Men's Basketball Release #6

Dec. 10, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format

Horizon League Player of the Week

Josh Mayo, UIC
Junior * Guard * Merrillville, Ind. (Merrillville)
Josh Mayo won the award for the second time this season (and third in his career), shooting 68 percent from the field as the Flames opened League play with a pair of victories. The junior guard scored 29 points in 27 minutes on 10-of-12 shooting from the field with five three-pointers versus Milwaukee on Thursday, and came back with a 32-point performance to lead UIC past Green Bay on Saturday. Mayo hit nine of 16 shots from the floor with six three-pointers as the Flames defeated the Phoenix, 76-67, to claim a share of the lead in the League standings.

Other Top Performances for the Week Ending December 9

Matt Howard, Butler
Fr. * F * Connersville, Ind.
Howard posted his second double-double with 20 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in the Bulldogs' 53-46 victory. He grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and blocked three shots Saturday at Wright State.

George Tandy, Cleveland State
Jr. * F * Indianapolis, Ind.
Tandy averaged 10.5 points, five rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two Viking victories. He scored a CSU career-high 14 points with six rebounds and five blocked shots Saturday versus Youngstown State.

Jon Goode, Detroit
Sr. * G * Flint, Mich.
Goode scored 21 points in each of the Titans' games last week, giving him five games of 20 or more for the season. He added seven assists and four rebounds Thursday against Butler, and canned four treys Saturday versus Valparaiso.

Mike Schachtner, Green Bay
Jr. * F * Somerset, Wis.
Schachtner matched his season high with 24 points and pulled down a career-best nine rebounds Saturday at UIC following a 20-point performance to lead the Phoenix past Loyola on Thursday.

Leon Young, Loyola
Jr. * F * Long Beach, Calif.
Young averaged 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Ramblers. He notched the eighth double-double of his career with 21 points and a career-best 14 rebounds in Loyola's 73-68, overtime victory over Milwaukee on Saturday.

Torre Johnson, Milwaukee
Sr. * F * Milwaukee, Wis.
Johnson scored a collegiate-best 30 points in the Panthers' loss at UIC on Thursday, and came back with a double-double of 19 points and 12 boards in Saturday's loss at Loyola. He shot 53 percent from the field in the two contests.

Shawn Huff, Valparaiso
Sr. * F * Helsinki, Finland
Huff posted 16 points on six-of-11 shooting Thursday as the Crusaders snapped Wright State's 14-game homecourt winning streak. Huff also scored 15 points in Saturday's victory at Detroit, putting Valpo at 2-0 in League play.

Vaughn Duggins, Wright State
So. * G * Pendleton, Ind.
Duggins scored a team-high 18 points on seven-of-14 shooting in Thursday's loss to Valparaiso. The sophomore tallied eight points and two steals Saturday to help pace the Raiders past 13th-ranked Butler 43-42 on Saturday.

John Barber, Youngstown State
Sr. * F * Detroit, Mich.
Barber scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in two games, including an 18-point effort Saturday against Cleveland State. The senior had 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in Wednesday's loss to Kent State.

News From Around the League

Crusaders make early statement in League
Valparaiso made an auspicious debut in Horizon League play, opening this week tied for first place at 2-0 in loop action following victories at Wright State (71-66 on Thursday) and at Detroit (81-68 on Saturday). Valpo is 8-1 overall for and carries a six-game winning streak, the school's longest since Dec. 29, 2005-Jan. 14, 2006.

Valparaiso shot 66.7 percent (30-of-45) from the floor at Detroit, the best single-game showing by a League team this year. Valpo was 20-of-25 from inside the arc.

Five players averaged in double digits for the week, with six Crusaders at 8.0 or better per game for the season. That balance is a key element in Valpo's attack as the Crusaders lead the League in scoring offense at 74.3 points per game. Six different players have led the team in scoring at least once this year.

Senior guard Shawn Huff tops the team scoring charts at 13.1 points per game, with junior forward Urule Igbavboa averaging 11.6 points per contest while also ranking second in the League in rebounding (7.2 per game) and field-goal percentage (.594).

