Midconfans News 11/9/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah's women's basketball team (0-0/0-0 Mid-Con) opens the 2006-07 regular season this Saturday as the Thunderbirds travel to Corvallis, Ore., for a date with Oregon State (0-0). Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. (PST), at Gill Coliseum (10,400) on the OSU campus. Saturday's game at OSU is the first of a three-game Northwest stretch for the Thunderbirds to kick-off the campaign as SUU will return to Oregon next weekend for games at Portland State (11/18) and Portland (11/20).

Oakland's 3-point threat--The Detroit Free Press

Oakland program is Kampe's show--The Detroit News

NCAA Division I outlooks--The Indy Star

VALPARAISO
2005-06 record: 17-12 (8-8 Mid-Continent Conference).
Indy connections: Brandon McPherson (Lawrence North), Matt Bennett (Brebeuf Jesuit).
What's to like: The Crusaders win the United Nations award. They have five players from four foreign countries. Moussa Mbaye, Senegal, is the team's lone senior. Coach Homer Drew, entering his 18th season, needs 14 victories to reach 300 at Valpo.
What's not to like: Valpo lost seven players who supplied 81 percent of the scoring a year ago. Point guard Jarryd Loyd is the only returning starter.
Did you know? This is Valpo's final year in the Mid-Con. It becomes the Horizon League's 10th team next season.

Hoop it up by enjoying VU basketball 'experience'--The Post-Tribune

Moussa Mbaye, VU's lone senior, is hoping his knee has healed and will hold up for a full season, allowing him to finally realize his potential--The Post-Tribune

Does a verbal commitment matter anymore?--The NWI Times

Signed, sealed and delivered to VU--The NWI Times

The final countdown--The NWI Times

Mid-Con teams take aim at Valpo--The Spectrum

Centenary hoops hopeful on Media Day--The Shreveport Times

Drew will miss the Mid-Con--The Tulsa World

Eagles snag guard pair--The Tulsa World

Sooners, Cowgirls, Eagles sign--The Tulsa World

WOMEN'S SIGNEES
Oral Roberts

Whitney Wehmeyer
Position: Guard
Height: 6-0
Scoring average: 20.1
Home: Stockdale, Texas

Corrie Hester
Position: Guard
Height: 5-9
Scoring average: 13.9
Home: Houston, Texas

Mona Pegorari
Position: Center
Height: 6-3
Scoring average: 4.3
Home: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Gents Basketball Inks Three in Early Period--GoCentenary.Com

IUPUI TO TIP OFF 2006-07 CAMPAIGN AT BCA CLASSIC--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Golden Eagles Open 2006-07 Season Friday at Loyola Marymount--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Women’s Hoops Nabs Three on First Day of Early Signing Period--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Finkbeiner Adds Missouri Standout--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

T-BIRDS OPEN 2006-07 SEASON AT OREGON STATE SATURDAY--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Ink Bouchie to National Letter of Intent--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women Ink Five to National Letters of Intent--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women Set to Open Regular Season Friday at Northwestern--www.valpo.edu

Mid-Con hosts annual basketball Media Day teleconference--Western Illinois Athletics

Two players sign-on to be Leathernecks for 2007-08--Western Illinois Athletics

Leathernecks tally 17-point exhibition victory, open regular season Sunday--Western Illinois Athletics

Mid-Con hosts annual basketball Media Day teleconference--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/8/2006

Myers shoots down the Pumas--The NWI Times

Too close for comfort--The Spectrum

T-Birds gear up for Nevill, Utes--The Spectrum

Gents will land three--The Shreveport Times

On the men's side, Centenary coach Rob Flaska will sign three prep players on Wednesday, including 6-foot-11 center Tim Price of Kline High School in Houston. The Gents will also ink 6-8 combo forward Justin Glenn from Tulsa's Union High, one of Oklahoma's top-ranked 5A prep teams.

Kangaroos Fall To Park In Overtime--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Fall Just Short In Exhibition Finale; Lose 73-70 to Washburn--UMKC Kangaroos

ORU Ranked 14th in Mid-Major Preseason Top 25--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

T-BIRDS SLIP PAST CONCORDIA IN EXHIBITION OPENER, 59-56--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Win Final Tune-up--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks set to play Missouri Baptist in final exhibition before regular season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/7/2006

--The Oakland Press

BRIEFS

Oakland rallies to
defeat Cornerstone
Trailing by two points at half time, Oakland’s men’s basketball team out scored Cornerstone by 21 points in the final 20 minutes to pull away for a 94-75 victory in the Golden Grizzlies’ final exhibition of the preseason. Freshman Johnathon Jones (Okemos) led OU to the win by hitting on all seven of his field goal attempts, including three treys, on his way to a 24 point evening.
The Golden Eagles shot 59 percent from the field in the first half and used their sharp shooting to hold off Oakland in the opening minutes.
Cornerstone was 12 of 14 at the free throw line in the first half and ran off six straight points and to close the half with a two-point advantage, 40-38.
In the second half it was Oakland’s offense that was finding the range, hitting at a 74 percent clip for the half. The Golden Grizzlies started the half by hitting their first nine field goal attempts and after Erik Kangas had canned another long range shot Oakland had out scored Cornerstone 22-11 over the first five and a half minutes to take a 60-51 lead.
Oakland’s defense cooled off Cornerstone considerably in the second half, holding the Golden Eagles to just a 31 percent shooting mark. Oakland then put the game away by putting an 11-3 run on the Golden Eagles, with five of the points coming from Jones as OU pulled out to an 86-68 advantage. That was enough as Oakland cruised home with the win.
Shawn Hopes joined Jones in double figures for Oakland with 19 points, completing a double-double with 13 rebounds. Vova Severovas finished with 18 points while Rick Billings (Detroit) added 16 more for OU. Andy Bronkema led Cornerstone with 21 points, with John Jonker adding 16 for the Golden Eagles. Oakland held a 36-24 advantage on the boards.
Oakland will open the regular season when it hosts Defiance College at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Jones hopes more Division I schools look to Gary for players--The Post-Tribune

Crusaders cruise in final exhibition--The NWI Times

Valpo looks for better handle--The NWI Times

SUU looking for a starting point guard--The Spectrum

Ladies Earn 79-77 Comeback Win in Exhibition with Harding--GoCentenary.Com

JAGUARS DROP EXHIBITION OPENER TO OHIO LEGENDS, 69-63--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC To Face Park University In Final Exhibition Tune-Up On Tuesday--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Host Washburn On Tuesday To Wrap Exhibition Slate--UMKC Kangaroos

Second Half Surge Leads Oakland Past Cornerstone--OUGrizzlies.com

Golden Grizzlies Defeat Western Ontario--OUGrizzlies.com

Crusaders Defeat Trinity Christian in Exhibition Action--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Midconfans News 11/6/2006

Valpo variety--The NWI Times

Tall expectations--The NWI Times

Diebler puts on a show for Valpo--The NWI Times

JAGUARS DROP EXHIBITION OPENER TO OHIO LEGENDS, 69-63--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Women’s basketball falls in exhibition play 50-42 to Lewis University--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/5/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

SUU

BASKETBALL: Southern Utah finished its exhibition season 2-0 Saturday as the Thunderbirds downed a scrappy Mesa State squad, 71-53, in a foul plagued contest. MSC was playing its season-opener.

