Recap of Coach Brownell at todays luncheon

[rock70]

For those of you who couldn't make the Raider luncheon today here is a recap of what coach Brownell had to say about each player and the team in general.

General statements about the team:

- The sophomore class will be key to the success of this team. He mentioned how most of them played nice minutes last year but they all will be counted on a lot more this year.

- Biggest concern is how he will replace our interior players. He feels that it will be hard to replace Jordan and Scottie. He said we need to develop some inside scoring. Can we find rebounding with our new interior players?

- Team strength is our guards and team depth. He really felt like our depth would be a big plus this year.


Comments on individual players:

- Troy Tabler - probably the best shooter on the team. Will be counted on a lot more this year.

- John David Gardner - describe JD as the most competitive/toughest/meanest player on the team. Said he is supper nice off the court but a warrior on the court.

- Cory Cooperwood - said he has a motor that won't stop. Hopes the other players can feed off of his energy and hard play. Said he was 6-6.

- N'Gai Evans - said he is now up to 165 lbs. This is up from 148 lbs last year. Said he needs to work more on his point guard skills but expects a lot from him.

- Cooper Land - Actually said he was 6-9. Loves that he can hit the perimeter shot. He felt that Cooper would be a big contributor this year.

- Kyle Pressley - Said they are working on his skills for the center position and that he will be a big asset in the future.

- Scott Grote - Said he is probably the best passer on the team but needs to work on his shot. Said he has a high basketball IQ.

- Gavin Horne - said he needs to be more aggressive but really likes his versatility especially on offense. He can score on both the perimeter and the in the paint.

- Will Graham - coach Brownell just loves Will. Said Will is the leader on the floor and of the team.

- Ronnie Thomas - Said he was a big body in the paint.

- He really didn't spend a lot of time on Todd Brown or Vaughn Duggins other then to say they will both have targets on their backs this year and they will be the focal point on offense.

I'm sure I missed some things but this is a quick over view.

[bballraider]

Thanks, Rock70

I really appreciate the recap since I couldn't get off work to get there.

[theleewmowen]

I know I'm probably one of the only few that do care, but what about the Lady Raiders?

[Deleted]

Coach Brownell said that he’d be really disappointed if we didn’t draw 8-10K fans for the Illinois State game. It’s great to have an opponent of their caliber coming to the Nutter Center, and he wants to see a large crowd.

Brownell also went on to say that Shey Petty (Lady Raiders) has the potential to be something special at Wright State. He believed that she could have a DaShaun Wood type of career with continued hard work.

[raiderrunt]

Thanks for the update. I can't wait for the season to start!

[keithfromxenia]

very complete report, rock. one other thing, coach mentioned that scott had suffered a stress fracture ( i think it was ) and was behind in his conditioning because of that. i think jd's foot problems have been stress fractures as well. is sure hope this is not a long term problem for scott. i agree with coach that the isu game should have a tremendous crowd. 88, coach said the team was very young still, only one senior, a walkon, but that they would be stronger inside, less of a finesse team. both coaches were very high on the peddy girl, bb mentioned her and dashaun in the same sentence. bw mentioned two players who could shoot the 3 very well, one of them a tall player, i forget names. there are 4 or 5 players 6' or taller on the team. bw was very excited that....."knock on all the wood you can find", so far no injuries for the team. hopefully dfx and i will catch a couple of ladies games. GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!

[Sixth Man]

I couldn't make it with work. Thanks for the great recap and links guys.

[Willie]

Brownell praises school president, administration
By Marc Katz
Tuesday, November 04, 2008

FAIRBORN — Wright State basketball coach Brad Brownell introduced WSU president David Hopson and other members of the administration at Monday's, Nov. 3, pre-season luncheon at the Berry Room, saying they were a big reason why he's entering his third year here.

"Despite some other overtures, I've remained loyal to this school (because of people like this)," said Brownell, who has won 44 games in two years. "I say that publicly, because that needs to be said."

Horoscope: practice
Brownell also introduced his parents and said his father, Bob — a retired coach — pointed out Monday's horoscope. Both Brownell's are Scorpios.

