Horizone Roundtable

With the sudden departure of Mike Thomas as athletic director at Cleveland State, Bob (minus Jimmy) discusses the move with Matthew Johns of the Reserve News (@TheReserveMedia) and what CSU is looking for in a successor. Also, Bob and Matthew discuss Green Bay’s win over Belmont and the potential for the Phoenix to compete for the conference crown. Plus, how does IUPUI’s Camron Justice stack up against the top Horizon League players? Finally, Mike Davis may be putting together a better season at Detroit Mercy than most has expected. Topics: The Mike Thomas departure from Cleveland State Green Bay’s win against Belmont Camron Justice’s impact on IUPUI. Mike Davis and surprise of Detroit Mercy. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

As the non-conference schedule continues, more Horizon League teams are notching wins against Division I opponents. Among the other victories Bob and Jimmy discuss are IUPUI’s win against ACC opponent Boston College and Wright State’s convincing win against Toledo. They also talk about if the roster blueprint that Oakland has used over the years will net the same results as Wright State and Northern Kentucky. Topics: IUPUI’s win against Boston College Wright State’s win against Toledo Will Milwaukee win games in the non-conference schedule? Oakland’s early-season struggles --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

This episode, Bob (@BobMcDonald) and Jimmy (@PantherU) speak with student media representatives from across the Horizon League. Among the topics are a recap of the first week of the regular season, as well as a way-too-early assessment of the conference as a whole. Plus, they discuss the new conference tournament format, as well as the impact the new NET rankings will have in terms of future scheduling. Topics: How everyone got their start Assessing the first week of the non-conference schedule Is it too early to panic about the conference? Making sense of the NET and how the Horizon League should approach scheduling in the future The new conference tournament format Guests: Ryan Gregory, The Campus Citizen (IUPUI) – @Ryan_Gregory_ Tim Daniel, 48 Minutes Network (Northern Kentucky) – @TimDaniel518 Marc Weems, The Jambar (Youngstown State) – @bigweems Dakota Brecht, WXOU 88.3 FM (Oakland) – @BrechtDakota --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podca

Neal Ruhl (@nealruhl), the voice of Oakland basketball, joins Bob for a conversation about the upcoming season. Included in this episode is a discussion of an uncertain season the Golden Grizzlies look forward to, as well as an assessment of the rest of the Horizon League. Plus, Neal talks about turning his hatred for candy corn into a donation drive for a worthy cause in Life Remodeled. Topics: The Candy Corn challenge on GoFundMe Oakland’s potential purchase of The Palace at Auburn Hills Assessing the exhibition season Where does the Horizon League stand? Oakland’s potential for the upcoming season The impact of the Mike Davis hire to the Oakland-Detroit Mercy rivalry --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

