This week’s Horizon League action is fairly spread out, with games on just four days, including just one game on both Monday and Wednesday. Regardless, there is plenty of worthwhile action to come, including the week’s finale between the teams tied atop the standings on national TV. Below are some key games to tune into.
Milwaukee (7-8, 3-1 HL) at Green Bay (7-8, 2-2 HL)
Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
The standalone Monday game features an in-state rivalry with more intrigue than fans may have expected preseason. Milwaukee was the preseason favorite in the conference, but since losing Seth Hubbard for the season, it is still figuring things out. Despite the loss, the Panthers sit at a solid 3-1 record in the conference. The more likely surprise to people in this game is Green Bay. The Phoenix has a chance to get to .500 overall and a winning record in Horizon League play.
Danilo Jovanovich has stepped up in Hubbard’s absence, now leading the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game and rebounding at 6.5 per game. Josh Dixon has also had some scoring outbursts as a true freshman being asked for significantly more in the backcourt.
In-state rivalries often provide plenty of fireworks, and Green Bay fans are as excited about their team as they have been since Doug Gottlieb was hired, making this game a must-watch, especially in a standalone slot.
Purdue Fort Wayne (9-8, 3-3 HL) at Youngstown State (8-8, 2-4 HL)
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:15 p.m., on ESPN+
In another standalone game, Wednesday’s tilt between the Mastodons and Penguins has plenty of intrigue, but for reasons different from the lone game on Monday. Youngstown State got out of the gates looking like the best team in the conference but has struggled mightily at times throughout the season, including now. The Penguins haven’t lost to a team with a losing conference record yet but certainly need a win to build some momentum. They’ll enter this game losers of three consecutive games but have shown at times the ability to beat anyone in the league.
This game features stars on both sides with Corey Hadnot II and Cris Carroll going head-to-head as two of the conference’s top scorers. Purdue Fort Wayne, after beating Notre Dame, lost to both Milwaukee and Green Bay but regained its footing with a win over Cleveland State. A quality road win would go a long way for the Mastodons as they look to get back up amidst contenders in the league.
Wright State (9-7, 4-1 HL) at Detroit Mercy (6-8, 3-2 HL)
Friday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
Detroit Mercy has enjoyed a nice five-game stretch to open Horizon League, already being within one conference win of last season’s total at 3-2. Its first opportunity this week will be against Wright State, which is tied for first in the conference, in Detroit. It has come as a surprise to many that Mark Montgomery’s team finds itself competing with some of the league’s best early in the conference season, but it plays extremely hard and together, which has resulted in some wins. This game against Wright State is a grand opportunity at home to continue proving it isn’t going to be a bottom-tier team in the Horizon League this season. The Raiders will be seeking their fifth-straight win in this game, coming off a perfect week to ring in the new year.
Northern Kentucky (12-5, 4-2 HL) at Milwaukee (7-8, 3-1 HL)
Friday, Jan. 9, 8 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
Northern Kentucky dropped two of its first three conference games, so it began flying under the radar in a sense. The Norse, however, responded in a big way last week, going 3-0, headlined by a road win over the defending champions. Between Dan Gherezgher and Donovan Oday who average more than 30 points per game combined, and LJ Wells, who averages 13 points, 8.1 rebounds (second in the conference) and 1.8 steals (fourth in the HL), Northern Kentucky has underrated balance.
This game will be another opportunity to pick off a top-dog on the road. Dixon’s emergence has been huge for Bart Lundy and the Panthers as they continue to learn about life without Hubbard, but they’re still a little vulnerable, opening the door for the Norse to grab a big win.
Wright State (9-7, 4-1 HL) at Oakland (8-8, 4-1 HL)
Sunday, Jan. 11, 3 p.m. ET, on ESPN2
With both teams sitting at 4-1 in the conference, the Horizon League earned some national love with a nationally televised game this week. No team in the league is hotter than the Raiders and this will be their second opportunity to snag a massive road win in the state of Michigan this week.
Michael Imariagbe may be a key for Wright State in this game as it looks to neutralize the three-headed monster in Oakland’s frontcourt. Isaac Garrett was the star for the Golden Grizzlies’ last week with 27- and 30-point games, but Tuburu Naivalurua and Michael Houge can be just as effective on any given night, and Brody Robinson is having a conference player of the year type season at the point.
These have been the league’s best teams through the first quarter of the conference season. This game is accessible for more fans than most Horizon League action and is absolutely worth the watch.
