Uncategorized – HoriZone Roundtable

Bob and Matt start of by remembering Earl Cureton, the staple of Detroit Mercy basketball who passed away on Sunday, a day after providing color for the Titans game against Robert Morris. They also talk about Detroit Mercy's luck being bad already, having clinched the Horizon League record for consecutive losses this week. Plus, they discuss the rest of the conference, which now has two teams tied for the top spot. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/horizonert/message

In this bonus episode, Bob has a conversation with new Milwaukee head coach Bart Lundy, in which they talk about his two stints at Division II Queens University (including his recent success during his second go-around). They also talk about his time on Buzz Williams' staff at Marquette, as well as his tenure with High Point.

With men's basketball season officially over, Bob and Matt discuss some of the early moves among Horizon League players. This includes DeAndre Gholston finding a landing spot on Dennis Gates' new squad, Grant Basile's entry into the transfer portal and how that will impact Wright State, and Garrett Covington entering the portal after an injury-shortened extra season.

With post-season tournaments in full swing, Bob and Matt discuss Wright State's First Four win against Bryant, as well as the odd circumstances surrounding Horizon League teams playing in The Basketball Classic. Also, they talk about the arrival of Milwaukee's new head coach, Bart Lundy, as well as the pending departure of Dennis Gates, a move that doesn't really surprise anyone, given the buzz around him over the past year.

Bob is joined by Kyle Rossi and Blake Schumaker to talk about the Horizon League teams making their way into the post-season. That includes Wright State's play-in game against Bryant on the men's side and upset-minded IUPUI's journey to Norman to face Oklahoma on the women's side. They also talk about the NIT bid Cleveland State, a pair of WNIT bids for Youngstown State and Green Bay, a CBI journey for Purdue Fort Wayne, and CIT games for Youngstown State and Detroit Mercy.

Bob is in Indianapolis for the semifinals and finals of the Horizon League Tournament, and he and Matt break down the match-ups between the final four teams. They also talk about the firing of Pat Baldwin, Sr. at Milwaukee and where that program will go next.

In this bonus episode, Bob talks with the six players that made up IUPUI's entire team for the last month of the season: BJ Maxwell (@Countup_Max), Bakari LaStrap (@Mr_Lastrap), Mike DePersia (@mikeydep3), Nathan McClure (@nathanmcclure98) and Boston Stanton (@boston3_0), and Chuks Isitua (@kingchuks_1). They discuss how they worked through the end of the season, which included some strangely bad luck in some spots and, of course, the Jags' win over Robert Morris.

With the first round of the Horizon League tournament in the books, Bob and Matt come together for this bonus episode to discuss everything that happened, including IUPUI's toughness playing five guys, even in defeat, Robert Morris' upset of Youngstown State, the end of Milwaukee's disaster of a season at the hands of UIC, and Antoine Davis doing Antoine Davis-like things (i.e. score 38 points).

The regular season is over for the Horizon League, and with a low seed being predicted for the ultimate victor of the conference tournament, Bob and Matt discuss how the top teams not named Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky have had mixed results in their final games. They also talk about the upcoming games on Tuesday and whether the lower seeds have any chance of an upset.

Bob is flying solo this week, in which Cleveland State wrapped up the Horizon League regular season title, while the remaining seeds from 2 through 6 remain up for grabs. He lays out the scenarios in which each of those teams can clinch a first-round bye, and well as talks about Oakland's odd collapse at the hands of Wright State and Northern Kentucky, not to mention the Raiders and Norse's inability to beat Detroit Mercy. He also talks about IUPUI getting its first conference win of the season as the Jaguars still play with only six healthy players on the roster.

The Horizon League is heading towards the end of the regular season, and it's still anyone's race. Bob and Matt talk about the ramifications of some key upsets, as well as UIC's dismissal then return to the conference post-season.

The top of the Horizon League standings has shifted once again, and Bob and John talk about the ramifications of Oakland's bad weekend. They also talk about the shaky return of Pat Baldwin, Jr. for Milwaukee, IUPUI and Green Bay's ever-dwindling rotations, and the set-up for the remaining games of the regular season.

