INDIANAPOLIS – The Northern Kentucky men's basketball program was picked to finish atop the Horizon League standings for the second year in a row and Marques Warrick and Sam Vinson were All-League selections (also for the second season in a row) as the Horizon announced its preseason poll and award winners on Tuesday. The results were based off voting by Horizon League coaches, athletics communication directors and members of the media.
 
To go with being the Horizon League favorites for the second time in school history, it is also the seventh consecutive year in which NKU was picked to finish among the top-three of the preseason poll.
 
Northern Kentucky took the top spot in the conference with 18 first-place votes and 435 points overall. The selection comes off the heels of the Norse being chosen as the Horizon League favorite and No. 11 mid-major program in the nation by The Almanac.
 
"The goal is to make the NCAA Tournament, and to do that, you have to win three games in March in the conference tournament," head coach Darrin Horn told Matt Cox of The Almanac. "We embrace that. We also remember it was a two-possession game coming out of the last media timeout against Houston (in the NCAA Tournament). That makes you think about what you might be capable of."
 
To go with the team honors, Warrick was a Preseason All-League First Team honoree while Vinson joined him as an All-League Second Team selection. It is the second straight year in which the duo earned First Team and Second Team honors, respectively.
 
Warrick, a senior guard from Lexington, Kentucky, earned First Team honors after one of the best individual seasons in program history in 2022-23. He averaged 18.8 points, 2.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds over 35 contests (all starts). His 659 points scored ranked first in NKU's NCAA Division I history and second in school history for most points scored in a single season. On the national level, Warrick finished the year 21st in all of NCAA DI basketball in points, 40th in made field goals (226), 48th in points per game (18.8 per contest), 58th in three-pointers made (87) and 99th in three-pointers per game (2.49).
 
Overall, Warrick has recorded 1,589 points, 238 rebounds, 210 assists and 102 steals over his first three years with the program. He is currently ranked ninth all-time in school history in career points and trails NKU legend Drew McDonald by just 477 points for the top spot in school history heading into the year.
 
Warrick was named an All-League Second Team selection in 2022-23.
 
Vinson, a junior guard from Fort Thomas, Kentucky picked up Second Team honors after a stellar season in 2022-23. The local product averaged 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game over 32 contests (all starts). He also totaled 76 swipes on the year, a mark that ranked first in NKU's NCAA DI era and second all-time in school history. On the national scene, Vinson finished 11th in the NCAA in total steals and 12th in steals per game.
 
Over his first two years with the Norse, Vinson has totaled 735 points, 277 boards, 200 assists and 142 steals. He is already ranked 11th all-time in school history in career steals through just 64 career games played.
 
Vinson was named an All-Defensive Team and All-League Third Team selection to end 2022-23.

Northern Kentucky gets the year underway with an exhibition contest against Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 PM ET inside Truist Arena. The Norse then start the regular season with road trips out to Middle Tennessee (Monday, November 6) and Washington (Thursday, November 9), before returning to Highland Heights for the home-opener versus DePauw on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 PM.
 
 
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
 
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
 
 
BEST VALUE IN THE TRI-STATE: SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON-SALE NOW!
Join Norse Nation and take advantage of the best value for family fun in the tri-state with NKU men's basketball single-game tickets, which start as low as $11!
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
1. Purchase Single-Game Tickets through MyNorse Account
 
- Access MyNorse Account here or visit am.ticketmaster.com/nku
- Click "Buy Tickets"
- Log in or create a MyNorse Account
- Once in Account Manager, select your game and seats
- Checkout when finished
 
2. Purchase Single-Game Tickets through TicketMaster.com
 
- Access NKU men's basketball tickets here and women's basketball tickets here
- Select your game and seats
- Sign in or create a TicketMaster account
- Checkout when finished

3. Contact the NKU Athletics Ticket Office
 
- You can also still make purchases and get your questions answered right away over the phone by contacting the NKU Athletics Ticket Office at (859)-572-7848
- The Athletics Ticket Office can also be reached by e-mail at norsetickets@nku.edu
 
 
LOCK IN THE BEST VALUE IN THE TRI-STATE WITH A NKU MINI-PLAN!
With the highly anticipated 2023-24 campaigns right around the corner, mini plan packages for the Northern Kentucky men's and women's basketball program are ON-SALE NOW!
 
Join in on the best value for family fun in the tri-state with mini plans starting at just $43.50! Mini plans offer Norse Nation the most flexible ticket offering as fans and supports can pick the package that best works for them and their families.
 
NKU fans can select a three-game, four-game or six-game package that best fits their needs!
 
NORSE UP - THREE GAME PACK
Pick any three games for the low price of just $43.50, or just $14.50 a game!
 
BLACK & GOLD - FOUR GAME PACK
Pick any four games for the low price of just $58! Any purchase of a four-pack will also include a free ticket for NKU's home opener against DePauw on Tuesday, November 14.  With the home opener included, catch five NKU games this season for just $11.60 a contest!
 
VICTOR'S CHOICE - SIX GAME PACK
Pick any six games for the low price of just $87! Any purchase of a six-pack will also include a free ticket for both NKU's home opener against DePauw on Tuesday, November 14 and Northern Kentucky's clash with the University of the Cumberlands on Thursday, December 14. With this special offer, catch eight Norse basketball games this year for just $10.88 a contest!
 
THREE CONVENIENT WAYS TO PURCHASE MINI-PLANS
1. Purchase Mini-Plans through MyNorse Account
 
- Access MyNorse Account here or visit am.ticketmaster.com/nku
- Click "Buy Tickets"
- Log in or create a MyNorse Account
- Once in Account Manager, select either the 3, 4, or 6 game plan
- The best available seat is assigned to purchase, allowing you to proceed with your order
- Checkout when finished
 
 
2. NKU Men's and Women's Basketball Mini-Plans Now Available on FEVO
(Men's FEVO Link | Women's FEVO Link)
 
- Buy the 3, 4, or 6 game plan that works for you
- Checkout with your order
- NKU Athletics Ticket Office will be in contact with you right away following your purchase to confirm seats and select the games
 

3. Contact the NKU Athletics Ticket Office
 
- You can also still make purchases and get your questions answered right away over the phone by contacting the NKU Athletics Ticket Office at (859)-572-7848
- The Athletics Ticket Office can also be reached by e-mail at norsetickets@nku.edu
 
 
SEASON TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
Season tickets for the Northern Kentucky men's basketball program are also ON-SALE NOW!
 
Join in on the best value in the tri-state as men's basketball season ticket packages begin at just $232.
 
Become a part of Norse Nation and cheer on NKU all season long as the squad aims for a run at the Horizon League Championships and national prominence in March!
 
Season ticket packages can also be purchased using MyNorse Account, FEVO (Men's Tickets) or by contacting the NKU Athletics Ticket Office at (859)-572-7848 or norsetickets@nku.edu.
 
 
FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN'S BASKETBALL 
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I college basketball team through @NKUNorseMBB on Twitter, @nkunorsembb on Instagram, nkunorsembb on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.