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Horizon League Basketball: Northern Kentucky vs. Illinois-Chicago game preview

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 17: Lavone Holland II #30 of the Northern Kentucky Norse dribbles against Dominique Hawkins #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 17: Lavone Holland II #30 of the Northern Kentucky Norse dribbles against Dominique Hawkins #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives past Tarkus Ferguson #4 of the Illinois-Chicago Flames during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Illinois-Chicago Flames at Rupp Arena on November 26, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives past Tarkus Ferguson #4 of the Illinois-Chicago Flames during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Illinois-Chicago Flames at Rupp Arena on November 26, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Why is this game important?

The Norse are looking for a share of the title and with a win, they can guarantee themselves that they will at least grab a share of the Horizon League conference title. The Norse end their season on Sunday by taking on IUPUI. If they win both games and Wright State loses a game, the Norse are looking at the outright conference championship and the auto bid to the NIT tournament.

Obviously, Northern Kentucky is looking for more than just an NIT bid, but when you play in a small conference, the postseason of any kind is always a positive step. Northern Kentucky also wants to secure the top spot in the league to help with the seeding in the conference tournament. It is no secret that when you are the top seed, the path is easier to the tournament final. Two slip-ups, though, and the Norse could miss a postseason berth altogether. Every game is important for them down the stretch.

The UIC Flames are vying to show the Horizon League contenders that they are a real team and that they are here to stay. The Flames are loaded with experienced talent and have some tremendous scorers. The Flames can also move one step closer to securing a spot at the top of the Horizon League standings as well. If they were to beat Northern Kentucky and Wright State, whom the Flames play on Sunday, all three teams could potentially end the year in a three-way tie at the top.

With the way the season started for UIC, this would be quite a turnaround. The Flames were dreadful to open the year, especially in the non-conference. UIC is looking to complete this turnaround by avenging the destruction they were given earlier in the year at the hands of the Norse. If UIC is able to protect their home court, UIC can pick up a nice win and one that will give this team a lot of confidence going forward for the conference tournament.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Drew McDonald #34 of the Northern Kentucky Norse
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Drew McDonald #34 of the Northern Kentucky Norse /

Key Players to watch

Drew McDonald – Northern Kentucky

Every time a game preview is written about Northern Kentucky, McDonald could be the player discussed. He is that good. Without McDonald, Northern Kentucky would not be the team they are currently. He does everything for this team and they look to him to get the key buckets when they need them. He is great in the low block, can shoot from the outside, and is a tremendous free throw shooter. There is really nothing not to like about Drew McDonald’s game. He is one of the best mid-major players in the country.

McDonald is most likely going to win the Player of the Year in the Horizon League, especially after the disappointing season that Oakland has experienced thus far. If the Norse want to come out of Chicago with a win, McDonald is going to have to be great again. He has a great supporting cast around him too, but McDonald is the go-to guy for the Norse and the Flames are going to have to stop him to win the game.

Tai Odiase – Illinois Chicago

How do you neutralize the best player in your league on the offensive end?  Match him up with the reigning Horizon League Player of the Year in Odiase. This matchup is going to be great. Odiase is an elite rim protector and can clog a lane. He has made the going tough for the opposing big men that he has played, especially on the offensive end. If Odiase can play to his potential and continue to play at the level he has been playing. the Flames may have a chance.

Odiase is not a great offensive player, but with the way the Flames play on offense, he does not have to be. He is an elite rebounder as well as a rim protector, so he really limits the damage when he is on defense and can provide a spark to his offense with his offensive rebounding ability. Odiase and the rest of the Flames frontcourt are going to have their hands full. However, if they can come up with a defensive scheme to make McDonald uncomfortable, the Flames are going to get their signature win.