Horizon League Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 09: The Cleveland State Vikings celebrate winning the Horizon League Men's basketball championship after defeating the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 09, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Northern Kentucky Norse head coach Darrin Horn Trey Robinson Horizon League Basketball Illinois Chicago Flames At Northern Kentucky Norse /

3. Northern Kentucky Norse

2020-21 season record: 14-11 (11-7 in Horizon)

Key losses – Adham Eleeda (5.0 ppg)

By what has become their lofty program standings (top-2 finish in league play), the Norse was disappointing. Yet don’t expect them to fall down at all, considering that they return nearly 90% of the team’s production last season. Only one starter is gone and the top six scorers are all back.

That includes leading scorer Trevon Faulkner (16.8 ppg), who was second-team All-Horizon last season, despite having some big efficiency struggles. The biggest positive surprise had to 6’2 guard Marques Warrick, the Horizon League Freshman of the Year after averaging 15.8 ppg while shooting a team-leading 36% from three-point range. He had 10 games of at least 20 points, including a seven-game stretch where he averaged around 20 ppg towards the end.

5’9 point guard Bryson Langdon is back after a 10.7 ppg and 4.0 apg campaign, along with another talented sophomore in Trey Robinson. North Dakota transfer wing Seybian Sims adds some size and shooting potential as well and is a versatile weapon.

The frontcourt will be strong as well, featuring 6’7 forward Adrian Nelson (8.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg). One of the top rebounders in the country, Nelson had 12 games of at least 10 rebounds last season, including a career-high 19 in a game against Ball State. He and Detroit Mercy transfer Chris Brandon (5.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg) will make for one of the better defensive frontcourts in all of Horizon League Basketball.

From a talent perspective, there’s no reason why Northern Kentucky can’t get back into the title picture. They have plenty of offensive production but starting with Faulkner, has to be more efficient from the field. There are lots of talented players and teams that can beat the Norse in a shootout if necessary, so the defense will have to get back towards being top-tier in the league.