Horizon League Basketball Preview: #4 Detroit Titans

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In a season where many of the Horizon League’s most familiar faces are moving on, Detroit managed to escape relatively unscathed. Ray McCallum needs to replace two of his three front court players, but the one that’s returning is a top contender for Horizon League Player of the Year. Juwan Howard Jr., son of the former Fab Five member, was a Second Team All-League player after averaging over 18 points and 5 rebounds per game last year. With a better finish in Horizon League play, he would’ve been a surefire first team pick. Howard’s return gives the Titans the chance to rise toward the top of the league this season.

While the rest of the league scrambles to replace departing stars, Detroit’s most significant loss is forward Evan Bruinsma. Bruinsma is a quality player, leading the team in rebounding while scoring 12.5 points per game last season. Still, finding replacements for him and starting center Ugochukwu Njokwu will be a less daunting task than most other teams in the league will face. Cellar dweller UIC is the only other team in the Horizon League that isn’t replacing an All-Horizon League performer.

With so few players leaving, it would seem that Detroit’s rotation should look very similar to what it was last year. However, several transfers, a pair of redshirted players, and one true freshmen will fight for significant minutes this season.

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Brandan Kearney is a well-traveled local product. After completing his career at Detroit Southeastern, Kearney committed to play for Tom Izzo at Michigan State. He spent a season and a half with the Spartans before transferring to Arizona State. When he left Michigan State, Kearney averaged just under 17 minutes per game. Attempting to jump into Arizona State’s rotation halfway through the year proved to be a difficult task: he transferred to get more playing time, but wound up playing just 6.5 minutes per game with the Sun Devils before transferring to Detroit for his final season. It appears Kearney’s final stop will be the one to give him the playing time he’s been looking for; he earned the start in Detroit’s exhibition opener against Siena Heights.

Jaleel Hogan is Detroit’s lone true freshman. As a high school senior, he earned Michigan Class A All-State honors while leading Mount Pleasant to 22 wins and a State Tournament semifinal appearance. Hogan started for the Titans during the team’s first preseason game, and figures to play significant minutes this year.

Pat Ackerman transferred to Detroit after two seasons at Penn State, where he struggled to find playing time. Based on the team’s exhibition opener, Detroit will use a smaller lineup in most games this season and Ackerman will come off the bench. Still, it’s unlikely that the Titans will rely heavily on a front court made of players under 6-foot-7 to match up with talented big men like Corey Petros of Oakland and Bobby Hain of Youngstown State. Ackerman and Juco transfer Youssoupha Kane will need to provide valuable minutes against Detroit’s opponents that have good size in the front court.

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Guards Jarod Williams and Matthew Grant were thrust into the lineup for the Titans last season and played well enough to retain their spots this year. Williams was a member of the league’s All-Freshman after averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Grant was Detroit’s third leading scorer last year, averaging just under 8 points per game.

Newcomer Brandon Kearney looks like the pick to open the season as a starter on the wing, but returning sharpshooter Anton Wilson is making a strong case for the spot. Wilson, who shot 40% from beyond the 3-point arc last year, led the Titans with 20 points in 18 minutes in the exhibition opener.

Dec 17, 2012; Syracuse, NY, USA; Detroit Titans forward Juwan Howard Jr. (2) drives to the basket during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse defeated Detroit 72-68. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Juwan Howard Jr. figures not only to start every game he’s able to for Detroit this season, but to contend for Horizon League Player of the Year. Howard was the Horizon League’s third leading scorer and among Detroit’s leaders in virtually every category. Following the departures of Bruinsma and Njoku, Howard will see more time in the paint this season. Expect his rebound numbers to increase this year, giving him the opportunity to lead the team in at least three categories. If the preseason league favorite Green Bay slips up and Detroit contends for the regular season title, Howard may dethrone reigning Player of the Year Kiefer Sykes.

If Detroit’s first exhibition game is any indication, the team will use a small lineup this season. 6-foot-6 Jaleel Hogan was the tallest starter in the Titans’ opener. While earning a start two weeks before the beginning of the season seems to indicate that Hogan will be a regular starter this year, his debut left a lot to be desired. He scored two points while committing three fouls and three turnovers in just seven minutes against an NAIA school.

Horizon League Preview: #4 Detroit Titans

By John Parker | Nov 7, 2014