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Post by Raider Rowdies on Oct 16, 2009 6:16:48 GMT -5
Duggins out to regain ‘rhythm’ before injury By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Thursday, October 15, 2009 FAIRBORN — After a sophomore season during which he was named a first-team All-Horizon League player, Wright State guard Vaughn Duggins suffered an early-season broken finger and redshirted last season. With two seasons of eligibility left, Duggins will begin his fourth year of college basketball working to regain his spot as the Raiders’ top player. “If you’re a good player, it’s probably even more difficult to take a year away from you,” WSU coach Brad Brownell said Thursday, Oct. 15, at media day. “It’s even more challenging, more difficult on you to sit. “The other thing is the rhythm of your career. He had a great rhythm, a great sophomore season, and like it or not in a lot of ways he has to start over. You’re never in tremendous shape when you’re coming out of an injury.” Despite the injury, Duggins continued to show the passion and intensity that made him a double-digit scorer in each of his first two seasons. “In timeouts, he would give us his opinions, give us that motivation,” said forward Cory Cooperwood. In September, Duggins was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, and a pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 16. Brownell said Duggins is still participating fully with the team. “That’s just an internal matter I’m dealing with he and his family on a weekly basis,” Brownell said. “At some point, I’ll come to a resolution, but right now he’s working out and doing all the things he needs to do to get himself ready to go.” His motor’s runningCooperwood, in averaging 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior transfer from Wallace State Community College, also proved he supplies big-time effort. “He’s got a motor like I’ve never seen before,” said WSU forward Ronnie Thomas. Brownell said coaches noticed that intensity while recruiting him and witnessed it flourish at WSU. “He’s absolutely relentless, in terms of his effort every day,” Brownell said. “He plays just about as hard as anybody I’ve coached.” The new guysOf Wright State’s new additions — F Paul Darkwa, G Darian Carthan and G Tyler Koch — it’s Darkwa, at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, who has the best chance to make an immediate impact following his eight-year career in the Navy. “He has some very high-level athletic gifts, so he can step in, rebound the basketball,” Brownell said. “He needs some more work to learn how to play both ends of the floor and get into the mental part of the game, but physically he’s ready.” www.springfieldnewssun.com/springfield-oh-sports/wright-state-university-raiders/duggins-out-to-regain-rhythm-before-injury-350207.html
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Post by Raider Rowdies on Oct 16, 2009 6:18:36 GMT -5
Wright State seniors appreciate basketball programBy Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Friday, October 16, 2009 FAIRBORN — Cory Cooperwood arrived at Wright State University last season from Wallace State Community College in Alabama. Despite his two years of experience in college basketball, there was some adjustment for the 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward. “Last year, I really didn’t know what I was getting into,” Cooperwood said Thursday, Oct. 15, at media day. “I was nervous, but now it’s been over a year, and I need to help be a leader.” The Raiders, in their four seniors, have one of the more interesting leadership groups around. Of the seniors, only Todd Brown has been with the program all four years. The others — Ronnie Thomas (Duquesne), John David Gardner (North
Carolina-Wilmington) and Cooperwood — all transferred in to the program, making it a class that understands the benefits of a comfortable fit. “Several of them came from situations they didn’t feel were as good,” WSU coach Brad Brownell said. “Now there’s a great appreciation for what we do here, how we do things and the overall pride in our program.” They’re also key contributors. The four started a combined 105 games last season and combined for 33.8 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. “Everybody knows each other by now,” Brown said. “We hang out together, so we really know each other. Plus, no matter where we’ve been, we have experience.” www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/wright-state-university-raiders/wright-state-seniors-appreciate-basketball-program-350279.html
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Post by ohiopirate on Oct 16, 2009 7:52:42 GMT -5
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Post by Jazzfan on Oct 17, 2009 8:18:24 GMT -5
The new guysOf Wright State’s new additions — F Paul Darkwa, G Darian Carthan and G Tyler Koch — it’s Darkwa, at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, who has the best chance to make an immediate impact following his eight-year career in the Navy. “He has some very high-level athletic gifts, so he can step in, rebound the basketball,” Brownell said. “He needs some more work to learn how to play both ends of the floor and get into the mental part of the game, but physically he’s ready.” I can't wait to see Darkwa in action.
