College Basketball Conference Preview #7 - Horizon League

The 2022-23 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Horizon League. Look for Purdue-Fort Wayne to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. The Mastodons bring back a ridiculously talented combination in senior guards Jarred Godfrey and Damien Chong Qui. Both players could be 1st Team All Horizon League Players this season. They will get help from two other returning starters in senior forwards Bobby Planutis and Ra Kpedi. Look for senior guard Deonte Billups to provide additional scoring as well for the Mastodons this season. Northern Kentucky last made the NCAA Tournament in 2019. The Norse are hoping to change that in 2022-23 and are bitter after they lost to Wright State by a single point in the 2022 Horizon League Tournament Championship Game. Northern Kentucky will have a three headed monster of senior guard Trevon Faulkner, and sophomore guards Marques Warrick and Sam Vinson to handle the scoring load. The Norse have several newcomers that should also contribute - most notably freshman forwards LJ Wells and Cesar Tchilombo. I predict Northern Kentucky to finish in 2nd place in the final Conference Standings. Wright State looks to make it back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2022-23 but it won't be easy. The Raiders welcome back three starters and will be led by senior forward Tim Finke and senior guard Trey Calvin. Sophomore center AJ Braun - the final returning starter on Offense - will team with senior guard Amari Davis (Missouri transfer) to provide the Raiders with additional scoring. I predict Wright State to finish in 3rd place this season. Oakland will challenge Purdue-Fort Wayne, Northern Kentucky, and Wright State for the Horizon League Title and will need a huge season from junior guard Rocket Watts (Mississippi State/Michigan State transfer) to win the Horizon League Conference Tournament. Watts could be the Horizon League Player of the Year this season and will get assistance from sophomore forwards Trey Townsend and Chris Conway - both returning starters. Head Coach Greg Kampe did well in the Transfer Portal as the Golden Grizzlies also added sophomore guard Lorne Bowman (Wisconsin transfer) and senior forward Keaton Harvey (Missouri State transfer). I predict Oakland to finish in 4th place in the final Conference Standings. Detroit only returns one starter from their 2021-22 team but he is a big one in senior guard Antoine Davis who is the favorite to be Horizon League Player of the Year. The Titans will also rely on senior guard Kevin McAdoo and junior guard Kyle LeGreair to remain competitive in the Horizon League this season. Expect contributions from senior forward Arashma Parks (Temple transfer) and junior guard Jayden Stone (Grand Canyon transfer) as well. Head Coach Mike Davis will have Detroit back at the top of the League soon but their fans need to remain patient this season. I predict the Titans to finish in 5th place this season. Youngstown State looks to pick up where they left off in 2021-22. The Penguins return three starters and will be led by senior guard Dwayne Cohill and junior guard Shemar Rathan-Mayes. They will get assistance from junior guard Myles Hunter - another returning starter - along with junior forward Will Dunn and senior forward Adrian Nelson (Northern Kentucky transfer). I predict Youngstown State to finish in 6th place in the final Conference Standings.

Cleveland State is in for a rebuilding season as the Vikings only return two starters and welcome new Head Coach Daniyal Robinson. Both returning starters - senior forward Deonte Johnson and senior guard Deshon Parker - will need to have big seasons for the Vikings to finish in the top half of the final Horizon League Standings. Expect several returnees to provide large contributions as well - most notably senior guard Yahel Hill and junior forward Jayson Woodrich. I predict Cleveland State to finish in 7th place this season. Robert Morris returns four starters - most notably junior guard Kahliel Spear - who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. Spear will need assistance from senior forward Matt Mayers, junior guard Michael Green III, and sophomore forward Enoch Cheeks - all returning starters - to propel them to new heights this season. The Colonials are still trying to find their way in the Horizon League as they enter their 3rd season and are hoping for a breakthrough in the next several seasons. I predict Robert Morris to finish in 8th place in the final Conference Standings. Green Bay is also looking at a rebuild as the Phoenix only return one starter in sophomore forward Cade Meyer. Look for freshman center Donavan Short - the highest rated recruit in Green Bay history - to have a huge season for the the Phoenix as they look to climb the Horizon League Standings. A pair of experienced junior guards in Randy Tucker and Nate Jenkins will help the cause as well. I predict Green Bay to finish in 9th place this season. Milwaukee is starting over yet again as the Panthers welcome in new Head Coach Bart Lundy. No starters return and the Panthers will lean heavily on senior forward Vin Baker Jr. and senior center Moses Bol as they are the most experienced players on the roster. Look for several newcomers to play big roles - most notably senior guard Jordan Ratliffe and junior guard Angelo Stuart. I predict Milwaukee to finish in 10th place in the final Conference Standings. IUPUI hopes to remain healthy this season after a dismal 3-26 record in 2021-22. The Jaguars don't return any starters and will rely on senior forward Jonah Carrasco and sophomore guard Boston Stanton III to carry the load this season. A pair of incoming transfers will also play key roles as the Jaguars added junior guard Bryce Monroe (San Diego transfer) and senior forward Zach Gunn (Boise State transfer). I predict IUPUI to finish in 11th place this season. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Horizon League. Enjoy all of the games!

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