Horizon League Picks Wright State to Repeat
The Raiders enter the upcoming season as the conference favorite following their previous championship win.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball
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The Horizon League has selected the Wright State Raiders to win the conference championship again this season. This ranking follows the team's victory in the conference championship during the previous campaign.
Why it matters
The preseason ranking reflects the sustained success of the program and the return of core contributors. Expectations are high for the team as they look to build on their prior performance and maintain their position as a conference leader.
Wright State returns 5 players from its previous championship roster. Kellen Pickett is currently projected to be the Horizon League player of the year.
The players
Wright State Raiders
The Raiders are a collegiate basketball program based in Dayton that recently won the Horizon League championship.
Kellen Pickett
Kellen Pickett is a standout athlete for Wright State and is the preseason Horizon League player of the year.
Horizon League
The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletic conference that organizes collegiate basketball competitions.
Air Force
Air Force is a collegiate athletic program representing the United States Air Force Academy.
The details
The program has emphasized intense and physical practice sessions throughout the summer to build daily consistency. This focus on resiliency and conditioning aims to prepare the team for their scheduled competition.
Timeline
June: The team practiced with consistent intensity.
November 2, 2026: Wright State plays Air Force at home.
Season Trajectory
The Raiders enter the season attempting to maintain the momentum established by their Horizon League championship in the previous season. Success in the opener against Air Force would reinforce their status as the team to beat in conference play.
Fans in Dayton can anticipate the season home opener against Air Force on November 2. The projection of Kellen Pickett as player of the year suggests he will be the primary focal point for offensive rotations this season.
The takeaway
Maintaining championship form requires high-intensity physical preparation and long-term consistency. Returning players are expected to anchor the team as they defend their conference title.
What happens next
The Raiders face Air Force at home on November 2, 2026, marking the official start of the basketball season.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming schedule and roster developments, see Dayton Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKEF.
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