Bob and John talk about this week's Horizon League slate, including Northern Kentucky's recent surge that includes wins against Wright State and Cleveland State. They also talk about Oakland's return to the top of the standings, another notable player departure in Donovan Ivory from Green Bay, and Milwaukee's woes without Pat Baldwin, Jr., which may soon come to an end.

With UIC heading the the Missouri Valley Conference, Bob and John discuss the potential impacts of the remaining Horizon League schools. They also talk with Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP), writer of the Extra Points Newsletter, about additional effects of the UIC's departure, as well as some potential replacements.

Halfway through the conference schedule (sort of), Bob and Matt break down the week's actions, including Milwaukee's upset of Oakland, Cleveland State's free throw woes, and IUPUI's incredibly shrinking roster. They also discuss Wright State's resurgence, Youngstown State's decline, and Purdue Fort Wayne's move into the top for of the HL.

Oakland prevailed after two tough match-ups with Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne, and Bob and Matt discuss how the Golden Grizzlies stayed on top of the Horizon League. They also talk about, among other things, Wright State's rotation (which temporarily shrunk considerably this week), Robert Morris' first conference win, and IUPUI's continued woes, as well as when Pat Baldwin, Jr. may return to the lineup for Milwaukee. 

Bob and Matt, after a long week of Horizon League competition, discuss what went down, including the wins Oakland and Cleveland State put up leading to their match-up. Also, they talk about Antoine Davis becoming the all-time leading scorer at Detroit Mercy, the ongoing injury issues of Pat Baldwin, Jr., and the recent departure of yet another Robert Morris player.

This a recording of the annual live New Year's Day episode, in which Bob was joined by Kyle Rossi (@KyleHZRT), Blake Schumaker (@bschumakerRT) and Alec Kwait (@alec_kwait) to discuss the Horizon League's return to conference place. Among other topics were the ongoing COVID policy set by the league, the absence of Pat Baldwin, Jr., and the emerging battle in the women's basketball standings.

With the non-conference schedule wrapping up, Bob and Matt wade through what to make of the Horizon League at this point. First, they delve into whether or not IUPUI is careening towards a level of futility not seen since the 2003-04 Cleveland State squad lost its final 21 games. Then, before the HL slate gets into full swing, they make their predictions who the top four teams in the league will be.

With multiple Horizon League teams taking the week off, Bob and Matt talk about the teams that did compete, including Youngstown State, who swept their two games, and Milwaukee, who fell short against Colorado. And since Matt has been out the last couple of weeks, the discuss Oakland's start that experienced a hiccup with a one-point loss against Bowling Green.

The first weekend of the Horizon League conference schedule is the the books, and Bob and John talk about how the first two games impacted each team in the league. The discussion includes Oakland's continued success, Cleveland State showing why they were picked first in the preseason, and question marks surrounding multiple teams, including Wright State and Northern Kentucky.

Bob and John delve into yet another week of non-conference games, as well as the started of the conference slate for the women, which found IUPUI notably absent due to COVID issues. They discuss the rise of Jamal Cain as one of the best players in the league during the early going, as well as some of the struggles teams from top to bottom have had in unexpected places. 

College basketball season has officially started, and Bob and John are joined by 2005 Horizon League Player of the Year Ed McCants (@EdwardMcCantsMS). They talk about McCants' post-playing days, as well as the first week of the non-conference slate.

This is the first part of the 2020 Jimmy Lemke Fan Battle Royale. Fans from every school not named Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky and Youngstown State weighed in on a variety of topics related to last season and prospects for the year ahead. The list of participants: Cleveland State:  Tim Bundy (@duds14) Detroit Mercy: Shawn O'Neil (@UD_Shawn) Green Bay: Kevin Pytleski (@KevinPyt) IUPUI: Erin Dunn (@Mystic_Flute1) Oakland: Landon Melling (@landoncmelling) Purdue Fort Wayne: Travis Olinske (@TravisOlinske) UIC: Olyer Anderson (@Flamesmania) Wright State: Mathis Amidon (@bonesamidon)

Bob and Matt welcome student media members from around the Horizon League to talk about their respective teams, as well as the conference in general in the runup to the 2021-22 season. Guest include: Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26), RMU Sentry Media Parker Testa (@ParkerTesta), WWSU 106.9 FM Matthew Scheidel (@msheidel315), Oakland Post Brendan Connelly (@connellybt), The Northerner --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Exhibition games have started in the Horizon League, and Bob and Matt talk about all the games that took place this past week. These include a charity match-up between Oakland and Eastern Michigan, the return of defending champs Cleveland State, and the debut of Pat Baldwin, Jr. at Milwaukee.

