Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Sports

Freshman Vaughn Duggins drives past a Butler opponent on Saturday night. Duggins had nine points in Wright State's 77-65 victory over the Bulldogs.

The Wright State men's basketball team is the champion after defeating No. 9 nationally ranked Butler. The Raiders have now taken the No. 1 slot in the Horizon League.

Wright State's 12-2 league record allowed Wright State to surpass the Bulldogs into the lead for the regular season title.

If Wright State wins the remainder of their games against Horizon League opponents the team is still guaranteed to at least tie for first in the regular season standings. In order for the Raiders to win the title completely, Butler needs to lose one of their remaining three league games. Otherwise, the two teams will share the title.

So now the question for the Raiders is: Where will the final two rounds of the Horizon League Tournament be held if there is a tie for first place?

Since the winner of the regular season title should be the team to host the final two rounds of the tournament, a tiebreaker will be required to determine the sight of the final to two rounds.

That tiebreaker is all based on how UIC and UW-Milwaukee end their season. Since one of Butler's two league losses came to UIC, Wright State needs them to finish ahead of UW-Milwaukee in order for the Raiders to host the tournament. This is because the Raiders beat UIC twice during the season, and they have a better record against the stronger opponent.

However, if UW-Milwaukee finishes ahead of UIC then Butler will host the tournament.

UIC and UW-Milwaukee face each other on Wednesday, Feb. 21, so you can bet both Wright State and Butler will be tuned into that game.

Also, the win on Saturday may have made Wright State a lock in for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Although it is unsure if WSU will make it to NCAA tournament, they have but ensured that they will take part in the 40-team tournament.

Wright State taking part in the NCAA tournament is a little bit more difficult. The Raiders will have a place in the tournament gauranteed if they win the Horizon League Tournament at the beginning of March. But if they don't win, the chances of them making the tournament are slim to none because they will be depending on an at-large bid.

WSU definitely increased their chances of making a post-season tournament by defeating Butler on Saturday.

If all goes well and the team does end up making it to a post season tournament it will be the first time since 1993 Wright State has accomplished that feat.

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