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2009 Horizon League Conference Basketball Tournament Predictions

Written March 3, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Horizon League Basketball The Horizon Leauge Mens Basketball Tournament is set to get under way this Tuesday, March 3rd and will run until a champion is crowned on the following Tuesday March 10th. The regular season champion was #23 Butler, who is likely in the NCAA Tournament regardless of how they do in this tournament, but as for the rest of the teams, they will be fighting for that coveted automatic spot into the NCAA Tournament. The tournament is played based on who has the higher seeds between the two teams playing, so that gives Butler a nice advantage knowing it won’t have to play on the road once to win. The one tweak that this tournament has is that the top 2 seeds (Butler and Green Bay) are granted a bye that automatically puts them in the semifinals. Here are the 3 favorites to win the Horizon basketball tournament and a sleeper we feel could spoil some top teams plans. Bet Horizon League Conference Tournament at Bookmaker.com.

1. Butler Bulldogs (25-4, 15-3 Horizon League)

The Bulldogs cruised through the start of the season, jumping out to a 8-0 start, and followed that up by winning their first 10 conference games. Butler did hit a bit of a rough spot, going 3-3 in a six game span that included its only home loss of the season to Loyola, who is a mediocre 6-12 in conference play. On the court the Bulldogs are led by Matt Howard’s 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. The Bulldogs got a bit of a mini-run heading into the tournament by winning their final 3 games, but I think the big key will be this team getting home court advantage throughout the tournament, and that they need to win just 2 games thanks to the bye.

2. Green Bay Phoenix (22-9, 13-5 Horizon League)

The Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix also get that nice bye that will have them waiting in the semifinals while the other teams have to play 2 additional games. The Phoenix are right on the bubble when it comes to the top 65 RPI, as they are currently 69th, but we think the only way they get in the NCAA Tournament is if they win this tournament. Green Bay has proven they can beat Butler, as they revenged an earlier loss by beating the Bulldogs 75-66 at the beginning of February. They are limping into the tournament, playing only .500 basketball in their final 6 games, but a week to rest up and prepare should land this team in the championship game for a rubber match against the Butler Bulldogs.

3. Cleveland State Vikings (20-10, 12-6 Horizon League)

Cleveland State finished tied for 3rd in conference play with Wright State, but we give the edge to the Vikings based on their schedule and style of play. The Vikings play great defense, as they nearly beat Butler on the road to end the season, but fell just short, losing 56-58. The Vikings main source of offense comes from J’Nathan Bullock, who averages a team best 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. The team also gets great play out of Cedric Jackson, who averages just under 10 points per game, with over 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

Sleeper: Illinois-Chicago Flames (15-14, 7-11 Horizon League)

The Flames could set the rims on fire in this tournament, as they have beat some quality teams this season in Northern Iowa and Vanderbilt, and are riding a 4 game win streak into tournament play. Much like Cleveland State, they would not have to face Butler until the Championship round, that is, if they can make it that far.

Prediction: Butler Bulldogs

For all you college basketball betting be sure to check out our expert NCAA basketball picks, and get the best basketball odds for all the tournament games at Betfirms.

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