Before diving into our coverage from Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball media availability, we’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Northern Kentucky University Athletics Department for welcoming our media team. As a growing independent outlet dedicated to covering NKU & Cincinnati area athletics, opportunities like this mean a great deal to us. The access provided not only allows us to bring our readers closer to the program, but also reflects the University’s commitment to engaging with the passionate Norse community that supports NKU athletics. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing to tell the stories of this program throughout the season.
Interview #1 B.J. Davis-Ray
The first player I had the opportunity to speak with during NKU’s media availability was B.J. Davis-Ray. B.J. shared his thoughts on his offseason development, the team’s outlook for the upcoming season, and what Norse fans can expect from him heading into 2026-27. Here’s our full conversation from media availability.
For B.J. Davis-Ray, choosing NKU was an easy decision. He said his visit to Highland Heights immediately felt like home, and one of Coach Horn’s key messages during the recruiting process was simple: come to NKU and get better. Now entering the 2026-27 season, Davis-Ray has his sights set on helping the Norse reach the NCAA Tournament and capture a Horizon League championship.
When asked what he wants Norse Nation to know about him, Davis-Ray emphasized his work ethic and commitment to giving 100 percent every time he steps on the court. Away from basketball, he’s a soccer fan who closely followed the FIFA World Cup and gave the news Lionel Messi is the goat, not Cristiano Ronaldo—sorry, Ronaldo fans.
As for the toughest matchup in practice, B.J. pointed to Noah Pagotto, complimenting his strength and physicality. He also had a message for the NKU faithful: pack Truist Arena this season. B.J. believes Norse fans are in for an exciting and entertaining year of basketball.
Highlights & How to Find B.J.
B.J.’s X account can be found here: https://x.com/BJDavisRay1?s=20
B.J.’s Instagram account can be here: https://www.instagram.com/bj.davis3/
Interview #2 Eric Acker
Following my conversation with B.J. Davis-Ray, I had the opportunity to sit down with another key piece of NKU’s roster, Eric Acker. Acker discussed Coach Horn’s pitch to him during the transfer portal process, his goals for the upcoming season, and we talked about his clothing brand! Here’s our full conversation from NKU’s media availability.
For Eric Acker, NKU’s style of play was a natural fit from the start. He believes the Norse’s fast-paced approach complements his game and gives him the opportunity to play freely and aggressively. During the recruiting process, Acker said Coach Horn consistently poured into him, pointing to his confidence, winning track record, and commitment to player development. What resonated most was that Horn wasn’t trying to turn him into someone else. He wanted Eric Acker to come to NKU and be Eric Acker.
As he looks ahead to the 2026-27 season, Acker’s focus is on competing at the highest level, helping his teammates grow, and continuing to develop his own game. He has his sights set on chasing championships and believes this NKU team has the potential to accomplish special things. Beyond basketball, we also had the chance to discuss Acker’s clothing brand, giving fans a glimpse of who he is off the court as well.
Highlights & How to Find Eric
Eric’s X account can be found here: https://x.com/_iameric2?s=20
His Instagram account can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/_iameric2/
Eric’s clothing brand can be found here: https://everythingadapts.com/
Interview #3 One on One with Coach Horn
To close out our coverage from NKU’s media availability, I had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with head coach Darrin Horn. Due to unexpected technical issues with our recording equipment, we were unable to capture video of the conversation, but the full audio was successfully recorded. Coach Horn shared his excitement surrounding the upcoming season. His message to Norse Nation and why fans should be excited to pack Truist to support this team was clear. Below is our full conversation with Coach Horn.
Coach Horn emphasized that one of the biggest priorities this summer has been building a strong fundamental foundation on both ends of the floor. For the Norse, that starts with communication, effort, and competing every day. Coach Horn believes talking on the court is a key piece of building a successful defense, while player development remains one of NKU’s biggest calling cards. Something that requires players to be coachable, competitive, and willing to give maximum effort.
As for what Norse Nation can expect this season, Horn believes fans are in for an exciting team to watch. He described this group as versatile, full of personality, and a unique mix of players, including several international pieces. When discussing the desired atmosphere inside Truist Arena for this coming season, Horn pointed to the commitment from new athletic director Mike Odom and the university’s desire to bring energy back to home games. His goal is clear. Make Truist Arena one of the best home-court advantages in the Horizon League.
Practice Observations
One of the biggest takeaways from NKU’s practice was the emphasis Coach Horn placed on communication and defensive discipline. During drill work, Horn stopped practice to reinforce the importance of using the team’s defensive language. Continually making it clear that players need to communicate with purpose. Instead of simply calling things out, the expectation is to be specific and decisive with calls like “switch.” That attention to detail carried over throughout practice, with teammates celebrating defensive stops together and showing the importance of playing connected as a unit.
Accountability
Horn also held players accountable on multiple occasions, stopping practice to address defensive habits such as keeping their hands up and being ready to make plays. He challenged players who avoided physicality on the defensive end, emphasizing that toughness and effort will be required to succeed.
Offense
Offensively, several players stood out during the session. Ryan Tolliver impressed with his perimeter shooting, consistently knocking down shots from beyond the arc and showing confidence as a floor spacer. Noah Pagotto also caught my eye with his ability to create and knock down shots from the mid-range.
One Shining Moment
One of the most exciting moments of practice came from freshman Willie Foster. He continues to show why he can bring an immediate spark to this roster. During a transition opportunity, Foster exploded to the rim and finished with a powerful dunk over Pagotto, showcasing his athleticism and energy he brings to the floor.
As a reminder, Hunter sat down with new NKU AD Mike Odom, and you can find it here!
I’m always available on X @CriglerMedia!
Questions? Comment below, or reach out to hunter.sansom@sansomsportsmedia via email.
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