Cleveland, OH-The Horizon League announced today its preseason poll as voted on by Coaches, Sports Information Directors and local media members from the league's 11 participating schools. Cleveland State has been tabbed fourth in the preseason rankings. In addition, senior Tristan Enaruna was selected to the preseason all-league first team.
The Vikings enter the second year of the Daniyal Robinson era with momentum off a runner-up finish in last year's Horizon League tournament. After finishing third in the regular season standings, Cleveland State defeated Robert Morris and Milwaukee to reach the tournament championship game. The Vikings finished with 21 victories in Coach Robinson's inaugural season, which set a record for wins under a first-year head coach. Cleveland State earned a trip to the College Basketball Invitational, which marked a program record-tying third consecutive postseason appearance.
The Vikings return 62 percent of the scoring and 51 percent of the rebounding from last year's squad, led by Enaruna, who is one of two postseason first-team all-league selections returning this season. The senior forward averaged 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest in his first season in the green and white. Enaruna had the opportunity to represent his home country, the Netherlands, in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying tournament this summer.
Enaruna is one of three starters returning in 2023-24, alongside Tae Williams and Drew Lowder. Williams returns after averaging double-figures in scoring last season, scoring 11 points per game. Lowder returns after starting in the backcourt in 14 of the final 15 games last season, averaging 9.8 points per game and shooting 42 percent from the floor.
Coach Robinson has assembled a challenging schedule headed into his second season in charge of the program, with three teams that won 20 or more games on the non-conference schedule. The regular-season home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8th against Defiance. Horizon League play kicks off on November 29th, with a road matchup at Youngstown State.
Season tickets and mini plans for the 2023-24 home season at the Wolstein Center and Woodling Gymnasium are on sale now. Click HERE for more information and to purchase your tickets today.
2023-24 Under Armour #HLMBB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Northern Kentucky (18) – 435
2. Milwaukee (10) – 397
3. Wright State (12) – 392
4. Cleveland State (1) – 362
5. Youngstown State (3) – 342
6. Oakland – 280
7. RMU – 186
8. Purdue Fort Wayne – 166
9. Detroit Mercy – 132
10. IUPUI – 116
11. Green Bay – 96
#HLMBB Preseason Player of the Year
Trey Calvin, Wright State
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Tristan Enaruna, Cleveland State
BJ Freeman, Milwaukee
Marques Warrick, Northern Kentucky
Trey Townsend, Oakland
Trey Calvin, Wright State
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Jlynn Counter, IUPUI
Sam Vinson, Northern Kentucky
Tanner Holden, Wright State
Brandon Noel, Wright State
Brandon Rush, Youngstown State