Day powers UMKC winThe Kansas City Star

Valparaiso women take care of exhibition--The Post-Tribune

Peller leads Crusaders to victory--The NWI Times

A new beginning--The NWI Times

Crusader nation goes through a rebirth--The NWI Times

'U' hauls Crusaders to win--The NWI Times

Sloppy, but a win is a win--The Spectrum

ORU struggles, puts away Bronchos late--The Tulsa World

Women: Eagles upend Lady Reds--The Tulsa World

ORU has chance to relive glory days--The Tulsa World

Men: High expectations--The Tulsa World

Women: Turek's leadership may bring success--The Tulsa World

hORU Women: The Sideline--The Tulsa World

IUPUI WINS EXHIBITION OPENER OVER WINDSOR, 81-68--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Ten Players Score In UMKC's 91-58 Rout of Benedictine--UMKC Kangaroos

ORU Downs Central Oklahoma in Exhibition Finale, 89-69--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Golden Eagles Take Exhibition Contest from NSU, 59-51Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Handle Mesa State, 71-53--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Valpo Captures Exhibition Opener from Indiana Wesleyan--www.valpo.edu

Crusaders Down Grand Valley State in Exhibition Opener--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 11/3/2006

Leathernecks romp to exhibition win--The Macomb Journal

Crusaders rise (early) to the challenge--The Post-Tribune

Mid-Con Basketball Media Day Teleconference Set for Nov. 8--www.mid-con.com

ORU downs Langston--The Tulsa World

Physical prowess--The Tulsa World

FORMER BASKETBALL STANDOUT TABBED IN D-LEAGUE DRAFT--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC Rolls To An Easy Victory Over Rockhurst--UMKC Kangaroos

Golden Eagles Throttle Langston in Exhibition Opener, 97-69--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Five Leathernecks score in double-figures as Western cruises to exhibition victory--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/2/2006

OAKLAND 77, INDIANA WESLEYAN 56--The Detroit Free Press

Brandon Cassise (Walled Lake) led host Oakland with 17 points in an exhibition. Jon Moon led Wesleyan with 11.

Winds battle to down SIU-EThe Macomb Journal

Valparaiso junior guard Jarryd Loyd was concerned about returning to play an uncertain role with an inexperienced roster. He's not concerned anymore--The Post-Tribune

Putting the past behind--The NWI Times

Thunder-ous start--The Spectrum

Sutton focused on ORU--The Tulsa World

UMKC Opens Exhibition Season Against Rockhurst--UMKC Kangaroos

Men’s Basketball Rolls Past Indiana Wesleyan in Exhibition--OUGrizzlies.com

Thunderbirds Roll Past Lakehead In Exhibition Opener--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Young Crusader Squad Prepares for Final Season in Mid-Con--www.valpo.edu

Western Illinois women’s basketball earns a close 70-68 victory in exhibition play over SIU Edwardsville--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/1/2006

Grizzlies hope for winning season--The Detroit Press

Grizzlies going on the defensive--The Oakland Press

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER HILLS — Lose your top offensive player, change your defensive scheme.
That’s exactly what the Oakland University men’s basketball team has done for the 2006-07 season.
The Golden Grizzlies will have a chance to show local fans their plan to return to old-fashioned, man-to-man defense when they kick off a new season with an exhibition contest against Indiana Wesleyan at 7 p.m. today at the Oakland Athletics Center.
Oakland will officially open the nonconference portion of its regular-season schedule against Defiance College at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 in a home game.
“It’s not going to be what Oakland fans have seen in the last few years when the score’s 90-85,” said longtime OU coach Greg Kampe, whose team was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-Continent Conference preseason poll. “We’re hoping to live off our defense as we learn who’s going to score for us.
“The last couple years we played that zone, but it was more because we had some guys that we had to hide defensively and we don’t have that on this team. We really believe that we’ve got a group of guys that can all guard the ball and they can all play.”
OU plans to rely less on offensive firepower and concentrate on being more accountable on the defensive end by ditching the zone and switching to man-to-man.
The Grizzlies averaged 73.9 points per game last season, but allowed 77.3.
They turned the ball over an average of 15.5 times, but opponents gave it up just 13.9 times.
The change in emphasis and scheme is just fine with many of the returning players.
“People are going to be more accountable with one-on-one,” OU sophomore Derick Nelson said. “I think playing man-to-man will help us be better and I think it’s better for the team.”
OU finished 11-18 overall and just 6-10 in the Mid-Con last year
The Grizzlies return four players who all saw starting time throughout a bulk of last season.
Seniors Rick Billings (11.4 ppg), Vova Severovas (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Shawn Hopes (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) are the leading returning veterans and are anxious to finish out their careers on a positive note, no matter what it takes.
“This is my last chance, so I’ve got to make it my best effort,” Hopes said. “I’ve got to give it my all and go out with a bang this year and make sure I come out with a championship.”
Hopes was on the sidelines watching OU make a historic run into the NCAA Tournament in 2004. The Grizzlies were sent home early in 2005 after a disappointing, short trip through the Mid-Con tourney.
“After witnessing that (in 2004) it’s like I’ve got to come up with something,” Hopes said, who had quit the team at the start of the 2003-04 and later had a change of heart. “No matter what it takes, I’m trying to get that (league) championship.”
Freshman point guard Johnathon Jones, a McDonald’s All-America nominee as a senior at Okemos High, is among the key newcomers expected to make a major impact on the team.
Overall, it will require a full-team effort to fill the void left by Calvin Wooten (19.2 ppg, 49 steals and 65 assists).
Wooten was ruled academically ineligible for failing to have enough credits as a senior.
No problem.
“It just seems like we’re more balanced offensively,” Nelson said. “We know each other a lot more than last year and everybody’s a lot more used to playing with each other.”
The loss is compounded by the fact that OU has a challenging non-conference schedule filled with road games against teams including UMass, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Arkansas and UCLA.
“I’m definitely excited to play such good competition,” Severovas said. “It should really prepare us for our conference play and we’re definitely expecting to win some of those games.”

Barnes, T-Birds anxious for exhibition opener--The Spectrum

Valpo Women Set for 2006-2007 Hoops Campaign--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks ready to tip-off exhibition season against MacMurray College--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/31/2006

Senior Showcase Leads White Squad To 68-65 Win In Annual Blue-White Scrimmage--UMKC Kangaroos

Green Named Preseason Mid-Major All-American--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Host Lakehead U, Mesa State In Exhibition Games--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Women's basketball gets set for first exhibition game of the 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/29/2006

Crusaders molding into one unit--The Post-Tribune

Notebook: Building plans--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 10/27/2006

T-Bird teams show off skills--The Spectrum

Midconfans News 10/26/2006

Bryce Drew promoted--The Indy Star

IUPUI spells happiness--The NWI Times

Learning on the go--The Spectrum

Who will step forward for the Thunderbirds?--The Spectrum

ORU's Green Named to Wooden Award Preseason Team--www.mid-con.com

Men's: Media Day: Transfer liberated from bench--The Tulsa World

ORU Notebook: Preseason hype--The Tulsa World

Caleb Green Named to Wooden Award Preseason List--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 10/25/2006

Diebler breaks nose in first practice--The NWI Times

Single Game Hoops Tickets On Sale Friday--www.valpo.edu

Women’s basketball starts hunt for fifth straight Mid-Continent Conference title--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/24/2006

Bryce Drew Named Associate Head Coach--www.valpo.edu

Derek Thomas readies men's basketball squad for 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Hundreds attend basketball tip-off event at Western Hall--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/23/2006

Women’s Basketball to Hold Open Scrimmage--GoCentenary.Com

MIdconfans News 10/21/2006

Valpo squads put on a show--The NWI Times

MIdconfans News 10/19/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah's women's basketball team was voted to finish seventh in the Mid-Continent Conference by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media in the annual preseason poll released Wednesday by the conference office. The Thunderbirds, who return three starters and nine letterwinners along with one redshirt freshman from last season's 11-17 squad, tallied 65 points in the poll. Oral Roberts was tabbed as the preseason favorite as the Golden Eagles received 12 out of a possible 22 first place votes to finish with 237 points, while Valparaiso, which is in its final year of Mid-Con competition, placed second with five first place nods and 213 points.

