DDN:WSU takes break in pursuit of third in Horizon
Feb 19, 2005 8:33:50 GMT -5
Post by Big D on Feb 19, 2005 8:33:50 GMT -5
WSU takes break in pursuit of third in Horizon League
By Marc Katz
Dayton Daily News
FAIRBORN | In the 11 years Wright State has been a member of its current league (now called the Horizon), the Raiders have never finished as high in the standings as they have a chance to finish this season.
At the moment, the Raiders are locked in a three-way tie for third place with Illinois-Chicago and Detroit. The Raiders can finish third and get the No. 3 seed in the league tournament by winning their last two games — at UIC on Wednesday and home against Wisconsin-Green Bay on Feb. 27 — and if Detroit loses one of its two last games.
The best the Raiders have been seeded for the league tournament is No. 4, in 1996, 2001 and 2002. Last season, they were No. 5.
None of that is on WSU coach Paul Biancardi's mind, he says, "until this game is over."
This game is Northern Illinois, a nonconference game scheduled for tonight at the Nutter Center as part of ESPN's Bracket Buster day.
While the WSU-NIU game will not be televised, it is part of a 64-team, 13-conference event designed to give at least some of those schools some extra exposure prior to the NCAA tournament.
Since Wright State is on a meager one-game winning streak and since the Raiders have not won more than two straight all season, it's probably a good game to have to get ready for the games that count most.
"If you play well and win, it builds confidence," Biancardi said. "Playing and winning builds morale and confidence."
While it appears to be a diversion in the middle of a league race, Biancardi isn't certain what to make of it.
"I'm not sure because I haven't experienced it yet," Biancardi said. "I don't have a feeling one way or another. I haven't thought, 'Is this an interruption?' I'll have to reflect on it, but I don't want to base it on whether we win or lose."
It would be a good game for Northern Illinois to win, too. The Huskies are on a two-game losing streak and are 3-11 on the road.
To dress up the game, Wright State will be honoring 14 of its Athletic Hall of Famers connected with basketball in a Wall of Fame ceremony. Also, it will be Dayton Daily News reader appreciation night and fans can claim up to two free tickets for the game by clipping a coupon that appeared in the newspaper Wednesday and today.
Contact Marc Katz at (937) 225-2157.
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0219wsubb.html
By Marc Katz
Dayton Daily News
FAIRBORN | In the 11 years Wright State has been a member of its current league (now called the Horizon), the Raiders have never finished as high in the standings as they have a chance to finish this season.
At the moment, the Raiders are locked in a three-way tie for third place with Illinois-Chicago and Detroit. The Raiders can finish third and get the No. 3 seed in the league tournament by winning their last two games — at UIC on Wednesday and home against Wisconsin-Green Bay on Feb. 27 — and if Detroit loses one of its two last games.
The best the Raiders have been seeded for the league tournament is No. 4, in 1996, 2001 and 2002. Last season, they were No. 5.
None of that is on WSU coach Paul Biancardi's mind, he says, "until this game is over."
This game is Northern Illinois, a nonconference game scheduled for tonight at the Nutter Center as part of ESPN's Bracket Buster day.
While the WSU-NIU game will not be televised, it is part of a 64-team, 13-conference event designed to give at least some of those schools some extra exposure prior to the NCAA tournament.
Since Wright State is on a meager one-game winning streak and since the Raiders have not won more than two straight all season, it's probably a good game to have to get ready for the games that count most.
"If you play well and win, it builds confidence," Biancardi said. "Playing and winning builds morale and confidence."
While it appears to be a diversion in the middle of a league race, Biancardi isn't certain what to make of it.
"I'm not sure because I haven't experienced it yet," Biancardi said. "I don't have a feeling one way or another. I haven't thought, 'Is this an interruption?' I'll have to reflect on it, but I don't want to base it on whether we win or lose."
It would be a good game for Northern Illinois to win, too. The Huskies are on a two-game losing streak and are 3-11 on the road.
To dress up the game, Wright State will be honoring 14 of its Athletic Hall of Famers connected with basketball in a Wall of Fame ceremony. Also, it will be Dayton Daily News reader appreciation night and fans can claim up to two free tickets for the game by clipping a coupon that appeared in the newspaper Wednesday and today.
Contact Marc Katz at (937) 225-2157.
www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/wsu/daily/0219wsubb.html
