Midconfans News 1/31/2007

SUU sets sights on a winning season--The Spectrum

Notebook--The Detroit Free Press

Oakland sophomore Jessica Pike (Clawson) is the Mid-Continent player of the week after averaging 18 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in wins over Oral Roberts and Centenary.

Pike receives Mid-Con honors--The Oakland Press

Clawson High School graduate Jessica Pike was named the Mid-Continent Conference women’s basketball player of the week.
The sophomore’s play helped Oakland University win two games last week, including a 68-64 overtime victory over Oral Roberts to keep the Golden Grizzlies alone in first place.
Pike scored 11 of her careerhigh 23 points in the final 39 seconds of regulation to help OU overcome a double-digit deficit at Oral Roberts.
Pike averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the two victories.

Pike Garners Player of the Week Accolades--OUGrizzlies.com

Kangaroos Head West To Face Southern Utah On Saturday--UMKC Kangaroos

Leathernecks begin second half of Mid-Con slate with rematch versus Centenary--Western Illinois Athletics

McPherson hobbled with injury to ankle--The Post-Tribune
VU to play Western Michigan in BracketBusters--The NWI Times
“Inside Valpo Basketball” to Air On Lakeshore Public Television--www.valpo.edu
Crusaders Return Home; Host Mid-Con Leading Golden Eagles--www.valpo.edu

Gents Look for Season Sweep at Western Illinois--GoCentenary.Com

Mid-Continent: Power Rankings--The Tulsa World
Mid-Continent: Game of the Week: Oakland at IUPUI--The Tulsa World
Mid-Continent: Standings--The Tulsa World
Mid-Continent Notebook: Halfway home--The Tulsa World

Midconfans News 1/30/2007

Home is where the wins are--The Spectrum
LADY T-BIRDS REMAIN UNBEATEN AT HOME IN CONFERENCE PLAY--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Thunderbirds Host UMKC--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

COLLEGE HOOPS--The Detroit Free Press

OAKLAND 68, ORAL ROBERTS 64: Jessica Pike scored 23 points as the visiting Golden Grizzlies (10-10, 6-1 Mid-Continent) beat ORU (13-8, 3-4).

COLLEGE ROUNDUP--The Oakland Press

Oakland 68, Oral Roberts 64 OT
TULSA — Sophomore Jessica Pike (Clawson) tied a career high with 23 points, 11 of which were in the fi nal 39 seconds of regulation, to lead Oakland past Oral Roberts in overtime at the Mabee Center.
The Golden Grizzlies extended their win streak to six games while remaining atop the Mid-Continent Conference standings with a 6-1 league record.
Nicole Piggott added 13 points for Oakland (10-10, 6-1 Mid-Con). Sarah Davidson led Oral Roberts (13-8, 3-4) with 26 points and Elisha Turek added 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Oakland Keeps Streak Alive with Come From Behind OT Victory--OUGrizzlies.com

DEFENSE, BALANCED ATTACK LEADS IUPUI PAST CENTENARY, 67-55--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Valpo women edge UMKC--The Kansas City Star
UMKC Drops Close Contest To Valparaiso, 52-51--UMKC Kangaroos

Winds rally to defeat UMKC--The Macomb Journal
Western falls on the road during Mid-Con play for the first time with 50-46 loss to Southern Utah--Western Illinois Athletics

Leathernecks practice with, teach St. Paul Catholic School youth team--Western Illinois Athletics

VU BracketBuster game to be revealed Wednesday--The Post-Tribune
Berdiel’s professional hoops future is very bright--The Post-Tribune
Thursday Night is ‘Be Bold, Wear Gold’ Night at the ARC--www.valpo.edu
Crusaders to Face Off With Western Michigan--www.valpo.edu

VU women down UMKC for another close victory--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso finishes off road trip with another close call--The NWI Times
Valpo Comes From Behind to Down UMKC--www.valpo.edu

Ladies stay winless in Mid-Con--The Shreveport Times
Ladies Struggle Against IUPUI Monday--GoCentenary.Com

Oakland outlasts ORU--The Tulsa World
ORU Falls in Overtime to Oakland, 64-68--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

ORU will play Utah State in BracketBuster--The Tulsa World
ORU Receives O'Reilly ESPNU Bracket Buster TV Game; Hosts Utah State on Feb. 17--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles
Marchello Vealy Named Mid-Con Player of the Week--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

