Teams will focus on Mays in league’s 2nd half

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 9:18 AM Friday, February 3, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — In late December, as Wright State guard Julius Mays was on a hot streak and the Raiders were winning four straight games, WSU coach Billy Donlon said his Raiders would have to adjust.

Because each team in the Horizon League plays all other teams twice, home and away, coaches have two chances to plan for an opponent. Donlon knew that other coaches would try to find new ways to contain Mays, who is capable of quick scoring bursts and high point totals.

On Thursday night, Mays scored eight points on eight shot attempts as WSU dropped its ninth straight road game against Butler, 64-53. Donlon said afterward that he told Mays before the game that he wouldn’t be able to get as involved in scoring because of how tightly Butler was expected to guard him.

And that will likely continue. With more game tape of WSU and Mays to study and a second time through the schedule in facing him, the Raiders will have to continue adjusting to keep Mays from a low-scoring night like he had Thursday.

“I just never really got going,” Mays said. “They kind of took me out early, and I let my frustrations get to me.”

Junior forward Armond Battle compensated with 18 points, but no other WSU player scored more than eight. In a league full of some very solid defensive teams, and as the games become more important as the season continues, expect more plans specifically against Mays.

His own adjustment will then become important if he hopes to avoid another relatively quiet night.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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