There are some really good coaches in the Horizon League. Jimmy Collins was really good back when I was on a staff that faced him in the late 90s, and has been to 3 NCAAs and an NIT since. Homer Drew is a legend at Valpo (and could pass for a man twenty years his junior). Brad Stevens at Butler appears to be the best young coach in the country.
Author: Jay Pearlman
Horizon Notebook: Greatest Week Ever (Ha!), Plus Four Ideas
Let it be first said in this space, loudly and clearly: the eight days stretching from Friday December 19th, 2008 through Friday December 26th, 2008 likely were the greatest single week in the history of the Horizon League. And that would make last night—Tuesday December 23, 2008—the greatest single night.
Horizon League Notebook – Scheduling Issues and Cupcakes
If you’re inferring some annoyance on the part of this writer with schools scheduling “cupcakes,” well, you’re inferring correctly. In addition to Detroit’s game this past week with Aquinas, Jimmy Collins’ vaunted UIC team played D-II Lewis College (a school I’d never heard of), and on its upcoming three-game home stand, Cleveland State will play both D-III La Roche College and D-III Notre Dame College (that’s not the Notre Dame we all know and love – the one CSU should be playing). If any of these schools find themselves on the wrong side of the bubble for an at-large NCAA bid (or for an NIT bid), they need look no further than their own schedules to learn why.
Horizon League Notebook – Conference Games in December
Coaches (present and former) come out differently about conference games in December. “Purists” are vehemently against, claiming this time of year is for learning and teaching, often claiming they’re not ready to begin conference play. A former (and still often) purist, I love league games in December, jumping right into games with real meaning and intensity.
Horizon League Notebook – Early Showdown between Butler and Cleveland State
Butler Bulldogs have completed the first portion of their non-conference schedule undefeated, and will bring a 5-0 record into Wolstein Center Thursday night to face preseason Horizon favorite Cleveland State.
Horizon Notebook: Wide-Open Race with CSU’s Defeat
With CSU Soundly Beaten in Seattle, the Horizon is Officially Wide Open
Horizon Notebook
Horizon League Notebook by Jay Pearlman UW-Milwaukee made quick work of Loyola-Marymount on Friday, leading from start to finish to win 75-51. Two newcomers led the way, as JUCO transfer guard Tone Boyle (Highland Community) scored 20 (8-14, 4-8 in treys), and 6-8 freshman Tony Meier (St. Louis) scored 14 […]
Northeastern Still Seeks Program-Changing Win
Janning and Northeastern Miss Opportunity by Jay Pearlman ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s going to happen, certainly. A good and improving Northeastern team had yet another opportunity for a program-changing win last night, an opportunity as good as any that program has had since Bill Coen took over as head […]
Valparaiso’s Talented Freshman
Second De’Andre Enters Horizon by Jay Pearlman VALPARAISO, Ind. – For a second straight Saturday night this writer ventured over the border into Indiana, again to a gym I’d never been to before. This time, it was in the bedroom community of Valparaiso in the suburban Chicago section of Indiana […]
Akron Tries To Reload
Akron Falls Back to the Pack by Jay Pearlman AKRON, Ohio – Two years ago the Zips won the Eastern Division of the Mid-American Conference, and came within a point of the NCAA Tournament, losing the conference tourney final to Miami 53-52. Weakened a bit by graduation (specifically that of […]
