Western Illinois
2005-06: 7-21, 3-13 in Mid Continent
Coach: Derek Thomas (21-63)
The skinny: The fourth-year coach hopes the return of four of last year's top five scorers will lead to better fortunes—especially in close games. The Leathernecks lost 10 games by 10 or fewer points last winter.
Jack McCarthy
...
Valparaiso
2005-06: 17-12, 8-8 in Mid-Continent
Coach: Homer Drew (555-347)
The skinny: Homer Drew, the country's ninth-winningest active coach, has one returning starter. Junior point guard Jarryd Loyd had 20 starts in 27 appearances and averaged 5.4 points. Three-point threat Shawn Huff averaged 7.5 points and four rebounds but missed half of last season with injuries.
Jack McCarthy
Utes, SUU open basketball season tonight--deseretnews.com
OU's Francis wants a jewel of a season--The Detroit Free Press
Kampe anxious to get season started--The Oakland Press
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press
Finally.
That’s how Oakland University men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe feels about getting a chance to officially start the 2005-06 season.
The Golden Grizzlies will kick off the non-conference portion of their schedule against Defiance College at 7 tonight at the Oakland Athletics Center.
“It’s about time,” Kampe said. “With the exhibition games in Canada (in September), it seems like it’s taken a long time to get here.”
OU better enjoy its short stay at home.
OU has just two home games this month. The challenge increases considering the Grizzlies will face teams like UMass, Cincinnati and Michigan State while being away from the cozy comforts of Rochester until Dec. 2.
Though it’s still extremely early, senior center Shawn Hopes thinks this team is ready for any challenge it faces.
“We’re more together this year,” Hopes said. “Everybody’s come a lot closer. That has helped contribute, hopefully, to a huge success for the team.”
It was a hard decision — even more so than normal — but Kampe fi nally released his probable starting lineup.
Freshman point guard Johnathon Jones, sophomore guard Erik Kangas, senior forward Vova Severovas, Hopes and senior guard Rick Billings will all hear their names announced to head out for tipoff.
“I think it works best for the rotation,” said Kampe, who’s in his 23rd year at OU. “I have seven guys that could have started and there may be some changes we go through depending on matchups and things like that, but this is the lineup we’re going to start off the year with and we’ll see how things go.”
Jones may be a freshman, but he won Kampe over for the job.
He had 38 points for Okemos in a double-overtime loss to Saginaw Arthur Hill in the 2006 Class A state championship.
Jones scored 24 points in OU’s exhibition game against Cornerstone College.
Junior guard Brandon Cassise (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) and sophomore forward Derick Nelson are the first two players who will come off the bench. They’re also candidates to jump into the starting lineup if Kampe decides to make changes down the road.
“I’m anxious and I’m glad the season’s back,” Nelson said. “I’m ready to win some games.”
Cassise, a 3-point threat, averaged 8.3 points off the bench last season. Nelson averages 8.2 points and 5.7 points while starting in 25 of 29 games in 2005-06.
“I like the scoring Cassise and Nelson can bring off the bench,” Kampe said. “But any of those seven guys earned the right to start.”
Now it’s time to get the season started.
Finally.
Worlds apart--The Indy Star
A quick look at Indianapolis' men's basketball programs--The Indy Star
IUPUI
• 2005-06 record: 19-10 (13-3 Mid-Continent Conference).
• Affiliation: NCAA Division I.
• Indy connections: David Barlow (Pike), Angelo Smith (Lawrence North), George Hill (Broad Ripple), Austin Montgomery (Perry Meridian), Craig Swoope (Carmel), Andy Hampton (Shelbyville).
• What's to like: The Jaguars, with four returning starters, aim at winning in the NCAA Tournament. "I think we'd be selling ourselves short with a goal of just getting there, with all this talent," said Hill (18.9 ppg), an all-conference selection last season. "George could play anywhere in the country," coach Ron Hunter said. Joining Barlow (10.2 ppg) in the backcourt are transfers Montgomery (Bowling Green) and Gary Patterson (Butler).
• What's not to like: Nonleague home opponents are uninspiring (IU-Southeast, Belmont, Indiana Wesleyan, IPFW). The Jaguars play just four home games before Jan. 18. They have dates at Illinois (Dec. 6) and against Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse (Dec. 22).
• Did you know? IUPUI would have been selected for the 2006 NIT under new rules, according to Hunter. Henceforth, if a league co-champion and No. 1 seed wins the league tournament, the other co-champion goes to the NIT. Last season, IUPUI tied for the Mid-Con title but was excluded from the NIT.
Crusaders' best player also its smartest as med school awaits--The Post-Tribune
Bouchie signs to play at Valpo--The Post Tribune
Crusaders ready for action--The NWI Times
Bouchie makes it official--The NWI Times
LMU seeks comeback--The Tulsa World
Men's Basketball Opens 2006-07 Season Tonight--OUGrizzlies.com
Thunderbirds Open 2006-07 Campaign At Utah--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
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