Crusader basketball teams picked in upper half--The Post-Tribune

Basketball Season Tickets on Sale--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 10/19/2006

Let the Mayhem begin for Crusaders--The NWI Times

ORU men favored - again--The Spectrum

Poll: expectations not high for Thunderbird women--The Spectrum

Oral Roberts Chosen First in Mid-Con Preseason Women’s Basketball Poll; ORU’s Elisha Turek Picked as Preseason Player of the Year--www.mid-con.com

Oral Roberts Picked First in Mid-Con Preseason Men's Basketball Poll--www.mid-con.com

ORU men tabbed No. 1--The Tulsa World

Wilkins Named to Preseason All-Mid-Con Team--GoCentenary.Com

Hamilton Earns Preseason Accolade--GoCentenary.Com

IUPUI BASKETBALL TEAM TABBED SECOND IN PRESEASON MID-CON POLLS--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM PICKED THIRD IN MID-CON PRESEASON POLL--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Three Kangaroos Garner Mid-Con Preseason all-Conference Honors--UMKC Kangaroos

Brown and Picconi Named Mid-Con Preseason all-Conference Selections--UMKC Kangaroos

Oakland Men’s Basketball Picked Fifth in Mid-Con Preseason Poll--OUGrizzlies.com

Golden Grizzlies Ranked Sixth in Mid-Con Preseason Poll--OUGrizzlies.com

New Basketball Commercials Airing Exclusively on ORUGoldenEagles.com--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Oral Roberts Picked First in Mid-Con Preseason Poll; Green Tabbed a Player of the Year--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Women's Hoops Named Pre-Season Favorite, Turek Player of the Year--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

T-BIRDS PICKED TO FINISH SEVENTH IN MID-CON PRESEASON POLL--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Tabbed Fourth in Mid-Con Preseason Poll--www.valpo.edu

Crusader Women Tabbed Second in Mid-Con Race; Three Crusaders Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors--www.valpo.edu

Leatherneck basketball tabbed to finish sixth in the Mid-Continent Conference--Western Illinois Athletics

Women’s basketball picked fourth in Mid-Con pre-season poll--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/18/2006

Golden Grizzlies will rely on balanced offense to carry them through schedule--The Oakland Press/span>

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
OU coach Greg Kampe thinks tough schedule will benefit team
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER — Ambitious is one way to describe Greg Kampe’s thought process when he put together this season’s men’s basketball schedule.
Foolish might be another.
The longtime Oakland University coach has concocted a schedule for the 2006-07 campaign that makes a Big Ten campaign look like a cakewalk.
In Kampe’s attempt to gain respect among the “big boys” and to get some attention from future recruits, he has drawn up what is by far Oakland’s toughest challenge so far as a Division I program.
The list of opponents looks even more daunting considering the Grizzlies will learn to adjust to life without last season’s leading scorer, Calvin Wooten.
Wooten fell short of the credit requirements as a senior and was ruled academically ineligible to compete this season.
Wooten led the team with 33.2 minutes and 19.2 points per game. He also had a team high 49 steals and 65 assists last season as a transfer player from Rutgers University.
This uphill battle is designed with one thing in mind: To win the Mid-Continent Conference tournament to get that automatic bid into the NCAA dance.
“This is harder than any schedule we’ve had,” Kampe said. “Is it too hard? It might be. Do I recognize that? Yes, but the reality of it is our kids want to play those teams.
“Did I go overboard? I would sit here in October and say, ‘Yes, I went overboard.’ Will we regret this? I don’t know. I hope not. I think my biggest fear is making these guys understand how difficult the first few months will be and the bottom line is the goal is to win those three days in March.”
Oakland’s non-conference schedule includes road games against teams including UMass, Pitt, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Arkansas, UCLA and Marquette.
UCLA made it all the way to the NCAA Tournament championship game. Arkansas, Pitt and MSU were tournament teams.
The Grizzlies went 11-18 last season and the nonconference schedule only included teams like St. Louis, Marquette, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Missouri.
“We have to be very mentally tough,” Kampe said. “Hopefully, we’re going to win that battle and everything’s going to be good. The other thing is, I think we’ve got enough talent that we might be able to win one or two of those games.”
Kampe is confident that returning players like center Shawn Hopes, guard Rick Billings, forward Vova Severovas and guard Brandon Cassise and newcomers like Keith Benson and Jonathon Jones will get a chance to spread around the minutes and offense that Wooten once contributed.
“This is going to be an old-fashioned, Greg Kampe Oakland team,” Kampe said. “We’re going to have the ability to shoot the 3, and we’re going to have a lot of different guys that we’re going to depend on. The last couple years it’s been if Mike (Helms) doesn’t score tonight we could lose or if Rawle (Marshall) doesn’t do this or if Cortney (Scott) doesn’t do that and Cal doesn’t do that we’re going to lose this game.
“If Shawn doesn’t score then Vova will. If Vova doesn’t score Rick will. If Rick doesn’t score than (Erik) Kangas is going to make some shots and Cassise’s going to score. ... We’ve got multiple people. ... It reminds me of what we were in the late Division II days and those early Division I teams.”
Oakland started its first full-squad team practices this week.
On the bright side, it’s almost like a bulk of the basic fundamental work is already done considering the Grizzlies competed in a Canada trip in September.
“We’re really now reviewing all our defensive (changes) and working on our offense,” Kampe said. “It was great for that.”
They need all the help they can get at this point.

