Wright State lost its five starters from last season’s Horizon League title game but that does not mean the Raiders will be any easier to defend according to WSU senior guard Reggie Arceneaux.
Arceneaux said that with WSU’s shooters, the Raiders would be tougher to defend than a season ago.
“We have better shooters, we have Grant Evans, Grant Benzinger, myself, Chrishawn Hopkins and Kendall Griffin and we’re trying to place faster with our speed so it will be hard to stop us,” Arceneaux said. “We are ahead of curve in this year than last year. We will be a much tougher team to guard.”
Wright State coach Billy Donlon said his squad is more capable of driving off the dribble.
“We had (guys last year) you could throw the ball into the paint to and get a basket when you weren’t making shots,” Donlon said. “Reggie’s point is we have a lot more guys who can break you down on the dribble, which can make it hard on the defense. I think we can be as tough as last year’s team. I am glad Reggie has that confidence.”
Wright State was fifth in the Horizon League in field goal percentage shooting 45.6 percent.
WSU has escaped the preseason rather healthy, which is a stark contrast from last year when the Raiders had a number of preseason injuries.
“Last year, we went in and it was different,” Donlon said. “(Seniors) Matt (Vest), Cole (Darling) and AJ (Pacher) were not themselves and we never talked about it because it was in-season excuse making. And then Miles (Dixon) tore his shoulder up three days before our closed scrimmage.
“Every year is a new team and a new year and you just have to handle the elements. I think these guys have been through a lot… When adversity comes, they’ll handle it well.”
