The Horizon League Tournament starts tomorrow with three games to decide who moves on and who goes home. With Green Bay's loss and Wright State's win, the Phoenix will be the No. 4 seed and face last placed Milwaukee at 7 CST tomorrow. UIC will be the No. 4 seed and face No. 8 Cleveland State and No. 6 Youngstown State will host No. 7 Loyola. The byes in order of conference finish are Valparaiso, Detroit and Wright State.
No. 9 Milwaukee at No. 4 Green Bay
In a lot of ways, the two games they faced each other were alike. Green Bay took a narrow lead into halftime and took control of the game in the second half to win going away. These teams met last Tuesday in Green Bay with the Phoenix winning 78-61. I don't expect the Phoenix to drop this one, either. Green Bay is too talented for the Panthers. Alec Brown has dominated them in both meetings this year and unless Milwaukee finds a way to slow him down, I expect another double digit Green Bay victory.
Prediction: Green Bay 76, Milwaukee 60
No. 8 Cleveland State at No. 5 UIC
Cleveland State swept the season series from UIC, winning both games by double digits. Both teams have been struggling in conference play recently, as Cleveland State has lost five of its last six conference games, while UIC has lost five of its last seven conference games. Having been swept by the Vikings in the regular season, UIC will come out motivated, especially playing in front of the home fans. I think Bryn Forbes will keep Cleveland State in it, but UIC, playing at home, will come out on top.
Prediction: UIC 68, Cleveland State 60
No. 7 Loyola at No. 6 Youngstown State
Youngstown State won both meetings this year by a combined three points. However, Youngstown State had leading scorer Kendrick Perry in of those meetings. The Penguins showed how little fire power they have without Perry in the lineup against Wright State. Ben Averkamp needs to have a big day for Loyola and I think he will to lead the Ramblers to the road victory.
Prediction: Loyola 61, Youngstown State 54
With these predictions, I have UIC playing Green Bay and Loyola playing Wright State on Friday in Valparaiso. Let's see how these prediction fare tomorrow night.
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