HORIZON LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
OAKLAND vs. ROBERT MORRIS (RMU -3.5, 139.5)
OAKLAND +3.5
If you were around last year, you might remember that both of my daughters graduated from Oakland University. Last year, we were all fired up when Oakland won the conference tournament. and then beat Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
This year's Grizzlies team is not nearly as talented as last year's team, but what Oakland still has is head coach Greg Kampe. Kampe is as good a coach as there is in college basketball. That's probably why he's been at Oakland since 1999.
Now, Robert Morris is no slouch. The Colonials went 15-5 in conference play this season. They beat Oakland twice winning 79-71 at Oakland and 73-71 at Robert Morris. Oakland matches up well with RMU and they've got the revenge factor, but the ace in the hole is Kampe. Don't be surprised if he pulls the outright upset. I'll take the points.
HORIZON LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
YOUNGSTOWN STATE vs. CLEVELAND STATE (CLE -2.5, 139.5)
CLEVELAND STATE -2.5
Cleveland State finished the regular season with a big win over Purdue-Ft. Wayne. Then, they beat a very good Northern Kentucky team in the first round of the conference tournament to advance to this spot. The key in tonight's game will be the Cleveland State defense. The Vikings rank No. 6 in the nation in creating turnovers - 22.7 per game.
That's part of the reason why Cleveland State is a top 40 defense allowing opponents 66.4 points per game. The Vikings also would like to erase a bad 68-60 home loss to the Penguins back on Feb. 16. At this time of year, defense is king and Cleveland State's is just way better than Youngstown State's.
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