Bob, Matt and John get together to recap everything that came out during Preview Week (at horizoneroundtable.com). In Part 2, they tackle the top half of the preseason rankings, as well as what will likely be a season-long battle for Horizon League Player of the Year.

Bob, Matt and John get together to recap everything that came out during Preview Week (at horizoneroundtable.com). In Part 1, they discuss how the bottom half of the conference shook out, and what each team could do to outperform their preseason ranking.

With both the Horizon League and the HoriZone Roundtable releasing their preseason polls and all-league picks, Bob and John talked with Reach the Horizon Podcast host Justin Kinner (@1410Kinner) about how the two polls compare and contrast, as well as potential for some surprises as the season wears on. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Alec Kwait and Kyle Rossi record live from Cleveland State's VIKEtober basketball showcase, where they spoke with men's basketball coach Dennis Gates, women's basketball coach Chris Kielsmeier, and players Torrey Patton, Destiny Leo, Tre Gomillion and Amele Ngwafang.

Bob and Matt are joined by the play-by-play voices for the television and radio broadcasts of teams around the Horizon League. They discuss their individual teams, as well as some topics that affect the entire conference. Guest include: Northern Kentucky: Brady Laber (@BradyLaber1) Oakland: Neal Ruhl (@nealruhl) Purdue Fort Wayne: John Nolan (@John_G_Nolan) Wright State: Chris Collins (@chriscollins381) Youngstown State: Robb Schmidt (@YSU_Robb)

John fills in for Matt once again to continue the discussion of moves outside of the Horizon League that have the potential for the conference to invite some new faces. They talk about Southern Indiana's exploration of moving up to D1, as well as where Bellarmine now fits in the ASUN with that league's aggressive expansion strategy, among others. Also, with the Blue Ribbon preseason predictions out, they discuss how the publication shapes up the Horizon League.

Bob and John Parker, filling in for Matt, welcome Kyle Rossi (@KyleHZRT) to talk about how the Horizon League shapes up on the women's side. Topics include the brand-new roster for Detroit Mercy, Wright State's coaching change and how good the top half of the league, specifically IUPUI and Milwaukee, will be. They also discuss a conference change that could have ramifications for the Horizon League. 

Horizon League handicapper Horizon Boy (@HorizonBoy_HB) is back to talk with Bob and John (who's filling in for Matt) about the upcoming season. They also discuss some of the predictions made by some of the preseason basketball publications.

Bob goes solo and talks with Purdue Fort Wayne men's basketball coach Jon Coffman (@CoachCoffman). They discuss the Mastodons' first year in the Horizon League amid the pandemic, as well as what the upcoming season holds.

This is the annual HoriZone Roundtable writer's forum, in which Bob and Matt invite contributors from horizoneroundtable.com to discuss their respective team's off-seasons, prospects for the 2021-22 season, and views of the rest of the conference. This year's participants include John Parker (@horizonejohn), Kyle Craven (@KyleCraven_NR), Alec Kwait (@alec_kwait), Karic Jones (@Karic_Jones), Marc Weems (@bigweems), Kyle Rossi (@KyleHZRT), and Horizon Boy (@HorizonBoy_HB).

With Bob heading into a break for the summer, he and Matt discuss a variety of lingering topics within the Horizon League, specifically the ongoing situation with the Detroit Mercy women's basketball team. Also, Wright State has a new women's head coach in Kari Hoffman, and Cleveland State's Dennis Gates, the rumored target of many open high-profile jobs, signs a long-term contract extension.

Bob and Matt are joined by Northern Kentucky great Drew McDonald to talk about the current situation regarding former NKU coach John Brannen, who was ousted from the University of Cincinnati. They also talk about Drew's playing days, what he's been up to since graduating, and the current landscape of the Horizon League.

