Horizon League primer

A team-by-team glance at the Horizon League heading into the 2007-08 season.

Butler

Strengths: Patient perimeter play and precision passing are two of the alliterative keys to Butler's success. The Bulldogs led the nation in fewest turnovers per game last season with 9.5 and ranked fifth in Division I in scoring defense, allowing just 57.1 points per game. They went 21-0 when holding an opponent below 60 points. They led the Horizon League in 3-pointers per game, with forward Pete Campbell firing at a conference-record 51.9-percent clip.

Weaknesses: The tallest player on their roster is 6-8 Alabama transfer Avery Jukes, and they have to replace frontcourt fixtures Brandon Crone and Brian Ligon, who appeared in a combined 230 career games (139 starts). The Bulldogs were next-to-last in the conference last year in blocked shots.

Scouting the newcomers: The frontcourt gets immediate help from 6-7 freshman Matt Howard and eventual help from 6-8 sophomore Avery Jukes, a transfer from Alabama who won't be eligible until late December. Howard may be the highest-rated recruit entering the Horizon after averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds at Connersville (Ind.) High. Jukes played in just three games for the Crimson Tide after averaging a double-double his last two seasons at South Gwinnett (Ga.) High. Freshman point guard Zach Hahn was rated as one of the top 15 prospects in Indiana by Rivals.com and averaged 18 points and six assists at New Castle High.

Cleveland State

Strengths: There's no shortage of slashers who can take it to the hole or athletic, aggressive defenders. The Vikings led the Horizon in steals (7.5 per game) and were second in blocked shots (4.0) last season. They had 10 or more steals in a game nine times and committed 10 or fewer turnovers in six of their last 10 games.

Weaknesses: The Vikings need to find some shooters among their 10 newcomers. They finished eighth in the Horizon in field-goal percentage (39.3) and last in 3-point accuracy (30.6) and scoring (63.7 points per game). Cleveland State also ranked last in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio and rebounding margin.

Scouting the newcomers: Three Division I transfers are projected starters: 6-9 center Chris Moore, 6-8 power forward George Tandy and 6-2 point guard Cedric Jackson, all juniors. Moore appeared in 47 games at UC Santa Barbara and Jackson played in 54 at St. John's, starting 35 times. Tandy was the Ohio Valley Freshman of the Year in 2004-05 at Eastern Illinois. Junior Nick Weaver of Glendale (Ariz.) CC is the team's best shooter, according to coach Gary Waters. Freshman combo guard D'Aundray Brown and point guard Norris Cole, both from Ohio, could also make an immediate impact.

Detroit

Strengths: Senior guard Brandon Cotton has been a second-team all-conference selection each of the past three seasons and has been the Titans' top scorer each of those (18.1 ppg in 2006-07). Senior guard Jon Goode has hit 108 3-pointers over the past two seasons, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. Junior forward Chris Hayes had two double-doubles, including an 11-point, 11-rebound effort at Xavier.

Weaknesses: The Titans could get killed on the boards without Ryvon Covile, who ranked sixth in the nation with 10.6 rebounds per game last season. No returning players on the roster averaged more than 3.6. Covile also had 43 of the team's 69 blocks and shot 56.4 percent from the field. They must improve at the line after finishing last in the Horizon at 65.2 percent in 2006-07.

Scouting the newcomers: Sophomore transfer Josh Samarco plays all three perimeter positions and averaged 15.5 points at Schoolcraft (Mich.) CC. Junior Michael Harrington is a 6-8 forward who can score on the block and from the high post. He averaged 11 points and seven boards at Kankakee (Ill.) CC last season. The Titans also have two freshmen, 6-8 forward Russell Allen of Kentucky and 6-3 guard David Boarden of Indiana.

Illinois-Chicago

Strengths: Illinois-Chicago led the Horizon in rebounding, blocks and assists and finished second in scoring, steals, assist-to-turnover ratio and 3-point shooting. The backcourt of Josh Mayo, Robert Bush, Karl White Jr. and Spencer Stewart combined for 200 assists and 131 turnovers and shot a collective 87 percent at the free-throw line.