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Post by ohiopirate on Oct 20, 2009 16:18:44 GMT -5
Butler must be No. 1, but WSU earned a vote By Marc Katz | Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 04:22 PM FAIRBORN — Of course it’s possible for Wright State to beat Butler this basketball season. It almost happened last year in the Horizon League tournament when a late call went the way of Butler’s Matt Howard instead of WSU’s way. But entering the schedule, there was no way even in a media poll that I could vote WSU the top team in the league. Butler was 26-6 last season and almost beat LSU in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Oh, and Butler has every player returning from that team, plus a couple of newcomers to fill out the roster. So I voted WSU No. 2. However, somebody did vote WSU No. 1, and two others gave Cleveland State (which beat Butler in the tournament championship game in Indianapolis) votes for No. 1 despite J’Nathan Bullock and Cedric Jackson gone from the Vikings’ lineup due to graduation. Whatever. Wright State did finish second in the poll, with CSU third followed by Milwaukee, Green Bay, Detroit, Youngstown State, Valparaiso, UIC and Loyola. Wednesday, projected all-league players will be announced. Meanwhile, if you want to get an early look at the Raiders, make sure you attend the Thursday, Oct. 29 Halloween Hoops event at the Nutter Center. Included during a light scrimmage of both the men’s and women’s teams will be a dance number with the Emerald Jazz that includes the players of both teams. “Erin Anderson (director of basketball operations for the women’s team) came to me and said they wanted to do something different, out of their element,” said Joyce Whitaker, spirit coordinator for the dance and cheerleading teams. “The women’s team was pretty good at it, but a lot of the men seem to have two left feet.” The teams will dance to the music of Thriller. “There’s some costume changing,” Whitaker said. It sounds like something worth seeing. And, of course, there’s candy. www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/entries/2009/10/20/butler_must_be_no_1_but_wsu_ea.html?cxtype=feedbot
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Post by Raider Rowdies on Oct 20, 2009 18:05:01 GMT -5
Raiders Tabbed Second in Horizon League Preseason Poll Oct. 20, 2009 The Wright State men's basketball team was chosen to finish second in this year's Horizon League Preseason Poll behind nationally-ranked Butler as the poll was released on Tuesday afternoon by the League office. The Raiders, who finished 20-13, 12-6 Horizon last year, were selected second in last year's poll as well. WSU returns four starters led by seniors Todd Brown (Canton, OH) and Cory Cooperwood (Kensett, AR). Brown, a second-team selection last year, led the Raiders with 11.9 points per game while Cooperwood started each game and was the leader in rebounding at 5.4 per contest. Also returning is senior Ronnie Thomas (Middlebury, IN) who started 27 games up front and senior John David Gardner (Homewood, AL) who has his season cut short due to injuries but started 19 games at guard. Junior N'Gai Evans (North Canton, OH) started 18 games and ended with the third highest assists on the squad. Junior Vaughn Duggins, a first-team selection two years ago, returns this year after missing all but four games last year with a broken finger. Fellow juniors Troy Tabler (Cincinnati, OH), Cooper Land (Highland Village, TX) and Scott Grote (Centerville, OH) round out the returning core of players. The freshman group includes 26-year-old Navy veteran Paul Darkwa (Ghana, Africa), 6-4 forward Tyler Koch (Winchester, IN) and 6-0 guard Darian Carthian (Canal Winchester, OH). Wright State starts the regular season Nov. 13 at the University of Washington in the first round of the Athletes In Action Invitational in Seattle. The home opener will be Nov. 24 against Central Michigan. The first and second team selections will be released Wednesday. www.wsuraiders.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102009aab.html
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Post by Raider Alumni on Oct 21, 2009 6:21:55 GMT -5
