March Madness: Valpo looks like pick in Horizon

March Madness

The Conference Tournaments

HORIZON LEAGUE

Opening round game at campus sites, March 5th, second quarterfinals and semifinals at regular season champion (Valparaiso) March 8th and 9th. Championship game at site of highest remaining seed March 12.

Regular season standings

1. Valparaiso  13-3 2

2. Detroit 12-4

3. Wright State 10-6

4. Green Bay 10-6

5. Illinois Chicago 7-9

6. Youngstown State 7-9

7. Loyola 5-11

8. Cleveland State 5-11

9. Milwaukee 3-13

Opening Round games, March 5

Milwaukee at Green Bay

Cleveland State at Illinois-Chicago

Loyola at Youngstown  State

The Outlook: Valpo won the regular season by a game over Detroit, so it has home court edge. Valpo split with Detroit during the regular season, but won in Detroit and lost at home. A year ago, Valpo won the regular season title, but Detroit was the Horizon League champion and earned the NCAA bid.  Both Valpo and Detroit get a double bye into the semifinals. We think Valpo will hold serve, but will have to hold off the talents of Detroit’s Ray McCallum who was voted the 2013 Horizon Player of the Year. Valpo will counter with All Horizon selection Ryan Broekhoff, who was the Horizon Player of the Year in 2012.

Tournament champion: Valparaiso

© Copyright 2013 Mark, All rights Reserved. Written For: A Jersey Guy