Horizon League: Conference Tournament Preview

Tournament Begins: March 3

Conference Championship: March 10

Television Coverage: ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN
Tournament Bracket: http://hln.s3.amazonaws.com/medias/files/689/original.pdf?1425191335

Overview:
The Horizon League is a top heavy league this season with Cleveland St, Green Bay, Oakland, and Valparaiso sitting at the top. All four of those teams have won at least eight games in their last 12 in conference play. With the top four teams getting byes in the Horizon League conference tournament including the top two seeds getting byes into the semifinals, the conference tournament winner will likely come out of these four teams. Detroit (2012 conference tournament winner) will look to play spoiler out of the first round of the conference tournament though. Here is a look at three teams who could represent the Horizon League in the NCAA tournament.

Favorite to Win Tournament: Valparaiso Crusaders (26-5, 13-3)

Valpo will look to try to end their postseason drought (only one NCAA tournament appearance since 2005) and overcome their postseason struggles (five straight losses in the first round of the NCAA tournament). First, the Crusaders will have to win the Horizon League conference tournament, which will be a tough test. Valpo has home wins over the other top three teams in the league, but have two road losses against those teams. The Crusaders finally picked up a quality conference road win to finish the season beating Cleveland St. Valpo has one of the better and more efficient offenses in the Horizon League, which will be what Valpo needs to rely on to win the conference tournament.

Most Likely to Upset Favorite: Oakland Golden Grizzlies (16-15, 11-5)

Oakland has one of the longest tenured coaches in Greg Kampe who has been with the team since 1984. The Golden Grizzlies last NCAA tournament appearance was in 2011 and Oakland has lost all three first round games. Oakland has home wins over the other top three teams in the league, but have three road losses against those teams. The Golden Grizzlies also have one of the best and most efficient offenses in the Horizon League meaning a Valpo/Oakland showdown could be an entertaining offensive affair for the Horizon League conference tournament championship.

Dark Horse to Win Tournament: Detroit Titans (14-17, 7-9)

Detroit has struggled to string together wins all season, but the Titans finished the season strong winning three of five games including wins over Cleveland St and Valparaiso. Detroit has one of the most dynamic players in the Horizon League in Juwan Howard Jr who hit the game winner against Cleveland St. If the Titans can rally around their team leader, Detroit might finally be able to string together four wins and shock the rest of the Horizon League.

Expected Tournament Bid(s): Conference Tournament Winner

Overall, the league has struggled against the RPI Top 50 going 0-19, but that does not mean that one of these teams could play spoiler in the first and second rounds of the tournament. Valparaiso and Green Bay could be a 12 or 13 seed in the tournament where bracket busters have been born. The 12-seeds have won their first round game 33 times and 17 of those teams have won their second round game. The 13-seeds  have won their first round game 17 times and 4 of those teams have won their second round game. The other teams in the Horizon League will likely have a tougher test as they would be seeded 14-16. Whoever represents the Horizon League will be looking to end a streak of three straight NCAA tournament appearances ending in the first round.