Augustana over South Carolina, Freed- Hardman over Murray State- and- Saint Thomas Aquinas over Saint John's. These are just a few examples of DII opponents who have knocked off DI opponents in recent memory. Notre Dame College will try and match that feat when they battle defending Horizon League champion Wright State in a exhibition game at the Nutter Center on Wednesday night. The game will be free to the public as well.
NDC will get a huge lift as Pre-Season All- American Will Vorhees will return after redshirting last season with an injury. Prior to the injury Vorhees averaged 26.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per night in three games. The Falcons will also return Drew Scarberry who was second on the team in scoring at 13.6 per game. Angelo Cugini was the team's leading rebounder at 8.1 rebounds a contest. Halil Parks was another key cog a season ago who will return. The Falcons have added an array of new player including Juco transfer Larenz Thurman from top ranked Tri- C- as well as Freshman Jacob Sala- Kam Harris- and- Isaiah Sanders.
Coach Tim Koenig spoke about the opportunity the Falcons have at 7 PM Wednesday:
" Wright State is really good. They are picked to repeat as Horizon League Champions and have the reigning Conference Player of The Year Loudon Love. Our goal is always to go 1-0 on any given day and that will not change tomorrow. We are going to have to make shots. They are a very physical team in the paint. We have an unbelievable opportunity and we are looking forward to it. "Koenig said."
Scarberry gave his take on the upcoming test:
" We just have to come out and play our brand of ball. We can't let the big fancy arena and crowd get in our head. We are the underdogs so we must go in, claw as well as fight the whole game to come out 1-0." Scarberry said."
Cugini agreed:
" Our goal is to go 1-0 everyday and we have that same goal tomorrow." Cugini stated."
NDC averaged 81 points a game as a team last season- while they look to improve on the 92.8 points they allowed per contest. They averaged 11.7 made 3-pointer's per contest as they went 6-22 last season. Rebounding is another area the Falcons should improve on, as they were out-rebounded by more than three rebounds per contest last season. As always you can catch all the action on NotreDameFalcons.com
The reigning Horizon league champion Raiders went 25-10 a season ago and are coming off a trip to the NCAA tournament last season. They have three returning players who averaged double digits last season. Grant Benzinger led the team averaging 14.3 points per game- Love averaged just short of a double-double as he put up 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per night. Justin Mitchell rounded out the double digit scorers putting up 11.1 per night. Wright State also has Second Team All-Conference selection Mark Hughes returning. Junior transfer Bill Wampler will be added to the fold for Wright State as well. The Raiders will have a group of newcomers that include Freshman Grant Basile- Skyelar Potter- James Manns- and- Malachi Smith. The Raiders averaged 71.4 points a game- while allowing just 65.9 a game on the defensive end.
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