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Home > Blogs > Wright State University sports > Archives > 2009 > November > 19 > Entry
Duggins can set his own pace in return
FAIRBORN — Practice looked as usual earlier today.
It’s next Tuesday things will look different. That’s when Vaughn Duggins returns to action.
“I have a lot of work to do,” said Duggins, who has been practicing with the team all fall. “I can’t tell you how excited I am. Last night, I couldn’t get to sleep thinking about it.”
Duggins played in three games last season then, during a Thanksgiving Day practice, injured the ring finger on his right, shooting hand. It was thought to be a bad sprain at first, and Duggins had the finger taped to his middle finger while he attempted to play at Sam Houston State on the following Saturday.
He played. He led the team with 16 points. The Raiders lost and Duggins had his finger x-rayed when he returned home. It was broken, and while there was hope it would heal enough for him to return during the season, it didn’t. After deciding on a medical redshirt year, he had some clean-up done on an ankle.
He pointed to this year when he was picked up near campus on an OVI charge. Coach Brad Brownell suspended him for the first three games of the season, all in Seattle. The Raiders won two, so they’re not exactly needy. Into that situation walks a guy who left the program as its best player.
“It’s been awhile,” Duggins said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m going in there and competing again.”
“Your program is always trying to be bigger than one player,” Brownell said, “but players make a difference. We played all last year without him. We did alright. And we did fine in Seattle. But I’m glad we have him back.”
Talk about your best of both worlds. The Raiders are playing well — especially at guard — and now a player of Duggins’ ability is back in the lineup with no pressure on him to perform at his best immediately.
In three games, WSU guards Troy Tabler, Todd Brown, N’Gai Evans, Scott Grote and Darian Cartharn made 48 of their 90 shots (53.3 percent) and Tyler Koch — also a good shooter — didn’t play long enough to take a shot.
So the Raiders seem set at guard, and Duggins hasn’t even played yet.
By the end of next month, John David Gardner might even join the mix. He has been out with a hip injury.
The Raiders could be in for a very nice season.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Evan
November 20, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this
A good thing about Duggins is that he makes everybody better (great passer, can drive to hole and kick out, etc.). But the best thing about him is his defense—he is probably the best defender the team has (on already great defensive team). Looking forward to seeing him play again.
By Agree 100%
November 20, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Evan, You are exactly right in that VD is the teams best defender and he’ll help out with everything else as he is truly a players that does it all well. Chemistry is my only concern and as long as VD doesn’t force and lets the game come back to him, it’ll be a wonderful return and additional depth at an already deep position.
By WSU Fan
November 20, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
SOOOO tired of all the VD talk. Let’s just see if and when he contributes to a team that was 22-9 when he was not in the lineup.
By Mike
November 20, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
Tired of the VD talk? He is the only player on the team that can create his own shot and create shots for other people. I would say that is huge to have in the lineup. Hopefully his return means less of Evans in games. The kid plays out of control and is the last person I want with the ball in his hands. I would say a backcourt of Tabler, Brown and Duggins sounds good to me!
By N'gai Evans
November 20, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Hey! lay off me! I hit the winner against Green bay last year, Scored 17 against Washington while playing 2 of the better gaurds in the country. Im not a Natural P.G. but coach needs me to step up and play it so I give everything I can to help my team win.
By Mr. Jones
November 20, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
I agree N’gai!!! Basketball is a team sport and I support the WSU team! I believe all players contribute to the success of the whole and I wish you all the best this season! You set the standard for your play and you’ll never have to worry about the competition! Go Raiders!
By Mike
November 20, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this
I never said N’gai wasn’t important to the team! Every great team has a great practice player! Just kidding, I think he will be fine off the bench playing about 15 to 20 min a night.
By Steve S.
November 20, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
N’gai may not have all of the flash and curb appeal of some other players, but give him a break! He leaves it ALL on the court to the best of his ability and gets better with every passing day. He has the heart and soul of what WSU is all about! He never said no to playing out of position and has earned everyone’s respect! Coach wouldn’t play him if he gave it any less than his all.
By Charles
November 21, 2009 2:06 AM | Link to this
People forget that N’Gai’s only D-1 offer was from WSU. He’s developed by leaps and bounds since high school. He’s nothing like he used to be.
By VD
November 21, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
Hey guys, I’ve not played in a real game in close to a year. I’m gonna be rusty, and Todd Brown is clearly the main man on the team. He’s eclipsed me. They went 22-9 without me, and with me, they won a smaller percentage of games. I’m not the basketball god you’ve made me out to be, but I’m gonna try to come off the bench for a win next week!
By Love WSU B'ball
November 23, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
N’Gai is a great player and did such a good job stepping in wherever he was needed. He is a show off though. Just play the game N’Gai. You’re good so don’t do so much hot doggin!