Midconfans News 10/17/2006

Piggott, new faces must step up if OU women are going to repeat--The Oakland Press

Golden Grizzlies defend Mid-Con title minus Hafeli and Wilson
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER — The Oakland University women’s basketball team had the thrill of capping the 2005-06 season with an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Repeating that accomplishment this season will likely be a bigger challenge than the typical uphill battle any team faces.
The Golden Grizzlies have officially started team practices for the 2006-07 campaign minus the services of 3-point shooters Anne Hafeli and Jayme Wilson for the first time in four years.
Hafeli (Bloomfield Hills Lahser) finished her career ranked eighth in OU’s record books with 1,469 career points and second all-time with 235 career 3-pointers.
Wilson finished with 1,785 career points to rank sixth alltime in school history.
How does a team try to build upon last season’s great finish without the benefit of having a pair of offensive scoring leaders?
“It obviously hurts not having Jayme and Anne and Lakeshia (White) back,” said senior Nicole Piggott. “They were a big part of our team, but I think that we have some fresh new talent and instead of just shooters, we have more penetrators. I think our game might be geared a little differently this year. I don’t see it being too much of a problem in the end.”
Piggott, senior Bonnie Baker and sophomore Rikka Terava are the returning starters from last season’s squad.
However, it is unknown when Terava will be ready to return to her point guard position because of a stress fracture in a weight-bearing bone in her leg.
Piggott, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season, is ready to increase her workload.
“I kind of like it, personally,” Piggott said of being one of the few returning players, “because it makes me take the lead and now I don’t mind taking that role on and trying to help (the newcomers) come along.
“We’ve got great talent, so I’m really excited about this year.”
Sophomore Jessica Knurick, a 6-foot-2 letterwinner, will also be sidelined indefi nitely because of personal health problems.
Overall, six newcomers will be looking to adjust to life at the Division I level.
“They work hard,” OU coach Beckie Francis said. “That’s a good sign because they have a good work ethic. They’re also competitive with the returners. I’m not saying necessarily with ability, but they’re competitive where they want to beat them and they’re going after them really hard.
“Our returners have kind of a swagger, so it’s really fun to watch and really fun to coach right now.”
The adjustment period could be slightly shorter for some of the new faces.
Dominique Booker (Miami University), Elizabeth Sowers (Hesston, Kan., College), Rachel Bryer (St. Clair Community College) and Charlese Greer (Schoolcraft College) are transfer players.
“We have to see,” Francis said. “It’s still too early.”
Greer, a Pontiac Northern graduate, averaged 20 points and 8.1 rebounds to earn first team National Junior College Athletic Association honors in 2006 with Schoolcraft.
The 6-foot-4 Bryer could give the Grizzlies some much needed post presence. She reached double-digits in blocks three times last season and finished with 123 total with St. Clair.
Booker is expected to be eligible to return after sitting out the necessary NCAA transfer period in mid December.
OU finished 15-16 last season. The Grizzlies lost to topseeded Ohio State 68-45 in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
The attempt to return is made even more difficult considering what OU’s preseason schedule looks like.
The Grizzlies will travel to places including West Virginia, Auburn and UConn.
OU opens the season against Marygrove College at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Oakland Athletics Center.

UMKC hoping for inside jobThe Kansas City Star

Big Game Packs On Sale for Valpo Hoops--www.valpo.edu

Women’s basketball team announces walk-on try-out date for October 24--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/15/2006

Update: Learning the system--The Tulsa World

Midconfans News 10/14/2006

VU basketball team visits a different court--The Post-Tribune

Kirby 'graduates' to Valpo U--The NWI Times

Court is in session--The NWI Times

Women’s Basketball Begins Practice Friday--GoCentenary.Com

Gents Set to Run the Hardwood Again--GoCentenary.Com

Let It All Begin!--UMKC Kangaroos

Back Into Action!

Men’s Basketball Opens Practice on Friday--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Golden Eagles Set for First Practice--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Open 2006-07 Workouts--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

T-BIRDS OPEN 2006-07 SEASON WITH FIRST OFFICIAL PRACTICE FRIDAY NIGHT--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Western Illinois men's and women's basketball tips-off practice Friday--Western Illinois Athletics

Women's basketball ready to start 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/12/2006

Oakland to host Hoops Madness--The Oakland Press

BRIEFS


Oakland will kick its men’s and women’s basketball seasons by hosting Hoops Madness on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Athletics Center O’Rena.
A full schedule of activities is planned, including free tuition for one semester for one male and female student.
The OU Pep Band, Images and Intrigue dance teams and the OU cheerleaders will perform.

Young Crusaders are eager to get started--The Post-Tribune

VU women get fifth in-state verbal--The NWI Times

OU to Host Hoops Madness on Friday--OUGrizzlies.com

Midnight Mayhem Set for October 20 at Valpo--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 10/11/2006

Diebler has MRI on neck--The NWI Times

Harlan Named Executive Producer of the Valpo Sports Radio Network--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 10/7/2006

2 commit to IUPUI--The Indy Star

Five UMKC Women's Basketball Games To Be Televised in 2006-07--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 10/6/2006

Crenshaw on Jags' staff--The Indy Star

Roosevelt's Latice Jones commits to VU--The Post-Tribune

Centenary Athletic Director Taylor Moore Announces Resignation; Glenn Evans to Serve as Interim A.D.--www.mid-con.com

Thomas family to be featured on national television--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/5/2006

OU lands St. Clair’s Carnago--The Oakland Press

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press

The Oakland University women’s basketball team does not open its season until next month, but the Golden Grizzlies already have a big win under their belt. St. Clair High School senior Brittany Carnago has given her verbal commitment to attend OU beginning in the fall of 2007. Carnago will continue her playing career on the hardcourt with St. Clair guard Stacey Farrell. Why OU? “I really like (coach) Beckie Francis,” Carnago said. “She’s a good coach. I like her off the court too because she’s a nice person. Plus, one of my teammates I’ve played with since the seventh grade is going to go there next year too. I’ll be neat to play with the same point guard for another four years too.”
Carnago had also received a full-scholarship offer from Central Michigan, but the Grizzlies won out.
Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green, and Dayton had also expressed interest in the 6-foot-3 center.
Pretty impressive considering Carnago didn’t even pick up a basketball until her mother signed her up in the sixth grade.
Carnago did everything from soccer to track and from tennis to cheerleading prior to focusing only on her basketball career in the seventh grade.
“I did not like (basketball),” Carnago said. “It just kind of grew on me more the more involved I got into it. I did not even imagine playing college basketball at all so now it’s pretty cool.”
Carnago had 12 points, eight rebounds and fi ve blocks in the Class B semifi nals last season.
One source said Carnago has the capability of reaching the star power of OU grads Sarah Judd, an All-American, and Katie Wolfe, a four-year starter and top Mid-Continent Conference player.

IUPUI ADDS MATT CRENSHAW TO BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Men's Basketball Open Tryouts Moved--OUGrizzlies.com

Women’s Basketball Tryout Moved to Next Thurdsay--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 10/4/2006

Nike ending camp at IUPUI--The Indy Star

Moore resigns as Centenary AD--The Shreveport Times

Centenary Athletic Director Taylor Moore Announces Resignation; Glenn Evans to Serve as Interim A.D.--GoCentenary.Com

Women’s Basketball to Hold Open Tryout Thurdsay--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 9/29/2006

Valpo Hosting Third Annual Basketball Clinic for Girls--www.valpo.edu

Men's basketball to hold open tryouts Oct. 4--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 9/28/2006

Zvosec gets an extension--The Indy Star

Zvosec Signs Extension At UMKC--UMKC Kangaroos

Basketball Season Tickets on Sale--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Men's basketball to hold open tryouts Oct. 4--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 9/27/2006

IUPUI adds assistant coach--The Indy Star

Midconfans News 9/26/2006

Jankovic and Cowgill Fill Out Ladies Basketball Staff--GoCentenary.Com

KERRI O’CONNOR ADDED TO IUPUI WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STAFF--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Fourteen UMKC Men's Basketball Games To Be Aired On Metro Sports--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 9/25/2006

Women's basketball ready to start 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 9/22/2006

