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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 Jalen Moore #34 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Horizon League Basketball Jalen Moore #34 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

9. Oakland Grizzlies – 2-8 (0-2)

The Grizzlies were a disappointment even before road losses at Purdue-Fort Wayne and Cleveland State but the defensive woes have continued to a point where it can’t be understated. They rank in the bottom 13 nationally at 80.0 ppg allowed and the zone hasn’t been good at all. Forwards Trey Townsend and Keaton Hervey have been good, combining to produce over 31 ppg and 15 rpg.

The backcourt hasn’t been as good, with Jalen Moore playing hurt and marquee transfers, Chucky Hepburn and Lorne Bowman have been underwhelming. While the elite passing point guard will get healthy soon, the defense may not and with three more road games (Boise State, Syracuse, Michigan State) coming up, the losing skid will likely continue.

8. Robert Morris Colonials – 3-6 (1-1)

After getting swept in the 3-game Thanksgiving series, it looked like more of the same for the Colonials. But then they pulled off the biggest upset of Horizon League Basketball play, beating Wright State by 21 points on the road. The team also was leading in the second half against Northern Kentucky and had a shot to beat them as well.

They’ve dealt with injuries but have Enoch Cheeks back, who leads RMU with 15.6 ppg and 3.3 apg. Forward Kahliel Spear had 28 points in the win over Wright State, while Winthrop transfer Josh Corbin is shooting nearly 50% from three-point range at nearly eight attempts a game. They’re a team that can compete with the top of the league but have also shown that they can lose to the bottom tier as well.

7. Wright State Raiders – 5-4 (0-2)

The Raiders looked like a team that could be the frontrunner to win the league over a week ago, thanks to seniors, Trey Calvin and Amari Davis. And despite losing star forward Grant Basile to the transfer portal, freshman Brandon Noel has been very impressive, averaging 12.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg. The problem for them is that the defensive concerns glared up again, causing them to lose at home versus both Robert Morris and Youngstown State.

Wright State put itself back in the Horizon League race, now needing to win some road games to make up for this past week. Road games against Western Kentucky, Akron, and Miami (OH) are up next, and maybe being away from home will be of benefit for them.