ORU seeks Mid-Con gold behind star Green
ORU's Vealy Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week--www.mid-con.com
ORU to Host Utah State on National TV as Part of BracketBusters--www.mid-con.com
Jan. 29 Men's Basketball Weekly Release--www.mid-con.com

Midcon 2007 week 6

Women's Standings

    Mid-Con Games     All Games
      W L Pct. Stk.  H   A   W  L Pct. Stk.   H   A    N
OU    7 1 .875  W7  3-1 4-0 11 10 .524  W7   6-3 5-7  0-0
VU    6 2 .750  W2  2-1 4-1 13  9 .591  W2   6-3 7-4  0-2
SUU   4 3 .571  W2  4-0 0-3  8 13 .571  W3   8-3 0-10 0-0
ORU   4 4 .500  W1  1-3 3-1 14  8 .636  W1   9-3 5-4  0-1
WIU   4 4 .500  L2  1-3 3-1  8 14 .364  L2   4-5 4-7  0-2
UMKC  3 4 .429  L2  2-3 1-1  7 15 .318  L2   4-6 3-8  0-1
IUPUI 3 5 .375  L1  1-1 2-4  8 13 .381  L1   4-3 4-10 0-0
CC    0 8 .000  L8  0-5 0-3  4 19 .174  L9   3-9 1-9  0-1

Monday, February 5
Ladies at Westerwinds, 7:00 PM CST (Video available here)
Lady Golden Eagles at Lady Crusaders, 7:00 PM CST (Video available here)
Lady Roos at Lady T-Birds, 7:00 PM MST
Chicago State at Lady Jaguars, 7:00 PM EST

Tuesday, February 6
Youngstown State at Lady Golden Grizzlies, 7:00 PM EST

Saturday, February 10
Lady T-Birds at Lady Golden Eagles, 2:00 PM CST
Lady Crusaders at Lady Golden Grizzlies, 3:30 PM EST
Lady Roos at Ladies, 4:30 PM CST
Westerwinds at Lady Jaguars, 4:30 PM

Men's Sagarin Ratings

  17  MID-CONTINENT           =  69.88      69.57  ( 18)   TEAMS=  8
College Basketball 2006-2007
Div I games only    through 2007 February 4 Sunday
HOME ADVANTAGE=  4.16    RATING    W   L  SCHEDL(RANK)
 104  Oral Roberts     =  76.95   15   8   72.75( 159)
 117  Oakland-Mich.    =  76.06   13  10   75.69(  57)
 144  Southern Utah    =  73.83   13   8   70.28( 244)
 153  Valparaiso       =  72.95   11  11   73.84( 127)
 222  IUPUI            =  68.03    8  12   71.18( 209)
 259  UMKC             =  65.28    7  15   72.04( 183)
 276  Centenary        =  63.91    7  17   71.08( 212)
 320  Western Illinois =  59.54    3  19   68.69( 303)

  17  MID-CONTINENT           =  69.88      69.57  ( 18)   TEAMS=  8
College Basketball 2006-2007
Div I games only    through 2007 February 4 Sunday
                    VS top 25 | VS top 50 |  PREDICTOR  
 104  Oral Roberts     1   1  |    1   3  |   76.41  106
 117  Oakland-Mich.    0   3  |    0   5  |   74.98  128
 144  Southern Utah    0   0  |    0   1  |   73.14  146
 153  Valparaiso       0   3  |    0   4  |   72.19  155
 222  IUPUI            0   1  |    0   2  |   68.27  210
 259  UMKC             0   1  |    0   3  |   64.63  259
 276  Centenary        0   0  |    0   2  |   63.57  276
 320  Western Illinois 0   1  |    0   1  |   61.56  300

Men's Standings

    Mid-Con Games     All Games
      W L   Pct.  Stk.  H   A   W  L  Pct.  Stk.  H   A    N
ORU   8 1   .889   W1  4-0 4-1 16  8 .667    W1  9-1 5-7  2-0
OU    7 1   .875   W2  3-0 4-1 14 10 .583    W2  7-1 6-8  1-1
VU    6 3   .667   W2  3-1 3-2 12 11 .522    W2  6-3 5-6  1-2
SUU   5 3   .625   W4  4-1 1-2 15  8 .652    W4 11-1 4-7  0-0
IUPUI 3 5   .375   L2  1-2 2-3 10 12 .455    L1  5-3 3-5  2-4
UMKC  3 5   .375   L1  3-3 0-2  8 16 .333    L1  7-4 0-11 1-1
CC    1 8   .111   L7  1-4 0-4  7 17 .292    L6  4-5 1-10 2-2
WIU   1 8   .111   L1  1-4 0-4  5 19 .208    L1  4-8 0-9  1-2