Tarrance Price joins Valpo staff--The NWI Times

JAGS TO TIPOFF THE 2006-07 SEASON WITH ALABAMA A&M AT THE BCA CLASSIC--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Tarrance Price Joins Valpo Staff--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 9/21/2006

French connection--The NWI Times

Midconfans News 9/20/2006

Mike Oppland signs with team in Denmark--The NWI Times

Midconfans News 9/19/2006

VU women nab recruit--The NWI Times

Midconfans News 9/18/2006

Thomas to serve on 2007 NCAA Tournament committee--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 9/17/2006

Women’s Basketball to Hold Open Tryout--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 9/15/2006

Huth takes over OU athletics from Kampe--The Detroit News

Kampe will lead OU capital campaign, while Huth takes role as interim athletic director
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


Greg Kampe has traded in one job title in for another.
The Oakland University men’s basketball coach will no longer have to worry about serving as the school’s interim athletic director. However, Kampe will shift gears to head up a $55 million fund-raising campaign to support OU athletics.
Tracy Huth, a former swimmer and 1985 OU graduate, will take over as the interim AD.
“Tracy Huth was a student, (Oakland) Hall of Fame swimmer, a Hall of Fame coach and has been in administration,” Kampe said. “Surely he’s in a position where he’s not only qualified, he’s earned the right to get a chance to run his alma mater. I feel very comfortable turning the day-to-day operations over to him.”
The changes will be effective today.
Kampe took over as interim athletic director in September 2005.
The university hopes to complete a search for a permanent AD by fall of 2007.
Kampe will try to raise funds to complete plans that include a new track and field facility, an indoor training complex for outdoor sports teams, baseball and softball stadiums and locker room renovations.
“We realize the impact intercollegiate athletics can have in raising the regional and national profile of the university in general,” OU president Gary D. Russi said. “Our run in the NCAA tournament the past two years with our men’s and women’s basketball teams clearly shows that. So, we want to continue to make progress through adding improvements to our athletic facilities, while not missing a beat with the competitive success of our teams.”
Kampe will also oversee efforts to raise money to increase endowments for total athletic scholarships from 115 to the NCAA maximum level of 125.
Kampe said it requires approximately $25 million to endow 125 scholarships.
“I was given the opportunity to come up with the plan as an interim athletic director,” said Kampe, who will also continue his duties as the men’s basketball coach. “Now I get an opportunity to complete the plan as the head of this capital campaign. For a 23-year veteran of the university, that’s an exciting opportunity.”

Huth named Interim Athletic Director at Oakland--www.mid-con.com

Midconfans News 9/14/2006

IUPUI ANNOUNCES 2006-07 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Midconfans News 9/8/2006

Kangaroos Picked To Finish Third In The Mid-Con By Athlon Sports--UMKC Kangaroos

Women's basketball heads to Pizza Hut to dish out fundraiser--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 9/7/2006

VU gets commitment from big man--The NWI Times

Men: Golden Eagles add Hoyas--The Peoria Journal Star

Valpo to Host 12th Annual Basketball Coaching Clinic--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 9/6/2006

Crusader Season Basketball Tickets Now On Sale--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 9/5/2006

Knowledge of rules key to NCAA eligibility--The Spectrum

Basketball Completes Sweep of Games in Canada--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 9/4/2006

WHAT’S A ROO TO DO?The Kansas City Star

Basketball Wins Again in Canada--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 9/3/2006

No quick fix for NCAA--The Chicago Tribune/span>

Men’s Basketball Starts Trip to Canada With Victory--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 9/1/2006

COLLEGE HOOPS: Canadian tour will benefit Golden Grizzlies--The Detroit Free Press

BRIEFS--The Oakland Press

Mid-Con expands to 10-team league
Oakland University will now have three more Mid-Continent Conference foes to face beginning in the 2007-08 season.
The conference has elected to become a 10-team league by inviting Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
IPFW will replace Valparaiso University, which is moving to the Horizon League in 2007-08.
Beginning in 2007-08 the Mid-Con will include IPFW, OU, Centenary, IUPUI, University of Missouri Kansas City, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Western Illinois, North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
— CRYSTAL EVOLA
Tassin makes verbal commitment to OU
If you’re a college basketball coach still putting together a 2007-08 roster, you can eliminate Jonathan Tassin from your wish list.
The Orchard Lake St. Mary’s standout has given a verbal commitment to Oakland University.
The 6-foot-7, 180-pound perimeter player was a Class A All-State honorable mention pick in last season’s Associated Press team. He plans to study sports management/communications at Oakland.
— CRYSTAL EVOLA

STEVE T. GORCHES COMMENTARY: Great season shaping up for VU women’s basketball team--The Post-Tribune

Sept. 1, 2006

Excuse me while I pour another glass of brown and gold Kool-Aid.

What? You’ve never heard of that flavor. It sounds like it combines chocolate and butterscotch, but that would be too fattening and not very tasty.

That brown and gold Kool-Aid tastes more like victory. Lots and lots of victories for the Valparaiso University women’s basketball team this year.

It’s the taste of a Mid-Continent Conference title — regular season and tournament — in the final year of membership before moving to the Horizon League.

Why not go out in style?

This rush of optimism isn’t just about the Crusaders’ schedule that was released this week, though it did refresh my eternal optimism.

Knowing the leadership returning for VU — seniors Betsy Rietema, Tamra Braun and Carrie Myers — and the sophomores who contributed last year as freshmen — Launa Hochstetler and Aimee Litka — and the talented freshmen coming in — Chesterton grad Kelly Peller and Kokomo’s Whitney Farris — how can you not ask for a glass of that Kool-Aid?

The schedule, though, looks like it’s set up for VU in near perfect fashion.

A pair of Big Ten teams on the road to start serves as a perfect baptism by fire. And VU will probably win at IU. In the other 10 non-conference games, or “preseason” as coach Keith Freeman always calls them, the longest trips are to Northern Iowa and Akron (Ohio).

So being travel-weary before the conference season starts, which has been an issue once or twice in recent years for the women, will not be an issue.

Once the Crusaders get into the Mid-Con campaign, there will be plenty of advantages on the court to pounce on.

When those games against Western Illinois roll around on Jan. 20 and Feb. 17, perennial thorn in VU’s side, Zane Teilane, will not be dominating in the middle.

She’s now roaming the paint for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA, leading them to the playoffs.

Not that Braun, now the tallest player in the conference at 6-foot-5, struggled immensely against Teilane, but now it will be much easier for Braun to dominate.

IUPUI, which has also been a tough game for VU, lost Valparaiso High grad Brooke McAfee, one of the top shot-blockers in NCAA history. So that’s another post presence Braun doesn’t have to worry about.

As for the Mid-Con schedule itself, it sets up perfect with three home games to finish and only one tough road trip travel-wise. That comes right away at Oral Roberts on Jan. 6, then at Centenary two days later.

And how about the options Freeman has on offense with an athletic 6-4 Evva Comans probably joining the regular rotation in the post and Aggie Kulaga, Sanna Helenius, Peller and both Hochstetler twins (Launa and Leah) providing potency and versatility.

Yeah, there’s still more than two months until the season starts, but that just means more time to drink brown and gold Kool-Aid.

Yum yum.

Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com

Mid-Con adds more schools--The Peoria Journal Star

Dakota schools make it 10 for Mid-Continent--The Spectrum

South Dakota State University accepts invitation to join Mid-Continent Conference--www.mid-con.com

Zane Teilane has busy off season planned--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 8/31/2006

Crusaders add walk-on--The NWI Times

IPFW joins Mid-Con--The Spectrum

14 home games on SUU men's hoops slateThe Spectrum

Felton returns to aid T-Bird coaching staff--The Spectrum

IPFW accepts invitation to join Mid-Continent Conference--www.mid-con.com

North Dakota State University accepts invitation to join Mid-Continent Conference--www.mid-con.com

Mid-continent Conference: IPFW signing on as eighth team in 2007--The Tulsa World

Taylor and Kinne Join Gents Basketball Staff--GoCentenary.Com

Ortega Shines For Trinidad & Tobago During International Goodwill Tournament--UMKC Kangaroos

Felton Returns To Men's Hoops Staff--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

IPFW’s entry to Mid-Con: ‘It’s huge’--The Fort Wayne Sentinel

NDSU accepts invitation to join the Mid-Con conference--The Bison Zone

IPFW Invited to Join the Mid-Continent Conference--IPFW Mastodons Athletics

--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 8/30/2006

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Valpo’s women’s team steps up the competition this year
--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 30, 2006

By Steve T. Gorches / Post-Tribune staff writer

The Valparaiso men won’t have exclusive rights to tough basketball schedules on the VU campus this winter.

The Crusader women’s non-conference schedule will be difficult again with six games against state and area schools that have provided some history in recent years.

Notre Dame coming to the Athletics-Recreation Center will be the biggest home contest, as well as Bradley coming to Valpo after a 79-71 double-overtime victory over VU last year in Peoria, Ill.

“We’re playing some of the best teams,” VU coach Keith Freeman said. “It’s a very challenging non-conference schedule with some great rivalry games.”

He includes Northwestern, Ball State, Indiana State, Loyola (Ill.) and a return to Bloomington to face Indiana as rivalry games.

VU played Indiana on a semi-regular basis up until 1999. With the NCAA changing the rule on how many games schools can play (now 29 with an exempt tournament), putting the Hoosiers back on the schedule was an easy choice.

Ball State and Indiana State both will be part of classic events in back-to-back weeks. The Crusaders will face the Sycamores on Dec. 2 at the Hoosier State Classic in Indianapolis, and the Cardinals on Dec. 10 at Hoopla: A Celebration of Women’s Basketball at IPFW in Fort Wayne. Last year VU faced Purdue in the same classic.

The pre-Mid-Con schedule will provide several different styles of play as a great precursor to the Mid-Con season.

“We have a good assortment with different types of play,” Freeman said. “Primary zone, pressing, man-to-man, halfcourt, athletic teams and some that just want to run and score 80-90 points per game. It’s a wide variety of teams and hopefully that gets us ready for Mid-Con.”

Crusaders add Hoosier flavor to schedule--The NWI Times

Men’s Basketball Set for Games in Canada--OUGrizzlies.com

A Visit from Notre Dame, Trips to Northwestern and Indiana Highlight 2006-2007 Valpo Women’s Hoops Schedule--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 8/25/2006

STEVE T. GORCHES COLUMN: Kirby’s timing not great but his opportunity to advance is
--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 25, 2006

You’d be hard-pressed to find a high school head coach in any sport in Northwest Indiana with more integrity than former Valparaiso High School girls basketball coach Greg Kirby.

Even as he was fielding quotes about changing jobs last Thursday — Kirby stepped away from one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in the state to be an assistant at Valparaiso University — he was apologetic about the news being announced on the first day of the prep football season.

Not exactly great timing.

He also sent a verbal apology toward Valpo High for not giving them enough notice, in his humble opinion, before girls basketball season with practice starting in less than two months.

The athletic director who hired him didn’t feel the apology was necessary.

“When you have a quality person like Greg, you’re aware he has some quality opportunities out there,” said Valparaiso A.D. Sam Rasmussen, who has been in charge of Valparaiso athletics since before Kirby was hired in 1990.

“We feel some urgency (to fill the position), but in life you can’t always plan things out. I know he didn’t want it to come this late. But sometimes you have to seize the moment and I encouraged him to do that.”

That moment was changing his daily trip from the west side of the city to the southeast side as a member of Keith Freeman’s staff.

But why would he put aside years of success with the Vikings — 11 sectional titles, eight regionals and four appearances in the IHSAA state finals — to be the second banana in a mid-major college program?

“Being an assistant isn’t that much of an issue to me,” Kirby said. “I want to do my best to help a team play the game as well as they can play it.”

It helped that Freeman will be his immediate boss.

“We’ve had a good relationship for 12 or 13 years,” he said. “I wouldn’t choose to be an assistant under just anybody.”

There are plenty of reasons that Kirby should have stayed at Valpo High. There are plenty of better reasons for Kirby to move to VU.

There’s the economic reasons — not just the salary, though it’s probably substantial. How about his daughter Elise, who attends Valpo High. As a staff member at VU, Kirby would pay substantially less for her tuition, maybe nothing, if he’s still there when her college decision arrives.

Any parent would have that little perk on their mind while making a huge employment decision like Kirby’s.

The 59-year-old will go down as one of the most successful coaches in Northwest Indiana history, boys and girls because he had a pretty good record while coaching the Portage boys.

One or two hall-of-fame inductions have to be in his future with only Crown Point’s Tom May and West Side’s Rod Fisher alongside Kirby in the girls 400-victory club in the region.

So what took so long for a college to request his valuable services? Rasmussen wonders why also.

“He gave great things to our school and community,” he said. “To be honest, I’m surprised more people wouldn’t want his qualities as a coach.”

Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com

Midconfans News 8/24/2006

MARK LAZERUS COMMENTARY: Early exit the best thing for Miles and VU--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 24, 2006

Maybe Jimmie Miles really did just want out. Maybe Homer Drew really did have no intention of ever reinstating him.

Or maybe the split really was amicable, and both sides genuinely thought a transfer was in Miles’ best interest.

Regardless of the behind-the-scenes reasoning, one thing is clear: Valparaiso University has lost its projected starting point guard, and one of its few experienced players, mere months before the start of the season.

Here’s another thing that’s clear: the Crusaders will be far better off for it.

The Miles situation was going to be an albatross around the Crusaders’ necks throughout the season. After his arrest in mid-July for his role as a delivery man in a stolen cell phone scam, Drew promptly suspended Miles from the team.

Drew stood by his man and said all the right things about how Miles cooperated with police and owned up to his actions. But there was no way this was going to end well.

If Drew makes the suspension permanent and kicks Miles off the team, he looks cold and callous, particularly in the wake of his post-arrest comments.

That hurts recruiting, as no kid wants to think he might ever be hung out to dry by his coach.

If Drew reinstates Miles, he runs the risk of setting a dangerous precedent. Where do you draw the line? What crimes are forgivable, and what crimes are too egregious?

That hurts recruiting, too, as no parents want to send their kid to a troubled program.

If Drew keeps Miles suspended, he’s perpetually bombarded with questions about his status, and the season’s focus becomes this minor stain on the program rather than all the good things going on, including a talented freshman class and the upcoming move to the Horizon League.

