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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 Robert Morris Colonials head coach Andrew Toole Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Horizon League Basketball Robert Morris Colonials head coach Andrew Toole Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Robert Morris Colonials (0-5)

RMU has four losses to potential NCAA Tournament teams but they led Mount St. Mary’s by as many as 17 points in the second half, before giving it all up and eventually losing in overtime. That wasn’t acceptable and neither is their current 83.2 ppg scoring defense, good for 10th-worst in the country. They’ve also had some injuries and roster moves made, including losing OK State grad transfer Ferron Flavors for good, while also just getting back sharpshooter Fam Ferris and big man Brandon Stone back.

Some positives for Robert Morris include big man Kahliel Spear becoming the best player on the roster, averaging 14.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg. And UT-Martin transfer Jaron Williams has been a double-digit scorer off the bench. But they need more from starters and high-profile guard transfers Rasheem Dunn and Michael Green, both of whom shooting under 33% from the field and averaging fewer than double figures.

9. Detroit Mercy Titans (0-6)

The Titans elected to play its first nine games on the road this season and you can see the results, which is currently a winless team. The 28-point blowout at Wyoming to start the year was concerning but the Cowboys are currently unbeaten so that doesn’t look as bad. What has been bad is the lack of Noah Waterman, who has been injured to start the season. Vanderbilt transfer DJ Harvey has been ineffective to this point.

Star guard Antoine Davis continues to put up buckets, now second all-time in program history. He’s averaging 23.5 ppg on 40% shooting from deep, but just 38% from the field overall. But outside of forward Madut Akec (15.0 ppg and 9.2 rpg), the supporting cast has struggled. And with Detroit as a team ranking among the worst defensively, they’ll need even more from Davis to have a shot in league play.