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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:13:07 GMT -5
Flames report: Notes, quotes April 5, 2006 --The Flames had the capability of putting together some outstanding scoring nights and getting quite hot at give moments. However, the team's undoing proved to be their defensive lapses. UIC allowed opponents to score 70.0 ppg -- ranking eighth in the nine-team Horizon League. --The Flames were a very solid rebounding team this year. They had a plus-3.8 rebounds per game edge on their opponents -- ranking third in the Horizon League. THE RECORDS 16-15, 8-8 (tied for third in Horizon League), lost in second round of conference tournament. HOW THE SEASON ENDED The inconsistent Flames appeared to be surging as they approached the conference tournament. They won five of their last regular-season games before punishing Wright State 77-64 in the first round. However, when they went to Milwaukee to play UWGB in the second round, the team's porous defense came into play once again. They could not contain the red-hot outside shooting of the Phoenix and went down to a 76-66 defeat. QUOTE TO NOTE That man always kills us. He found the guys that were hot -- (Ryan) Tillema, (Ryan) Werch. Then all of a sudden it became contagious." -- UIC head coach Jimmy Collins on the play of UWGB's Ryan Evanochko, who handed out 14 assists to seal UIC's fate in the team's second-round loss to the Phoenix. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/ILLCHI/9358526 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:14:20 GMT -5
Ramblers report: Getting inside April 5, 2006 It was just an outside chance. Some may have said it was just a prayer. But it was a prayer that was not answered. The Ramblers' season is over. After losing to Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Horizon League tournament, the Ramblers knew they had little chance of playing postseason basketball in the NIT. But when the selection committee of that venerable tournament finished putting teams in brackets, Loyola was not one of them. Disappointment goes with rejection, but don't think the Ramblers don't have something to work with. The return of Blake Schilb gives the Ramblers an anchor, a strong candidate for the 2006-07 player of the year award in the Horizon League. Majak Kou will also be back and he brings his great defensive skills and superior leaping ability with him. Coach Jim Whitesell will also have Leon Young manning his front court, and after a brilliant freshman season he should be ready to become a dominant player. Disappointment? Yes. But the future looks good for this athletic team. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/LOYCHI |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:15:04 GMT -5
Ramblers report: Strategy and personnel April 5, 2006 THE GOOD NEWS The Ramblers had a consistent offense this season, led by Blake Schilb, who averaged 19.1 ppg and connected on 46.6 percent from the field. Majak Kou was the second-leading shot blocker in the Horizon League and also averaged 12.8 ppg. Freshman Leon Washington averaged 10.4 ppg and led the team with 7.4 boards per game. THE BAD NEWS The Ramblers finished the season on a positive note, but they were inconsistent before that. They hadn't won more than two games in a row since mid-December. Head coach Jim Whitesell needs a more even effort from this team. KEY RETURNEES The Ramblers had just one senior on the team this year -- guard Chris Logan -- and the core of Schilb, Kou and Washington should make this team a legitimate Horizon League contender. In addition to that trio, guard J.R. Blount averaged 11.3 ppg. ROSTER REPORT --G Majak Kou rated second in the league with his 1.52 blocks-per-game average and was fourth at 1.62 steals per outing. Those numbers put Kou on the Horizon's All-Defensive Team, but he also averaged 12.8 points per game to rank 12th on the league scoring chart. --F Leon Young earned a spot on the Horizon's All-Freshman Team. He ranked fifth in the league at 7.3 rebounds per game to support his 10.8 points-per-game mark. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/LOYCHI/9358532 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:15:56 GMT -5
Ramblers report: Notes, quotes April 5, 2006 --The Ramblers were 19-11 overall, posting the program's most wins since 1984-85, when Loyola went 27-6 and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. --Loyola proved it could shoot the ball. The Ramblers were the No. 2 field goal percentage team in the Horizon League, making 45.5 percent of their shots. They were also stellar at the line. They made 75.4 percent of their free throws -- the best percentage in the Horizon League. THE RECORDS 19-11, 8-8 (tied for third in Horizon League), lost in semifinals of conference tournament. HOW THE SEASON ENDED The Ramblers were rolling -- until they met UWM in the conference semifinals. They had won five games in a row before the Panthers dismantled them 80-66. Nevertheless, coach Jim Whitesell had a solid-looking team the last three weeks of the year. QUOTE TO NOTE "I'll be happy to take that call. The NIT is a great tournament. We'll go anywhere. We'd love to play another game." -- Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell on his team's aspirations to keep playing this season ... but the call never came. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/LOYCHI/9358531 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:16:56 GMT -5