Valpo puts a ten-game homecourt winning streak on the line against Evansville on Tuesday, attempting to move to 9-1 for the first time in coach Homer Drew's 19-year tenure. The Crusaders remain at home Saturday to face Chicago State.

Flames scorching the nets at home
UIC is the other team at 2-0 in the League, improving to 5-4 overall following a 91-73 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday and a 76-67 triumph against Green Bay on Saturday. The Flames are now 4-0 in the Pavilion this season.

UIC shot 55 percent (59-of-107) from the field and 55 percent (22-of-40) from three-point range in the two games. In four home contests this year, the Flames are at 54 percent from the floor---compared to 40 percent on the road.

Junior guard Josh Mayo averaged 30.5 points in the two victories. He is 17-for-25 from three-point range at home this year, averaging 28 points per outing in his home arena. Overall, his 18.9 per-game pace is second-best in the League. Mayo is also sixth with a .553 field-goal mark.

Mayo hit six treys in the first half against the Phoenix on the way to his second 30-point effort of the year. As a team, UIC leads the League with a 45.9 percent touch behind the arc.

Junior center Scott VanderMeer stands eighth in the circuit at 6.1 rebounds per game, while his 33 blocked shots (3.67 per contest) are more than seven other teams in the League.

Freshman guard Robert Kreps is averaging 12.7 points in his last three contests, scoring in double figures in each of those games on 57 percent shooting from the field.

UIC meets intra-city rival DePaul on Saturday in the team's only game of the week.

Vikings continue strong start
Cleveland State brings a three-game winning streak into the week, including a 77-73 victory at Chicago State on Tuesday and a 77-54 triumph over Youngstown State in the Vikings' League debut on Saturday. CSU's 7-3 overall mark is the school's best ten-game start since 1991-92.

Junior guard Cedric Jackson led the way with 21 points versus the Penguins, adding to his early-season stat line. Jackson ranks fourth in the League in scoring (17.9 points per game) and tops the circuit charts in both assists (5.40 per outing) and steals (3.10 per contest).

Junior forward J'Nathan Bullock adds 14.5 points per game (ninth-best in the League) while leading the League in free-throw percentage (.913) and ranking sixth in rebounding (6.4 per night).

CSU shot 64.6 percent (31-of-48) Saturday, and is at 54.2 percent in its last three games
---compared to a .424 clip in the first seven contests of the year.

As a team, Cleveland State leads the League in rebounding margin, out-working its opponents by an average of 5.8 caroms per contest.

The Vikings take the week off for final exams, returning to the court next Tuesday (Dec. 18) against Ohio State at Quicken Loans Arena. That game could mark the debut of freshman guard Eric Schiele, who averaged 39.6 points per game as a prep senior in 2005-06.

Shorthanded Bulldogs suffer first defeat
Butler dropped to 8-1 overall (1-1 in the League) with a 43-42 loss at Wright State on Saturday. The Bulldogs, now 18th in the latest AP poll and 19th according to the ESPN/USA Today canvass, opened League play with a 53-46 victory at Detroit on Thursday, and have not allowed more than 50 points in six games played within the contiguous 48 states.

The Bulldogs played both games without senior forward Pete Campbell, who averages 14.1 points per game as a 50 percent shooter from three-point range. Campbell sprained his right knee against Ohio State and is sidelined indefinitely. Butler also is still without transfer forward Avery Jukes, who becomes eligible on Dec. 19.

Freshman forward Matt Howard recorded a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in his first collegiate start at UDM. The 12 boards were a season-high, and Howard ranks third in the League with a .597 field-goal percentage.

Senior guard Julian Betko scored a game-high 14 points Saturday, hitting four of six three-point attempts as the only Bulldog in double figures.

Senior guard A.J. Graves was held to 14 points on four-of-19 shooting in two games last week but is seventh in the League at 15.4 points per contest for the season.

Butler challenges Florida State at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. That contest is part of the Wooden Tradition doubleheader.

Phoenix continuing road swing
Green Bay starts the week at 6-3 overall (1-1 in the League) after splitting two games on the road last week. The Phoenix defeated Loyola 69-63 on Thursday before falling 76-67 at UIC on Saturday to end a four-game winning streak.

