SATURDAY’S GAME
Who: Youngstown State (7-11, 2-3) at Wright State (9-8, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Nutter Center
TV: ESPN3
Radio: 106.5-FM
Wright State’s Biggie Minnis isn’t exactly brimming with confidence when he takes a trip to the free-throw line, and those self-doubts were evident on his first foul shot Thursday against Cleveland State.
Instead of following through with a fluid stroke, his arms quickly recoiled. And the ball barely grazed the rim, drawing an audible gasp from fans.
"It wasn't an airball, but it almost was. Oh, man," he said, managing a smile afterward. "I've been working on my free throws because I've been in a slump and missing a lot these last couple games.
“Coaches are saying, ‘Bend your knees and follow through.’ The first one, I short-armed it. (Teammate) Joe Thomasson was talking to me: ‘Be confident and make the next one. Just take your time.’ ”
Minnis did connect on the second one. And while he’s made only 8 of 20 this season, he’s been solid in every other way since joining the Raiders this season as a graduate transfer from Rhode Island.
The 6-foot-4 guard had nine points, five assists, four rebounds and no turnovers in 28 minutes in a 70-53 win over Cleveland State. And with his size, toughness and cagey play, he’s been an asset off the bench for the Raiders (9-8, 3-1 Horizon League), who host Youngstown State (7-11, 2-3) at 7 p.m. today.
“I just try to bring everything,” he said of his contributions. “We’re a fast-tempo team. When me and Joe get it, we just go. It doesn’t matter who has the ball.
“If they don’t step up, I try to go to the basket. If they do, I try to find shooters like Benzy (Grant Benzinger) or Mark Alstork.”
Minnis was injured on the first day of preseason practice when teammate Alan Vest fell on his left foot during a scramble for the ball, damaging tendons.
He estimated his foot is about 85-90 percent. And while he managed a steal and break-away dunk against Cleveland State, his conditioning is still lacking.
Coach Billy Donlon, though, has been pleased with how Minnis has fit in.
“He’s been about winning and helping others and getting guys better and playing hard — give him credit,” Donlon said. “He’s an emotional player. He’s like me. I’ll never play poker because I wear my emotions on my sleeves. And Biggie is the same way.
“I think he plays that way, but as a teammate, he’s been remarkable. If we can ever get that foot to 100 percent, we’re going to see another level from him as a player.”
Minnis is sixth on the team in scoring at 6.3 points per game and second in assists at 2.7.
And after a transient college career — the Philadelphia native started at Texas Tech before transferring to Rhode Island — Minnis has found a home.
“I love the team, I love the staff, I love the trainers, I love everybody,” he said. “We come in every day to try to compete so we can get that Horizon League championship. That’s our main goal.
“Me and the guards — Mark Hughes and Joe Thomasson — we just try to make each other better so when we get out there, we can compete and take it out on the other team’s guards.”
About the Author