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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer 2:46 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

FAIRBORN — With an exhibition game looming against Central State on Thursday, Nov. 5, Wright State basketball coach Brad Brownell has his team compartmentalized into three groups.

There are seven available returning players, three freshmen and two players — John David Gardner and Vaughn Duggins — who aren’t available.

Gardner will be out 6-to-8 weeks following a second hip surgery last week — although he is walking without crutches already — and Duggins was suspended for the exhibition and the first three regular-season games for an off-court incident.

“I’m pleased with our seven returners who are playing,” Brownell said. “There’s a distinct difference between those guys and the three new guys.”

Of the returning seven, forwards Todd Brown and Cory Cooperwood, center Ronnie Thomas and guards N’Gai Evans and Scott Grote will likely start.

Once Duggins returns, he probably will knock Grote out of the starting lineup, but Grote still expects to be a big contributor.

Freshmen will play

The three freshmen are guards Darian Cartharn and Tyler Koch and forward Paul Darkwa. All are expected to contribute, although Darkwa is expected to make the most impact with his rebounding skills. Making it a little tougher is Brownell’s motion offense, not the easiest to pick up.

More offense needed

Wright State finished ninth in scoring (60.5 points per game) in the 10-team Horizon League last year but first in defense (57.5).

“We were a pretty good defensive team last year,” Brownell said. “We have to be more efficient and better offensively if we’re going to win at a higher level.

“I’m all for scoring. We’re never going to be a team that leads the league in scoring. We’re not going to play break-neck speed enough. And the way we defend, it takes teams a little longer to make shots.”

Welcoming CSU

The Raiders have a 15-7 record against Central State, although only five of those games were played after WSU became a Division I program in 1987. In those games, WSU is 4-1, with the loss 94-91 in 1991, the first year of the Nutter Center.

Central State is now an NCAA Division II school.

“I think it will be a very competitive game,” Brownell said. “Central State will be excited about this opportunity to play us. Our guys will be excited about playing. This will be the first real live action in front of a crowd.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

First 5 games

Following Thursday’s exhibition game against Central State, the Wright State basketball team will have five November games to prepare for their Horizon League opener Dec. 3 against Cleveland State:

Date — Opponent (2008-09 record)

Nov. 13* at Washington (25-8)

Nov. 14* vs. Portland State (23-9)

Nov. 15* vs. Belmont (19-12)

Nov. 24 Central Michigan (12-19)

Nov. 28 at Northeastern (18-12)

* Athletes in Action Basketball Classic in Seattle.

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