The Wright State men’s basketball team owns one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history, and most people wouldn’t even know it.
On December 30, 1999, Michigan State came to the Nutter Center to take on the Raiders. They were ranked at the time, and hadn’t lost a game to a non power five school in the last two seasons.
Calling this MSU team good, or even very good, would be a severe understatement. They were coached by hall of famer Tom Izzo, and had been to the final four the previous year. They were led by future NBA players Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves.
WSU came out and played extremely well in the first ten minutes. They had the lead up to five, and they never trailed in the first 10 minutes. This early start wouldn’t last, but was crucial for the remainder of the game. Michigan State took the lead into halftime 32-26.
The Raiders continued to fight hard throughout the second half. Kevin Melson, who averaged almost 19 points a game that season, had several key buckets to keep WSU within striking distance. He would finish with a team high 16 points in the game.
Joe Bills, a freshman starter for WSU, remembers Melson’s impact during this game.
“Melson was fantastic," he said. “He was our best player and probably the only man on our team that could match the athleticism of MSU."
As the clock ticked down, the Raiders would take a two point lead. Bills said the team never got overconfident, but he knew when a big play sealed the game.
“We played fantastic but I think we always knew that a win wasn’t a sure thing," he said. “Late in the game Thomas Hope deflected a MSU pass into my hands and I felt like that was the first time I believed that we were actually going to win this game."
That steal would be a huge play, as it caused MSU to have to foul Wright State. WSU would go on to make the free throws, and secure the biggest upset in WSU history.
The final score was 53-49, and the fans at the Nutter Center stormed the court. Bills said it is still one of his fondest memories.
“It was a special moment," he said. “Being able to share that moment with my teammates and family is something I’ll never forget."
Michigan State would go on to win the national championship that year, making this win even more special for Wright State.
“The fact that they went on to win it all makes the memory a little sweeter," Bills said. “People don’t have to wonder if it was a good MSU team we beat, it was literally the best team that year. Well, except for one perfect day for the Raiders!”
