Busting Brackets
Fansided

Horizon League Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

By John Parker

Dec 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Jalen Hayes (4) high fives guard Sherron Dorsey-Walker (30) during overtime against the Michigan State Spartans at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Michigan State won 99-93 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Jalen Hayes (4) high fives guard Sherron Dorsey-Walker (30) during overtime against the Michigan State Spartans at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Michigan State won 99-93 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders forward Alec Peters (25) is guarded by Maryland Terrapins forward Jake Layman (10) and guard Melo Trimble (2) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders forward Alec Peters (25) is guarded by Maryland Terrapins forward Jake Layman (10) and guard Melo Trimble (2) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

2: Valparaiso Crusaders

By every metric available, Valparaiso is the best team in the Horizon League and it’s not close. The team went 16-2 in Horizon League play, winning the league by three games and earning an automatic double-bye into the Horizon League semifinals.

This was no surprise after the Crusaders, who had a chance to knock off 5-seed Maryland in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, returned every significant contributor from last year’s team. With their current resume, the Crusaders wouldn’t be an outlandish pick for an at-large bid.

Unfortunately for Bryce Drew’s team, if they lose in the conference tournament it would take a shocking move from the selection committee to send Valpo to the Big Dance.

While Valparaiso’s 8-1 record in its second trip through the Horizon League matched its record through the first nine games, the team looked far less dominant. Through nine games in league play, the only game that Valparaiso didn’t win by at least 12 points was the loss at Wright State.

In the second half of league play, Wright State dealt the Crusaders their first home loss of the entire season and three other teams managed to stay within striking distance until the final buzzer. Oakland hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lose 85-84 at Valparaiso, Milwaukee nearly hit a layup to win at the buzzer before losing 80-76 in overtime, and Green Bay held a lead in the closing seconds before Shane Hamnick hit a 3-pointer with four seconds to play for the 70-68 win.

After seeming nearly unstoppable for most of the Horizon League season, Valparaiso’s aura of dominance is gone. Wright State proved that its first win over the Crusaders wasn’t a fluke, and several other teams have come close to pulling the upset. If a pair of the league’s top teams get a third crack at Valpo, it’s easy to imagine the Crusaders falling short of their great expectations for this season.

The Horizon League’s decision to play its tournament in Detroit could prove costly for a Valparaiso team that probably needed one more good win or one less “bad” loss to be a candidate for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Valpo will likely have to decide between rooting for a talented Oakland team playing a de facto home game or a Wright State team that has been its kryptonite this season to play for a chance at the NCAA Tournament.

Next: 1: Oakland