Pat Baldwin, Jr. has signed with Milwaukee, making him on of the most prominent recruits in Horizon League history. Bob and John talk about the impact of this, and, of course, have a conversation with his dad, Panthers head coach Pat Baldwin, Sr., about Milwaukee's prospects for next season. And naturally, Jimmy Lemke makes an appearance to give his assessment of the signing. 

Jimmy Lemke returns again to co-host his namesake event with Bob, talking with fans from all over the Horizon League once again to talk about the previous season, as well as prospects for next season. This year's participants: Cleveland State: Jon Durda(@pronkville08) Detroit Mercy: Rick Neaton (@rickneaton) Green Bay: Jim Sarow (@JimSarow) Oakland: Brian Nguyen (@kim.jong.skillz) Purdue Fort Wayne: Travis Olinske (@TravisOlinske) Robert Morris: Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26) UIC: Olyer Anderson (@OlyerAnderson) Youngstown State: Matt Fin (@MattyFin21)

Jimmy Lemke returns again to co-host his namesake event with Bob, talking with fans from all over the Horizon League once again to talk about the previous season, as well as prospects for next season. This year's participants: Cleveland State: Jon Durda(@pronkville08) Detroit Mercy: Rick Neaton (@rickneaton) Green Bay: Jim Sarow (@JimSarow) Oakland: Brian Nguyen (@kim.jong.skillz) Purdue Fort Wayne: Travis Olinske (@TravisOlinske) Robert Morris: Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26) UIC: Olyer Anderson (@OlyerAnderson) Youngstown State: Matt Fin (@MattyFin21)

Former IUPUI player and assistant coach Matt Crenshaw returns to his alma mater to take over the men's basketball team, and Bob, Matt and John talk to him about his new role. They also talk about his time in the Navy and as a player, as well as his familiarity with Horizon League foes he's come across during his career. And, of course, they talked about his former coach, Ron Hunter and the impact he made on Crenshaw's career and IUPUI.

Bob, Matt and John welcome Sean Paul, who has been busy on Making the Madness, as well as other venues, to discuss latest comings and goings in the Horizon League. This includes the recent hire of Matt Crenshaw as the next head coach of IUPUI, several key transfers into the conference, as well as one notable intraconference tranfer.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob, Matt and John welcome new Purdue Fort Wayne women's head coach Maria Marchesano to the podcast to talk about returning back to the Horizon League and, more specifically, her hometown of Fort Wayne. They also discuss the IUPUI men's and Wright State women's job openings, as well as the latest from the transfer portal. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

In this bonus episode, Bob and John talk with Milwaukee women's basketball head coach Kyle Rechlicz. The discuss, among other things, the first-round win in the WNIT, how next year is shaping up and the unique challenges that presented themselves this season. 

Bob, Matt and John (with a new Twitter handle, @horizoneJohn) talk about the post-season success of the Horizon League's women's basketball teams, including Wright State's upset of Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament and Milwaukee's dominant win over Drake in the WNIT. Bob and Matt also have a conversation with Cleveland State's Chris Kielsmeier, whose team took the WBI crown. 

With Cleveland State's loss to Houston in the NCAA Tournament, the men's basketball season is over. Bob and Matt talk about the CSU exit and head coach's Dennis Gates' future. They also discuss the never-ending discussion about improving the conference's performance in the tourney, as well as the also never-ending announcements of players in the transfer portal.

John Parker and Alec Kwait fill in for Matt this episode, as they discuss Cleveland State making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009 and facing its first-round opponent, Houston. They also talk about the flurry of activity from Horizon League players entering the transfer portal, including some prominent names.

Jimmy Lemke returns to the podcast, joining Bob, Matt, John Parker and Kyle Craven to try and wade through the quarterfinals of the Horizon League tournament, which could only be described as the craziest night of games in league history. They include the last-second Northern Kentucky win, Milwaukee's shocking OT upset of Wright State, Oakland's overtime victory versus Youngstown State, and the triple-OT triumph of Cleveland State over Purdue Fort Wayne.

First the first round of the Horizon League tournament over, Bob and Matt discuss the winners and losers, including Purdue Fort Wayne advancing against Green Bay. Also, with the Phoenix's season through, they also talk about a swath of Green Bay players entering the transfer portal, including its star, Amari Davis.