Preview: Wright State vs. Virginia Military Institute

Credit: Staff photo Ken-Yon Hardy

Credit: Staff photo Ken-Yon Hardy

Today’s game

Who:  Virginia Military Institute (4-5) at Wright State (5-3).

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Nutter Center.

Radio: WBZI 100.3 FM.

Projected VMI starters:  Stan Okoye, 6-6, Sr., F, 20.7 points per game; Nick Gore, 6-6, Sr., F, 6.7; D.J. Covington, 6-9, Jr., F, 15.0; Rodney Glasgow, 5-10, Jr., G, 10.3; Brian Brown, 5-11, So., G, 10.3.

Projected Wright State starters:  Matt Vest, 6-5, Jr., G, 8.0; Kendall Griffin, 6-4, So., G, 6.5; Tavares Sledge, 6-9, Fr., F, 2.7; Cole Darling, 6-8, Jr., F, 11.8; Reggie Arceneaux, 5-9, So, G, 8.4.

About VMI: The Keydets beat Virginia University of Lynchburg 102-61 in their last game Monday. It was their second 100-plus point game of the season. They also beat Central Pennsylvania 116-81. … VMI has given up at least 80 points in its five losses. Virginia Tech and West Virginia beat the Keydets 95-80 and 94-69, respectively. … Dugger Baucom is in his eighth season as head coach. VMI has advanced to the Big South tournament finals three times in the last six seasons. … Until last season, VMI had led the nation in scoring five straight seasons.

About Wright State: Darling will be a game-time decision after injuring his shoulder at practice Wednesday. … Forward AJ Pacher will play, but continues to be limited by a foot injury. … The Raiders are coming off a 54-41 loss at Bowling Green on Monday. It was their worst scoring output of the season by 13 points. … The Raiders continue to rank last in the Horizon League in scoring (58.5), while ranking second in field-goal percentage (44.8). … VMI ranks sixth in the country in scoring (84.8), and Wright State is 315th out of 347. Wright State is 13th in the nation in points allowed (54.9), while VMI is 339th (80.9).

Coach Billy Donlon on VMI: "They do play a little differently. They play 100 different defenses. They press. They want you to shoot quickly. They want you to play at a quick pace. We're going to attack their press. We're just going to do it intelligently."

About the Author