Butler tops Horizon poll; Raiders get one No. 1 vote By Marc Katz, Staff Writer October 20, 2009 No surprise that Butler has been chosen as the favorite to win the Horizon League men’s basketball championship this season. The surprise is three votes for No. 1 went to other teams, one of them Wright State (not mine, by the way), and two to Cleveland State. Butler not only is coming off a 26-6 season and at least a share of three straight regular-season championships, the Bulldogs have every player returning, including player of the year Matt Howard, just a junior. Of course, the Bulldogs did lose the HL tournament championship to Cleveland State, but the Vikings have graduated their two best players, J’Nathan Bullock and Cedric Jackson. The do have two Dunbar High School grads in junior Norris Cole, a 6-foot-2 guard who has become an integral part of the Vikings’ offense and could be all-league, and 6-9 Aaron Pogue, who will be playing for the first time after spending a season at a junior college and sitting out last season to get his academics in order. Wright State was picked by media, coaches and sports information directors to finish second, with CSU third, followed by Milwaukee, Green Bay, Detroit, Youngstown State, Valparaiso, UIC and Loyola. Today, preseason all-league teams will be announced. Dancing hoopsters Halloween Hoops will be more than just basketball and candy on Thursday, Oct. 29, when both the men’s and women’s teams will participate in an evening of fun and frivolity. Oh, yeah, frivolity. Joyce Whitaker, in charge of WSU spirit through the cheerleading and dance groups, was asked to involve the players from both teams in a dance number with the Emerald Jazz, the school’s dance team. They will dance to the music of Thriller. “It’s refreshing and fun,” Whitaker said. More details next week. Camilleri triumphs Senior Nick Camilleri of the men’s tennis team won the Flight A consolation bracket at the Louisville Winter invitational and also won the consolation championship in Flight A doubles with freshman Tore Waldhausen as the Raiders went 15-9 during the event. Camilleri lost 6-4, 6-4 to Indiana’s Will Kendall in the opening match, then didn’t lose again. The same thing happened in doubles as Camilleri and Waldhausen lost their opening doubles match to a team from Xavier, then won out. Thursday, the WSU team will play at the ITA Regional at Indiana. Ring bearers Championship rings will be distributed to the Horizon League-winning baseball team on Thursday, Nov. 5, during halftime of the women’s exhibition basketball game with Central State. The team was led by league player of the year Jeff Mercer and tournament MVP Kory Twede. www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/wright-state-university-raiders/butler-tops-horizon-poll-raiders-get-one-no-1-vote-357417.html
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Post by riceownz2 on Oct 21, 2009 14:47:48 GMT -5
Its exciting to see VD and TB on the preseason first team all horizon
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Post by Raider Rowdies on Oct 21, 2009 17:20:05 GMT -5
Brown, Duggins Selected First Team Preseason All-Horizon League Oct. 21, 2009 Senior Todd Brown and junior Vaughn Duggins were both named to the Horizon League Preseason First Team as released by the League offices Wednesday. Brown (Canton, OH), a second-team selection last year, led the Raiders in scoring last year at 11.7 points a game. He registered 19 double-digit scoring efforts in his final 22 games of the year with five games of 20 points or more. The 6-5 guard also joined the school’s 1,000-point Club and was named to the San Juan Shootout All-Tournament Team in December. Duggins (Pendleton, IN), a first-team selection two years ago, missed all but four games last year due to a broken finger. In his four games, he averaged 11.8 points. Two seasons ago, the 6-3 guard averaged led the team by averaging 13.8 points per contest. Both players were named to the All-Newcomer team as freshmen. "It is nice to see Todd and Vaughn recognized by the coaches and media for what they have accomplished," said WSU head coach Brad Brownell. "They are outstanding players who have been an integral part in the success of Wright State basketball." Wright State, picked to finish second by the Horizon League poll release Tuesday, starts the regular season November 13 at the University of Washington in the first round of the Athletes In Action Basketball Classic in Seattle. The home opener will be November 24 against Central Michigan. The Raiders ended last year 20-13, its third straight season of 20 wins or more. The following are the Preseason All-Horizon League Teams: First Team Matt Howard F Butler Jr. 6-8 230 14.8 Gordon Hayward F/G Butler So. 6-9 207 13.1 Norris Cole G Cleveland State Jr. 6-2 170 13.3 Todd Brown G Wright State Sr. 6-5 210 11.7 Vaughn Duggins G Wright State Jr. 6-3 195 11.8 Second Team Rahmon Fletcher G Green Bay Jr. 5-10 165 10.8 Shelvin Mack G Butler So. 6-3 215 11.9 Tone Boyle G Milwaukee Sr. 6-2 175 13.2 Troy Cotton G Green Bay Sr. 6-1 180 12.6 James Eayrs F Milwaukee Sr. 6-7 310 11.2 Preseason Player of the Year: Matt Howard, Butler www.wsuraiders.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102109aaa.html
