There are vastly different expectations outside Wright State for the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The women were picked to finish third in the Horizon League. The men were picked to finish last.

Speaking at the men’s and women’s basketball tipoff luncheon Monday at the Nutter Center, with NCAA president Mark Emmert in attendance, women’s coach Mike Bradbury and men’s coach Billy Donlon declared their intent to exceed all expectations.

“That would be a major disappointment for us to finish third,” Bradbury said. “I usually sit up here and sandbag most of the time. That’s what I’m better at. I’ll probably regret this in March, but we should be better than that.

“This will be the best team we’ve had. This will be the first time we can actually matchup with Green Bay in talent.”

The Raiders open the exhibition season Nov. 1 against Indianapolis at home and the regular season on the road Nov. 9 at Southeast Missouri.

“As long as our assistant coaches don’t screw it up,” Bradbury joked, “we’ll have a real chance to win.”

The men’s team has been practicing since Oct. 12. Donlon and his players are well aware of the outside expectations for the Raiders. Maybe that’s why practice has been going so well.

“I like their spirit,” Donlon said. “We might have had one out of 12-13 practices where we come into the gym and we’re not excited, and that’s pretty good. I can remember veteran teams here that have shown up to a practice and it’s early, and it’s, ‘Oh boy, another one.’”

Donlon focused on defense in the early practices, but now it’s a more balanced schedule.

“I think we’re ahead defensively of where I anticipated,” Donlon said. “Whether that shows up the first night the lights turn on or not, I don’t know. You can never say that. Offense is going to be a struggle when you’re this young. We’re going to score with everybody on the team, and that could make us dangerous. I just don’t know yet.”

The men’s team opens the exhibition season Nov. 2 against Central State at home and opens the regular season on the road against Idaho on Nov. 9.