The Horizon League: Recap and Preview

In the 2022-23 season, the Horizon League provided plenty of excitement as four teams finished with conference records of 14-6 or better. The regular-season champion, Youngstown State, emerged from the pack, but fell short in the Horizon tournament semifinals to eventual champion Northern Kentucky. Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis, the nation’s leading scorer, averaged 28.2 points per game. With Davis graduating, the Titans face a major offensive challenge.

League Contenders

The Cleveland State Vikings were one of the three squads that finished right behind Youngstown State with a 14-6 record. Senior Tristan Enaruna will lead the Vikings’ offensive attack. The Milwaukee Panthers, with four starters returning, look to build on their 22 victories from last season. The Northern Kentucky Norse represented the Horizon League in the NCAA tournament. Led by senior guard Marques Warrick, the Norse finished the season on a strong note.

Youngstown State Penguins

The Penguins will be starting from scratch this season after four starters from last season’s squad departed. Youngstown State claimed the top seed in the Horizon tournament after winning 16 of its next 20 games. However, they lost to Oklahoma State in the NIT. Guard Brandon Rush is the lone returning starter for the Penguins.

Middle of the Pack

The Wright State Raiders, who sat atop the Horizon League two seasons ago, had a 10-10 record last season. Guard Trey Calvin and Freshman of the Year Brandon Noel return for the Raiders. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies closed the season on a high note, winning 11 of 18 games before getting bounced in the Horizon tournament. Trey Townsend led the team in scoring. The Robert Morris Colonials doubled their win total from the previous season, winning 16 games. Enoch Cheeks and Kahliel Spear, their top scorers, are gone.

End of the Horizon

The Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons finished 17-15 last season, but will have to rebuild without any returning starters. The IUPUI Jaguars improved their win total, but still face a challenging season. Detroit Mercy, losing their top scorer Antoine Davis, will look to fill the void left by him with transfers.

Reference

Laura Davis

Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.