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Horizon League Basketball: Power rankings after 1st month of 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

Northern Kentucky Norse guard Marques Warrick (3) drives to the basket during the men’s Horizon League tournament final against the Wright State Raiders, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis.Nkuwsuhorizonmbbfinal 030822 Am1168
Northern Kentucky Norse guard Marques Warrick (3) drives to the basket during the men’s Horizon League tournament final against the Wright State Raiders, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis.Nkuwsuhorizonmbbfinal 030822 Am1168 /
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Horizon League Basketball
Horizon League Basketball Green Bay Phoenix head coach Will Ryan Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports /

The non-conference campaign has been a struggle for Horizon League Basketball in the past couple of years. This season, a few teams didn’t do as well in their respective multi-team events, causing a few to go under .500 on the record. On the other hand, each team has at least one win in the season, compared to a year ago when a few didn’t at this same point.

Coming into the year, there were expectations that the top of the Horizon League could be a constant changing of the guard, with no clear frontrunners. And after the first week of league play, it looks like there will be plenty of surprises in store. Here’s how I would rank all the teams one month into the season.

11. IUPUI Jaguars -1-8 (2-0)

Last season, the Jaguars were the worst team in all of D-I basketball. They don’t have a D-I win yet of their own but they’ve been much more competitive, including nearly beating New Orleans on the road. Bryce Monroe has been their best player so far but he’s missed the past couple of weeks with an injury. Jlynn Counter and Chris Osten have been effective role players but without Monroe, simply lack the offensive firepower to win games. They lost to Green Bay on the road on Monday but have the ability to return the favor at their place.

10. Green Bay Phoenix – 1-7 (0-2)

After losing so much production to the transfer portal, the Phoenix was in for a rough season. They at least got their first win overall at home over IUPUI, thanks to 20 points from Zae Blake, who is the team’s lone double-digit scorer on average. It’s disappointing that sophomore Cade Meyer, the lone key returning piece, hasn’t taken that next step as an offensive player. With nine of the next 10 games all on the road, Green Bay may end up on another losing streak.