Horizon League Conference Tournament Preview

Schedule:

Tuesday, March 3 / First Round / at campus sites
Game 1 - #10 Detroit at #3 Cleveland State
Game 2 - #7 UIC at #6 Youngstown State
Game 3 - #9 Valparaiso at #4 Wright State
Game 4 - #8 Loyola at #5 Milwaukee

Friday, March 6 / Second Round / at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Game 5 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
Game 6 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner

Saturday, March 7 / Semifinals / at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Game 7 - Game 5 winner at #1 Butler
Game 8 - Game 6 winner vs. #2 Green Bay

Tuesday, March 10 / Championship / at higher remaining seed
Game 9 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner

Favorite: Butler is far and away the favorite to win the Horizon League tournament after winning the regular season title by two games. By winning the league, Butler earned the top seed in the tournament and thus a two-round bye, meaning they earn a berth in the semi-finals. If that wasn't enough, the reigning champs will have home court advantage throughout the tournament.

Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard, Ronald Nored, and Shelvin Mack
on the bench in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
(photo credit: Indy Star)

The Bulldogs swept the post-season awards, as Matt Howard (player of the year), Gordon Hayward (newcomer), and Brad Stevens (coach) were all honored. Howard is one of the best big man you haven't seen play. He isn't going to overpower you athletically, but at 6'8", 230 lb, he is a bull on the block that really understands positioning and sealing. He is a tough rebounder that will fundamental you to death. Hayward is a match-up as he is a 6'8" wing that can do it all.

Butler relies on their defense to win them games, which is good because they are a young team (two of their three leading scorers are freshman, the other is a sophomore). While nerves might mess with a jumper, they shouldn't bother a defense.

Contenders: Wisconsin Green-Bay earned the #2 seed, and thus also got a bye into the semi's. The Pheonix finished the season 22-9 and 13-5 in league play, their best finish since '04-'05. They are led by 6'8" shooter Ryan Tillema and already boast one win over Butler this year.

Cleveland State, the #3 seed, knocked off Syracuse this season. They sputtered a bit down the stretch, but they have proven that they can play with the Bulldogs (they lost on a buzzer beater back in December, and got beaten by two in Hinkle Fieldhouse three days ago). J'Nathan Bullock is a tough, senior, combo forward that leads the Vikings in scoring, while Cedric Jackson is one of the best playmakers in the conference.

Sleeper: I like Wright State. Why? Because they are going to defend the hell out of you. The Raiders finished at 12-6 in the league, giving up just 57.0 ppg. They don't win pretty, but how does the saying go ... defense wins championships? Of note - after losing their first six games, Wright State finished up the season winning 18 of 24.

BIAH Pick: Butler