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Horizon League Basketball: Wright State, NKU conference tournament favorites

By Bryan Mauro

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 17: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in 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: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in 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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Lavone Holland II #30 of the Northern Kentucky Norse drives against De’Aaron Fox #0 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 drives against De’Aaron Fox #0 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) /

Favorites to win Horizon League Tournament

Northern Kentucky

The Norse are the favorite entering the conference tournament. Northern Kentucky enters the conference tournament hungry to make up for early exit in the tournament last year. A season ago Northern Kentucky was upset their first game in the tournament by Cleveland State. The Norse enter the tournament as one of the top seeds again. With a dynamic roster led by big man Drew McDonald Northern Kentucky should be able to cruise to the final.

The Horizon League this year is crowded in the middle. The top teams have the most talent and the easiest path through the tournament. Northern Kentucky will need to prove they can beat Wright State, and not falter in the tournament. This year they are hungry.

Wright State

While some may say the Norse are the favorite other may say the Raiders are the favorite. Wright State has split with Northern Kentucky this season and are one of the top seeds in the conference tournament. Head coach Scott Nagy has a great high low game with true back to the basket player in Loudon Love as well as a great scoring guard in Bill Wampler. When these two are going the Raiders are hard to beat.

Wright State much like their rival Northern Kentucky are going to have an easy path to the title. The Raiders won the conference last year and are going to have a target on their back. The teams in the middle this season are much better than they were a season ago. Can Wright State avoid the early tournament upset?

Green Bay

When picking a sleeper to the crown in the Horizon League there are number of teams who would qualify. Picking the one with the most experienced player of the group. The Green Bay Phoenix have a roster that can cause some problems for the top seeds in this tournament. They have a super guard in Marquette transfer Sandy Cohen III. Cohen leads the Green Bay team in most offensive categories, and he is going to do his part in trying to get them back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.