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Big Joe's Pre-Conference Preview

12/30/02
by Joe Dlugosz
With most of the pre-conference games out of the way and the Horizon League slate about ready to get into full swing there have been a good handful of surprises. Outside of some people in Indianapolis no one would have figured that Butler would be in the same exact spot they were in a season ago, but they are. The Bulldogs are undefeated at 10-0 on the season and will surely crack the top 25 after beating Western Kentucky.

Milwaukee, picked to finish at the top of the conference has been strong, but Dylan Page has been unbelievable. An afterthought his first two seasons at UWM, Page has become the Panthers go to guy. UIC struggled with Cedric Banks on the sideline, but has looked awesome in his return after sitting out four games. Loyola has come out flat to start the season and sits at the bottom of the standings with a 4-8 mark and a six game losing streak.

Even with Butler undefeated they are not a lock for the top spot in the conference. At this point in the season UWM and UIC have looked great on several occasions and like last season's Loyola who knows who might come out hot to start the conference season. Here are my pre-conference awards and my updated predictions.

Pre-Conference Player of the Year: Dylan Page, Milwaukee

I thought Panthers head coach Bruce Pearl had been hit with a blunt object squarely in the head when he said before the season that this year would be Dylan Page's coming out party. Well, that was an understatement. Page has been nothing short of spectacular. The 6'8" junior forward had started all of two games before this season and averaged just 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. Thrust into the starting role due to injuries Page has blossomed into the Panthers star. Page has, at times, carried the Panthers this season and will be a dominant force in league play. In pre-conference play he has averaged 19 points a game while grabbing six rebounds.

Pre-Conference Horizon League First Team

Seth Doliboa, Wright State
Brandon Miller, Butler
Dylan Page, Milwaukee
Martell Bailey, UIC
Joel Cornette, Butler

Doliboa has blossomed into an all around player with an NBA body. If the Raiders can compete for the Horizon League crown there is no reason he couldn't be player of the year. Miller embodies all that Butler basketball has become in recent history. While his numbers don't blow people away Miller fights and scraps for every little bit of an advantage and is a huge part of Butler's undefeated mark to this point. Cornette has played exceptionally well and has become the Bulldogs inside force for an undersized team. Bailey has become the glue for an extremely talented UIC team that could boast three or four Horizon League all-conference performers by the time the year is up.

Pre-Conference Horizon League Second Team

Willie Green, Detroit
Armond Williams, UIC
Vernard Hollins, Wright State
Paul McMillan, Loyola
David Bailey, Loyola

Green continues to be the man for a Detroit team that is struggling to find its identity. Armond Williams has been a force for the Flames and will be even more difficult to deal with now that Cedric Banks is back and commanding an awful lot of attention. Hollins has really stepped up for the Raiders and his name seems to be on just about every statistical leader board in the conference standings. Paul McMillan has become the big guy that can score for the Ramblers. He's been great on the glass at times and can regularly hit the 12 foot jumper. Bailey has disappointed so far this season, but still posts impressive numbers.

Best of the Pre-Conference Schedule

1. Butler at it again. This determined bunch doesn't fool around. Not that they did before, but they are pissed off now. The one team that is bringing national focus to the Horizon League.
2. Tyson Freeman's bank three with .3. In a wild and wacky ending to a great game Freeman banked in the game winner off of deflection for the win over Akron.
3. Percell Coles explodes on Duquesne. Coles ignited for nine three-pointers and single handedly guided the offense starved Vikings to the win.
4. Dylan Page. Benchwarmer becomes a star, there aren't many stories better than that.
5. UIC dismantles Northwestern. Score one for the little guys. UIC embarrassed the Wildcats and scored a win over a Big Ten foe. Probably the last time the snobs from Evanston ask the city folk to play them again.

Updated Predictions

1. UIC
2. Butler
3. UWM
4. WSU
5. Loyola
6. Detroit
7. Green Bay
8. YSU
9. CSU