Monday, February 5
Crusaders at Chicago State, 7:00 PM CST

Thursday, February 8
T-Birds at Gents, 7:00 PM CST
Crusaders at Jaguars, 7:00 PM EST
Leathernecks at Golden Grizzlies, 7:00 PM EST
Roos at Golden Eagles, 7:00 PM CST

Saturday, February 10
Crusaders at Golden Grizzlies, 1:00 PM EST
Roos at Gents, 7:00 PM CST
Leathernecks at Jaguars, 7:00 PM EST
T-Birds at Golden Eagles, 7:00 PM CST

Midconfans News 1/29/2007

T-Bird women finding success at home--The Spectrum

Kangaroos Close Out January Against Crusaders, Looking To Keep Monday Winning Streak Alive--UMKC Kangaroos

Westerwinds conclude first half of Mid-Con play at Southern Utah --Western Illinois Athletics

VU at UMKC capsule--The NWI Times
Valpo Closes Out Road Trip Monday Night at UMKC--www.valpo.edu

Women's Basketball Faces IUPUI Monday at Gold Dome--GoCentenary.Com

Same goal, different paths for Suttons--The Tulsa World
ORU Breakdown--The Tulsa World
Questions with Kelvin Sango--The Tulsa World

Women: Oakland at Oral Roberts--The Tulsa World

Mid-Con teams scramble to catch ORU--The Spectrum

Midconfans News 1/28/2007

S. Utah 76, Valparaiso 60--The Chicago Tribune

SUU runs home streak to 3--deseretnews.com
Gaining ground--The Spectrum
SOUTHERN UTAH RUNS HOME WINNING STREAK TO THREE--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

So. Utah knocks off Valparaiso--deseretnews.com
SUU women win 3rd in a row at home--The Spectrum
Thunderbirds Top Valpo For Third Straight Win--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Nelson's big night leads Grizzlies--The Detroit Free Press
OU’s shooting too much for the Gents--The Oakland Press
Golden Grizzlies Win Fifth Straight with 73-61 Decision over Centenary--OUGrizzlies.com

COLLEGE HOOPS--The Detroit Free Press

OAKLAND 73, CENTENARY 61: Hanna Reising scored 16 points and Jessica Pike and Charlese Greer each scored 13 for visiting Oakland (9-10, 5-1 Mid-Continent Conference). Holli Wilkins scored 18 and Cierra Bush 13 for Centenary (4-17, 0-6).

OU women top Centenary--The Oakland Press
Oakland Takes Down Centenary, 82-74--OUGrizzlies.com

Green's double-double powers Oral Roberts--The Indy Star
ORAL ROBERTS' OFFENSE GUNS DOWN IUPUI, 77-66--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

EARLY SECOND-HALF RUN PUSHES ORAL ROBERTS PAST IUPUI, 71-56--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Victory isn’t easy for UMKC men--The Kansas City Star
Kangaroos Top Leathernecks In Double Overtime Thriller--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Falls To Western Illinois, 50-38--UMKC Kangaroos

Leathernecks lose in 2 OTs at UMKC--The Peoria Journal Star
Leathernecks outlasted in double-overtime thriller, 95-89, by UMKC--Western Illinois Athletics

Westerwinds rebound with 50-38 victory over UMKC at Kemper Arena--Western Illinois Athletics

Southern Utah snaps Valparaiso men's win streak--The Post-Tribune
VU's winning streap snapped in Southern Utah--The NWI Times
Poor first half dooms Crusaders--The NWI Times
Valpo Falls at Southern Utah--www.valpo.edu

Final tritp for Valparaiso women to Southern Utah one to forget--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders fall off mountain--The NWI Times
Braun Ties Rebounding Record in Crusader Defeat--www.valpo.edu

Oakland eases past Gents--The Shreveport Times
Free Throw Shooting Sinks Gents in Loss to Oakland--GoCentenary.Com

Ladies remain winless in conference play--The Shreveport Times
Ladies Drop 73-61 Decision to Oakland--GoCentenary.Com

