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Previewing the Madness: The Horizon League

valpo

It doesn’t get much more entertaining that the Horizon League. Its a balanced league that always has a handful of quality basketball teams that play competitive, emotionally draining games. You want an example? Just last week, last place Loyola (IL) took league champion Valpo to overtime on Valpo’s home court.

This season was no different. Detroit was the trendy pick to win the conference in the preseason, but they got off to a slow start to the year. Milwaukee and Cleveland State both looked like they were getting ready to run away with the league before a collapse in February dropped them off the pace. Valpo took control of the conference in the final weeks, but it was late-season surges by Butler and (you guessed it) Detroit that have caught notice.

Will this, once again, be Butler’s year to shine, or will a new top dog emerge in what has quickly become a guilty pleasure of so many basketball fans?

The Bracket

Where: Campus sites for the first round, Valpo for the quarters and semis, at the higher seed for the final.

When: Feb. 28th-Mar. 6th

Final: March 6th, 9 p.m., ESPN

Favorite: Valparaiso

I don’t have a choice but to go with Valpo here. The Crusaders have arguably the best front line in the conference. Kevin Van Wijk is a load on the block and one of the best in the country at getting to the foul line while Ryan Broekhoff provides a nice compliment on the perimeter with his ability to not only step out and knock down the three but to rebound on both ends of the floor. With a couple of playmakers in the back court and a handful of guys that can hit a three, Valpo is a good team when they keep the floor spread and allow those two to operate.

And if they lose?: Cleveland State

My pick to win the league all season long has been Cleveland State, and while they struggled late in the season, those losses can be directly attributed to the loss of D’Aundray Brown, the point man on their press and the Viking’s second-leading scorer on the season. The good news? The Vikings finally figured out a way to win without Brown in the last game of the regular season. The better news? Brown should be back in the mix in the tournament.

Sleepers: Am I allowed to call Butler a sleeper? Because late in the season, the Bulldogs finally found their stride offensively, scoring and shooting just well enough that they were able to win fight straight at one point in late February. The loss to Valpo in the regular season finale cost them the No. 2 seed, however, as the Bulldogs now have to win four straight games from the No. 5 spot. Detroit, like Butler, had a great finished to the regular season, winning five of their last six games and eight of their last ten. Ray McCallum is talented enough to carry the Titans. And don’t forget about Milwaukee, a staunch defensive team.

Studs

- Ray McCallum, Detroit: A former top-75 recruit, McCallum was the catalyst for Detroit this year, averaging 15.1 ppg and 3.9 apg while playing the role of the catalyst for Detroit.

- Alec Brown, Green Bay: A 7'1" center, Alec Brown has become a double-double machine and may be a legitimate first-round pick in a year or two.

- Ryan Broekhoff, Valpo: The league’s fourth-leading scorer, leading-rebounder and a sharpshooter from beyond the arc. Not a bad combo.

- Kendrick Perry, Youngstown State: Perry is the most-dynamic back court player in the conference, averaging a league-high 16.2 ppg and 3.9 apg.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.