Phoenix report: Getting inside April 5, 2006 The three-point shot was instrumental in UWGB's two-game stay in the Horizon League tournament. The third-seeded Phoenix made 11 three-point shots in their victory over UIC on March 6, but found themselves on the other end of a barrage in a semifinal loss to Butler. The Bulldogs made 12-of-29 from beyond the arc while UWGB came back with only 3-of-13. Butler raced out to a 21-point halftime lead and registered an easy 73-51 victory. Butler was on fire in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 59.7 percent from the field. While the Phoenix had plenty of fire power of their own, they did not have enough to corral the Bulldogs. UWGB head coach Todd Kowalczyk was clearly disappointed by his team's finish, but he was very happy with the win over UIC in which Ryan Evanochko handed out 14 assists. That kind of unselfish play is the way Kowalczyk teaches his team to play. "It's been a rewarding team to coach," said Kowalczyk. "With our youth there came some moments of inconsistency, but to combat that there have been a lot of moments of eagerness to learn and eagerness to get better." With a bit more size and strength, UWGB will have the versatility to play a more solid all-around game and compete for the title in the Horizon League next season. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISGB |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:17:38 GMT -5
Phoenix report: Strategy and personnel April 5, 2006 THE GOOD NEWS In a league with many teams that lack all-around fundamental talents, the Phoenix are grounded in that area. They hustle for 40 minutes, they shoot and pass the ball well and they have a very solid coach. The core of their team -- Ryan Evanochko, Terry Evans, Mike Schachtner and Josh Lawrence -- return in tact. THE BAD NEWS UWGB has good talent, but it's unlikely that head coach Todd Kowalczyk will ever bring superior talent up to the Resch Center. The Phoenix plays with toughness and will hustle every game, but they can get overpowered by bigger, stronger teams. That will likely remain an issue. KEY RETURNEES Ryan Evanochko is an outstanding point guard who will be back for his senior season. He always seems to make the right pass and keep mistakes to a minimum. Schachtner averaged 10.3 ppg and shot 46.5 percent from the field. He could easily push his average over the 15.0 ppg mark. Lawrence (9.2 ppg) can score from inside or outside but needs to get tougher as a rebounder. ROSTER REPORT --F Josh Lawrence was a consistent threat from beyond the arc. He made 44.6 percent of his three-point shots (ranked first in the league) and also made 83.0 percent of his free throws. --F Terry Evans is a defensive stalwart. He had 50 steals this season, breaking Tony Bennett's freshman record of 49 set in 1988-89. Evans earned All-Horizon Defensive Team honors, averaging 1.67 steals (third in the league) and 0.97 blocks. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISGB/9358533 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:18:20 GMT -5
Phoenix report: Notes, quotes April 5, 2006 --The Phoenix made 11 three-pointers in their 76-66 victory over UIC March 3. That gave UWGB 201 three-pointers, the third-most in the history of the school. The win ended a four-game Horizon League tournament losing streak for the Phoenix. UWGB's last tournament win had been a 49-48 win over Butler in the 2002 quarterfinals. --UWGB's lack of physical play and aggressiveness was an issue all season. The Phoenix ranked eighth in the Horizon League in blocked shots per game (2.13) and steals (5.10). THE RECORDS 15-16, 8-8 (tied for third in Horizon League), lost in semifinals of conference tournament HOW THE SEASON ENDED The Phoenix struggled with consistency all season, and that trend continued during the regular-season home stretch and in the Horizon League tournament. UWGB appeared to be rounding into form with wins over Loyola and Youngstown State in mid-February. However, they followed with losses to Butler and Fairleigh Dickinson in the Bracket Busters game. After beating Cleveland State in the regular-season finale, the Phoenix punished UIC in the first round of the conference tournament. However, they could not handle versatile Butler in the conference semifinals. QUOTE TO NOTE "They jumped out early and we had a hard time handling that adversity. Obviously it's a disappointing loss." -- UWGB head coach Tod Kowalczyk on his team's loss to Butler in the Horizon League tournament semifinals. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISGB/9358534 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:19:17 GMT -5
