Horizon League Championship Futures: Odds, Predictions, and Top Contenders
Updated November 4, 2026
Updated November 4, 2026
The 2027 Horizon League men's basketball championship race features several programs capable of securing the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Defending champion Wright State enters as a leading contender, while Robert Morris, Green Bay, Oakland, and Northern Kentucky are their top challengers. With Northern Illinois joining the conference and a revised postseason format rewarding higher seeds, regular-season positioning could play a particularly important role.
The defending regular-season and tournament champion returns preseason POY Kellen Pickett
The Colonials remain a strong challenger to the Raiders under Andy Toole.
Marcus Hall leads a rebuilt Phoenix roster looking to build on its third-place finish in 2025-26.
Greg Kampe's Golden Grizzlies have the offensive potential to challenge the favorites.
The Norse offer upset potential behind experienced guard Ethan Elliott.
The defending regular-season and tournament champion returns preseason POY Kellen Pickett
The Colonials remain a strong challenger to the Raiders under Andy Toole.
Marcus Hall leads a rebuilt Phoenix roster looking to build on its third-place finish in 2025-26.
Greg Kampe's Golden Grizzlies have the offensive potential to challenge the favorites.
The Norse offer upset potential behind experienced guard Ethan Elliott.
Our prediction to win the 2027 Horizon League Tournament is Wright State. The Raiders have the strongest combination of proven conference success, offensive efficiency, and returning talent. During their 2025-26 championship campaign, Wright State posted a 54.8% effective field goal percentage and 33.8% offensive rebounding rate, demonstrating an ability to generate efficient scoring opportunities and additional possessions. Those historical numbers provide a useful foundation for evaluating head coach Clint Sargent's program, even with changes to the roster.
Wright State also enters the season with two preseason All-League First Team selections in Pickett and O'Hara, while returning guard Dominic Pangonis provides additional continuity. The Raiders' main concern is replacing the defensive impact of TJ Burch, who departed after winning Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year.
The championship format further strengthens Wright State's outlook when making college basketball predictions. Higher regular-season seeds receive a more favorable postseason path, including opportunities to avoid an additional game in Noblesville. With proven offensive production, experienced coaching, and multiple established contributors, Wright State is our choice to repeat as Horizon League tournament champion, although Robert Morris remains a credible alternative.
Seeding Importance
The 2027 bracket advances the three highest remaining seeds directly to the semifinals after the campus-site opening round, rewarding strong regular-season performance.
Detroit Mercy's Situation
The 2026 tournament runner-up cannot compete in the 2027 championship because of NCAA Academic Progress Rate requirements, removing a potentially dangerous opponent.
NIU's Entrance
The Huskies add a new matchup variable to the Horizon League, with a rebuilt roster and new coaching staff potentially influencing the conference standings.
Roster Continuity
Green Bay's large incoming class, Robert Morris' reshaped offense, and Northern Kentucky's new frontcourt combinations could significantly influence each team's tournament ceiling.
