Horizon: Butler to have plenty of company at top

Opening tip

Butler was left out of last year's NCAA Tournament despite 25 regular-season victories. The Bulldogs are the ultimate model of mid-major consistency, winning 20 games in six consecutive seasons under three different coaches.

That streak might end this season. Given the parity that should rule this year's race, Butler won't have as easy a time of it in league play as they have in years past. Losing mainstays Thomas Jackson and Rylan Hainje won't help either.

Longtime league rival Detroit might have the best chance of wresting away league supremacy, although Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which treats games like track meets, is also a popular preseason choice.

Detroit

Pluses: Shooting guard Willie Green was hampered by a foot injury last season, and that's about the only thing that can slow him. He's impossible to guard one-on-one. Power forward Terrell Riggs is a rugged rebounder and post presence.

Minuses: The Titans don't have much help for Riggs inside and have to replace underrated C Marc Mazur. Greg Grays' graduation leaves a hole at the point, but Detroit is confident JC import Rulon Harris will be up to the task.

Parting shot: Harris' ability to step right in will be a critical factor in the Titans' success. Coach Perry Watson's teams are built on defense, with the lead guard primarily embracing the role of stopper. If Harris can do his part, Riggs and Green will do the rest.

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Pluses: Former Marquette assistant Tod Kowalczyk isn't taking over a typical 20-loss team. Senior Greg Babcock is the league's best center, while talented transfers Marshall Williams (N.C. State) and Julian Swartz (Wisconsin) will be difference-makers.

Minuses: Swartz is unbelievably talented and seems to be over the personal problems that forced him to nearly give up the game. He's an unknown but could give the team the inside presence it needs alongside Babcock. F/C Mike King (back) missed last season and could also be the answer.

Parting shot: The Phoenix roster is stacked with talent. It's up to Kowalczyk to make it work. New guards Terry Parker Jr. and Williams have the potential to be the league's top backcourt, while King, Swartz and Babcock should be able to dominate inside. Expect UWGB to return to its customary place near the top of the league.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Pluses: Versatile shooting guard Clay Tucker makes the Panthers go, rebounding at one end and hitting 3-pointers or finishing on the break at the other. He's one of the Horizon's best. Fellow guards Ronnie Jones and Jason Frederick, both double-figure scorers, are vital cogs in UW-M's run-and-gun attack.

Minuses: Adrian Tigert, an up-and-coming sophomore who would have been the team's top forward, blew out his knee and will miss the season. Juniors Nate Mielke, James Wright and Justin Lettenberger must help pick up the slack.

Parting shot: The Panthers will run teams ragged, especially after adding Colorado transfer Jose Winston to help come in and run the show. Bruce Pearl's team traps fullcourt for almost the entire game, so quality depth is a must. UW-M has it in abundance, which should lead to a very successful season.

Butler

Pluses: F/C Joel Cornette has been vital to the team's recent success, but the departure of league MVP Hainje should increase his role. Ditto for guards Darnell Archey and Brandon Miller, who have to make the loss of Jackson's leadership less painful.

Minuses: It's going to be nearly impossible to replace the winningest class in school history. Part of what set the Bulldogs apart was their terrific play inside, but aside from Cornette, the post is filled with uncertainty. Freshman Andy Grunst will have to play immediately.

Parting shot: Butler won't fall to the bottom of the standings or anything, but they are facing a tall task. The shooting of Archey, Miller and small forward Mike Monserez will help them win games, but every one of them is going to be a battle. Expect the Horizon's other members to have no mercy on the league's perennial bully.

Loyola-Chicago

Pluses: Diminutive dynamo David Bailey returns to lead the Ramblers. He's just 5-feet-8 and weighs 150 pounds, but the senior is the league's equivalent of Allen Iverson. Give him the ball and get out of the way. Senior power forward David Minnifield is the top option inside.

Minuses: Loyola must replace Ryan Blankson's 10 rebounds per game and, besides Minnifield, return no players with much experience. Newcomer Paul McMillan must contribute from the jump.

Parting shot: Last year's finish was the school's best in 17 seasons, but they'll need contributions from more than just Bailey to replay that success.

Illinois-Chicago

Pluses: A handful of key contributors return from last year's surprise league tournament champs. Forward Cedrick Banks is only 6-2 but makes up for his lack of height with terrific athleticism. Heady PG Martell Bailey isn't as explosive as older brother David, but he makes good decisions with the ball and penetrates well.

Minuses: As you can imagine, if the smallish Banks is your top forward, you might have some problems. Jimmy Collins recruited Richard Lesko and Josh Williams to help out, but the team's fortunes up front will hinge on Joe Scott's recovery from torn knee ligaments that made him miss last season.

Parting shot: Collins' ability to do a lot with a little shouldn't be overlooked. But the rest of the league seems to have improved, so UIC's patchwork frontcourt and suspect perimeter attack might be exposed.

Wright State

Pluses: Forward Seth Doliboa is strong inside. Last year, he and brother Cain combined for close to 35 points and 12 rebounds per game. This year, with Cain graduated, he'll get help from senior center Thomas Hope. Point Vernard Hollins is a strong leader.

Minuses: The team struggled shooting the ball last season and loses two of its top 3-point shooters in Cain Doliboa (who led the nation in 3-point percentage) and Jesse Deister. Immediate help has to come from JC transfer Trent Vaughn. JC center Lloyd Walls needs to provide some depth inside.

Parting shot: Ed Schilling's Raiders won 17 games last season and have enough talent back for another run. The key to the team's fortunes will be whether it can overcome depth issues and the departure of its top perimeter threats. If Vaughn can light it up like he did in the JUCO ranks, Wright State could surprise.

Cleveland State

Pluses: Senior forwards Andre Williams and Tahric Gosley key the frontcourt which has the potential to be very strong this season. Center Pape Badiane is 6-11 and exceptionally athletic. Ditto for JC transfer Amadou Koundoul, who will supply depth.

Minuses: Wings Theo Dixon and Jamaal Harris, the team's top scorers the past few years, graduated, leaving a gaping hole in the offense. Junior guard Jermaine Robinson may be able to pick up some of the slack, but he'll need help.

Parting shot: Rollie Massimino has a losing record at Cleveland State, and it probably won't improve this season. Badiane's development will be a key factor, as the Vikings will have to change gears and look inside if they're going to survive the loss of Dixon and Harris.

Youngstown State

Pluses: Top recruit Adam Baumann, a highly touted JC transfer, will alleviate the team's lack of size. He'll be joined up front by sophomore banger Brian Radakovich and junior TeJay Anderson. JC transfer Jamel Porter adds needed depth. Shooting guard Doug Underwood had an excellent freshman year.

Minuses: Senior Marlon Williamson will likely man the point, but he's giving away a lot in the talent department. The Penguins might be better off allowing freshmen Derrick Harris and Jonathan Mends to learn on the job.

Parting shot: Last season, the Penguins' first in the Horizon, wasn't pretty. They should improve this year, but don't expect a significant jump in the standings. With only one senior on the roster, Youngstown has plenty of room for growth and improvement.