Head Coach Interviews: Wright State's Brad Brownell

It would have been virtually impossible for Brad Brownell to do a better job in his first year at Wright State.  After a successful stint at UNCW, Brownell moved west to Dayton and led the Raiders to a 23-10 record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.  Coach Brownell talks about the upcoming season with Collegehoops.net, and how he'll deal with the loss of star DaShaun Wood:

CHN) What's the biggest improvement your team needs to get to the next level and return to the Tournament once again?
 

Brad Brownell) We lost Horizon League Player of the Year DaShaun Wood so the scoring and experience will have to be filled. It will likely become a situation by committee where a group of players will take over the various roles. They will need to step up and make the late baskets, throw the right pass, and play hard on defense.
 

CHN) Are you settled with your starting lineup? Expect any particular battles for the open spots?
 

BB) The older players will have an advantage since they have played in the system for a year. Vaughn Duggins, Todd Brown, Jordan Pleiman, Scottie Wilson and Will Graham are those players but all spots are up for grabs.
 

3) It might be hard to pick out one, but who is the most talented player you've ever coached?

BB) I coached Brett Blizard for all four years at UNCW. He was a first-team player all four years and won three league championships. I coached DaShaun Wood just one year but he is right up there as well.
 

CHN) Talk about one or two guys that stand out as being underrated contributors to your team's success?
 

BB) Jordan Pleiman does the dirty work of rebounding, defending in the post and getting guys open. Not everyone sees that type of work.
 

CHN) What do you think will be the hardest game on this year's schedule?
 

BB) We have a competitive schedule but probably Butler at Butler this year will be a tough game. It is late in the season and they beat us there last year.
 

CHN) Realistically, what should Wright State fans and media expect from your team this year?
 

BB) We will play hard every game and we will play unselfishly. Like last year, I think we will improve as the season goes along. Last season, we had half our losses in the first eight games of the year and then went 20-5.

CHN) Finally, what will the key to this season be?
 

BB) We have much better depth this year but the question is how do we replace the loss of DaShaun Wood and Drew Burleson (both 1,000 point scorers). Player making the transition to primary roles is not as easy as it looks. How the players respond to that will indicate our success.

CHN) Thanks for your time coach!

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