Panthers report: Getting inside April 5, 2006 Wisconsin-Milwaukee could not match Florida when it came to firepower and versatility in the second round of the NCAA tournament, and the Panthers dropped an 82-60 decision. Not only did UW-Milwaukee's dreams of a second consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16 get swept away by an athletic group of Gators, but the college careers of Joah Tucker, Boo Davis and Adrian Tigert came to an end. Those three seniors were the key components of head coach Rob Jeter's offense and also took the leadership role as well. But history says that the Panthers will not just turn into an ordinary team in the Horizon League next year. Not only does this team recruit well, but Jeter will now have another offseason to install his motion offense. Jeter's specialty is offensive basketball, from movement to passing to finding the best shot. His offensive game plan isn't easy to learn, but he does get impressive results. Jeter also used high-pressure defensive tactics to win the Horizon League regular-season title as well as the conference tournament title. It also got UWM past Oklahoma in the first round of the tournament. Jeter has some reloading to do after saying goodbye to stars like Tucker, Davis and Tigert. However, he showed after his first year at the helm that he is ready for the challenges of leading a big-time Division I team. So while this team loses its senior leadership, the overriding feeling is that UWM will be back among the Horizon League contenders again relatively quickly. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISMIL |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:19:55 GMT -5
Panthers report: Strategy and personnel April 5, 2006 THE GOOD NEWS The Panthers know how to prepare themselves for big games. They did it last year when they beat Alabama and Boston College in the NCAA tournament and they did it again this year with the win over Oklahoma. Slowly but surely, UWM is raising its status much like Gonzaga did in the 1990s. THE BAD NEWS The core of this team is made up of seniors. Joah Tucker, Boo Davis and Adrian Tigert all move on. In addition to their skills, all three were significant leaders. It will be tough for head coach Rob Jeter to make up for those losses -- even if he has a solid recruiting year. KEY RETURNEES G Avery Smith saw action in every game this season coming off the Panther bench. He averaged 4.7 ppg in 14.1 minutes of action per night. Jeter hopes G Allan Hanson can make a step up after averaging 2.7 ppg. --Adrian Tigert finished his career with school records for appearances (120) and starts (117). He also is the school's Division I rebounding leader with 760 and the all-time minutes leader with 3,365. Tigert's 27 points against the Gators were a career-high. He finishes his career with 1,060 points, good for 19th on the school's all-divisions all-time list. --Boo Davis finished his career with 832 points and 147 made three-pointers www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISMIL/9358537 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:21:04 GMT -5
Panthers report: Notes, quotes April 5, 2006 --The Panthers finished the season with 22 wins, the fifth-most in school history. --UW-Milwaukee's 60 points against Florida marked its lowest offensive output since scoring 54 in a loss at Wright State Feb. 2. --The Panthers shot 36.1 percent from the field, the lowest mark since a 33.9 percent outing against Missouri State Feb. 18. --Florida's 82 points are the most by an opponent since UIC scored 94 on Feb. 15. They are the most allowed by the Panthers in a non-overtime game since allowing 84 Jan. 14 at UW-Green Bay. THE RECORDS 22-9, 12-4 (first in Horizon League), lost in second round of NCAA tournament HOW THE SEASON ENDED Before winning the regular-season finale and their two games in the Horizon League tournament, the Panthers had lost four of six games and did not look impressive. However, Rob Jeter rallied his players by convincing them that a return to tough and consistent defense could lead to another solid run in the NCAA tournament. QUOTE TO NOTE "Look at his stat line. He's been like this for us all year. He just takes what the other teams will give and he's a very patient player." -- Head coach Rob Jeter on the play of F Adrian Tigert in the season-ending loss to Florida. Tigert had a game-high 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting and also had eight rebounds and three assists. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/WISMIL/9358536 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:22:15 GMT -5