"Keep practicing, and making those around you do the same," the horoscope said. "That's the only way to achieve perfection, as you already know."

This is a great time of year, Brownell said, because, "there's no losing. Just practice. It may be the worst time for players."

A 'Beaver Cleaver'
While making capsule comments about players, Brownell noted junior guard John David Gardner, "has a 3.8 (gpa) and looks like Beaver Cleaver."

He also said new junior college transfer Cory Cooperwood, an impressive forward, "works himself into such a lather he can hyperventilate at any time."

No weakness yet
Despite Brownell not being happy about everything that happened in Saturday's closed scrimmage with Eastern Kentucky, he did say, "We have question marks. I don't think there's a weakness yet."

Graham a captain
During his first two seasons as coach, Brownell didn't make a big deal about having a captain, but at lunch he introduced senior Will Graham as captain for this season.

"It's not like we put a 'C' on their chest," Brownell said.

"It's good," Graham said. "We've still got to win games. I may have to give it (the captaincy) back if we don't."


www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2008/11/04/ddn110408spwsunotes.html

[Willie]

Brownell challenges WSU fans to show their support
By Marc Katz
Tuesday, November 04, 2008

FAIRBORN — If the larger-than-usual crowd that nearly filled the Nutter Center's Berry Room on Monday, Nov. 3, for a preseason basketball luncheon featuring CBS analyst Clark Kellogg is any indication, it will be a big year for the Raiders.

WSU men's coach Brad Brownell and women's coach Bridgett Williams asked for support for their teams, and Brownell told the nearly 200 who attended, "If we don't have 8-to-10,000 in the Nutter Center for the opener against Illinois State (Nov. 15), we're missing the boat."

Both teams are expected to have successful seasons, but Brownell told the crowd he knew why many of them came out for lunch.

"I'm smart enough to know it doesn't hurt to have Clark Kellogg here," Brownell said.

After the luncheon, Kellogg met with Brownell, then watched practice.

He spoke to the team for about 10 minutes as Brownell interrupted practice so the former Cleveland St. Joe, Ohio State and Indiana Pacers star could say a few words.

Kellogg told his rapt audience about "attitude and gratitude. I know you've heard a lot about it, but it never goes out of style.

"Show that gratitude with enthusiasm and passion. Raise the bar on yourself. It can't be just the coaches. You have to want it for yourself."

Then Kellogg told the players to make sure they find their roles and play them as well as they can, and to help their teammates in any way possible.

"I was a very good player in high school, college and for a short time in the pros before my knees gave out," Kellogg said. "I have a couple of regrets."

He mentioned a big one.

"I tried to lead by example, but I wasn't concerned enough to drag my teammates along," Kellogg said. "If I could do it over again, I'd be more emotionally involved with bringing my teammates along. I try to do that now in broadcasting."

Kellogg was applauded, and practice resumed.

www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2008/11/04/ddn110408spwsubb.html

[Raider Rowdies]

Brownell trying to fire up WSU fans
By Brian Kollars
Sunday, November 09, 2008

Hope you took advantage of our recent warm spell to get rid of all those leaves and detail the Chevy. I opted to delegate, and the kids haven't stopped thanking me for teaching them about hard work and how to avoid blisters by gripping the rake properly.

Find a seat: It's time for Wright State basketball fans to rediscover the Nutter Center. That was the message delivered by WSU coach Brad Brownell last week. Brownell, about the most polite guy you'll run across, called out the Raiders' fickle followers while talking about the upcoming season-opener against Illinois State.

"If we don't have 8 to 10,000 people in the building, we are missing the boat," he said. "We are blowing an opportunity."

That was refreshing to hear. It's obvious that after two great seasons, overtures from big-time programs and a hefty raise, Brownell is comfortable offering up his opinions. And he's not asking for the impossible. In four of the Nutter Center's first five seasons, WSU averaged more than 7,000 fans per game.

www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2008/11/09/ddn110908spsecondthoughts.html