Wright State hosts its one and only public exhibition Wednesday versus Division II juggernaut Findlay in what might end up being a competitive game between the two programs. A season ago, Findlay upset the Raiders 80-76 in the Nutter Center.
With many new faces for WSU, Wednesday’s contest should mark a good opportunity to see how the Raiders’ young players handle playing college basketball in a real game setting. It will also be interesting to see how the Raiders respond to playing up-tempo.
Based on WSU head coach Billy Donlon’s history in exhibition games, expect to see everyone play at some point Wednesday, but the bulk of the minutes will go to WSU’s starting rotation; whomever that might be.
“We’re going to play everybody, we’re going to try to compete,” Donlon said. “Everyone will get a chance to play that can play. Findlay is really good; they came in here and beat us a year ago. It is an opportunity for us to grow, be competitive and try out our style of play in front of fans for the first time.”
Donlon said that WSU forward Michael Karena is questionable for tomorrow’s game as he is battling an ankle injury. He is expected to return in time for the Nov. 14 season opener versus Belmont.
Donlon said he would like to try to win the exhibition versus Findlay, but the emphasis rests on playing his entire team at some point in the contest.
“You look at our first half, everybody gets in, everybody plays,” Donlon said. “That is not excuse making for the results, that is what I believe in during an exhibition game. If you look at pro sports, that is how they operate. Yes, I want to win, but we have to give everyone an opportunity to play with the lights on. It is a fact that when the lights come on, there are some guys who perform at a whole another level.”
Projected Starters:
Wright State (0-0):
Center – Rod Davis
Forward – JT Yoho
Guards – Kendall Griffin, Reggie Arceneaux, Chrishawn Hopkins
Findlay (0-0):
Center – Quaran Jones
Forward – Jake Heagan, John Staley
Guards – Dylan Kaufman, Ricardo Smith
All-time record versus Findlay:
Findlay leads all-time series 2-0 (regular season games only)
Last time out:
Wright State lost in the second round of the Collegeinsider.com Tournament 56-54 at Ohio University on March 22.
