Christmas has come early as the college basketball season tips off today. With that being said, let’s break down the top three teams in the Horizon League this season as most Horizon League schools tip-off this evening in the final edition of Morrison’s Rankings.

3. Northern Kentucky

2020-21 record: (14-11 Overall, 11-7 Horizon) finished 4th out of 12 and lost in the Horizon League semifinals to Oakland 69-58

Top non-conference games:

1. November 26 @ Depaul
2. December 18 @ Eastern Kentucky
3. December 22 @ Indiana

Key Additions:

1. Sam Vinson – Fr. guard

Notable Subtractions:

None

Players to Watch:

1. Trevon Faulkner – Sr. Guard (Last Season: 16.7 PPG, 41 FG%)
2. Marques Warrick – So. Guard (Last Season: 15.8 PPG, 45 FG%)

The Outlook:

Northern Kentucky returns a very talented roster including Horizon League Freshman of the year Marques Warrick. Trevon Faulkner also returns for his senior season as well after leading the team in scoring last season.

With the addition of 2021 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year Sam Vinson, the Norse are looking to finally get over that elusive hump and finally get into the conference championship game that they were just one game away from last year.

2. Wright State

2020-21 record: (18-6 Overall, 16-4 Horizon) Finished 2nd out of 12 in the Horizon League. Lost to Milwaukee in the Horizon League quarterfinals 94-92 in OT

Top non-conference games:

1. November 16 @ Purdue
2. December 21 @ North Carolina State

Key Additions:

1. AJ Braun – Fr. Center

Notable Subtractions:

1. Loudon Love (11th Overall pick in the NBA G-League draft to the Texas Legends)

Players to Watch:

1. Grant Basile – R-Jr. Forward (Last Season: 15 PPG, 7 RPG)
2. Tanner Holden – Jr. Guard (Last Season: 15.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG)

The Outlook:

Losing Loudon Love is a huge blow for Wright State, but they still return two of their leading scorers on the team from last season in Grant Basile and Tanner Holden.

It will be a new look for the Raiders without Love on the team this year, but don’t think for a second that this team will take a dip in production as they are going to be contending for the Horizon League Championship in March.

1. Cleveland State

2020-21 record: (19-8 overall, 16-4 Horizon) Finished 1st of 12 in the Horizon League. Won the Horizon League Championship, lost to no 2. Houston 87-56 in the first round in the Midwest region of March Madness

Top non-conference games:

1. November 9 @ BYU
2. December 13 @ Oklahoma State
3. December 18 @ Duke

Key Additions:

1. Nathanael Jack – Sr. Guard (Florida State)

Notable Subtractions:

None

Players to Watch:

1. Tre Gomillion – Sr. Guard (Last Season: 10.3 PPG, 5.0 PPG, 50 FG%)
2. Craig Beaudoin – Sr. Guard (Last Season: 9.3 PPG
3. Nathanael Jack – Sr. Guard (Last Season @ FSU: 3.5 PPG)

The Outlook:

Cleveland State looks to repeat as Horizon League tournament winners and they have the battery to do it. Tre Gomillion and Craig Beaudoin return for their senior seasons and Nathanael Jack transfers into the program after spending last season with Florida State averaging 3.5 points per game.

Cleveland State will be the team to beat this year in the Horizon League with their squad spewing with experience, so don’t be surprised if Dennis Gates’ team makes it back to the ‘Big Dance’.