Horizon League Weekly Recap: Mastodons Stampede, Colonials Rally, and Phoenix Rise

The non-conference slate is a proving ground, a time for identity and resilience. For the Horizon League, the week of December 8-14 offered a final batch of opportunities to sharpen the sword before the grind of conference play truly begins. With only a handful of league games on the docket, the focus was squarely on measuring up against fellow mid-major foes. The mission was clear: stack quality wins, avoid damaging losses, and build momentum. While the conference largely steered clear of catastrophic results, the week was defined by statement victories, a monumental comeback, and a program taking a tangible step forward. The narrative is shifting from potential to performance, and several teams sent a clear message to the rest of the league.

Statement Wins: Horizon League Flexes Its Muscle

This week belonged to the teams that secured resume-building victories. These weren’t just wins; they were declarations of intent, showcasing the depth and competitiveness lurking within the Horizon League.

Purdue Fort Wayne’s offensive juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. After a decisive win over Northern Kentucky, the Mastodons hosted an Eastern Michigan team that had already toppled Oakland and Detroit Mercy this season. Any thought of an upset was extinguished by halftime. Led by the conference’s most potent scorer, Corey Hadnot II, who poured in 28 points, PFW exploded for 47 first-half points. The most telling sign of their dominance? They completely neutralized Eastern Michigan’s Mohammad Habhab, who was held to just nine points after a triple-double performance the previous week. This was a systematic, team-wide dismantling that proves the Mastodons are a legitimate contender.

Meanwhile, in Moon Township, Robert Morris authored the comeback of the week. Staring down a daunting 18-point halftime deficit to a strong Toledo squad, the reigning Horizon League champions showed their championship DNA. The second half was a masterclass in composed, relentless basketball. Four starters finished in double figures, led by DeSean Goode and Ryan Prather Jr. (17 points, 10 rebounds). The Colonials outscored Toledo 51-28 after the break, a stunning reversal that speaks volumes about the culture head coach Andy Toole has built. While the slow start is a concern, the ability to flip a switch and dominate a quality opponent for 20 minutes is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the league.

Green Bay’s Program-Defining Victory

Amidst the non-conference clashes, one early Horizon League matchup carried immense symbolic weight. Green Bay’s 85-79 road win at IU Indianapolis was more than just a conference opener. It was the Phoenix’s fifth win of the season, officially surpassing their total from the entire 2023-24 campaign. Under first-year head coach Doug Gottlieb, the culture change is yielding immediate, quantifiable results.

The victory was a gritty, offensive showcase against the chaotic pressure of IUPUI. The Phoenix answered the bell with a balanced, three-pronged attack:

• Preston Ruedinger, C.J. O’Hara, and LeBron Thomas each scored 20 points, providing consistent scoring that weathered every Jaguar run.
• They matched IUPUI’s trademark physicality, earning 26 free throws and knocking down nine crucial three-pointers.
• While they committed 14 turnovers, they never let the game spiral, maintaining their offensive execution in a hostile environment.

This win signals that Green Bay is no longer a guaranteed win on the schedule. They are a tough, confident, and improving team that has already turned the page on a difficult past.

Expert Analysis: What These Results Mean for the Horizon Race

The week’s action provided critical data points for assessing the league hierarchy. Purdue Fort Wayne has firmly established itself as the offensive powerhouse to beat. Their ability to score in bunches and adapt to take away an opponent’s best weapon (Habhab) shows a sophisticated level of preparation. They are the team with the highest ceiling.

Robert Morris, however, remains the league’s ultimate wild card. Their victory was equally impressive and alarming. The Colonials possess the experience and toughness to beat anyone, as the second half showed. But their propensity for slow starts—this time digging a massive 18-point hole—is a unsustainable habit. If Andy Toole can find a way to harness that second-half energy for a full 40 minutes, they are the most dangerous team in the conference. Until then, they will live on the edge.

Green Bay’s rise is the feel-good story, but it’s also a warning. The bottom of the league is getting tougher. IUPUI, despite the loss, forced 14 turnovers and remains a difficult out at home. The overall depth of the Horizon League appears stronger, which means there will be no easy nights once the conference schedule hits full stride in January. Every game will be a battle, and the teams that protect home court and steal a few on the road will rise to the top.

Looking Ahead: Predictions and Key Storylines

As we head into the final stretch of non-conference play, several key questions emerge:

Can anyone slow down Purdue Fort Wayne’s offense? Corey Hadnot II is playing at a First-Team All-League level, and the supporting cast is perfectly calibrated. Their upcoming games will test their consistency, but they have earned the title of favorite.

Which Robert Morris will show up? The team that sleepwalks through the first half or the championship-caliber squad that stormed back against Toledo? Their identity is still in flux, making them the most unpredictable and fascinating team to watch.

Is Green Bay a dark horse? Surpassing last year’s win total by December 14 is monumental. The next step is proving this win wasn’t a fluke. Can they stack victories and enter the conference meat grinder with a .500 or better record? If so, they could play spoiler to the established contenders.

Prediction: The Horizon League race is shaping up to be a three-team battle between Purdue Fort Wayne, Oakland (who had a quiet week), and the enigmatic Robert Morris. However, the improved depth from teams like Green Bay and Youngstown State will make the path treacherous. Look for the Mastodons’ firepower to give them a slight edge for the regular-season title, but in the pressurized environment of the Horizon League Tournament in Indianapolis, bet on the experience and grit of Robert Morris to make a deep run to defend their crown.

Conclusion

The week of December 8-14 was a microcosm of what makes mid-major basketball compelling. It featured a dominant force asserting itself, a champion revealing its resilient heart, and a rebuilding program taking a monumental leap forward. The Horizon League avoided the bad losses that can plague a conference’s reputation, and instead, showcased its strength and parity. As the calendar prepares to turn, the conference standings are beginning to take shape, but the lessons learned this week—about resilience, offensive firepower, and program development—will echo throughout the winter. The battle for Horizon League supremacy is officially heating up, and it promises to be a thrilling, unpredictable ride.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.