In what is typically a rah-rah kind of event, the annual Wright State basketball media luncheon took a twist as both head basketball coaches at WSU were tempering expectations for the upcoming season.
Mike Bradbury was first to take the lectern as he discussed the upcoming season for WSU's women's basketball program who has its exhibition opener Saturday against Ashland. His squad is coming off the women's program's first ever Horizon League championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
While Bradbury said he is excited for this year's program, he thinks that Green Bay is worthy of being the Horizon League's preseason favorite. Wright State returns an experienced squad of six seniors.
"This is the opposite of what I expected and that is why I am confused about where we're at," Bradbury said about the team's progress in the preseason. "I thought we would be a lot further along; we had a lot of people coming back and we're not even close to being as far along as we were at this point last year. I don't think it is anything to be concerned about yet but it is surprising to me."
WSU men's basketball coach Billy Donlon followed Bradbury.
"I thought Mike would be the positive guy up here," Donlon said. "He returns the two top players in the league in Kim Demmings and Tay'ler Mingo and an unbelievable coaching staff. I didn't think we would have back-to-back guys concerned about their seasons this early."
Donlon's squad lost its starting five from a season ago. Three of the five are playing professionally with another (Jerran Young) expected to go pro in 2015. Donlon's squad also lost key forward Tavares Sledge who was dismissed from the team after Donlon found a gun in Sledge's car. WSU finished third in the Horizon League regular season and was the runner-up in the Horizon League Championships.
"We have a team that could win the league," Donlon said. "We have a team that could finish anywhere in the league though. Very rarely is that the case. Last year's team, I never thought would finish below fourth. No matter what happened through all the surgeries, I knew we would climb into the top four for sure and I thought we would compete for the title. This year's team, it is about, 'Do we have a competitive spirit? Do we have a competitive talent?'"
Women's notes:
Bradbury said that he expects to play three of his incoming five freshmen players. Bradbury also mentioned that his squad will use a post player that will make the team play differently. He did not mention her by name, but sophomore center Richelle van der Keijl is close to being 100 percent after sitting out last season.
Men's notes:
Donlon confirmed that transfer center Michael Karena is suffering from an ankle injury and is questionable for next week's game against Findlay. Other than Karena's injury, Donlon said the Raiders have remained healthy in the preseason. Donlon added freshman center Rod Davis might be the squad's center to start the season. Donlon said he has looked good in practice so far.
Donlon let the cat out of the bag about the team's opener against Belmont on Nov. 14. He told the crowd that the game will be a t-shirt white out. Donlon is expecting a large crowd in the Nutter Center that evening as Belmont is one of five teams nationally that has averaged 28 wins a season the last five years.
