ESTERO, Fla.-Monday, Weber State men’s basketball (1-2) commences its participation at the Gulf Coast Showcase by facing the Horizon League’s Wright State Raiders (4-1).
In his 14th season at the helm of the Wildcats’ program, Randy Rahe is 267-155 (.633) making him the winningest coach in both program and Big Sky Conference history.
Weber State currently scores 73.3 points per game, which ranks them 164th nationally in scoring offense.
Senior guard Jerrick Harding (14.5 points per game, 52.4 field goal percentage) is the Wildcats’ leading scorer and the Big Sky Conference preseason MVP.
Former Wasatch Academy star, senior guard Cody John (11 points, 3.7 rebounds per game, a team-best 7 assists) also scores on-average in double figures for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats surrender 70 points per game, tying them for 204th nationally in scoring defense with Dayton, Stephen F. Austin, Cornell and Connecticut.
Sophomore guard Israel Barnes, junior guard Kham Davis and junior forward, Czech national Michal Kozak, have three steals apiece for the Wildcats.
Sophomore forward/center, Ukrainian national Dima Zdor posts a team-best 5 rebounds per game for the Wildcats and is tied for the team lead in blocked shots with Kozak as they have three apiece.
Wright State is coached by Scott Nagy, who is 70-37 (.654) in coaching the Raiders. Nagy also coached at South Dakota State (2008-2016) who went 167-98 (.630) with the Jackrabbits.
Overall, Nagy’s coaching record is 237-135 (.637) having led both the Raiders and Jackrabbits to four net NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of regular season championships.
The explosive Raiders score 85.6 points per game, ranking them 18th nationally.
Junior center Loudon Love (14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds per game) is Wright State’s overall statistical leader.
Senior forward Bill Wampler (13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds per game), senior guard Cole Gentry (11.4 points per game) and freshman guard Tanner Holden (11.2 points, 7 rebounds per game) all score in double figures on average for the Raiders.
Sophomore guard Jaylon Hall leads Wright State in assists (16), is tied with Holden for the team lead in steals (5 apiece) and leads the squad in blocked shots (5).
The Raiders are tied for 243rd nationally in scoring defense (72.2 points per game) with Colorado State and Denver.
The Wildcats and the Raiders meet on the hardwood for the first time in history in this game.
