2012 Horizon League Tournament Odds and Predictions to Win 2012 Horizon League Tournament – Horizon League Tournament Favorites, Sleepers, Schedule and TV Listings plus Expert Picks: The Horizon League isn’t exactly a powerhouse on the national level, but teams from the conference aren’t exactly slouches come March Madness either. After all, a Horizon League school has one at least on game in the NCAA tournament for the last seven years. Not to mention the fact that Butler – the two-time national runner-up – calls the Horizon League home. Despite the tournament accolades, the winner of this year’s conference tournament will more than likely be the only Horizon League team that makes the big dance. As a result, the action should be plenty intense.
The Favorite – 2012 Horizon League Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
At 14-4, the Valparaiso Crusaders (21-10) enter the Horizon League tournament as the top seed. Forward Ryan Broekhoff leads a balanced scoring attack for one of the more efficient offenses in the country. More importantly, the Crusaders have been at their best against the toughest competition. Against the other top four teams in the conference, Valparaiso is a perfect 8-0 this year. If that trend continues, the Crusaders should be on their way to a tournament title and an NCAA tournament automatic bid.
The Dark Horses – 2012 Horizon League Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
On the stat sheet, the Cleveland State Vikings (22-9) are far from impressive. They don’t shoot the ball particularly well, and they don’t rebound well either. That being said, the Vikings do play suffocating defense, and they win games. Cleveland State is allowing less than 60 points per game this year, and a victory on the road against a ranked Vanderbilt team is proof that this team can compete against top competition. If guard Trey Harmon has his shot working and can provide just enough offense during the Horizon League tournament, the Vikings’ defense can do the rest.
While the Horizon League wasn’t exactly an offensive conference this year, the Detroit Titans (18-13) were the exception. They led the conference in scoring, averaging more than 72 points per game. Led by guard Ray McCallum, the Titans have five players that average in double figures. Detroit plays an up tempo style that goes against the conference’s overall style of play, and it makes the Titans a unique matchup during the Horizon League tournament. If the Titans’ offense is firing on all cylinders, they could end up overwhelming teams with their firepower.
After losing a majority of the players that led them to back-to-back national title games, the Butler Bulldogs (18-13) took a big step back this season. They are a horrible offensive team, shooting less than 41 percent from the field. Unlike year’s past, Butler doesn’t have a real perimeter scoring threat, and center Andrew Smith is the only player averaging in double figures. Despite all the reasons not to like the Bulldogs, this team has been able to defy all the odds the last two seasons. Butler also closed the year by winning five of its last six, and a magical run through the Horizon League tournament can’t be ruled out.
Sleeper Special – 2012 Horizon League Tournament Odds, Predictions and Expert Picks
With a 15-14 record, including a 10-8 mark in conference play, the Green Bay Phoenix doesn’t exactly jump out as a potential NCAA tournament team. That being said, the rest of the Horizon League has to be a bit worried about this bunch in the upcoming conference tournament. After all, the Phoenix owns victories over Valparaiso and Cleveland State – the top two teams in the conference during the regular season. Green Bay has a pair of big men in Alec Brown and Brennan Cougill that are combining for 22.8 points, 15.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game. When both are performing at a high level, it gives the Phoenix an inside presence that few other Horizon League teams can match. It is going to take consistent play from the team’s two big men, but the Phoenix can make a surprise run if Cougill and Brown come to play throughout the tournament.
You can view NSAwins.com’s 5 handicapping experts’ predictions to win the 2012 Horizon League Tournament as well as the current 2012 Horizon League Tournament Odds and schedule below. NSAwins.com is your 2012 March Madness Betting guide and be sure to check back daily all month long for expert NCAA Tournament 2012 predictions as well as Office Pool March Madness 2012 Bracket Picks(filled-out by our experts) to help you win your Printable 2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket.
HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CONSENSUS PREDICTIONS from NSAwins.com: Valparaiso to WIN over Detroit
Horizon League Tournament Odds
Cleveland State -115
Valparaiso +105
Butler +600
Detroit +750
Milwaukee +1200
Youngstown State +3500
Green Bay +5000
Wright State +10000
Illinois-Chicago +25000
Loyola-Chicago +350000
2012 Horizon League Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule:
First Round – Tuesday, Feb. 28 (campus sites)
Game 1: (10) Loyola at (3) Detroit, 7 p.m. ET
Game 2: (7) Green Bay at (6) Youngstown State, 7:05 p.m. ET
Game 3: (9) UIC at (4) Milwaukee, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: (8) Wright State at (5) Butler, 7 p.m. ET
Second Round – Friday, March 2 (Valparaiso)
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. ET (Horizon League Network | ESPN3)
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m. ET (Horizon League Network | ESPN3)
Semifinals – Saturday, March 3 (Valparaiso)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. (2) Cleveland State, 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU – tape delayed at 10:30 p.m. ET; live on ESPN3)
Game 8: Game 6 winner at (1) Valparaiso, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Championship – Tuesday, March 6 (highest remaining seed)
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner
Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Basketball season for daily Free College Basketball Picks and Vegas College Basketball Lines plus daily updated Men’s 2012 National Championship Futures Odds.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2012 March Madness and Horizon League Tournament Odds Daily! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN SBG Global Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get EXCLUSIVE BONUSES upto 265% FREE added to your SBG Player Account Funds. |