The Horizon League picture is somehow getting clearer and murkier at the same time. There is some possible clarity at the top, while the middle of the pack is a jumbled mess. With that said, let’s rank them all.
- Wright State
The Raiders have righted the ship since their loss to Cleveland State. This most recently meant a sweep in Wisconsin. TJ Burch has been quite an addition. He’s scoring over 15 points a game with four assists and four boards in league play while leading the country in steal percentage. One more on the road at Robert Morris before returning to Dayton.
2. Oakland
Much like Wright State, Oakland’s shocking home loss seems to be a thing of the past. Down Isaac Garrett, Oakland held Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky to 65 points and won both games with late runs. The combination of the calendar turning to February and Garrett’s injury lends a big question. Is Brody Robinson the player of the year?
3. Purdue Fort Wayne
One guy who could answer that question is Corey Hadnot II. He is scoring over 20 points a game, including twice this week. Purdue Fort Wayne missed an opportunity to beat Oakland at home, but bounced back for a solid home win over Robert Morris. One thing to watch for this team — five of its last seven will be on the road. Good luck.
4. Detroit Mercy (+4)
The Titans beat Northern Kentucky going away, and the rest of the league middle struggled, meaning Detroit Mercy climbs the highest they have all year. How about the freshman Tyler Spratt? He’s averaging 20 a game in his last four and is now at 10 a game for the season. His emergence as a real third scorer makes this team way more dangerous. They make the Wisconsin trip this weekend.
5. Cleveland State (+4)
The middle this week is impossible, so why not just go with the Vikings, who have won four in a row? Cleveland State followed up its win at Wright State with a sweep in Wisconsin to all of a sudden put themselves in contention for a bye and a home game in the tournament. It will be very interesting to watch the Vikings go through a big test on Wednesday when Oakland comes to Cleveland.
6. Green Bay (-2)
Green Bay has now lost four out of its last five and lost two at home over the weekend. It’s a pretty tough slate through the rest of the season too, so they will need to turn it around instead of just falling into some wins. Quick shoutout to Preston Ruedinger. He played all 80 minutes this week while averaging 18.5 points, seven assists and four rebounds. The fifth year senior is turning up the heat down the stretch.
7. Northern Kentucky (-2)
Tough Michigan trip for the Norse, and it’s not just because they went 0-2. Starting point guard Ethan Elliot didn’t dress in either game, all-league candidate LJ Wells didn’t play at Oakland and 14 point per game scorer Kael Robinson rolled his ankle late against Oakland as well. They get Green Bay at home on Wednesday in what is kind of a big game in a bunched middle — let’s see who the Norse can suit up for it.
8. Robert Morris (-2)
It’s hard to have Robert Morris this low, but they have a prime opportunity to leapfrog the field this week as Wright State comes to Moon Township on national TV. Ryan Prather Jr. has been on a tear and has now tied DeSean Goode as the team’s leading scorer. He’s scored 20 in five of the last six. The defending champs are still dangerous.
9.Milwaukee (-2)
That ending against Cleveland State was just not needed for this bunch. The Panthers have gone through so much adversity, and are now staring down a potential opening round tournament game with a few weeks to go. Milwaukee has lost three starters for the season, and a fourth has been out for weeks. Tough to deal with.
10. Youngstown State (+1)
Signs of life have been spotted in Youngstown, Ohio. Cris Carroll has been incredible and the Penguins have now won two of three to climb up to 4-8 in league play. That’s only two games out of fifth place. This roster is capable of getting going and the standings have broken so that the very slow first half of league play didn’t bury this team.
11. IU Indy (-1)
I sat right behind the IU Indy bench when they beat Oakland. Kyler D’Augustino was eager to re-enter the game after he rolled his ankle, but his head coach shut him down unless they really needed him down the stretch. D’Augustino has now missed two games since then, but was ready to put it on the line to secure the W that night. That’s the sign of a great leader, and a program worth keeping an eye on.
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