Raiders tackled tough practices preparing for year
Oct 12, 2007 6:12:29 GMT -5
Post by Tipp City Raider on Oct 12, 2007 6:12:29 GMT -5
Raiders tackled tough practices preparing for year
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2007
FAIRBORN — To see him run around the court now, in perpetual motion during games and practice, you would think Wright State sophomore guard Vaughn Duggins was always in tip-top shape.
That wasn't always the case.
"Our first day of spring workouts, I got sick," Duggins said with a sheepish grin. "He (coach Brad Brownell) just killed us. I had to go to the bathroom.
"I knew it was going to be harder than high school, but I didn't come mentally prepared."
For the past few weeks, Brownell and his staff have been holding individual workouts. Tonight, the entire team gathers for the first official practice leading into the new basketball season. Wright State, coming off a surprise Horizon League championship, returns three starters and five veterans. Seven newcomers fill out the roster.
Scott Grote also is practicing with the team while sitting out the year as a transfer from Duquesne.
Workouts at WSU are intense, with drills designed to make the players work faster with passes and crisp shots. It doesn't take long for their uniforms to become saturated with sweat.
"Most high school kids don't know what getting in shape is," Brownell said. "Our drills are designed to move the players faster and faster. They've got it in them. They've got to bring it out."
Cooper Land, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound freshman, said he saw WSU practice on a recruiting visit, but it didn't scare him away.
"It was a big reason I came," Land said. "I realized how much basketball meant here. I figured if I could do that, I could be a pretty good player."
Duggins and Todd Brown were two freshmen who made it into the starting lineup last season. They said the practices helped.
"Stuff happened so fast, you didn't have time to think," Brown said. "It's pretty much slowed down now."
As for Land? "They're not killing me, but they've coming pretty close. I expected it to be challenging."
Wright State roster
2007-08 Returnees
Name Ht. Class PPG
Jordan Pleiman 6-8 Sr. 7.3
Third year as a starter, will have some big inside help this season
Vaughn Duggins 6-3 So. 9.0
A fierce defensive player who also can score
Todd Brown 6-5 So. 8.6
Worked his way into starting lineup with nice shooting touch
Scott Wilson 6-6 Sr. 5.2
Despite a couple of injuries, became a valuable rebounder
William Graham 6-2 Jr. 3.5
Reluctant to shoot, but handles the ball well
2007-08 newcomers
Ronnie Thomas 6-9 So. 9.9 **
Transfer from Duquesne who will be a big inside help if knees hold up
John D. Gardner 6-4 So. 19.1 *
Transfer from NC-Wilmington where he was a promising point guard
Gavin Horne 6-8 Jr. 5.5 **
A Canadian who played junior college ball, can rebound and shoot
Cooper Land 6-8 Fr. 16.0 *
Nice touch from outside for a big man
Troy Tabler 6-4 Fr. 14.1 *
Sprained ankle bothersome, but eventually will help at the point
Kyle Pressley 6-9 Fr. 17.8 *
Needs to concentrate more on basketball after playing football in high school
N'Gai Evans 6-2 Fr. 17.2 *
Good shooter who needs to work his way into college game
* High school averages
** College or junior college averages
www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2007/10/12/ddn101207wsubb.html
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2007
FAIRBORN — To see him run around the court now, in perpetual motion during games and practice, you would think Wright State sophomore guard Vaughn Duggins was always in tip-top shape.
That wasn't always the case.
"Our first day of spring workouts, I got sick," Duggins said with a sheepish grin. "He (coach Brad Brownell) just killed us. I had to go to the bathroom.
"I knew it was going to be harder than high school, but I didn't come mentally prepared."
For the past few weeks, Brownell and his staff have been holding individual workouts. Tonight, the entire team gathers for the first official practice leading into the new basketball season. Wright State, coming off a surprise Horizon League championship, returns three starters and five veterans. Seven newcomers fill out the roster.
Scott Grote also is practicing with the team while sitting out the year as a transfer from Duquesne.
Workouts at WSU are intense, with drills designed to make the players work faster with passes and crisp shots. It doesn't take long for their uniforms to become saturated with sweat.
"Most high school kids don't know what getting in shape is," Brownell said. "Our drills are designed to move the players faster and faster. They've got it in them. They've got to bring it out."
Cooper Land, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound freshman, said he saw WSU practice on a recruiting visit, but it didn't scare him away.
"It was a big reason I came," Land said. "I realized how much basketball meant here. I figured if I could do that, I could be a pretty good player."
Duggins and Todd Brown were two freshmen who made it into the starting lineup last season. They said the practices helped.
"Stuff happened so fast, you didn't have time to think," Brown said. "It's pretty much slowed down now."
As for Land? "They're not killing me, but they've coming pretty close. I expected it to be challenging."
Wright State roster
2007-08 Returnees
Name Ht. Class PPG
Jordan Pleiman 6-8 Sr. 7.3
Third year as a starter, will have some big inside help this season
Vaughn Duggins 6-3 So. 9.0
A fierce defensive player who also can score
Todd Brown 6-5 So. 8.6
Worked his way into starting lineup with nice shooting touch
Scott Wilson 6-6 Sr. 5.2
Despite a couple of injuries, became a valuable rebounder
William Graham 6-2 Jr. 3.5
Reluctant to shoot, but handles the ball well
2007-08 newcomers
Ronnie Thomas 6-9 So. 9.9 **
Transfer from Duquesne who will be a big inside help if knees hold up
John D. Gardner 6-4 So. 19.1 *
Transfer from NC-Wilmington where he was a promising point guard
Gavin Horne 6-8 Jr. 5.5 **
A Canadian who played junior college ball, can rebound and shoot
Cooper Land 6-8 Fr. 16.0 *
Nice touch from outside for a big man
Troy Tabler 6-4 Fr. 14.1 *
Sprained ankle bothersome, but eventually will help at the point
Kyle Pressley 6-9 Fr. 17.8 *
Needs to concentrate more on basketball after playing football in high school
N'Gai Evans 6-2 Fr. 17.2 *
Good shooter who needs to work his way into college game
* High school averages
** College or junior college averages
www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/wsu/2007/10/12/ddn101207wsubb.html