Junior forward Mike Schachtner crossed the 20-point mark in each game, giving him five such outings this season. He matched his season best with 24 at UIC. Schachtner leads the League in scoring (20.2 points per game) and ranks fifth with a .569 field-goal percentage. The junior forward needs six points to become the 20th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

Junior forward Terry Evans ranks fourth in the League at seven rebounds per game, while his 3.44 assists-per-contest norm is seventh on that loop chart. Freshman guard Rahmon Fletcher adds 11.6 points per game in his debut campaign for the Phoenix.

Green Bay shot a season-low 36.5 percent from the floor at UIC (including two-of-14 behind the arc) after hitting 49 percent or better in each game during the winning streak. The Phoenix finished at an even 50 percent at Loyola.

Green Bay closes a four-game road swing Saturday at Wisconsin, attempting to post a 7-3 start for the second time since 1996-97. The Phoenix also opened the 2004-05 campaign with seven victories in its first ten outings.



Raiders topple Butler again
Wright State opened defense of its 2006-07 Horizon League championship last week, splitting two home games as League play began. The Raiders had a 14-game homecourt winning streak snapped with Thursday's 71-66 loss to Valparaiso, but rallied to defeat 13th-ranked Butler 43-42 on Saturday to move to 3-2 overall (1-1 in the League).

Saturday's game featured a combined total of 11 free throws, while WSU took only 12 field-goal attempts in the second half and 38 in the game. Each team scored only 15 points in the second half as the Raiders held Butler to 32 percent shooting (16-of-50) for the game.

The 42 points allowed was Wright State's best defensive showing since Butler managed 39 on Jan. 3, 2004. WSU has won nine of the last 11 meetings against Butler.

Sophomore guards Todd Brown and Vaughn Duggins lead the team in scoring at 15.4 and 14.0 points per game, respectively, with Brown's total ranking eighth on the League charts. Senior forward Scottie Wilson adds 11.2 per outing, after posting ten points and five rebounds versus Butler. He leads the circuit with a .704 field-goal percentage.

Wright State continues a five-game homestand this week, facing Bradley on Tuesday before Miami (Ohio) comes to the Nutter Center on Saturday.

Ramblers return to the win column
Loyola stands at 3-5 overall and 1-1 in League play. The Ramblers dropped a 69-63 decision to Green Bay on Thursday but snapped a five-game losing streak---the program's longest since an eight-game skid in 2004---with a 73-68, overtime triumph over Milwaukee on Saturday.

Junior forward Leon Young posted his first double-double in nearly a year with 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds Saturday. He ranks third in the League at 7.1 caroms per contest for the year while also averaging 11.4 points per game.

Junior guard J.R. Blount finished with 20 points against the Phoenix, hitting the 20-point mark for the third time this season. He is fifth on the League scoring charts at 17.8 points per game. He has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games, including all eight this year.

Senior forward Tracy Robinson's basket at the end of regulation forced overtime Saturday as part of his career-best 18-point effort.

Freshman guard Geoff McCammon made his first start against the Panthers, while sophomore guard Aric Van Weelden notched a career-best five points versus UWM.

Loyola hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday in the Ramblers' only action of the week. Before the game, Loyola will honor 12 players from the 1960s, including the starting five from LU's 1963 NCAA Championship squad.

Penguins drop a pair
Youngstown State slipped to 3-5 overall with a 59-52 loss to Kent State on Wednesday and a 77-54 setback at Cleveland State in the Penguins' League-opener on Saturday.

YSU is now winless in seven Horizon League openers since joining the circuit in 2001.

Youngstown State shot 32 percent from the field against Kent State and 36 percent versus the Vikings. Youngstown State is shooting only 34.8 percent during its three-game skid---including a 21.1-percent rate from three-point range---while averaging 52 points per game. Opponents are shooting 52.7 percent from the field during that span.

Senior forward John Barber leads the Penguins in scoring (14.1 points per game) and rebounding (six per outing). Barber scored 18 points against Cleveland State and has finished in double figures seven times in eight appearances this year.

