Busting Brackets
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Horizon League Basketball: 2021-22 power rankings entering league play

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 9, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Jamal Cain (1) is introduced prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Jamal Cain (1) is introduced prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Horizon League Basketball Green Bay Phoenix head coach Will Ryan Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Horizon League Basketball Green Bay Phoenix head coach Will Ryan Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports /

12. IUPUI Jaguars (1-5)

There are 358 Division I NCAA Basketball programs. And as of this writing, 357 of them score more points than the Jaguars, who average just 51.8 ppg. And it hasn’t been as if they’ve been playing defensive juggernauts like Virginia either to this point. They’ve yet to eclipse 60 points against a D-I opponent and have just one double-digit scorer on the season in 7th-year senior B.J. Maxwell (12.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg).

Other teams have just one double-digit scorer as well but IUPUI’s problem is that they have no one else on the roster averaging more than 5.7 ppg. Freshmen Chuks Isitua and Boston Stanton III have long-term potential but right now, they need Maxwell to go for 20+ points to have much hope in winning games in league play.

11. Green Bay Phoenix (1-5)

Another team without a D-I win, Green Bay’s offense is almost as bad as IUPUI’s, ranking in the bottom-10 in scoring. Senior Emmanuel Ansong has been as good as advertised in the frontcourt, averaging 12.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg. But the big surprise has been Boise State transfer Donovan Ivory, who has stepped up to lead the team with 13.2 ppg.

The issue has been the supporting cast, filled with underclassmen still trying to find their way.  Kamari McGee and Japannah Kellogg have promise but it’ll take a minute before they become impactful role players. And unless the Pheonix improves from their bottom-10 three-point shooting, wins will be hard to come by this season.