Penguins report: Getting inside April 5, 2006 A 7-21 season doesn't seem like much to brag about, but don't think for a minute that head coach Jerry Slocum or Penguin fans are complaining. The seven wins represent the most victories Youngstown State has had since it joined the Horizon League. The team feels like it is moving in the right direction. Not only has Slocum had success at the Division II and NAIA levels, he seems to have brought more focus to the Penguins than they have had in the past. The other reason for the developing confidence is the presence of All-Horizon League player Quin Humphrey, who averaged 19.2 ppg, shot 49.5 percent from the field and carried the team on his shoulders. He should return for his senior season and has a couple of solid teammates in guard Keston Roberts and forward John Barber. Roberts should provide decent complementary scoring while Barber is a versatile player who could become a key factor if he can improve off the boards. The Penguins lost Domonique Crawford, who averaged 10.8 ppg off the bench, but Youngstown State is hoping New Mexico State transfer Byron Davis can fill his role. This team may have struggled, but there is hope for the future. That's the first time Penguin supporters have been able to say that in years. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/YST |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:22:55 GMT -5
Penguins report: Strategy and personnel April 5, 2006 THE GOOD NEWS The Penguins can score and have an outstanding go-to player in Quin Humphrey. He was a first-team All-Horizon League player on a team that struggled nearly every night because his play was consistent. Head coach Jerry Slocum will build the team around Humphrey next year. THE BAD NEWS Youngstown State struggled on the defensive end every night. Not only did they allow more points per game than any team in the league -- 71.7 -- many of the fundamentals were not there and the Penguins were forced to play from behind nearly each game. As a result, they wore down in early February and never recovered. KEY RETURNEES Humphrey is the key to this team and he will be joined by guard Keston Roberts and forward John Barber. Roberts is an excellent complementary player to Humphrey who scored 14.0 ppg and shot 80.3 percent from the free-throw line. Barber averaged 7.0 ppg and 4.4 rebounds a night and should improve in his junior season. ROSTER REPORT --G Domonique Crawford was a very solid offensive threat for the Penguins this season, averaging 10.8 ppg and shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Crawford also provided the Penguins with senior leadership. --G Quin Humphrey, in addition to averaging 19.2 ppg and shooting 49.5 percent from the field, also led the team with 8.3 rebounds per night. www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/YST/9358543 |
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Post by Fastbreak on May 8, 2006 7:23:41 GMT -5
Penguins report: Notes, quotes April 5, 2006 --YSU has lost four straight Horizon League Tournament games. Since joining the league, the Penguins are 1-5 in the postseason. --The 76-61 loss to Loyola in the conference tournament gave the Ramblers an 8-7 lead in the all-time series. While they didn't make it to the 70-point level against Youngstown State, the Penguins have scored 70 or more against Loyola in six of the past eight meetings. THE RECORDS 7-21, 4-12 (ninth in Horizon League), lost in first round of the Horizon League tournament. HOW THE SEASON ENDED The Penguins were in over their heads for most of the season, but their seven-win total was a two-game upgrade over last year. While there are many miles to go -- especially after closing the season on a nine-game losing streak -- the belief is that Jerry Slocum is a good coach who can help this team improve. QUOTE TO NOTE "They did an excellent job controlling the ball, controlling the tempo of the game. They just continued to build on the lead at the end and we sort of broke down." -- Penguins guard Quin Humphrey www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/teams/report/YST/9358542 |
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Post by greenbayfan on May 8, 2006 11:54:40 GMT -5
The Horizon League is going to be very strong next year. Wright State and Loyola should be the favorites. Milwaukee, Green Bay and Detroit should be right behind, certainly able to win the conference. Youngstown State and UIC are able to beat any team.
It will be a great year to watch the Horizon League games!
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Post by Retired Coach on May 12, 2006 22:37:12 GMT -5
The Horizon League is going to be very strong next year. Wright State and Loyola should be the favorites. Milwaukee, Green Bay and Detroit should be right behind, certainly able to win the conference. Youngstown State and UIC are able to beat any team. It will be a great year to watch the Horizon League games! I agree. The Horizon League should be much improved next year. |
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