Horizon League Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

By John Parker | Mar 4, 2016

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 /

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Nov 28, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Cleveland State Vikings guard Terrell Hales (11) defended by Maryland Terrapins forward Damonte Dodd (35) at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

10: Cleveland State Vikings

The Vikings finished above UIC in Horizon League play, but clearly look like the least likely team to pull an upset in the conference tournament. Cleveland State’s four Horizon League wins all came against other teams near the bottom of the standings. Even UIC, which hadn’t won a game against Division I competition until a late January matchup with CSU, managed to pick off one of the teams that will be a legitimate candidate to do damage in the conference tournament.

It’s a disappointing situation for the Vikings, who could have given conference champion Valparaiso a serious fight if it weren’t for players leaving the program. There are currently five players on higher profile teams who began their careers at Cleveland State. Louisville’s Trey Lewis, Michigan State’s Bryn Forbes, Wichita State’s Anton Grady, UNLV’s Ike Nwamu and Providence’s Junior Lomomba could all be playing for Gary Waters’ team if they hadn’t left the program.

Especially frustrating for the Vikings is that three of those players used exceptions to the traditional transfer in order to become immediately eligible at their new schools. Nwamu and Lomomba transferred out the traditional way, sitting a year before taking the court for their new teams. But Forbes used a hardship waiver to become immediately eligible while Grady and Lewis graduated before running out of eligibility and were able to use the relatively new graduate transfer exception.

Instead of a crop of very talented seniors, the Vikings are led by Horizon League All-Freshman Team member Rob Edwards. Edwards is a promising player, but the team could certainly use the scoring punch that its five departed veterans could provide. Cleveland State ranks 341^st in the nation for offensive efficency.

With an anemic offense and no demonstrated ability to beat a team that’s notably better than it from a talent perspective, you can probably safely rule out a deep Cleveland State run through the Horizon League tournament.

Next: 9: UIC