Both cited health and financial concerns in explaining their decision. All four WSU seniors have suffered significant injuries this season, and several players have been very limited in practice later in the season.
Donlon mentioned something else: Thinking about the seniors’ future.
“Two of these guys for sure are gonna play for money,” Donlon said of senior guards Vaughn Duggins and N’Gai Evans. “Troy (Tabler) and Cooper (Land) could if they wanted to, but I don’t know what their plans are. We don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that for them.”
The story, as it has in years past when WSU has made a similar decision, caused plenty of discussion in my e-mail inbox this week, with fans wondering whether Wright State is missing out on a bigger stage by not participating. Others counter that few of the CBI and CIT games are on major television, meaning that paying (at least $30,000) to participate isn’t worth it.
But, by having it out in public before the Horizon League tournament, WSU has guaranteed that its players know the stakes for the tournament.
It’s win and go to the NCAA tournament. Or nothing.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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