Picture: Alex Strouf/All Wisconsin Athletics
VALPARAISO, Ind.–
Today’s the day: Horizon League Championship day, my friends! The top two teams in the Horizon League, the runner-up Green Bay Phoenix and the top-dog Valparaiso Crusaders, will face-off with a bid to the NCAA Tournament at stake.
The Crusaders finished out atop the conference with an in-conference record of 13-3, which is almost impossible to come by in this conference. After losing to Oakland by 14 point in an overtime thriller in their conference opener, it looked like it was going to be a rough season for Valpo. From there, the Crusaders were able to turn it on for a five-game win streak before heading to Green Bay, where they would take another loss and have their conference record stand at 5-2. From there, it was win’s galore to put them back in first place. With two games left and only one win needed to put the conference title banner in the Athletics-Recreation Center at Valparaiso University, the Crusaders were on the road against (at the time) 6-8 Detroit. The Titans were able to take a 3-point lead with 1:51 remaining and they held the lead to steal a game from Valpo, 63-60. That left one game versus (at the time) second place Cleveland State. Cleveland State wins: they either take first or second in the conference; Cleveland State loses: they take third and Valparaiso takes the regular season title. Well, the Crusaders and Vikings fought to the wire, but Valparaiso walked away with a three point, Horizon League clinching victory.
That meant Green Bay would not repeat as regular season Horizon League champions, but with a 12-4 in-conference record, they would fall as the runner-ups. After a road loss to Oakland, Green Bay knew they had to win out at home if they even wanted a shot at winning the title. Head coach Brian Wardle has always made it clear throughout his time at Green Bay, it’s tough to play on the road no matter who you’re playing. After another road loss at Cleveland State at the end of January, Green Bay had one thing on their mind: winning out. With a road game against Valparaiso and a home game against Cleveland State, who the Phoenix were battling at second place with, remaining, it would be tough to win this conference. Both of those games turned out in losses, handing the Phoenix a silver medal.
Green Bay senior Keifer Sykes won his second consecutive Horizon League Player of the Year award this season, and it has been his ultimate goal since his freshman campaign to make the NCAA Tournament. Tonight, he’ll get that chance. It’s seniors Josh Humphrey, Alfonzo McKinnie, and Greg May’s last chances, as well.
For the young Valparaiso team, their centerpieces will all have another chance or two, including first-team All-Horizon League member and leading scorer, sophomore Alec Peters. Peters is averaging a monster 17.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The Phoenix have given Peters a tough time in their previous two meetings this season, only giving up 9 points in the first and 12 in the second. In the second meeting, the Phoenix heavily focused on shutting down Peters, which allowed freshman guard Tevonn Walker to score 20 points, just two short of tying his career-high.
The Phoenix have been all over this year offensively. Depending on what the opposing team does, the Phoenix will usually react appropriately. If the opposing team decides to attack Keifer Sykes, that allows other key pieces like Carrington Love and Greg Mays to explode for big games. If a team runs a zone defense, that allows the Phoenix do what they do best: find open shots and get offensive rebounds.
Defensively, the Phoenix have also been unpredictable. Usually, they’ll stop any fast break opportunities due to the speed they present. Although they’re not an incredibly big team, they’ve been able to kill post presence, especially with Alec Peters.
Today marks something different than these previous two meetings, though, and that’s exciting for both Green Bay and Valparaiso. Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle and Co. have never experienced the tournament, while Bryce Drew and some of his team has, last attending the Big Dance two years ago.
This season has been successful for both teams. Alec Peters and Keifer Sykes were both named to the first-team All-Horizon League team. Green Bay senior Greg Mays was named to the second-team All-Horizon League team. Tevonn Walker was named to the All-Freshmen team for Valparaiso, while senior center Vashil Fernandez was named to the All-Defense team, joining Green Bay junior Jordan Fouse, who earns a spot on that team for the third time in his three-year career. Keifer Sykes of Green Bay earned the Player of the Year, Vashil Fernandez earned Defensive Player of the Year, Jubril Adekoya of Valpo earned Sixth Player of the Year, and finally Bryce Drew, Valpo head coach, earned Coach of the Year in the Horizon League exactly one season after Brian Wardle of Green Bay earned that honor.
Both of these teams have faced adversity all year, between tough losses and injuries. Tevonn Walker was injured in the semifinal game against Cleveland State, and likely won’t play tonight against Green Bay. It won’t be easy for either the Phoenix or Crusaders, but I’ll guarantee you one thing: this game will be extremely exciting. Tip-off is scheduled for 6PM Central on ESPN.
~Alex Strouf (@LetsGoAlex)
All Wisconsin Athletics 
Thanks Ally for the info we didn;t know we could watch the game. GO PHOENIX!!!