Horizon League Preview

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Not surprisingly, the Horizon League did not feature a semblance of a conference race last season. Butler ran through the conference undefeated, with 12 of the 18 Horizon wins coming by double-figures. There was quite a battle for second place, as Wright State shrugged off a 4-4 start to win eight of its final 10 league games and get a double-bye. Four other teams finished above .500 in the league, with a talented Detroit team going 9-9. Butler left no doubt in the conference tournament, destroying Wright State by 25 in the title game. We all know what happened in the NCAA Tournament: the Bulldogs made a run all the way to the championship game before losing to Duke when Gordon Hayward’s half-court heave at the buzzer rimmed out. Expect much of the same in the Horizon this season.

• 1. Butler: There won’t be much of a race in the conference this season, either. Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored are a great guard tandem, and Matt Howard bangs down low.
• 2. Detroit: With the addition of stud freshman Ray McCallum, the Titans have a big-time scorer to go with the inside-outside tandem of guard Chase Simon and big man Eli Holman.
• 3. Cleveland State: All five starters return from last season, including all-conference guard Norris Cole. Jeremy Montgomery and Trevon Harmon are also double-figure scorers.
• 4. Valparaiso: Valpo will be carried by its inside-outside duo of guard Brandon Wood and forward Cory Johnson. Both players are all-conference-caliber talents.
• 5. Wright State: Last year’s second-place team brings back guards Vaughn Duggins and N’Gai Evans, as well as sixth man Troy Tabler. They need frontcourt help, though.
• 6. Milwaukee: The return of Tone Boyle from injury will be the key for this team. JC transfer Keylon Williams and forward Anthony Hill could have breakout seasons.
• 7. Loyola-Chicago: All five starters return for the Ramblers, but this is a team that struggled last year. Terrance Hill and Walt Gibler are the two double-figure scorers.
• 8. Green Bay: The Phoenix are led by all-conference candidates Rahmon Fletcher and Bryquis Perine, who both can really fill it up from the perimeter.
• 9. Illinois-Chicago: New head coach Howard Moore is a big-time recruiter, but he will need to rebuild this team. He does have a solid backcourt in Rebo Kreps and Zavion Neely.
• 10. Youngstown State: The Penguins won just two games in the league last season, and they lose four starters. The lone returning starter is 6-foot-7 guard Vytas Sulskis.

Player of the Year: Shelvin Mack, G, Butler

All-Conference Team:

• G- Norris Cole, Cleveland State
• G- Ray McCallum, Detroit
• G- Shelvin Mack, Butler
• G- Ronald Nored, Butler
• F- Matt Howard, Butler

Second Team:

• G- Rahmon Fletcher, Green Bay
• G- Rebo Kreps, Illinois-Chicago
• G- Brandon Wood, Valparaiso
• G- Vaughn Duggins, Wright State
• F- Cory Johnson, Valparaiso

MAAC Preview

FOR A COMPLETE PREVIEW OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON, CLICK HERE

Siena came into last season as the heavy favorite to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and the Saints certainly didn’t disappoint. They rolled through the conference at 17-1, winning the title by four games over Fairfield and five games over Iona. Saint Peter’s was the only other team to finish above .500 in MAAC play. However, Fairfield nearly knocked off Siena in the conference tournament, as the Saints needed overtime to hold off the Stags. Siena then failed to win an NCAA tournament game for the first time in three years, falling to Purdue. Could there be a changing of the guard in the MAAC this season?

• 1. Fairfield: This could be a team that wins a game in March if everyone stays healthy. Derek Needham is one of the premier mid-major point guards in the country.
• 2. Siena: The Saints lose a ton from last season, but they return guard Clarence Jackson and big man Ryan Rossiter, one of the better inside-outside tandems around.
• 3. Iona: Head coach Kevin Willard left for Seton Hall, but new head man Tim Cluess returns all five starters from last season’s third-place team. Scott Machado is the go-to-guy.
• 4. Saint Peter’s: If Wesley Jenkins comes back fully healthy, he and Nick Leon form one of the best guard duos in the league. Ryan Bacon provides balance up front.
• 5. Rider: Without Ryan Thompson, the Broncs will need other players to step up. Forwards Mike Ringgold and Novar Gadson are solid, while Justin Robinson can shoot.
• 6. Canisius: The Golden Griffins have to replace Frank Turner, but four starters return, including guard Julius Coles, and they also bring in South Florida transfer Gary Belardo.
• 7. Niagara: Four starters are gone from last season, including Tyrone Lewis and Bilal Benn. Anthony Nelson and UNC-Wilmington transfer Kevon Moore will be the key cogs.
• 8. Loyola University Maryland: Jamal Barney leads the way for a team that had a disappointing finish last season. Forward Shane Walker provides balance on the interior.
• 9. Manhattan: If Rico Pickett had return, the Jaspers would have likely improved. As it stands, Alabama transfer Demetrius Jemison and Andrew Gabriel are the main men.
• 10. Marist: The Red Foxes won just one game last season, but they return four starters. Sophomores Candon Rusin and Devin Price will have to step up in a big way on the perimeter.

Player of the Year: Derek Needham, G, Fairfield

All-Conference Team:

• G- Derek Needham, Fairfield
• G- Scott Machado, Iona
• G- Wesley Jenkins, St. Peter’s
• G- Clarence Jackson, Siena
• F- Ryan Rossiter, Siena

Second Team:

• G- Julius Coles, Canisius
• G- Justin Robinson, Rider
• G- Anthony Nelson, Niagara
• F- Novar Gadson, Rider
• F- Yorel Hawkins, Fairfield