That hurts recruiting the most, as the conference change could be Valparaiso’s best recruiting tool since Bryce Drew’s famed shot in the NCAA Tournament.

Miles’ apparently amicable departure — particularly before the season really gets going — is the absolute best resolution to an unfortunate situation at Valparaiso.

There’ll be no distractions and little impact on the program’s prestige, as Miles and his minor offense should be distant memories by the time November rolls around. And Drew avoids having to decide Miles’ fate, instead magnanimously helping the player find a new school and a fresh start.

On the court, it’s not quite so rosy. Without the talented-but-underachieving Miles, the Crusaders have only 11 players — three of them true freshmen. Inexperience was already a concern heading into the season, as all five starters from last season graduated. Now it’s even worse.

But in the long run, Miles’ absence could be a blessing in disguise. Frankly, what matters most this season isn’t this season — it’s preparing for next season and the jump to the much tougher and higher-profile Horizon League. With Miles out of the picture, future standouts such as sophomore Brandon McPherson and freshmen Paul Guede and Samuel Haanpaa will be that much more seasoned when the Crusaders make the big leap.

The best-case scenario, of course, would have been if Miles had never gotten caught up in this mini-crime syndicate. But his imminent — and amicable — departure is the next best thing.

Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

Change is good--The NWI Times

Ayuba Progressing Nicely From ACL Surgery--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Announces 2006-07 Women's Basketball Schedule--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 8/23/2006

Oral Roberts, Valparaiso selected to participate in 2007 ESPN BracketBusters series--www.mid-con.com

Golden Eagles add one home date--The Tulsa World

ORU Basketball Selected for Home Bracket Buster Contest--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Crusader Basketball Again Selected for BracketBusters Event--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 8/22/2006

Avery to play for IUPUI--The Indy Star

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Likely starting guard was arrested earlier for his part in a cell-phone scam--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 22, 2006

By Mark Lazerus / Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

Valparaiso University on Monday granted Jimmie Miles a release from his basketball scholarship so that the suspended guard can seek a transfer to another school.

Miles, a senior who was penciled in as the starting point guard for the Crusaders this season, was arrested last month for playing what police described as a minor role as a delivery person in a cell phone scam. Head coach Homer Drew indefinitely suspended Miles from the team, and shortly after the arrest the two met to discuss Miles’ future. Both sides agreed that a transfer and a fresh start were in Miles’ best interests. Drew said he never decided whether Miles’ suspension would become permanent, because it became immediately apparent that he was going to seek a transfer.

“I met with Jimmie and his family and we went through everything and felt this was the best direction to go in,” Drew said. “Now he can look for a school to finish his degree. It’s imperative to help him find a place to get his degree. He’s only got two semesters to go.”

Drew said he will assist Miles in his search for a new school. If Miles transfers to a Division II or III school, he can play right away. If he goes to another Division I school, he wouldn’t be eligible until the 2007-08 season.

The 6-2 Miles played in 19 games last season, starting 11. He averaged only 4.9 points per game, but was expected to play a major role on a young team as a senior. Now forward Moussa Mbaye is the lone senior on the team.

“(Miles) is an awful, awful good player,” Drew said. “He was one of our best.”

Drew said it’s too early to tell who'll step into Miles’ role, but incoming freshmen Paul Guede and Samuel Haanpaa appear to be logical candidates.

“The young people will get an opportunity to play, that’s for sure,” Drew said. “We’ve got only one senior now, with eight freshmen and sophomores. We will be young, but we like what we have. We’re going to be a very fun team to watch.”

Miles’ release means the Crusaders have one more scholarship, but with school starting, it’s unlikely that slot will be filled this season.

“We don’t have anyone coming in,” Drew said. “We won’t fill it this year unless something miraculous happens in the next day or two.”

Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

MIKE HUTTON COLUMN: Projected top class instead bottomed out for Crusaders

Aug. 22, 2006

Unless Moussa Mbaye turns into Kareem Abdul-Jabbar next year, which is about as likely as me being hired by the New York Times, one fact is certain about Valparaiso University’s 2003 recruiting class.

It can officially be classified as a near-total failure.

Throw those copies of Hoop Scoop into the trash if you bleed VU brown and gold. Ask for your money back if you actually paid the $460 yearly fee.

That publication ranked VU’s class that year as the 19th best in the nation. Better than UCLA, Florida, and Missouri. It was called one of the best mid-major classes every assembled.

That publication was referenced frequently and exhaustively in descriptions of the wonder class.

Boy, were they ever wrong. Dewey defeats Truman, the infamous Chicago Tribune headline, was closer to the truth.

With the news that Jimmie Miles has decided to transfer to another school after getting arrested earlier this summer in a cell phone scam, Mbaye is the last player standing in the Athletics-Recreation Center from that heralded four-person class.

Mbaye, a 6-9 forward/center, has never averaged more than three points per game in what has mostly been a reserve roll for him.

And the other two players? One — Kenny Harris — isn’t playing basketball anymore and the other, Oumar Sylla, transferred to Richmond after his freshman year.

Taken individually, their stories are, in some ways, sad.

Harris, a 6-9 center, collapsed during a work-out in the spring of 2005 and his heart stopped. He was in a coma for weeks before he woke up. He is better now but he won’t ever play competitive basketball again. Harris battled weight and back problems for most of his two-year career and it appeared that he was rounding into the best shape of his life when he went down.

Miles, a lightning-quick point guard with a good shot, struggled with injuries and illness for three seasons. He had flashes where he looked brilliant, scoring 22 points against Charlotte in 2004.

Mostly, he’ll be remembered for a mysterious stomach ailment that kept him out of numerous games and his arrest last month for being the delivery man in a scam to sell illegally obtained cell phones.

Sylla, who in one season had distinguished himself as a defensive stopper for the team, did have a serviceable season for the Spiders.

He started every game, averaging six points and 33 minutes per contest. He was second on the team in steals. But the minute he knew he was good, he left, perhaps because he was going to have to play behind Dan Oppland for three years.

Even had they stayed together healthy and whole, it’s ludicrous to believe that they were really a top 20 class.

The premature hype lavished on these players did the program a disservice.

Everybody wanted to buy into the dream but the price turned out to be some impossible expectations for VU and its coaching staff.

This ought to be a lesson for college coaches.

Treat them like high school seniors who aren’t very good until proved otherwise. And don’t ever cite Hoop Scoop when sending out press releases detailing your latest recruits.

Contact Mike Hutton at 648-3139 or at mhutton@post-trib.com

Thomas Resigns as UMKC Athletics Director--www.mid-con.com

Women’s Basketball Announce 2006-07 Schedule--GoCentenary.Com

IUPUI BASKETBALL TEAM ADDS FINAL PIECE FOR 2006-07 CAMPAIGN--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Whitney Law Named Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 8/19/2006

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Kirby going from coaching Vikings to Crusaders--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 19, 2006

By Steve T. Gorches / Post-Tribune staff writer

Assistant-coach hires in college sports are usually pretty underwhelming.

Once in a while one will jump out, but for the most part it’s just business as usual.

Friday’s announcement from Valparaiso University women’s basketball coach Keith Freeman was one of the unique times.

Longtime Valparaiso High School girls coach Greg Kirby will put the teaching and coaching grind of high school behind him and head across town to be an assistant under Freeman.

