Wright State University is home to a Division I men’s basketball program that has been part of the Horizon League since 1994. The Raiders have made the NCAA Tournament three times in their history, most recently in 2018. The team is led by head coach Scott Nagy, who is entering his ninth season at the helm.
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History of Wright State Men’s Basketball
The Raiders began their basketball program in 1965, playing as an independent until joining the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now the Horizon League) in 1994. Wright State won the MCC Tournament in 2000 and 2002, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in both years. The Raiders advanced to the second round in 2002, defeating Cal 61-57 in the first round before falling to Indiana.
In 2011, Wright State hired Scott Nagy as head coach. Nagy had previously been the head coach of South Dakota State, leading the Jackrabbits to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Since taking the reins of the Raiders’ program, Wright State has made the Horizon League Tournament in seven of the eight seasons, including a run to the championship game in 2018.
2018 NCAA Tournament Run
The 2017-18 season was one of the most successful in Wright State history. The Raiders went 24-12 overall and 13-5 in the Horizon League, finishing in second place in the regular season standings. Wright State then made a run to the Horizon League Tournament Championship game, defeating Milwaukee, Oakland, and Cleveland State before falling to Northern Kentucky in the title game.
The Raiders received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking the team’s third appearance in the Big Dance. Wright State was given a #13 seed and faced off against #4 seed Tennessee in the first round. Despite being a double-digit seed, the Raiders gave the Volunteers all they could handle, falling 73-47 in a hard-fought game.
The Future of Wright State Men’s Basketball
Wright State has made the Horizon League Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons and has proven it can compete with the best in the conference. The Raiders will look to continue their success in the coming years as they strive to make their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance.
The team is led by head coach Scott Nagy, who is entering his ninth season at the helm. Nagy has established a winning culture at Wright State, and the Raiders are poised for continued success in the Horizon League. With the continued growth of the program, Wright State is set to remain a Division I NCAA program for years to come.