ORU victorious at home over IUPUI--The Tulsa World
ORU Takes Down IUPUI, 71-56--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Foul-heavy game goes to the Eagles--The Tulsa World
Men's: Oral Roberts 77, IUPUI 66: Golden Eagles roll to Mid-Con win--The Tulsa World
Notebook: Waiting game--The Tulsa World
Hot Shooting Carries Golden Eagles to Ninth Straight Victory, 77-66--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 1/27/2007

SUU seeks fast start vs. Valpo IF YOU GO--The Spectrum
Crusaders' farewell tour hits Cedar--The Spectrum
Game day--deseretnews.com

VALPARAISO (10-10, 4-2) at SUU (12-9, 3-4)
THE CENTRUM
Today, 7:35 p.m.
Radio: 91.1FM, 590AM
GAME NOTES: Valpo leads the all-time series, 15-6 ... SUU is coming off a loss to Western Illinois on Thursday, while Valparaiso is on a four-game winning streak, including a win at UMKC on Thursday ... Steve Barnes leads the T-birds with a 14.0 scoring average. He's shooting 44 percent from 3-point range and 89.1 percent from the foul line.
...
VALPARAISO (11-8, 4-1) at SUU (5-13, 2-3)
THE CENTRUM
Today, 5 p.m.
Radio: 91.1FM
GAME NOTES: This will mark the final time Southern Utah and Valpo will meet as Mid-Con opponents in Cedar City, as the Crusaders are joining the Horizon League later this year ... Valpo leads the all-time series, 13-5. It is also tied for the league lead right now ... The T-Birds are led by Anne Westwood, who averages 10 points per game.

T-Bird women hope to rebound from rough two games on road--The Spectrum

Today's game--The Detroit Free Press

Oakland at Centenary

Matchup: Oakland University 12-10, 5-1 Mid-Continent; Centenary 7-14, 1-5.

Tip-off: 5:30 p.m., Gold Dome, Shreveport, La.

Radio: None.

Overview: Oakland fell to second place in the Mid-Continent Conference with a 73-63 loss Thursday at Oral Roberts. Oral Roberts shot 54.9% (28-for-51) on field goals, and the Grizzlies' bench contributed only two points.

OU men at Centenary--The Oakland Press
Oakland Ends Road Trip with Visit to Centenary--OUGrizzlies.com

OU women at Centenary--The Oakland Press

Western Illinois at UMKC--The Kansas City Star

Berdiel could pass on NBA--The NWI Times
VU looks to extend four-game win streak--The NWI Times

VU women's basketball preview--The NWI Times

CENTENARY--The Shreveport Times

The Centenary men's basketball team hosts one of the Mid-Continent Conference's top teams amidst Homecoming festivities on the Centenary campus today.

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies sit in second place within the league with a lofty 5-1 record while the Gents look to bounce back from a tough loss to IUPUI.

Centenary (7-14, 1-5 Mid-Con) dropped a heartbreaking decision on Thursday to IUPUI, 70-68. The Gents came from 12 points down to tie the game with 34 seconds to play, only to lose on a put-back after a missed shot at the buzzer.

The Gents are led by sophomore Tyrone Hamilton's 16.3 points per game, but seniors Alexander Starr and Larry Logan are also scoring in double figures at 12.2 points per game and 11.6 points per game, respectively. Starr led Centenary with 17 points against IUPUI while Hamilton added 15 points and Logan 12 points.

Gents to Battle Oakland on Homecoming--GoCentenary.Com

CENTENARY--The Shreveport Times

The Centenary women's basketball team (4-16, 0-5) continues Mid-Continent Conference play when it hosts Oakland (8-10, 4-1) today at the Gold Dome. Game time is set for 2 p.m., part of a doubleheader with the Centenary men's basketball team.

Although struggling of late, the Ladies look to capture their first win against the Golden Grizzlies in program history today. This season, Centenary has a 3-7 record at the Gold Dome.

