Horizon League Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

Mar 18, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Wright State Raiders guard Trey Calvin (1) dribbles the basketball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Horizon League Basketball Trey Townsend #4 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

8. Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons

2022-23 season record: 17-15 (9-11)

Compared to preseason expectations, Fort Wayne was one of the biggest disappointments in Horizon League Basketball last season. The top four scorers are now gone, including star guard, Jared Godfrey. The two key returning pieces are Quinton Morton-Robertson and Anthony Roberts, who combined to produce 14.0 ppg.

The key for the Mastodons is the collection of new pieces. Jalen Jackson averaged over 7.0 ppg at former Horizon League school Illinois-Chicago, while Rasheed Bello is a D-II transfer who produced over 17 ppg. This is a team that has little frontcourt depth and needs JUCO newcomer Deangelo Elisee to play to have any kind of size.

7. Oakland Grizzlies

2022-23 season record: 13-19 (11-9)

Despite having one of the best players in the league (Jalen Moore) last season, the defensive struggles limited what Oakland could do in the win/loss column. Although Moore and Keaton Hervey are gone, star forward Trey Townsend (16.5 ppg and 7.6 rpg) and shooting guard Blake Lampman are back.

The key to Oakland’s chances of competing for a top-half spot is the backcourt play. Former top-30 prospect Rocket Watts struggled in his first year with the program but should have a large role in his final season, while juniors Chris Conway and Osei Price could very well move into the starting lineup. It’s be interesting to see how they look for the first time without Moore, who did it all for them.

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