Horizon League Basketball: 2020 Conference Tournament preview
By Ryan Kay
The Favorite to Win
Wright State
It should come to no surprise that the Raiders are the favorites to win. They are vulnerable as they have lost conference games to UIC, Green Bay, and Youngstown State but overall they with two byes in the conference tournament will be tough to beat.
The team that may surprise by winning the tournament
Green Bay
They do have a first round bye and they have beat everyone in the conference at least one including an impressive road victory at Northern Kentucky. They can shoot beyond the arc and can score points in a hurry and they are lead by JayQuan McCloud who can do it all. It would not be a shock if they found a way to win this tournament.
A team to keep an eye on
Oakland
It would be difficult for them to win the tournament to having to win four games in a week but they could easily make it interesting in the early rounds. They have a very favorable match up in the first round as they host Cleveland State who they beat twice and they have a solid starting five. They have won five of their last six games and they have a senior in Hill-Mais who is a leader and a dominate player in the post. Williams is a shooter who can score 30 plus points on any given night and if he starts making his three’s early, he could lead the Golden Grizzlies to the semifinals.
1st Round Predictions
No. 9 seed IUPUI at No. 4 seed UIC
Winner: UIC
In their two previous meetings, UIC defeated IUPUI 77-72 at home 75-66 at their place. IUPUI can score in bunches and they have at least a chance to upset UIC. However, UIC is playing at home and is a solid all around team that will win this game and advance to the next round.
Prediction: UIC 73 IUPUI 68.
No. 8 Milwaukee at No. 5 Youngstown State
Winner: Youngstown State
This is arguably the most intriguing match up of the first round games. Even though Milwaukee has lost five straight games, the Panthers have played well against Youngstown State this season. Milwaukee beat the Penguins on the their home game back in late January winning in overtime. Youngstown State returned the favor defeating the Panthers on their home court this past weekend. Look for the Penguins to win a very close game at home behind the play of Quisenberry.
Prediction: Youngstown State 71 Milwaukee 70
No. 7 Cleveland State at No. 6 Oakland
Winner: Oakland
Even though this is the closest match up in terms of seeding, this may be the biggest difference in terms of point differential. No disrespect to the VIkings but with the exception of Detroit Mercy, the Golden Grizzlies match up very well with Cleveland State as they are as well at the Titans the only two teams that they defeated twice this season. Oakland has a very strong one-two combo in Hill-Mais and Williams and being at home, the Golden Grizzlies should be able to advance to the next round.
Prediction: Oakland 77 Milwaukee 69