This is the second part of a discussion Bob (@BobMcDonald) and Jimmy (@PantherU) have with fans from various Horizon League schools. They discuss what it takes for rivalries to happen within the conference. Also, with the formation of the fan council a Green Bay, how could something like this benefit some of the other conference schools? Topics: In-conference school rivalries Calling all IUPUI fans Attracting new fans at all conference schools. Participants: Jon Durda (@pronkville08) Jim Sarow (@JimSarow) Chris Schutte (@ChrisSchutte3) Matt Dudek (@GrizzTalkOU) Ricky Redinger (@R_Redinger4) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob and much later on, Jimmy, welcome fans from various Horizon League schools to about a number of topics in the run-up to the upcoming basketball season. In this first part of this episode, they discuss the future of the Horizon League Tournament after it leaves Detroit in 2019 and will teams within the conference will improve upon last season. Topics: What’s next for the Horizon League Tournament? Was last season the low point for the conference? Team-by-team breakdown Participants: Jon Durda (@pronkville08) Jim Sarow (@JimSarow) Chris Schutte (@ChrisSchutte3) Matt Dudek (@GrizzTalkOU) Ricky Redinger (@R_Redinger4) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob (@BobMcDonald) and Jimmy (@PantherU) talk about the recently-released Horizon League basketball schedule, and, of course, they long for the days when the opening games of the conference slate started at the beginning of December. They also discuss the potential benefits of the Horizon League partnering with other mid-major conferences to fill their schedules. Plus, Jimmy wants to bring the alumni of all conference schools together. Topics: Looking at the Horizon League Conference schedule The mid-major conferences should band together for scheduling. Alumni are important, both for academics and athletics. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Motor City Madness will be over after 2019, and Bob and Jimmy are trying to wrap their heads around it. Of course, they knew the days of the Horizon League Tournament’s days were numbered in Detroit. They’re just trying to figure out the new format, which is a far cry from the format that resulted in NCAA tournament wins by conference teams from 2003 to 2011. Topics: The Horizon League’s Announcement of the Final Motor City Madness Why the tourney format worked prior to Motor City Madness The new tournament format: The conference’s best Plan B? Where does the tournament go from here? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob and Jimmy are back at it, and with more of the non-conference schedules out, they openly wonder when the full Horizon League slate will be released. Also, Bob isn’t happy with the conference’s move towards ESPN+. And what was with the flap between Valhalla Vanguard (@NKUValhalla) and Northern Kentucky’s Barstool Twitter account? Finally, Bob and Jimmy get into an ages-long question: How can conference schools grow their fanbase? The long, drawn-out process of putting together the Horizon League schedule The Horizon League/ESPN relationship A recap of the Valhalla Vanguard/Barstool dust-up Getting new fans at conference schools --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bryan Black (@353jerseysforhope) joins Bob and Jimmy to talk about his journey to collect jerseys from every Division I school to promote positivity and raise awareness about epilepsy. Naturally, they make a request to get Bryan the jerseys from the Horizon League schools he’s missing, Wright State and IUPUI. They also get into discussing, among other things, the worst Halloween treats to give out, life in Oregon (where Bryan lives) and…Peoria, Illinois? The origins of Jerseys for Hope Horizon League school left on the list The journey post-jerseys Basketball scheduling and potential west coast Horizon League trips The worst treats to give out at Halloween. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

With the NBA Draft done and the Summer League in full swing, who better to talk about former Horizon League players on Summer League rosters than Detroit Mercy legend and founder of sportstalk2319.com, Rashad Phillips (@RP3natural), Bob and Jimmy also talked to Phillips about the current state of the conference and which current players will stand out. Topics The origins of sportstalk2319.com and the Yoda nickname Kendrick Nunn’s performance with the Warriors so far during the Summer League Dikembe Dixson’s future as a pro The current state of the Horizon League and its players. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Detroit Mercy has finally hired a new head coach in Mike Davis. So, naturally, Bob and Jimmy are talking about it with Karic Jones (@Karic_Jones). They discuss what Davis brings to the table for the Titans. Plus, they talk about who may or may not be on the roster when the season kicks off. Topics: Mike Davis has been hired. Where does he start? The timetable for Detroit Mercy to progress under Davis The status of Texas Southern guard Demontrae Jefferson (Does he join David at UDM?) A rekindling of the Detroit Mercy-Oakland rivalry? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

In this episode, Bob and Jimmy recap Bob’s interview with Cleveland State head coach Dennis Felton. Also, with the spring signing period over, they discuss how the league currently shakes out. And has it’s been since Bacari Alexander was fired, Detroit Mercy is still looking for a head coach. And the latest name is former Indiana and UAB coach and current Texas Southern coach Mike Davis. Topics: Recap of the Dennis Felton interview Assessing the Horizon League after the end of the spring signing period. Is Mike Davis the answer for Detroit Mercy? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

In this episode, Bob has a conversation with Cleveland State men’s basketball coach Dennis Felton (@CoachDFelton). They discuss a number of topics related to CSU, including the incoming recruiting class, as well as the nucleus of Kash Thomas, Tyree Appleby, Stefan Kenic and DePaul transfer Algevon Eichelberger. There is also a conversation about the surprising Viking run at Motor City Madness and how it will impact next season. Plus, no talk with Coach Felton can be complete without touching on George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Topics: Cleveland State’s incoming class. The leadership role of Kash Thomas, Tyree Appleby and Stefan Kenic on this young CSU roster. The planned summer trip to Europe. Fan interest in Cleveland State post-Motor City Madness. The origins of Coach Felton’s love of Parliament Funkadelic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob (@BobMcDonald) is hosting the podcast by himself this week, but that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty to talk about. Detroit Mercy may finally be hiring a head coach, and Bob breaks down the potential candidates. Also, with departing seniors and now Isaiah Brock transferring, where does that leave Oakland? Finally, with the spring signing period closing out, what does Dennis Felton, who has four scholarships left at Cleveland State, have up his sleeve?  Topics: Who does Detroit Mercy choose as the head coach? Isaiah Brock transfers to Grand Valley State Cleveland State with four scholarships still. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Chris Schutte (@ChrisSchutte3) from Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) joined Bob (@BobMcDonald) and Jimmy (@PantherU) for this episode to talk about the current state of the Horizon League and how, in spite of a lot of early concerns, IUPUI has fit in quite nicely. Also in the episode, Jimmy talks about the recent spate of transfers from Milwaukee. And, as it’s been the case for about a month, there’s been no movement on the Detroit Mercy coaching front. Topics: Milwaukee has three starters transfer. What’s going on? IUPUI has made the transition from the Summit League to the Horizon League Detroit Mercy still doesn’t have a coach. The inevitable coaching changes that will happen in the conference. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

