We’re back once again, this time with a twist!
As I did last season, I will be posting my previews for the non-conference games for the week, with early access for our Patrons (be sure to sign up for as little as $1!). But as you all know, I will also be discussing these games with Matt Dudek as part of our new venture, Expand Your Horizon: Preview Edition, which is sponsored by the Horizon League and will post every Tuesday at 9am ET during the conference schedule.
That said, it’s on to the first week of the conference slate, and it will be the first time that we see Horizon League teams duking it out. Here’s what we have coming up. All game times are ET and on ESPN+, unless noted.
Wednesday, December 4th
Green Bay at IU Indy, 6:30pm: In years past, the Phoenix vs. Jaguars contest was viewed as sort of a battle to the bottom, with Green Bay getting a sizable advantage in the series last year under coach Sundance Wicks. This time around, given it’s the first conference game for both, there’s no bottom-of-the-standings hand-wringing. What will happen, though, is a lot of offense. While the Phoenix enjoyed that benefit last season, it will be something entirely different for the new-look Jags under Paul Corsaro. Expect a lot of three-pointers, to be sure.
Youngstown State at Robert Morris, 7pm: The Penguins are still adjusting to first-year head coach Ethan Faulkner, and their first match-up with the Colonials is likely not to make that transition any easier. In spite of the ongoing absence of Justice Williams and Kam Woods, the latter of whom has made it back into the rotation, RMU has been fortunate to have players like DJ Smith, Amarion Dickerson and Alvaro Folguieras to step up in a big way. As for YSU, Nico Galette has proven as advertised, but the Guins need to get their big man Gabe Dynes going.
Thursday, December 5th
Purdue Fort Wayne at Detroit Mercy, 1pm: For the Titans, it’s been a night-and-day difference between last year and this under in Mark Montgomery’s first season at the helm. For Jon Coffman, on the other hand, it’s been more of the same, with his veterans leading the way. That shift for Detroit Mercy, though, will make this a tough match-up this time around, as Montgomery is using a mix of transfers and freshmen to give teams headaches in the early going. The Mastodons, though, still have a strong core, and the only question has been if it will be Rasheed Bello or Jalen Jackson that leads them in scoring.
Wright State at Oakland, 7pm: So far in the non-conference, Brandon Noel has backed up his claim as the Horizon League’s (and our) preseason Player of the Year. If not for a pair of squeakers in Myrtle Beach when the Raiders came up short, they’d be higher in the standings. The Golden Grizzlies experienced a major power outage, especially from beyond the arc, an area where they’ve had no problem in years past. Oakland snapped out of its offensive funk in a big way against Toledo and will need to keep that going if they want to have a chance.
Cleveland State at Milwaukee, 8pm: Speaking of power outages, the difference between the Viking defense and offense is so visible, you can see it from space. And CSU will have to travel to face a Panther team that has no problem putting the ball in the basket, particularly AJ McKee and Themus Fulks. Cleveland State may have the edge, though, up front, with Dylan Arnett, while Milwaukee will likely turn to Darius Duffy again, as Faizon Fields’ finger injury could prevent him from being a part of this contest.
Saturday, December 7th
Wright State at Detroit Mercy, 1pm: The Raiders complete their early-season Michigan swing at Calihan Hall to face the new-look Titans. For Detroit Mercy, finding someone to contain Noel will be absolutely critical. And we may see Montgomery’s freshmen forwards, Stephen Okoro, Miles Mitchell and Ryan Kalambay, contribute to taking on that duty, joining Emmanuel Kuac and Legend Geeter. As if Noel wasn’t enough of a headache, they’ll also have to keep an eye on Alex Huigbretse and Jack Doumbia as well, among others.
Northern Kentucky at IU Indy, 2pm: One thing that Darrin Horn has been successful at in his tenure with the Norse is defense. And with the Jaguars, that will be put to the test in a way that NKU hasn’t seen from an IU Indy squad in years. The Norse do have a considerable advantage in the frontcourt, as defending Defensive Player of the Year Trey Robinson, Keeyan Itejere and LJ Wells will work to keep the Jags in check in the paint.
Cleveland State at Green Bay, 3pm: Anthony Roy has been on a tear for the Phoenix, and the Vikings will have themselves quite a time figuring out how to keep him at bay. They may not have to, though, if they lock down the rest of the team, specifically Marcus Hall. Arnett will likely have that detail, and that will be the key match-up, along with keeping any other Green Bay player besides Roy from getting hot from beyond the arc. Well, that and Cleveland State needs some scoring of its own.
Oakland at Youngstown State, 3pm: Dynes’ non-conference funk appeared to clear up against D3 Bethany, where he scored 28. If he wants to stay out of his funk, this game would be the one to do it, as the Golden Grizzlies are, to their own admission, rather lacking up front, even though Allen Mukeba has been a force lately. In addition, Galette will also be busy on both ends of the court, so Oakland is going to have quite a task keeping him contained, not to mention that YSU has guards like EJ Farmer and Ty Harper capable of rattling off points at any time.
Sunday, December 8th
Robert Morris at Purdue Fort Wayne, 2pm: This will be the game where, if Williams and Woods still aren’t ready to go, could seriously hurt the Colonials. The Mastodons, with Bello, Jackson, Quentin Morton Robertson and Corey Hadnot, have a backcourt rotation that has the potential to be a nightmare for short-handed Robert Morris. Dickerson and Folguieras, though, have the opportunity to leverage their power up front to counteract the Purdue Fort Wayne guards, but Eric Mulder has had a tendency to have something the say about it throughout his time as a Mastodon.
