Horizon League Tournament Preview
The Horizon League had one of the more underrated conference races in the country. Everyone knew about Butler, who started off hot and put themselves for an at-large bid early. However, the Bulldogs won’t be the #1 seed in the conference tournament. That goes to Wright State, who had won nine in a row before falling in their season finale. The loss ended up meaning nothing, though, as Butler also lost that night—at home to Loyola (Chicago). Only one other team finished .500 or above.
Favorites: Obviously, the two teams that tied for first come into the tournament as favorites. Butler knocked off Notre Dame, Indiana, Gonzaga, Tennessee, and Purdue in non-league play, but lost three conference games, and also fell in three of their last six overall contests. A.J. Graves is one of the best guards in the country, and is capable of carrying the Bulldogs. His backcourt partner, Mike Green, does it all. He can score, rebound, pass, and play defense. Brandon Crone and Pete Campbell are solid performers up front. Campbell can shoot the lights-out. Wright State, on the other hand, has flown under the radar. They have one of the most underrated guards in the country in Horizon Player of the Year Dashaun Wood. He is a terrific scorer that can also distribute the ball and rebound very well for his size. Vaughn Duggins teams with him in the backcourt, while Drew Burleson is the main option up front. With the title game on Wright State’s home floor, the Raiders will be tough.
Contender: The only other team to finish above .500 in league play was Loyola (Chicago), who came into the season as the favorite. They won seven of their last eight games, including a road win at Butler. Blake Schilb is one of the best all-around players in college basketball, capable of doing a variety of things. Majak Kou and J.R. Blount round out arguably the best perimeter group in the conference. Leon Young is solid up front.
Sleeper: Illinois-Chicago might be hitting their stride. They have won three in a row, including a road victory over Loyola-Chicago to end the season. The Flames also knocked off Butler, and took Wright State to overtime. Othyus Jeffers is very difficult to stop up front, and is the best rebounder in the league. Josh Mayo and T.J. Gray form a good backcourt, and Jovan Stefanov is solid in the frontcourt.
Prediction: Despite Butler’s overall resume, I’m going with Wright State to win it all. The title game, should WSU get there, will be on the Raiders’ home floor, where they are 12-1 this season. Butler is struggling lately and I don’t see them beating WSU on the road. Moreover, the Bulldogs better watch out for Loyola in the semi-finals, so they don’t avoid a repeat of last week. The Horizon looks like a two-bid league this year, since Butler has locked up an at-large invite.
1 Comments:
[p]The company's signature saddle stitching, developed in the 1800s, is another distinctive feature . However, it won't mean that all of these are phony . includes in style . Everyone and safe [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]hermes bags birkin[/url] shopping! . In comparison with the scandal of Roony, Beckham茅聢楼忙陋職 case has been played down . They usually are based in the large range of colors including air [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]hermes handbags sale
[/url] violet, bubblegum red, dark blue, pewter, the apple company eco-friendly and also green . Unless you certainly are a well-loved celebrity, you will not always be shopping for one as soon as it comes out . They believe if they own a brand designer bag, they will no longer waste time to bother about clothes.[/p][p]They are of the best quality with the lowest price . They keep a large amount in stock but also they will actively search for a specific request and can often even get some of the rarest Hermes bags . You ultimately choose the most perfect invitation and after that customize it with your favorite well and well shades . Today, the company expanded to sportswear, perfume, furnishing etc, however, leather goods, particularly Hermes handbags are the most [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]hermes handbags outlet[/url] competitive products . AdChoices If you really want to own one of the famous Hermes Kelly handbags, you can buy [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]Hermes handbags UK [/url] online . Hermes bags are skillfully crafted,hermes bags on sale, produced with careful expertise . Clarke, who replaced [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]cheap hermes handbags birkin[/url] Mark Anson in the post . Fashion has revolutionised now as took part [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]hermes belts women
[/url] seen 50 in years past.[/p]
Post a Comment
<< Home