Tuesday, March 4th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Ervin J. Nutter Center (11,000) -- Dayton, Ohio. Television: Horizon League Network. Home Record: Detroit 6-10, Wright State 12-3. Away Record: Detroit 1-12, Wright State 7-6. Neutral Record: Detroit 0-0, Wright State 1-0. Conference Record: Detroit 3-15, Wright State 12-6. Series Record: Detroit leads, 18-12.

GAME NOTES: The Wright State Raiders will try to defend their Horizon League Tournament title this evening when they host the Detroit Titans in first round play at the Nutter Center. The Titans did not enjoy much success this season, in fact the team collected only seven victories, and head into this tournament as the lowly 10th seed. Detroit closed out its regular season with a four-game losing skid, which began with a 59-58 loss to Wright State. As for the Raiders, they finished with a 12-6 mark in league play, which was good enough for a second place tie with Cleveland State. However, Wright State lost the tie- breaker, which left the team with the third-seed. The defending HL champions collected 20 victories this season, and even reeled off an 11-game winning streak during the season. Unfortunately the team closed out its regular-season with a small three-game skid. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Titans hold an 18-12 edge over Wright State. However, the Raiders have won the last four meetings, including both matchups this year.

The Titans have been battered throughout the season and the biggest issue the team dealt with was its inability to produce offensively, as the squad is netting 59.6 ppg, while shooting 42.0 percent from the floor. It will only be worse for the Titans in the tournament, as the team will be without its top performer, Jon Goode. Goode, who is averaging a team-high 19.3 ppg, suffered a knee injury and will not play this evening against the Raiders. Chris Hayes is now the lone player netting double-figures for Detroit, as the forward is chipping in 10.8 ppg to go along with 6.2 rpg. The season-finale loss to Butler showed how poorly the Titans are offensively without Goode. Against the Bulldogs, Detroit shot a pathetic 28.3 percent from the field and made only 1- of-15 three-point attempts en route to an atrocious 31 points. Hayes led the way with nine points and also grabbed six boards, but a total of five players did not post a single point in the matchup.

The Raiders have relied heavily on their tenacious play at the defensive end of the court, and head into the postseason surrendering only 60.8 ppg, while limiting the opposition to just 41.1 percent from the field. At the other end of the floor, Wright State has not been overwhelming, but the team has done just enough to grab 20 wins on the season. The Raiders are netting 62.7 ppg on the year, , while shooting a strong 44.8 percent from the field. Vaughn Duggins has been extremely consistent for WSU all year, averaging 13.9 ppg, while dishing out 81 assists. Todd Brown has been outstanding from long range, netting 43.8 percent of his attempts from behind the arc, while contributing 12.9 ppg on the season. The best option in the paint for the Raiders has been Scottie Wilson, who is chipping in 9.5 ppg to go along with a team-high 7.1 rpg.

Wright State has played well all season long and should have little trouble knocking off the Titans here.

Predicted Outcome

Wright State 66, Detroit 55