Horizon League Tournament: Round 1

The quest for the Horizon League's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament starts tomorrow.  Eight of the league's ten teams will square off in round one.  3 seed Cleveland State will play host to 10 seed UIC, Valparaiso will welcome Youngstown State in 4 versus 9 matchup, the 5 seed Detroit will battle 8 seed Loyola, and 6 seed Wright State will host a game against the 7 seeded Green Bay.
See the bracket here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/hln/medias/files/45/original.pdf?1298818833

Predictions

 CSU v. UIC: CSU has Horizon League player of the year Norris Cole.  Cole has had some huge games this season and will look to continue his dominance in the tournament.  I look for Cole to come close to a triple double in this matchup.  CSU wins this one going away, 83-62.

Valpo v. YSU:  Valpo has one both of the previous matchups between these two schools including a 24 point drubbing at home back in January.  Valpo will win this one 78-65.

Detroit v. Loyola:  Detroit is a young team still learning to play together.  To me, they are one of the three teams you don't want to have to play.  Big on the inside and athletic around the perimeter.  I think Loyola will hang around but fall in the final 10 minutes.  Final score 73-67.

Wright State v. Green Bay:  If you are looking for an upset here it is. I think Green Bay will pound the ball inside to their 7 footer who will score until the double teams start coming.  It will then be up to the guys on the perimeter to hit a few shots.  Green Bay takes it in a nail biter, 74-71.