17.5 points, which was fifth in the league last year. Cotton, who earned all-Horizon second-team recognition and was a pre-season pick for the first team, received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA in October. He saw action in just three games as a freshman at Michigan State in 2003-'04 before being setback by injuries. Therefore, Cotton will be listed as a junior eligibility-wise. And look out: Cotton could already be a favorite for the 2007-'08 Horizon player of the year. Detroit lost both of its frontcourt starters, Torvoris Baker and Chuck Bailey, but welcomes an infusion of talent at those slots. One is a familiar face: 6-9 senior C Ryvon Covile. He was a member of the league's all-defensive team in 2004-'05 but missed all of last season with a knee injury. In addition, 6-8 freshmen posts Justin Sample and Russell Allen provide depth there as well. It really must be in the genes. Two Titans players have brothers who are playing in the NBA. Brandon Bell, a sophomore transfer from Marquette University, is the brother of Milwaukee Bucks G Charlie Bell. Muhammad Abdur-Rahim's brother, Shareef, plays for the Sacramento Kings. Jon Goode is great from beyond the arc. The 5-10 junior guard nailed 59 of 143 3-point attempts, a 41 percent clip, last season. Perry Watson is the Horizon League's all-time winningest coach with 122 victories. He begins his 14th season with 243 victories overall STRENGTHS With a stronger backcourt surrounding him and bulked-up frontcourt to complement him, junior G Brandon Cotton will be open more often and allowed to create even more havoc. Jon Goode, the Titans' top 3-point shooter last season, averaged 11 points and 3.3 assists per game. Yet for all the talk about Cotton and Detroit's ability to score, it's the Titans' defense that is worth noting. Detroit gave up just 65.1 points per game on average. WEAKNESSES Having several guards standing 6-foot and under makes for an exciting style and opens the court in transition. It also causes matchup problems individually, which could leave the Titans' guards exposed by taller guards, who can score easily in the post. And one or two injuries could zap all of the optimism out of this season, putting Detroit back at square one. LAST YEAR 16-16 overall, 8-8 (T-3) in the Horizon League; lost in quarterfinals of Horizon League tournament. HEAD COACH Perry Watson (career 243-156); 13th year at Detroit (243-156). QUOTE TO NOTE "We had to put (assistant coaches) out there just to have a practice. You have to deal with injuries and make the best of it But being healthy is a blessing." -- Coach Perry Watson to the Detroit Free Press on having a healthy squad to start the 2006-'07 season. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/DETMER/9777832
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Post by Retired Coach on Nov 6, 2006 10:01:07 GMT -5
Vikings report: Nov. 4, 2006 Gary Waters needed a fresh start after a five-year tenure at Rutgers that fell short of expectations. Cleveland State needed a men's basketball coach after Mike Garland resigned having led the Vikings to only 23 wins in three seasons. It was a marriage begging to be consummated. And Waters is back in Ohio, where he had so much success at Kent State before taking the Rutgers job. Waters inherits a veteran team - nine starters and four starters return - but he also must combat the recent tradition of losing that's overtaken the program. The hope is this season's squad takes to Waters' coaching and surprises in Horizon League play. From the start, Waters has admitted rebuilding will take some time, but he also likes the core that returns. "I'm going to say that the foundation is somewhat here, we just have to mold some of these young men and move them in a different direction," Waters said at his introductory press conference. "I don't want to say the right direction, in a different direction." Sophomore forward J'Nathan Bullock, the team's leading scorer a season ago, is a player Waters can build around, and the team's guard play is expected to be a strength. Look for Waters to stress a more aggressive approach on both ends of the floor. SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS Freshman Joe Davis and junior Breyohn Watson will contend for playing time in the backcourt. Davis, a well-regarded Ohio high school player, adds scoring punch. Sophomore Tristan Crawford (6-3, 170) will also be in the mix at guard after sitting out last season. Junior F Kevin Francis (6-8, 200) has caught the eye of the coaching staff. KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Vikings will draw some national attention in the early days of the season, as George Mason travels to Cleveland on Nov. 11. Trips to Kansas State (Dec. 5) and Ohio State (Dec. 9) are the types of marquee games head coach Gary Waters can use in recruiting, but a better measuring stick for the Vikings will come in the Nov. 17-19 America's Youth Classic in Evansville, Ind. Cleveland State will play Buffalo, Evansville and Miami (Fla.). Finally, in a game that will hold much sentimental value for Waters, the Vikings host Kent State on Nov. 29. PROGRAM DIRECTION Gary Waters and Cleveland State appears to be an ideal match. Waters knows the state of Ohio from his time at Kent State, and he should thrive in a return to the smaller stage after his tenure at Rutgers. PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP PG Carlos English, SG Victor Morris, SF/WG Raheem Moss, PF J'Nathan Bullock, F Patrick Tatham. ROSTER REPORT Junior F Kevin Francis, a newcomer, played on the Canadian Junior National team the last two years. Greg Vlosich missed last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee; if healthy, he could see time in the backcourt. Waters has been busy on the recruiting trail. Waters added three transfers who will be eligible in the 2007-08 season, including Cedric Jackson, who played at St. John's. STRENGTHS The Vikings boast impressive guard depth. As many as six guards could push for playing time. That's good news for a team that wants to pick up the tempo in Gary Waters' first season with the program. The Vikings also have one of the conference's players to watch in F J'Nathan Bullock, who led the team in scoring last season as a freshman. WEAKNESSES The Vikings don't have much size or bulk in the post. Cleveland State will have to use a mix of hustle and good execution to hold its own both on the boards and in the low post. LAST YEAR 10-18 overall, 5-11 in the Horizon League, lost in first round of conference tournament. HEAD COACH Gary Waters (career 171-135); first year at Cleveland State. QUOTE TO NOTE "The positive thing about this year's team is the balance that exists between the returners and the new guys, especially at guard. Our new players are pretty talented and they are pushing the returners every day and both groups are getting better." - Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/CLEVST/9777829
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