2. Wright State Raiders
2020-21 season record: 18-6 (16-4 in Horizon)
Key losses – Loudon Love (16.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg), Jaylon Hall (9.4 ppg)
It’s rare to have a Conference Player of the Year, let alone one that wins the award back-to-back years. That’s the case of Loudon Love, who has been the best player in the conference arguably for the past four years, winning the award twice after averaging a double-double. The 6’8 big had a huge impact on both ends and it’ll be hard to replace what Love does on the court.
The good news for the Vikings is that they’re as prepared as possible to fill in the gap, thanks to just about everyone else returning for another year. That includes a pair of All-Horizon League players in Tanner Holden and Grant Basile, who averaged over 15.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Both have star potential to be the leading guy but Basile now gets the frontcourt to himself after sharing with Love.
The 6’9 big man had a breakout junior campaign, particularly down the stretch that included a career-high 35 points in the season-finale loss to Milwaukee. Basile also shot an impressive 48% from three-point range, albeit on a limited 42 attempts.
Wright State led the country in rebounding last season and has another guy that grabbed at least 7.0 rpg in 6’6 wing Tim Finke, another double-digit contributor that can play and guard multiple positions. Point guard Trey Calvin (3.5 apg) will have plenty of talent to play with, as well as Alex Huibregtse coming back as one of the few underclassmen players on the roster.
Incoming transfers C.J. Wilbourn and Riley Voss add more backcourt depth and shooting, with Voss being the only true senior on the roster. This was a top-10 offense and top-tier talent and still remains that way, although Love’s absence will loom at some point in the season. But as long as both Holden and Basile can carry the torch as the star guys, Wright State will once again be a top contender to win the Horizon League.