DaytonDailyNews.com

FAIRBORN — At a loss for words? No. At a loss for an explanation? Oh, yes.

"I wish I could tell you," Wright State junior guard Vaughn Duggins said Monday, Nov. 24, after the Raiders lost 55-37 to Miami to go 0-3 on the season. "We returned a good core group of shooters and playmakers and guys like that.

"Sometimes we're taking good shots that we're missing."

Is the team pressing?

"I don't think so," Duggins said. "We're getting good shots. Our defense is good."

In three games, the Raiders have held opponents to under 60 points in regulation twice. It's the offense that hasn't been good.

"We just can't get it going offensively," WSU coach Brad Brownell said. "We've just got to practice better."

Low scores vs. Miami

Playing a low-scoring game against Miami isn't unusual.

The previous four games against coach Charlie Coles' RedHawks were all in the 50s, with WSU winning the previous two on last second shots, 58-57 last year and 57-56 the year before. Todd Brown hit the winning shot last year. DaShaun Wood hit it the year before.

"It wasn't quite as painful two years ago," Coles said. "Wood was the best player on the floor."

Changes were coming

Brownell told his players Sunday he was thinking of making a lineup change, and he made three, taking out Will Graham, Vaughn Duggins and Todd Brown in favor of Troy Tabler, N'Gai Evans and John David Gardner.

Gardner had the best game, scoring 12 points. He also had two rebounds, three assists, three steals and three turnovers.

"It's good to get out there and have a good game," Gardner said, "but it doesn't mean anything when your team loses."

Leadership lacking

"I was disappointed with their leadership down the stretch at Central Michigan," Brownell said of Duggins, Brown and Graham. Duggins and Graham suffered a bit from food poisoning Sunday, as did reserve Scott Grote. Graham wasn't 100 percent Monday, but played. Grote could have played if needed, but felt the worst of the three.

Inside game amiss

Some inside scoring the Raiders got from Scottie Wilson and Jordan Pleiman last season might be one of the team's problems.

"We're struggling right now because we're missing a little inside scoring," Brownell said. "That freed things up for our shooters. People are pressing us a little more on the perimeter."

Against Central Michigan on Saturday, the Raiders missed a bunch of open shots.

"We didn't get as good looks tonight," Brownell said. "I thought we were under more duress. Right now, with kids missing them, it can become a little mental. It can get in your head. If you miss a few more open ones, you're shooting with a little tight hand there. I'm sure it's a combination of a few things."