Weaknesses: The Flames shot 38 percent from 3-point distance last year, but made only 43 percent of their shots inside the arc (321st in Division I). They are relying heavily -- perhaps too heavily -- on the talented newcomers and on the development of returning role players into more consistent contributors.

Scouting the newcomers: Texas Tech transfer Jeremy Buttell is a 6-7 sophomore who played in 19 games for Bobby Knight in 2005-06 after taking Texas Class 5A Player of the Year honors in high school. Junior forward Billy Baptist was a JUCO Division II All-American and Region 24 Player of the Year at Illinois Central (12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg). Freshman guard Robert Kreps was runner-up for Illinois Mr. Basketball after averaging 23.9 points and 4.0 assists for Class A state champion Maroa-Forsyth (33-1). Freshman Tori Boyd of Rockford (Ill.) Boylan Catholic is a talented shooter on the wing.

Loyola-Chicago

Strengths: Everybody plays defense. The Ramblers allowed 64.8 points per game last year, the best effort at the school since 1950-51, and held opponents to 41.5 percent shooting, lowest since 1965-66. They aren't afraid of physical contact, either. They attempted nearly 200 more free throws than their opponents (713-514).

Weaknesses: The Ramblers lost four starters, including top scorers Blake Schilb (17.0 ppg) and Majak Kou (12.9). Injuries are a major concern, with forwards Leon Young, Darrin Williams and Tom Levin and guard Cortney Horton missing a combined 40 games last season with various aches and pains.

Scouting the newcomers: Junior point guard Justin Cerasoli is a former Chicago-area prep standout with Division I experience at Seton Hall and Ole Miss. When he becomes eligible after the fall semester, his exceptional passing skills will force him into the lineup. Another D-I transfer is 6-8 sophomore forward Ross Forman (Wyoming), who adds size and a nice shooting touch from the perimeter. Freshman guard Geoff McCammon was a late bloomer in the Chicago suburbs, averaging 16 points and hitting 41 percent of his threes at Roselle (Ill.) High. Freshman Kyle Thomas is a 6-8 forward who averaged a double-double at Folsom (Calif.) High.

Valparaiso

Strengths: Experience won't be a problem; Valparaiso returns four starters, 93.6 percent of its scoring and 86.6 percent of its rebounding from last season. Their abundance of talent in the backcourt includes two of the nation's best 3-point shooters in sophomore Samuel Haanpaa (45.7 percent) and junior Brandon McPherson (44.8). Senior Shawn Huff had five games with 20-plus points and shot 87 percent from the line.

Weaknesses: The Crusaders are undersized for the Horizon League, although lack of height hasn't really been a problem for Butler. Valpo could start four guards with 6-8 Urule Igbavboa in the post, or they could start 7-1 senior Calum MacLeod if they want to go big. MacLeod's defense is a weak link, but he scored in double figures five times in 2006-07.

Scouting the newcomers: Four freshmen will get the chance to contribute right away, perhaps none more than 6-10 power forward Bryan Bouchie of Washington, Ind. He scored 15.5 points per game last season and is the son of Steve Bouchie, a member of Indiana's 1981 national championship. Combo guard Howard Little averaged 20.4 points and 3.3 assists his last year at Chicago's Rich Central High. The Crusaders also added some more foreign flavor to the roster with the additions of 6-5 guard Michael Rogers of Jamaica and 6-7 forward Benjamin Fumey of Germany. Fumey has spent the past few years with the German national team.

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Strengths: Green Bay set a school record with 549 3-point field-goal attempts last season, hitting 210 for a league-leading 38.3 percent clip behind the arc. The Phoenix also led the league in free-throw accuracy and ranked sixth in the nation at 76.0 percent. They turned the ball over 11.7 times per game, the second-best mark in the Horizon.

Weaknesses: The Phoenix had the league's assist leader in Ryan Evanochko, but they were last in the Horizon as a team with 11.2 per game. They also ranked last in steals (5.2). Strangely, Green Bay had a better record on the road (4-4) than at home (3-5) in conference play after going 8-0 at home against non-conference foes.

