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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Dec 23, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Green Bay Phoenix guard Jordan Fouse (4) passes the ball as Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) defends at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Green Bay 84-79. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

5: Green Bay Phoenix

Green Bay’s fourth place finish was a big surprise. The Phoenix were pegged for sixth place in the league after losing the two-time defending Horizon League Player of the Year Keifer Sykes and head coach Brian Wardle. The up-tempo offense that newly-hired head coach Linc Darner ran at Florida Southern seemed like a poor fit for Green Bay’s roster.

But the team adjusted well, largely thanks to First Team All-Conference senior guard Carrington Love. Love paced the team with 18.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The Phoenix earned the 4-seed by beating the teams they were supposed to beat. Green Bay split with 5-seed Milwaukee and 7-seed Youngstown State, but swept every other team below it in the standings and picked up a home win over 3-seed Wright State to offset the YSU loss.

Given its more favorable first round matchup, Green Bay is probably the safe pick to hold seed and advance to the league semifinals. But the matchup between top-seed Valpo and Green Bay’s in-state rival Milwaukee seems to be the one that could cause the Crusaders more problems.

So in the interest of fun, the Phoenix will have to settle for a quarterfinal appearance in this projection.

Next: 4: Milwaukee