Butler Bulldogs (1-1): The Bulldogs lost their regular-season opener in overtime against Evansville by a score of 80-77. Andrew Smith missed two free throws that could have won the game at the end of regulation. Butler rebounded Tuesday night to defeat Chattanooga by a score of 57-46. This Saturday, the Bulldogs will battle the Louisville Cardinals at home in a highly anticipated nonconference matchup.
Cleveland State Vikings (2-0): The Vikings shocked the nationally ranked Vanderbilt Commodores on Sunday by a score of 71-58. On Tuesday, the Vikings knocked off the Rio Grande Red Storm, an NAIA school, by a score of 86-57. Cleveland State will face another test on Friday evening at home when they square off against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Senior center Aaron Pogue missed Tuesday night’s match up with an undisclosed illness, and his availability for this important game is unknown.
Detroit Titans (1-1): The Titans began the season by defeating the Division II Lake Erie College Storm 95-57. On Monday, the Titans faded in the second half and lost to Notre Dame by a score of 59-53 in a game in which they led at halftime. The Titans will face Concordia (Mich.) on Friday at home. Eli Holman, whose presence is key to the Titans’ success this season, remains out indefinitely for the Titans to address personal matters, and no new information has been released about his status.
Green Bay Phoenix (1-2): The Phoenix started off the 2011-12 campaign by knocking off the University of Mary, a Division II school, by a score of 94-55. However, the Phoenix started slowly against the Duquesne Dukes on the road two days later and lost 84-66. On Wednesday, the Phoenix lost a close game on the road against North Dakota State by the score of 65-61. The Phoenix have received strong play from sophomore center Alec Brown, who posted double-doubles in his first two games and has averaged over three blocks per game to start the season.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers (0-3): Rookie head coach Porter Moser has had a rough start to his career at Loyola. The Ramblers started the season by dropping two games on the road to major conference schools. Beginning the regular season with a 67-49 loss to Illinois, the Ramblers also lost three days later to the Kansas State Wildcats by a score of 74-61. On Wednesday, the Ramblers collapsed in the second half in yet another road game and lost to Eastern Illinois by a score of 65-61. Loyola faces another game on the road against Furman Nov. 20 before returning home to the newly renovated Gentile Arena to face Fordham Nov. 26.
Milwaukee Panthers (2-0): The Panthers began the season with a 71-65 victory over Division II Southwest Minnesota State. Two nights later, the Panthers pulled out a 59-57 nailbiter against Northern Illinois. The Panthers’ solid start has come without star player Tony Meier, who has been sidelined with a calf injury and has not played this season. On Friday, the Panthers will square off against IUPUI at home.
UIC Flames (1-1): The Flames started off the season by losing to Eastern Michigan by a score of 68-57. On Wednesday, they rode the strong play of their defense to a 59-42 win against Roosevelt in their home opener. The Flames will look to earn their second win of the season against Division II Quincy University at home Saturday.
Valparaiso Crusaders (2-1): Participating in the 2K Sports Classic, the Crusaders lost their first game of the season on the road against the Arizona Wildcats by a score of 73-64. The Crusaders rebounded later in the week to win their first game of the season against Georgia Southern by a score of 90-81. On Monday, the Crusaders pounded Holy Cross (Ind.), an NAIA school, by a score of 88-38. The Crusaders will play the Akron Zips Friday at home.
Wright State Raiders (2-1): The young Wright State squad opened the season with a tough road game against nationally ranked Ohio State, losing 73-42. However, the Raiders recovered two days later against Division III Kenyon College and won 80-56 in their home opener. On Wednesday, the Raiders earned their second victory of the season at home against Jackson State by a score of 56-39. The Raiders have no games this weekend, and they will most likely spend it preparing for their match up against Florida next Monday on the road in Tampa, Fla.
Youngstown State Penguins (2-0): The Penguins have started strong in a season in which they have been predicted to improve significantly upon last season’s dismal record. The Penguins notched their first win of the season by a score of 76-69 on the road against Samford. Returning home to the friendly confines of the Beeghly Center, the Penguins won 80-62 against Division II Notre Dame (Ohio) in a game in which the Penguins sunk a school-record 14 3-pointers. The Penguins look to continue their winning ways on Friday at home against UC Riverside.