Shorthanded Jags still tough--The Tulsa World

Women: IUPUI at Oral Roberts--The Tulsa World
ORU Set to Host Mid-Con Foe IUPUI--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 1/26/2007

Barnes answers plea, leads T-Birds to victory--deseretnews.com
Southern Utah vs Western Illinois Mens Hoops--The Spectrum

Lady T-Birds Host Mid-Con Member Valparaiso for the Final Time on Saturday--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Grizzlies fail Oral exam for league lead--The Detroit Free Press
Oral Roberts pulls away from OU--The Oakland Press
Oral Roberts Pulls Away Late to Down Oakland, 73-63--OUGrizzlies.com

Oakland Travels to Centenary for Mid-Con Battle--OUGrizzlies.com

Montgomery lifts Jaguars to victory--The Indy Star
Jaguars basketball team loads up on homegrown talent--The Indy Star
MONTGOMERY'S LAST SECOND PUT BACK GIVES JAGS 70-68 WIN AT CENTENARY--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Valparaiso edges UMKC--The Kansas City Star
UMKC Falls To Valparaiso In Overtime--UMKC Kangaroos
Kangaroos Look To Make It 15 Straight Over Western Illinois On Saturday--UMKC Kangaroos

Kangaroos UMKC Closes January With Two-Game Homestand, Hosting Western Illinois In Saturday Doubleheader--UMKC Kangaroos

Western Illinois men--The Peoria Journal Star

CEDAR CITY, UTAH - Sammy Hunter missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer at Southern Utah, which notched a 68-65 Mid-Continent Conference victory.

The Leathernecks (4-17, 10-6) led 14-3 early with the help of two 3s by Troy Okeson.

But point guard Steve Barnes led the Thunderbirds (13-8, 13-3) back in it with 15 points and six assists.

His 3 with 1:47 left gave SUU the lead for good.

Leathernecks hit nine three-pointers, fall 68-65 to Southern Utah--Western Illinois Athletics

Westerwinds get ready to face UMKC on the road--Western Illinois Athletics

Valparaiso 56, UMKC 52--The Chicago Tribune
Crusader men go OT to snag road win--The Post-Tribune
Former Crusader Berdiel gets offer from Knicks--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders Win Fourth Straight, Down UMKC in Overtime--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women Continue Road Swing Saturday at Southern Utah--www.valpo.edu

Gents fall short against IUPUI--The Shreveport Times
IUPUI Pulls Out Win Over Gents on Final Shot--GoCentenary.Com

Ladies Host Oakland at Gold Dome Saturday--GoCentenary.Com

ORU 73, Oakland 63: Still Reigning--The Tulsa World
Vealy specializes in killing ORU's demons--The Tulsa World
ORU Notebook: Future foe--The Tulsa World
Vealy Leads ORU Past Oakland, 73-63, as Golden Eagles Move into First Place--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles
Golden Eagles Host IUPUI on Hall of Fame Night--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 1/25/2007

Game day--deseretnews.com
W. Illinois mindful of SUU's Barnes--The Spectrum
Thunderbirds Host Western Illinois, Valparaiso--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Today's game--The Detroit Free Press

Oakland at Oral Roberts

Matchup: Oakland University 12-9, 5-0 Mid-Continent; Oral Roberts 13-7, 5-0.

Tip-off: 8, Mabee Center, Tulsa, Okla.

Radio: None.

Overview: Oakland's 5-0 conference record is its best since joining the Mid-Continent in 1998. The Golden Grizzlies are riding a four-game winning streak, and their 12 overall victories have exceeded last season's total of 11.

Co-leaders collide: Grizzlies vs. ORU--The Detroit Free Press
Kampe building for sustained success--The Oakland Press
OU, Oral Roberts play Mid-Con showdown--The Oakland Press
OU men at Oral Roberts--The Oakland Press
Oakland Takes on Oral Roberts in Battle of Mid-Con Unbeatens--OUGrizzlies.com

Bradley a CBA All-Star--The Indy Star
FORMER IUPUI STANDOUT NAMED TO CBA ALL-STAR TEAM--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Coach Z Summer Boys Basketball Camp Dates Announced--UMKC Kangaroos

Western Illinois at Southern Utah--The Peoria Journal Star
Westerwinds get ready to face UMKC on the road--Western Illinois Athletics

McPherson dictates Valparaiso's offense, personality--The Post-Tribune
Valpo-UMKC Game to Be Televised--www.valpo.edu

Valpo women hold off IPFW--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders must be road warriors for four games--The Post-Tribune
Braun Reaches 1,000 Points as Valpo Defeats IPFW--www.valpo.edu

Area college basketball teams adding international flavor--The Shreveport Times
Gents and Jaguars to Collide Thursday in Gold Dome--GoCentenary.Com

Eagles, Oakland play for first place--The Tulsa World
ORU's staff is tight-knit--The Tulsa World
ORU Hosts Oakland Thursday in Battle of Mid-Con Unbeatens--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles