News On The Horizon 10/29/2026

2026-27 Horizon League Preview: Drew Gentile--Mid-Major Madness

Cleveland State Women’s Basketball Picks Up Exhibition Win Over Clarion--csuvikings.com

Detroit Mercy Basketball Media Day - 2026--detroittitans.com

Jaguars tune up the band for James T. Morris Arena opener in exhibition loss to Austin Peay; my rambling thoughts--HoriZone Roundtable
JAGUARS FALL AT AUSTIN PEAY IN EXHIBITION CONTEST, 96-94--iuindyjags.com

New conference, new Huskies, same goal for women’s basketball--Northern Star

'Dons Beat Ball State 78-70 in Exhibition Bout--gomastodons.com

Takeaways from Robert Morris Men’s Basketball’s Exhibition vs. Canisius--HoriZone Roundtable

Women’s Basketball vs St. Bonaventure--RMU Sentry Media

News On The Horizon 10/28/2026

College Basketball 2026-27 season Team Rankings: Sorting out the sport's middle tier--Busting Brackets

293. Detroit Mercy Titans- Last Season Ranking: 298

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Mark Montgomery (3rd season)

Player to know: Ayden Carter

Three points separated the Titans from the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Mark Montgomery has Detroit Mercy on the verge of being the next yearly Horizon League tournament team. The Titans retained two key contributors from last year and added a lot of scoring in the transfer portal. The Titans may finally get over the hump this year.

284. Fort Wayne Mastodons-Last Season Ranking: 218

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Jon Coffman (13th season)

Player to know: DeAndre Craig

Not to sound like a broken record, but the Mastodons are another team who will go as far as their defense takes them. The defense is never very good, and it has been the reason that Fort Wayne has lost games they should normally win. The elite, heavy three-point-efficient offense is always one of the best in the country. The defense needs to improve for Fort Wayne to make the NCAA Tournament.

277. Cleveland State Vikings- Last Season Ranking: 251

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Rob Summers (2nd season)

Player to know: Obie Bronston Jr.

It will never matter how good the offense is if your team gives up 86 points per night. That was the case for the Vikings last season, when they won only 11 games. The 2026-2027 season might be a long one as well. Cleveland State doesn't have a single player on the roster who earned a minute in the 2025-2026 season, and coach Summers didn't do much to address his defensive issues, at least not on paper.

259. Milwaukee Panthers- Last Season Ranking: 211

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Bart Lundy (5th season)

Player to know: Danilo Jovanovich

2025-2026 was the first year the Panthers didn't win 20 games and weren't a top-tier team in the Horizon League under coach Lundy. The adage that defense wins championships rings true again; they had their worst defense under Lundy last season. It won't surprise anyone when the Panthers win 20-plus games and compete for the NCAA Tournament in 2026-2027.

237. Youngstown State Penguins- Last Season Ranking: 173

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Ethan Faulkner (3rd season)

Player to know: Jeff Nwankwo

The Horizon League is all about scoring, and the Penguins have done their part with an explosive offense built around a huge volume of threes and extremely efficient shooting. The defense revolves around preventing the three-point shot; volume was low, but the percentage was high, and that alone cost Youngstown State some games last year. Expect the Penguins to shoot a ton of threes again in 2026-2027, but the defense should be better. Youngstown State will be dangerous in the Horizon in 2026-2027.

230. Green Bay Phoenix- Last Season Ranking: 339

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Doug Gottlieb (3rd season)

Player to know: Marcus Hall

The Green Bay program appears to have been resurrected under coach Gottlieb. The Phoenix play physical defense that forces teams to play at an uncomfortable pace. Offensively, it is one of the slowest paces in the country with efficient shooters at all five spots. Green Bay is a tough matchup and can beat some power schools. The Phoenix are a top-tier team in the Horizon.

218. Northern Kentucky Norse- Last Season Ranking: 284

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Darrin Horn (8th season)

Player to know: Eric Acker

Northern Kentucky has been consistent under Coach Horn. Northern Kentucky consistently has a winning record and consistently finishes in the middle of the Horizon League. The Norse have made the tournament under Coach Horn but have never been good enough to get themselves over the hump. Northern Kentucky will have a winning record but still won't make the tournament.

Hurley Set for Expanded Role as a Junior--HoriZone Roundtable

Men’s basketball rebuild continues after successful 2025-26--The Varsity News

Women’s basketball puts focus on defense, toughness--The Varsity News

The Women’s Other Top 25: Fairfield is unanimous No. 1--Mid-Major Madness

Women’s Other Top 25 Full Ranking

Ranking	Team	Points
11	Green Bay	23

New-look NKU on the road to find themselves in first four games away from Highland Heights--NKyTribune

The Gauntlet: why Oakland’s heaviest schedule is designed for March--The Oakland Post
Fields Jr. Drops 22; Golden Grizzlies Fall in Final Exhibition at Cincinnati--goldengrizzlies.com

Robert Morris Uses Dominant First Half, Pair of Monster Performances to Defeat Canisius in Exhibition--Robert Morris Sports Now

Wright State basketball: Raiders build confidence in three preseason games--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Basketball Prepares for Season with Exhibition Win Over Bellarmine--Wright State Guardian

Penguins Fall to Akron in Exhibition--ysusports.com

News On The Horizon 10/27/2026

The Ultimate 2026–27 Men’s College Basketball Rankings, From Worst to First--Sports Illustrated 

IU Indy (No. 289) played at the breakneck pace Ben Howlett brought with him from D-II West Liberty. The Jaguars have more depth and talent this year to find more success in the win column playing track meets in his second year. 

Milwaukee (No. 270) didn’t have to look far to find its portal reinforcements. It added a pair of former Marquette players this spring in Tre Norman and Al Amadou. 

Detroit Mercy (No. 264) experienced March heartbreak last season after blowing an 11-point lead with under 10 minutes to play in the Horizon title game. That would’ve completed a remarkable turnaround from 1–31 in 2023–24 to the Big Dance in 2026, but it wasn’t to be. 

The summer roster chaos created by the dozens of eligibility lawsuits have led to some strange player/team marriages. Green Bay (No. 247) made a couple of fifth-year splashes with Orlando Lovejoy (15.8 ppg at Detroit Mercy) and Aidan Hadaway (14.4 ppg at Ohio) after losing a pair of projected starters to summer injuries.

Cleveland State Women’s Basketball To Host Clarion In Exhibition Contest--csuvikings.com

Former UWGB basketball star Cassie Schiltz finds her calling in coaching--Green Bay Press-Gazette

Meet the NIU men’s basketball team--Northern Star

Winter media day: promise, potential, pitfall--Northern Star

Golden Grizzlies Close Exhibition Slate at Cincinnati--goldengrizzlies.com

Mastodon MBB Visits Ball State for Final Exhibition--gomastodons.com

Mastodons Top Taylor in Exhibition--gomastodons.com

YSU motivated to return to form after down season--Tribune Chronicle

News On The Horizon 10/26/2026

MEN'S BASKETBALL TO FACE AUSTIN PEAY IN EXHIBITION CONTEST--iuindyjags.com

UC Bearcats face Oakland University in final basketball tune-up--Cincinnati Enquirer

News On The Horizon 10/25/2026

Juuuust a Bit Outside--HoriZone Roundtable

Let's Have a Season! College Basketball Team Rankings 365-300 for 2026-27 Season--Busting Brackets

334.Northern Illinois Huskies- Last Season Ranking: 317

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Matt Majkrzak (1st season)

Player to know: Uzziah Buntyn

The Huskies definitely needed a change. The Rashon Burno era was one Northern Illinois wanted to forget. Never fear, though, because the Huskies have a new coach in Majkrzak, who had a lot of success at Northern Michigan. The hope is that the program gets turned around; how quickly is another story. The Huskies don't have much this year and will struggle in their first Horizon League go-around.

317. IU Indianapolis Jaguars- Last Season Ranking: 354

Conference: Horizon League

Head Coach: Ben Howlett (2nd season)

Player to know: Gus Etchison

The offense is high-powered (84 PPG), and the defense is nonexistent (88 PPG). That leads to high-scoring games that IU Indy found themselves on the wrong side of in 2025. Coach Howlett teams will get their threes off, and this year the talent upgrade means more of them should go in. If the defense improves, the Jaguars will win quickly.

Five Phoenix Score in Double Figures as Green Bay Downs Illinois State--greenbayphoenix.com

Huskies Top Toledo in Second Exhibition--niuhuskies.com

Men's Basketball Drops to Tennessee State in Exhibition--goldengrizzlies.com

Fort Wayne Coach Jon Coffman Credits Matt Painter For Taking Boilers on the Road--Sports Illustrated

News On The Horizon 10/24/2026

Where each Horizon League Basketball head coach ranks nationally for 2026-27 season--Busting Brackets

Seven Years Wiser, Corcoran Returns Home for Final Chapter--HoriZone Roundtable

Men's Basketball Set For Second Preseason Test On Saturday--detroittitans.com

Huskies Head to Toledo Sunday for Final Exhibition--niuhuskies.com

Oakland to Play Tennessee State in Hoops and Culture Exhibition--goldengrizzlies.com

How to Watch Purdue Basketball's Second Exhibition Game vs. Purdue-Fort Wayne--Sports Illustrated
10,000 see Purdue top PFW in hoops exhibition at Coliseum--Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Mastodons Host Boilermakers in Front of Over 10,000 Fans--gomastodons.com

Mastodons Host Taylor for Exhibition--gomastodons.com

Men’s Basketball Visits Akron in Exhibition Game Tuesday Night--ysusports.com

News On The Horizon 10/21/2026

Gottlieb rips Green Bay’s effort after Marquette loss: ‘They think they’ve made it. They have not.’--WFRV Local 5 

Media Day Helps Panthers Set Stage For 2026-27 Season--mkepanthers.com

Meet the NIU women’s basketball newest members--Northern Star

Bear market: Golden Grizzlies maul GVSU Lakers in 103-74 blowout--The Oakland Post

"A perennial power": PFW set to host Purdue for hoops exhibition at Coliseum--Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Purdue Fort Wayne Set to Host Boilermakers in Men's Basketball Exhibition--gomastodons.com

YSU looks to return to fast-paced identity--Tribune Chronicle

News On The Horizon 10/20/2026

Phoenix Falls to Marquette, 87-60--greenbayphoenix.com

UWM Panthers rebuild with a chip on the shoulder and some familiar players--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

News On The Horizon 10/19/2026

10 forgotten NCAA Tournament runs that deserve a place in college basketball history--Busting Brackets

4. Cleveland State's unforgettable 1986 Sweet 16

Cleveland State's 1986 NCAA Tournament appearance helped establish the modern reputation of Cinderella teams.

The Vikings entered the tournament as a No. 14 seed under coach Kevin Mackey. Their opening opponent was third-seeded Indiana, led by legendary coach Bob Knight.

Cleveland State stunned the Hoosiers 83-79, becoming the first No. 14 seed to defeat a No. 3 seed in NCAA Tournament history.

The Vikings weren't finished.

Cleveland State defeated Saint Joseph's 75-69 in the second round, advancing to the Sweet 16 and capturing national attention.

The team's run finally ended against Navy and future NBA star David Robinson. Cleveland State lost a heartbreaking 71-70 decision after nearly completing another remarkable upset.

The Vikings' aggressive playing style earned the nickname Run 'N Stun, and their tournament performance remains one of the most important achievements in school history.

Forty years later, Cleveland State celebrated the anniversary of that memorable team during the 2025-26 season.

New faces, new results as Huskies win big during debut--Northern Star

Ben Walker Named To Silver Waves Media Most Impactful/Influential List--mkepanthers.com

Naubert Named to Silver Waves Media Top Mid-Major Assistants/Most Impactful Assistant Coaches List--goldengrizzlies.com

Purdue Fort Wayne Set to Host Boilermakers in Men's Basketball Exhibition--gomastodons.com

News On The Horizon 10/18/2026

Way-Too-Early Impressions of Wright State Following Exhibition Win over Bellarmine--HoriZone Roundtable
Get a Glimpse Into the Future--HoriZone Roundtable
Five college basketball coaches whose remarkable journeys to Division I deserve more attention--Busting Brackets

3. Jerrod Calhoun, Cincinnati: A coaching journey that started and ended with the Bearcats

During his Cincinnati introductory press conference, Calhoun explained that accepting the Fairmont State job required taking a substantial pay cut. He wanted the opportunity to lead his own program, even if that meant sacrificing financial security.

The decision helped launch a successful head coaching career that eventually included stops at Youngstown State and Utah State.

When Cincinnati hired him in 2026, Calhoun returned to the same program where he had first learned the coaching profession. His career had taken him through multiple universities, different competitive levels and numerous professional challenges before bringing him back to the Bearcats.

For Cincinnati fans, the homecoming offers an opportunity to reconnect with a coach who understands the program's history and traditions.

5. Matt Majkrzak, Northern Illinois: Facing his former program in his first exhibition

Matt Majkrzak enters the 2026-27 season with an unusual opportunity to begin his Northern Illinois coaching career.

Before accepting the NIU position, Majkrzak spent seven seasons leading Northern Michigan at the Division II level. His success there helped him earn the opportunity to become a Division I head coach.

His first exhibition opponent at Northern Illinois is none other than Northern Michigan.

The Huskies host the Wildcats on October 17, creating a remarkable reunion for Majkrzak and several players who followed him to DeKalb. Northern Illinois confirmed that four members of its roster played at Northern Michigan during the previous season.

The circumstances make the exhibition particularly interesting. Majkrzak will be coaching against the program he helped develop while evaluating players who are familiar with his system and expectations.

The transition also represents an important opportunity for Northern Illinois. The Huskies are attempting to establish a new identity under their first-year head coach, and Majkrzak brings experience building a successful program at a smaller school.

His story might not include the national championships associated with some other coaches on this list, but the opportunity to move from Division II to Division I remains a significant professional achievement.

Different paths, similar opportunities

These five coaches demonstrate that there isn't one established route to becoming a successful Division I head coach.

Majkrzak represents another coach attempting to translate success at a smaller school into a new opportunity.

Their careers also offer an important reminder about college basketball. Some of the most interesting coaching stories develop far from the national television spotlight.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, these five coaches have opportunities to add new chapters to already fascinating careers.

UWGB basketball stars return amid NCAA legal fight--Green Bay Press-Gazette

Huskies Race to Exhibition Victory Over Northern Michigan--niuhuskies.com

News On The Horizon 10/17/2026

Exhibition takeaways: Green Bay falls to Wisconsin--HoriZone Roundtable

Luehring, Golden Grizzlies Prepare for Unlikely Encore--HoriZone Roundtable

Wright State basketball: Raiders rout Bellarmine in exhibition--Dayton Daily News
Archdeacon: Wright State’s Serbian duo — “This is going to be great.’--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Takes Down Bellarmine in Exhibition Matchup--wsuraiders.com