Hi readers. I know it has been a while since I have been updating things. I have been rather sick over the last week. That coupled with an intense workload has caused me to taper off a bit on basketball coverage.
I am feeling back to 100 percent so let’s break down yesterday’s game.
Cal St. Fullerton 67 Wright State 62
Wright State got off to the start it wanted to. A 24-11 lead with Reggie Arceneaux making baskets from the outside. The Raiders were shooting the basketball and playing good defense. Even as WSU held a five-point halftime lead, rebounding was starting to become an issue. The Raiders were outrebounded 19-12 in the half and CSU scored eight points on second chances.
Wright State did a better job in the second half rebounding the basketball but its poor shooting doomed the Raiders. WSU had five offensive boards in the second half but that only led to one second chance point. The Raiders only made 2-of-13 from beyond the arc in the second half.
After Arceneaux had a blazing 5-for-5 start in the first, he went 0-for-5 in the second half.
JT Yoho had a few huge baskets down the stretch to give WSU a 61-56 lead in the final three minutes of the game. Though he scored 20 in Friday’s contest, it took him 18 shots to get there. Still, his clutch shots kept the Raiders in a contest that nearly slipped away.
But Fullerton went on an 11-1 run to close out the game. WSU did not have a defensive answer for Lanerryl Johnson who scored 27 points in 27 minutes. Johnson was incredibly effective at driving to the lane and getting fouled. His 10-of-13 free throw shooting helped Fullerton to the win. Johnson scored 19 points alone in the second half.
A performance like that makes you wonder where this team would be with Kendall Griffin. WSU used a variety of players on Johnson without much success.
Today’s game versus Florida International
WSU plays Florida International at 3:30 this afternoon at USC Upstate. The Panthers lost to their host 68-53 in the opener to the tournament.
FIU is not a high scoring team and should not be subject to putting up a ton of points against a defensive minded team like WSU. The Panthers have two players who average in double figures. Adrian Diaz and Dennis Mavin both average around 14 a game.
Diaz, a 6-foot-11 center, will be tough to guard as he shoots the ball well and has a few inches on whoever WSU has guard him. Diaz is a transfer from Kansas State but was mostly relegated to the bench with the Wildcats.
Mavin is a 6-foot-3 senior guard playing in his final year at FIU. He scored 14 against USC Upstate Thursday.
My prediction:
WSU is definitely the favorite in this game despite being mismatched down low. The Raiders are the more athletic team. I would expect WSU to cruise to a 70-51 win today.