Bob and Jimmy (and, briefly, Bob’s dog Harry) welcome Matthew Johns (@M_Johns12) and Sean McDonnell (@bigmacsnackwrap) from The Reserve News (@TheReserveMedia) and Jesse Kramer, the founder of the Catch and Shoot (@Catch_N_Shoot). The discussion focused first on the origins of the two sites, where The Reserve has grown into the premier venue for Cleveland State coverage, while the Catch and Shoot have focused on Chicago hoops, including UIC. Also in this episode, there was a talk about the evolution of who we look at transfers, as well as the emergence of the G-League and Lavar Ball’s Junior Basketball Association as pro options. Topics: The Origins of The Reserve and The Catch and Shoot What the future holds for both sites The impact that the swell of transfers in recent years has had on the Horizon League New options to play professionally, and if mid-majors, particularly the HL, will be affected. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anch

Bob McDonald (@bobmcdonald) and Jimmy Lemke (@PantherU) welcome Jack Talley (@jack_talley21), one of the co-founders of the Valhalla Vanguard Twitter account (@NKUValhalla). The discussion includes how the Vanguard was started and how it has grown to include a new podcast. This leads to a bigger talk about the benefits of students building the fan base on their own. And Bob and Jimmy announce the creation of the HoriZone Roundtable – @HoriZoneRT. Topics: Announcing the new HoriZone Roundtable Twitter account. Origins of Valhalla Vanguard and the new podcast. The state of building an organic student fanbase (and some of the interesting interactions). Gauging Northern Kentucky’s future. More expansion (or more to the point, on-expansion) talk --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/support

For the first time on the HoriZone Roundtable, fans from each Horizon League school (expect IUPUI, though not for lack of trying) are on hand to discuss the state of the conference. Also, there’s a pretty good chance there will be a bit of trash-talking going on. And since Jimmy is out, it’s all up to Bob (@bobmcdonald) to hold court. How well that’s gone is anyone’s guess. The fans participating include: Karic Jones, Detroit Mercy (@Karic_Jones) Brian Dickmann, Green Bay (@BrianDickmann) Chad Knodl, Milwaukee (@MKE_Agitator) Chris Hart, Northern Kentucky (@chrishart1992) Matt Dudek, Oakland (@GrizzTalkOU) Olyer Anderson, UIC (@Flamesmania) Ricky Redinger, Wright State (@R_Redinger4) Topics, Part 2: What to make of IUPUI Expansion (or lack thereof), and its effects beyond basketball. Potential expansion targets (if any) Will the Horizon League be better next year? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horizonert/suppo

For the first time on the HoriZone Roundtable, fans from each Horizon League school (expect IUPUI, though not for lack of trying) are on hand to discuss the state of the conference. Also, there’s a pretty good chance there will be a bit of trash-talking going on. And since Jimmy is out, it’s all up to Bob (@bobmcdonald) to hold court. How well that’s gone is anyone’s guess. The fans participating include: Jon Durda, Cleveland State (@pronkville08) Karic Jones, Detroit Mercy (@Karic_Jones) Brian Dickmann, Green Bay (@BrianDickmann) Chad Knodl, Milwaukee (@MKE_Agitator) Chris Hart, Northern Kentucky (@chrishart1992) Matt Dudek, Oakland (@GrizzTalkOU) Olyer Anderson, UIC (@Flamesmania) Ricky Redinger, Wright State (@R_Redinger4) Topics, Part 1: Where does Detroit Mercy go post-Bacari Alexander? Motor City Madness – Dead or alive? John Brannen and Scott Nagy – Head coaching targets? UIC’s future without Dikembe Dixson Fan interaction with players on social media? --- Send in a voice