Small Conference Game of the Day – January 12

Green Bay at Milwaukee, 2:00 PM Eastern, Time Warner SportsChannel – Wisconsin, live streaming at horizonleague.org

The SCGD heads to Wisconsin today for the first of this season’s two matchups in the Horizon league between the Milwaukee Panthers and the Green Bay Phoenix.  Aside from the in-state rivalry between these two teams, they have also so far shown that they will be (perhaps along with Cleveland State) the top teams in the Horizon this season.  This afternoon’s trip to Milwaukee may therefore be Green Bay’s toughest challenge left this season.

Green Bay enters today’s game at 12-3 overall including 2-0 in conference play.  Their RPI is a solid 46, BPI 65 and KenPom 47.  They have done that all against the #65 SOS in the country — all very solid numbers for a mid-major program.  the Phoenix have a home win over Virginia and gave Wisconsin its toughest game of the season to date, losing 69-66.  Green Bay is particularly dangerous given their inside-out game, with 7-1 Alec Brown down low and 5-11 Keifer Sykes outside leading the way.  If they can roll through the Horizon, including finding a way to win today’s game, this team may get a very serious look for an at-large bid should they falter in their conference tournament.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, enters today’s contest at 12-5 overall, though their losses include Loyola-Chicago, DePaul and Northeastern.  They were blown out by Wisconsin and have already lost once in league play, at home to Cleveland State.  Their best rating right now is their RPI, and that is in the triple digits at 115.  However, they should still be a tough challenge every night in Horizon League play, and when it comes to an in-state rivalry on their home floor, ratings and records should be thrown aside.  Today’s game has the chance to be one of the better ones all season in the Horizon, and the SCGD will be watching!