Kirby has been one of the top high school coaches in the state, let alone Northwest Indiana, with 437 career victories combined as a boys and girls coach.

He coached the Portage boys squad for nine years (1978-87) before arriving at Valparaiso in 1990.

In addition to the multitude of victories, Kirby led the Vikings to the top of the Duneland Conference 12 times, as well as 11 sectional titles, eight regional championships, four semistate titles and runner-up in the state twice in 1996 and 2000.

The 1996 effort earned him Indiana coach of the year honors from the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association and the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

“I’m looking for a new challenge at this point in my life,” the 59-year-old Kirby said. “I didn’t really have a desire to be a college coach. I like coaching at the high school level. The opportunity presented itself and thought it would be interesting to try coaching at the college level.”

Freeman admitted he brought up the question of becoming an assistant to Kirby, someone he considers more than a close acquaintance.

“Greg is a close friend and someone I balanced a lot of ideas off of the last 13 years,” Freeman said. “He’ll watch our team play and I’ll ask his opinion. I think he’s very knowledgeable. What he and his staff have accomplished at Valparaiso is amazing. I have a great deal of trust in him.”

It’s not too far of a stretch to say most of the area’s high school coaches will be shocked to hear news of Kirby’s departure. One of his longtime friendly rivals was taken aback by the news.

“I’m surprised that in talking with him, he still had the passion and still was doing a terrific job,” Crown Point girls coach Tom May said. “He had one of the best young talented freshmen classes he’s had in year. I’m happy for him. If he’s happy with the decision and his family is happy, I’m 100 percent behind him.”

Kirby said a key selling point for the move was that it was just from one side of the city to the other.

“That’s what made it a good fit. The planets were aligned right,” Kirby said.

Besides the coaching relationship, Kirby and Freeman also have co-directed a team camp at VU the last four years.

The “acquisition” will enhance the Crusaders’ ability to recruit local and state talent to the women’s program.

One of those local players is someone Kirby has faced from the other side the last four years. Kelly Peller played against Kirby at Chesterton before signing with the Crusaders in the spring.

And she was a thorn the Vikings’ side individually.

“I’ll enjoy that,” Kirby said about coaching Peller. “We really didn’t have much success stopping her.”

As for the job he left behind, Kirby said he will have no input in his replacement and he regrets the timing of his decision with fall practice right around the corner.

Contact Steve T. Gorches at 648-3141 or sgorches@post-trib.com

VHS's Kirby headed to VU--The NWI Times

Former Western Illinois women’s basketball standout Zane Teilane to play in first-ever WNBA Playoffs with Washington Mystics--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 8/18/2006

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Former VU star headed to Europe--The Post-Tribune

Aug. 18, 2006

By Mark Lazerus / Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

When agent Steve Moeller received a phone call from Boot Tony, the head coach of the Netherlands’ Hanzevast Capitals, asking him about Dan Oppland’s toughness, Moeller could only laugh.

“He said, 'I’m a tough coach. A real tough coach. Is he going to be OK with that?’ ” Moeller recalled. “I told him, 'Dan loves guys like you. I know what kind of a kid he is. He’s a winner. And if you told him to go stand out in the rain and not move until you got back, if you came back tomorrow he’d still be there. That’s just the kind of kid he is.’ ”

That’s all the coach needed to hear.

Oppland, a 6-foot-8 forward who enjoyed one of the most prolific careers in Valparaiso University history, signed a one-year contract to play professionally for the Hanzevast Capitals in Groningen this season. He’ll play in the top league in the Netherlands, and if his team is successful enough, also will play in the elite European League.

“It’s a wonderful spot for him to start out,” Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said. “There are several other Americans on the team, so it’ll be a great adjustment time for him.”

Moeller declined to offer specifics, but said Oppland received a “very good deal.” If Oppland plays well and proves himself capable, he can perhaps move up in the European ranks to a team in Spain, Italy, Greece or France, leagues which typically offer much higher salaries.

Oppland, a three-year All-Mid-Continent Conference selection, averaged 19.8 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior at Valparaiso.

“European teams expect the Americans to be the leaders on and off the court,” Moeller said. “They expect them to put up the numbers. So if Dan does that, then next year he’s looking at a lot more money.”

Oppland was hoping to latch on to an NBA summer league, but two leads fell through.

“Two NBA teams flat-out lied to me,” Moeller said.

The process of finding a team was a little tougher for Oppland, who couldn’t take advantage of a terrific opportunity when he participated in the prestigious Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament in April. Oppland found himself on a team loaded with top-tier guards and rarely saw the ball. That prevented him from getting the necessary exposure to get an invitation to the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla.

But Moeller said he received a few offers from European teams, and settled on the Capitals, which offered the best situation.

Drew has seen the level of play in the Netherlands on his many overseas recruiting trips, and said the level of play is “excellent.”

Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com

Oppland going Dutch--The NWI Times

ORU women release 2006-07 schedule--The Tulsa World

Former Crusader Dan Oppland Signs Professional Contract--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women’s Basketball Adds Greg Kirby to Coaching Staff--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 8/17/2006

OU schedule has look of a long, strange trip--The Oakland Press
FROM STAFF REPORTS

Known to put together demanding schedules in the past, Oakland University men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe admitted the one he put together for next season “scares me a little bit.”
The Golden Grizzlies released their 2006-07 schedule on Wednesday, and it appears as if Kampe has outdone himself in terms of scheduling tough competition.
OU will play nine teams that played in a postseason tournament last year, seven of which were in the NCAA tournament.
The Golden Grizzlies will play games at Pittsburgh, at Cincinnati, at Arkansas, at UCLA, at Marquette and at Michigan State (Nov. 25). OU will also play at Eastern Michigan on Dec. 5.
“It’s a great schedule for our student-athletes,” Kampe said. “They are going to have an opportunity to play in some of the best venues in the country, experience some of the richest traditions and play against some of the top players in the nation.”
OU’s prominent homecourt games will be against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Dec. 2 and Toledo on Dec. 30.

Oakland Announces 2006-07 Men’s Basketball Schedule--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 8/16/2006

Gents face daunting hoops schedule--The Shreveport Times

Flaska Announces 2006-07 Gents Basketball Schedule--GoCentenary.Com

Oakland Announces 2006-07 Men’s Basketball Schedule--OUGrizzlies.com

Midconfans News 8/10/2006

http://www.ougrizzlies.com/story.asp?sportid=7&a=2896--GoCentenary.Com

Midconfans News 8/9/2006

Gents Fill Out Roster with Final Signing--GoCentenary.Com

Midconfans News 8/8/2006

Women's Basketball Among Top-10 In Increased Attendance--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 8/5/2006

OU reaping benefit of NCAA bid--The Oakland Press

Women’s Basketball Hosts Clinic for City Mission in Detroit--OUGrizzlies.com

Sutton Announces 2006-07 Men's Basketball Schedule--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 8/4/2006

Golden Eagles to face Seton Hall--The Shreveport Times

Midconfans News 8/3/2006

NIT Shrinks From 40 to 32 Teams--MICentralSports.com

Lincoln Prep star will go to UMKCThe Kansas City Star

UMKC Signs Local Hoopster To A National Letter of Intent--UMKC Kangaroos

Midconfans News 8/1/2006

Former OU Standout Rawle Marshall Part of NBA Trade--OUGrizzlies.com