Horizon League basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament preview
By Bryan Mauro
Predictions
First Round March 2nd
(7) Green Bay
(10) Detroit
Any time Kameron Chatman can do whatever he wants on the offensive end Detroit is going to have a chance. Detroit is dreadful on defense, and the Phoenix should be able to get whatever they want. Green Bay is led by another Division 1 transfer in Sandy Cohen III from Marquette.
Green Bay-85 Detroit- 78
(8) Cleveland State
(9) Youngstown State
The Penguins started off the Horizon League year hot by winning their first 3 games of the league after having 0 wins in the non-conference. Cleveland State is not very good at all either and was able to get their wins vs the lower half of this league. The winner of this game gets Northern Kentucky.
Youngstown State-65 Cleveland State- 60
Quarterfinals March 3rd and 4th
(9) Youngstown State
(1) Northern Kentucky
The Penguins Horizon League tournament is going to end after getting a win against Cleveland State. Northern Kentucky is going to be to much for Youngstown State and it would take a lot of things to go horrible for Northern Kentucky for them to not win this game.
Northern Kentucky- 85 Youngstown State – 60
(4) Oakland
(5) IUPUI
The IUPUI Jaguars have had a nice season in their first year in the Horizon League. They have exceeded expectations. This is the one game in this entire tournament that is hard to determine the outcome. If Oakland plays like they are capable, this one should not be a game. If Oakland plays like they have most of the season IUPUI could pull off the upset. How will Oakland respond without Martez Walker?
IUPUI – 65 Oakland -64
(3) Illinois- Chicago
(6) Milwaukee
The Panthers have a few nice wins already this year. They were able to beat Wright State and they knocked off Iowa State at the start of the season. Even with all of the turmoil going on with UIC they should win this game, but Milwaukee is a worthy opponent.
UIC – 75 Milwaukee- 68
(7) Green Bay
(2) Wright State
This also has the makings of an upset. The Phoenix are a capable team especially if they catch a team who is not playing very well. The Raiders are going to need a great game from Loudon Love to win this game. Sandy Cohen III is going to lead the Phoenix to the upset win in this game and move the Phoenix on to the semi-finals.