Scouting the newcomers: Sophomore transfer Pat Nelson is a 6-9 forward who played in 27 games and started seven at Ball State as a freshman in 2005-06. Two other transfers, junior Eric VanCleave (Minnesota State) and redshirt freshman D'Angalo Jackson (Creighton) are vying for time at point guard with freshmen Rahmon Fletcher, Bryquis Perine and Mexico native Edgar Segura. Freshman forward J.J. Henley (6-7) comes from a top prep program at Chicago's Lincoln Park High.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Strengths: The backcourt is in great shape with the return of seniors Avery Smith and Allan Hanson and junior Ricky Franklin and the addition of Tulsa transfer Deion James. Senior forward Paige Paulsen finished in the Top 20 in the Horizon in both rebounding (10th) and scoring (18th) and made the All-Newcomer team.

Weaknesses: Although they have much more experience than last season, they still have 12 players in their first or second years with the program. Size might be a concern with no players taller than 6-7 and no true centers, but that would probably just slow things down for a team that is clearly built for speed.

Scouting the newcomers: Three transfers and five freshmen give the Panthers much more depth than they had last season. Senior forward Torre Johnson played two years at Garden City (Kan.) CC and one at Oklahoma State, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 boards in 2005-06. He was Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times. Junior guard Deion James played in 55 games in two campaigns at Tulsa, starting 26. Junior forward Joe Allen played two seasons at D-II St. Mary's (Texas) and will be eligible after the fall semester. The freshman class includes 6-5 Tim Flowers and 6-6 Kevin Johnson, teammates from Chicago's Simeon High.

Wright State

Strengths: Defense, defense, defense. Only Butler (57.1) allowed fewer points per game in the Horizon last season than Wright State (62.2). This team will go as far as its super sophomore class, led by All-Newcomer team honorees Vaughn Duggins and Todd Brown and D-I transfers John David Gardner (UNC Wilmington) and Ronnie Thomas (Duquesne), can take it.

Weaknesses: The Raiders lost plenty of points and experience with the departures of 1,000-point scorers DaShaun Wood and Drew Burleson. The roster includes only five veterans (two seniors) and seven newcomers, leaving a potential leadership vacuum. The only stat category Wright State struggled in last year was blocked shots; it finished last in the Horizon with 50. With no players on the roster taller than 6-8, this isn't exactly a "swat team."

Scouting the newcomers: Two Division I transfers will play key roles after sitting out last year. Sophomore point guard John David Gardner followed head coach Brad Brownell from UNC Wilmington, where he was limited by a foot injury in 2005-06. Sophomore forward Ronnie Thomas averaged 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds at Duquesne. Junior forward Gavin Horne played the past two years at Santa Fe (Fla.) CC. The freshman class has size (6-8 Cooper Land, 6-8 Kyle Pressley) and speed (guards N'Gai Evans and Troy Tabler).

Youngstown State

Strengths: Senior guard Byron Davis was fifth in the league in assists, junior forward Jack Liles ranked sixth in rebounding and fourth in blocks, and senior forward John Barber averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as the sixth man. The coaching is top-notch; Jerry Slocum hasn't won 600-plus games by accident.

Weaknesses: The departed backcourt tandem of Quin Humphrey and Keston Roberts was responsible for 1,088 of the team's 2,047 points last season, or 53.2 percent of the offense. The Penguins ranked eighth in the Horizon in steals (5.3 per game) and 3-pointers made (5.4) and last in turnover margin (minus-1.3).

Scouting the newcomers: One reason for optimism is the arrival of 6-5 junior Gemayl "Mel" Johnson, a second-team JUCO All-American guard who averaged 19 points and nine boards per game with 130 assists and 46 steals at Montgomery (Md.) College. His father, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, played in the ABA/NBA from 1974-80. Junior wing Kevin Draughon averaged 13.9 points at Monroe (N.Y.) CC. The freshman class includes 6-7 forward Vytas Sulskis, the Florida Class 1A Player of the Year, and 6-8 forward Dan Boudler, a first-team all-state selection who put up 17.2 points and 13.6 rebounds per game at Louisville (Ohio) High.