The Wright State men’s basketball team, who was picked to finish last in the Horizon League this season, raised a few eyebrows defeating Green Bay Thursday night. Tonight the Raiders hope to show they’re real contenders as WSU takes on the Milwaukee Panthers.
WSU has won five of their past six games as well as all six of their home games this season and will look to continue their winning ways against their second conference opponent of the year – a struggling Milwaukee Panther team.
UWM is a team long removed from the days of former head coach Bruce Pearl and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005. This year’s Panthers have failed to win a road game this season (0-7), and most recently fell in their conference opener Thursday night at Detroit 74-59. The Panthers come into tonight’s matchup overall at 4-11 and haven’t beaten WSU in Fairborn since 2005.
Nine Raiders scored Thursday evening against Green Bay and head coach Billy Donlon believes the key to his team’s recent success on offense is players not trying to do too much and “just trying to hit singles offensively.”
“I think a lot of our problems with our offense has been too many guys getting the ball and they want to hit a home run,” Donlon said. “That’s just not who we are – let’s just go out there and hit some singles and see what happens.”
In terms of experience UWM certainly has the edge with five seniors on their roster compared to zero for WSU. Despite Milwaukee’s struggles this season Donlon is not looking past this Panther team.
“Two years ago, I don’t know what they (Milwaukee) were at the midway point, all I know is they went 9-0 the second way through and that was really hard to do in this league,” Donlon said.
Saturday night will be a throwback night at the Nutter Center as Wright State will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1983 Division II National Championship team. Students are encouraged to dress up in 80’s attire and 80’s music will be played throughout the game. The men’s team will also be wearing throwback 1983 jerseys to honor the team.
Students can pick up two free tickets beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Gate 9 of the Nutter Center with a valid Wright1 Card. The game will also be broadcast live on the Dayton CW as well as streamed live online at www.horizonleaguenetwork.com.
