Busting Brackets
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Horizon League basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament preview

By Bryan Mauro

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 24: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives past Kendrick Nunn #1 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on November 24, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 24: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives past Kendrick Nunn #1 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on November 24, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Jason Gardner of the IUPUI Jaguars (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Jason Gardner of the IUPUI Jaguars (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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.

Green Bay- 75 Wright State- 73