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Post by Raider Rowdies on Oct 21, 2009 17:23:07 GMT -5
Duggins, Brown on pre-season all-leagueBy Marc Katz October 21, 2009 FAIRBORN — Vaughn Duggins is primed for a comeback year. Todd Brown is ready for the biggest basketball year of his life. Both were selected by coaches, sports information directors and media as pre-season All-Horizon League players today, and a good case can be made for each of them. Duggins was a candidate as a junior to be the league’s player of the year. However, he broke a finger on his shooting hand after the third game, played in the fourth, then had an operation to stabilize the finger and was finished for the season. He repeats his junior year. Brown was nowhere to be found for about a third of the season, even to the point of being shut out in three games. But he recovered to lead the Raiders in scoring with an 11.7 average and learned to be a leader with Duggins out. Brown also trained harder in the off-season than he ever has, and hopes to continue scoring as he did the final two-thirds of last season. Matt Howard, the reigning Horizon League player of the year, is expected to retain his position, according to the poll, and he is joined on the first team by teammate Gordon Hayward. Howard is a junior, Hayward a sophomore. Norris Cole, the guard from Dunbar, is also a first-team selection, for Cleveland State. Butler also placed sophomore Shelvin Mack on the second team along with Tone Boyle and James Eayrs of Milwaukee and Rahmon Fletcher and Troy Cotton of Green Bay. www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/entries/2009/10/21/duggins_brown_on_preseason_all.html
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Post by Big D on Oct 21, 2009 17:54:30 GMT -5
Congratulations Vaughn and Todd.
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Post by Nutt House on Oct 21, 2009 20:28:17 GMT -5
Congratulations Vaughn and Todd!
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Post by Raider Grad on Oct 21, 2009 20:30:43 GMT -5
Well deserved recognition boys!
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Post by Raider Grad on Oct 22, 2009 20:39:45 GMT -5
Raiders still playing hardBy Marc Katz October 22, 2009 FAIRBORN — Wright State basketball coach Brad Brownell admonished his players last season they weren’t working hard enough in practice, and they found out what he meant when they promptly lost their first six games. When they finally figured out what he meant, two of their best players — Vaughn Duggins and John David Gardner — were out with injuries, but the plea to work hard in practice stayed with the team, which went on to win 20 games. It was the same way this week as the Raiders raced up and down the court at the Setzer Pavilion, Mills/Morgan Center court. Brownell believes action in practices should be at the same speed as action in games. There was no standing around. Practice has been held for only a week, and the Raiders look to be in mid-season workaholic form. Next week, we’ll see. Halloween Hoops will be held Thursday night, Oct. 29, so the fans can meet the players. On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Raiders host Central State in an exhibition game. On Friday, Nov. 13, the Raiders open the regular season at Washington, the first of a three-game tournament in Seattle. Then we’ll see if the Raiders have talent — and if they’re really practicing hard. www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/entries/2009/10/22/raiders_still_playing_hard.html?cxtype=feedbot
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Post by irishdawg on Oct 23, 2009 15:45:04 GMT -5
Are the games out in Seattle going to be broadcast on ESPN or anything? I would be interested in watching the Raiders hopefully at least give the Huskies a run for their money, if not beat them outright.
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