Saturday, March 7th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Hinkle Fieldhouse (11,043) - Indianapolis, Indiana. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: CSU 14-2, UWGB 13-1. Away Record: CSU 7-8, UWGB 7-8. Neutral Record: CSU 2-0, UWGB 2-0. Conference Record: CSU 12-6, UWGB 13-5. Series Record: Wisconsin-Green Bay leads, 35-22.

GAME NOTES: With a chance to play for the Horizon League Tournament title, the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix will tangle with the Cleveland State Vikings this evening in semifinal round at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Vikings entered this tournament as the third seed, thanks to their strong 12-6 mark in league action. Cleveland State began the tourney with a 56-43 win over Detroit, and followed that with a 67-64 victory over Illinois-Chicago in the quarterfinals. The Vikings are only 6-13 in this event, but the team is one win away from returning to the HL title tilt. Standing in CSU's way are the Phoenix of Wisconsin-Green Bay, who finished with a 13-5 mark in conference play, earning it the second seed and a bye into the semis. This is the fourth time in six years that the Phoenix earned a bye, and their 13 league wins are the most for UWGB since the 1995-96 campaign when the team collected 16 victories over league foes. The two teams split the season series this year, with CSU winning the most recent matchup in an 83-75 final. However, despite the loss the Phoenix still have a 35-22 edge in the all-time series.

The Vikings held Detroit to just 43 points in their first round victory, and while the team was not as stingy in its quarterfinal matchup, Cleveland State still put forth a strong enough defensive effort to get past UIC. In fact, the Vikings put the Flames out by limited UIC to a meager 32.0 percent shooting effort that included a 4-of-15 clip from long range. This has been the game plan for CSU throughout the season, as the team is holding opponents to just 58.8 ppg, and a 40.6 percent shooting effort. At the other end of the floor the team has not been overwhelming, averaging just 66.2 ppg. Leading the way offensively has been J'Nathan Bullock, who is producing 15.4 ppg, to go along with a team-best 7.0 rpg. Norris Cole is contributing 12.9 ppg, while Cedric Jackson is posting 10.2 ppg, to go along with 181 assists, 101 steals and 5.6 rpg. In the victory over UIC it was Cole's 26 points that led the way, while Jackson added 13 points, eight boards, four assists and three steals. As for Bullock, he chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds.

While the Vikings use a tenacious defensive approach on the court, the Phoenix come from the other end of the spectrum, as they showcase one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the league. Green Bay comes into this matchup averaging a solid 72.9 ppg, behind a healthy 44.7 percent shooting effort. Ryan Tillema is currently one of four players producing double-figures on the season, as the guard is netting 17.4 ppg, while also grabbing 4.6 rpg. Tillema is extremely dangerous around the perimeter, shooting an impressive 45.4 percent from long range. Troy Cotton, who can also drain a three-point basket from time to time (42.9 percent from behind the arc), comes into this game averaging 127 ppg, while Mike Schachtner is contributing 11.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Running the show on the floor has been Rahmon Fletcher, as the guard is leading the team with 131 assists, while chipping in 10.6 ppg.

This is a classic matchup between a tough defensive team and a strong scoring squad. Usually defense reigns supreme in postseason action, but not to be overlooked is Green Bay's defensive play. The Phoenix are more balanced than Cleveland State and should slip past the Vikings and into the title game.

Predicted Outcome

Wisconsin-Green Bay 69, Cleveland State 65