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Raiders in spotlight tonight against Mississippi State

Nationally televised game is good chance for WSU to prove itself.

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 12:08 AM Wednesday, December 16, 2009

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Every so often a game arises on the schedule that could be considered a measuring stick, and that’s what the Wright State basketball team faces tonight, Dec. 16, at Mississippi State.

The Raiders, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Miami on Sunday, will attempt to show a national audience what they are made of. With a good showing, maybe they will prove something to themselves as well.

Wright State is 6-3 entering an ESPN2 contest, and while the game was pursued by the Raiders for its television package, it also could serve to see how far the Raiders have progressed not only with top teams, but with teams from the powerful Southeastern Conference.

This will be the fifth game WSU has played against an SEC team, and the Raiders have yet to win, dropping three to Kentucky and one — three years ago — at LSU.

It is not a game against a poor member of the SEC, either. Even though the Bulldogs (7-2) began the season ranked No. 18 and have since dropped out, they are beginning to receive poll votes again since losing their opener to Rider.

“They’re probably playing as well as anybody in the country right now,” WSU coach Brad Brownell said. “They’ve shaken off a little bit of rust from the beginning of the season and they’re rolling. They’re unbelievably talented at many positions.”

Where Wright State has four players averaging double figures, MSU has five. Where WSU is shooting 37 percent from beyond the 3-point line (61-of-165), MSU is shooting 41.3 percent (92-of-223).

What Wright State will have to do, above all else, is keep 6-foot-9 senior Jarvis Varnado away from the basket. He not only averages 14 points per game, but has 47 blocks and is about to become the SEC’s all-time leader in that department.

It appears, to win, WSU will have to score more than usual. The Raiders are averaging 69.2 points, but MSU is averaging 75.8.

“I don’t play as fast as some other people,” Brownell said, “but (Miami University’s) Charlie (Coles) plays slower than I do. We’re middle of the road.

“We have some weapons. Troy Tabler is certainly capable of having those games (24 and 23 points in two of the last three games), and we have some other weapons because we have Todd (Brown) and Vaughn (Duggins). Hopefully, our team can be better this year because we have more guys (who can score).”

Tonight, against the SEC, is a chance to find out.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.