Senior guard Byron Davis adds 14 points per contest, with junior forward Jack Liles' 11.4 points-per-game norm featuring a 54.3 percent touch from the field (eighth-best in the League). Sophomore guard Vance Cooksey ranks third at 4.38 assists per game.

Youngstown State takes the week off to focus on final exams. The Penguins return to the court next Monday (Dec. 17) at home against Robert Morris (Pa.).

Titans stumble at home
Detroit dropped to 4-5 overall with two home-court losses to open the League schedule last week. The Titans fell 53-46 to Butler on Thursday before an 81-68 defeat at the hands of Valparaiso on Saturday.

Senior guard Jon Goode scored 21 points in each contest, adding ten assists and five steals in the two games. He has hit the 20-point mark five times already this season, matching Green Bay's Mike Schachtner and Cleveland State's Cedric Jackson for League honors in that department. Goode's season-best last winter was 18 points. His current 16.4 points-per-game average ranks sixth on the League scoring charts.

Goode and senior guard Zach Everingham each played their 100th career game last week. Everingham hit the century mark against Butler, with Goode making his 100th appearance Saturday. Everingham ranks fifth in the League at 3.63 assists per game with a 4.83 assists-to-turnover ratio that is fifth-best in the nation.

Junior forward Chris Hayes stands second on the League field-goal percentage charts (.597) and tops the Titans at 5.6 rebounds per game.

UDM played nine games in 28 days to open the year, but has nine days off to ponder its current three-game losing streak. The Titans return to the hardwood at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 17, two days before visiting #14/12 Texas A&M.



Panthers' skid continues
Milwaukee stands at 3-6 overall and 0-2 in the League following a 91-73 loss at UIC on Thursday and a 73-68, overtime defeat at Loyola on Saturday.

The Panthers have lost five consecutive games, with opponents shooting 51.3 percent from the field during that span while UWM is at just 40.1 percent. Milwaukee is also allowing 85 points per game during is skid, and has yielded at least 73 in each of its last eight outings.

Senior forward Torre Johnson scored a collegiate-best 30 points against UIC and notched his League-best third double-double with 19 points and 12 boards at Loyola. Johnson leads the circuit in rebounding (8.7 per game) and is third in scoring at 18.7 points per contest.

Senior forward Paige Paulsen posted 17 points at Loyola, lifting his season pace to 14 points per game. Senior forward Marcus Skinner posted his first career double-double with ten points and ten rebounds against the Ramblers.

In freshmen Tim Flowers and Deonte Roberts, UWM is starting two true freshmen for the first time since 1999-2000. Roberts has made the most of his playing time, averaging nine points in the last three contests with ten points and six assists against the Ramblers.

Milwaukee hosts Wisconsin on Wednesday in the Panthers' only game of the week.

Final exams mean light schedule this week
Like most conferences around the country, the Horizon League has a light schedule this week as teams focus on final exams.

A total of nine games are on the docket, including Butler's match-up with Florida State in the Wooden Tradition at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. A Bulldog victory would leave the Horizon League 3-0 head-to-head against the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, with BU already owning a victory over Virginia Tech and Cleveland State defeating Florida State in tournament play last month.

In addition, Milwaukee hosts Wisconsin on Wednesday, three days before Green Bay travels to Madison to face the Badgers on Saturday. The Horizon League is 2-2 against Big Ten Conference foes this season, with Butler sporting victories over Michigan and Ohio State.

The rest of the schedule includes two contests against the Missouri Valley Conference on Tuesday as Wright State hosts Bradley and Valparaiso takes on Evansville at the ARC. The MVC has won the last six head-to-head meetings between the circuits to take a 6-3 lead for the season.

Two Mid-American Conference foes come to Horizon League venues Saturday, with Miami (Ohio) at Wright State and Northern Illinois challenging Loyola. The Horizon League boasts a 7-4 advantage in the first 11 games between the conferences this year.

Also on Saturday, Valparaiso hosts Chicago State, while UIC takes on intra-city rival DePaul at Allstate Arena.

All told, the Horizon League owns a 41-26 (.612) ledger against non-League competition so far this season.