The 1997–98 Wright State Raiders men's basketball team represented Wright State University in the 1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season led by head coach Ed Schilling.
Season summary The 1997–98 season was full of change, with WSU President Dr. Harley Flack introducing the university to a new coach, a revamped roster, and an unfamiliar mascot, the now-retired Brown Wolf.
Ed Schilling Ed Schilling was brought to the Raiders from the New Jersey Nets in an effort to fulfill the administrative goals stated by President Flack and athletic director Mike Cusack: to make the Raiders a "top 50 program" with "top 40" attendance.
Schilling promised to work his players "harder than they've ever been worked," demanding strict discipline. With a roster inherited by Ralph Underhill and Jim Brown, his recruitment process favored perceived talent, with Schilling stating he would give all players a fair chance. With only two combined years of experience as a college and NBA assistant coach, he assumed responsibility for a team with a high-expectation administration.
Roster changes Joining Incoming freshman recruits were forward Onome Scott-Emuakpor from East Lansing, guard Brandon Pardon from Van Wert Lincolnview, and Center Bruno Petersons of Wheaton Academy in Illinois.
Tony Baultrippe, a point guard out of Ellet High School in Akron, joined the Raiders from Iowa Western Junior College. Forward Sherman Curry from J.F. Shields High School in McWilliams, Alabama transferred in from Wallace State Community College. Marvin Rodgers, a 6' 9" forward, was a controversial late signing from Wallace Community College due to past legal trouble from his time at West Virginia. Inus Norville transferred in from University of Massachusetts to redshirt for his transfer year.
Leaving Rob Welch graduated following the 1996-97 season. John Sivesind (G) left the team on April 24, following a season where he started 27 games and was named to the Horizon league all-newcomer team, saying "I don't want it to be a job." De'Andre Shepard (F) left the team on April 24. Anthony Brown (F) left the team on April 24. Lequient Lewis (C) was dismissed by Coach Schilling on June 18 for missing classes and tutoring sessions. Mark Oliver (F) was placed on academic probation in September. Michael Richardson (G) quit the team on November 8 to transfer to Georetown College in Kentucky. Marvin Rodgers (F) was dismissed February 3 for missing classes. He had previously missed 5 games from three separate disciplinary issues. Tony Baultrippe (G) was dismissed February 13 for missing class, although it was also announced that he was charged with criminal damaging resulting from a disturbance at Wallaby's Sports Bar.
Final result An eight game losing streak lowered the likelihood of a rebound season, while suspensions and dismissals were evidence of unrest within the team. A 3-2 stretch run to finish league play, including an upset to an ascendant top-league Butler, was followed by an upset of #2 seed UIC in the MCC tournament. A loss to the eventual champion, Butler, ended the 1997-1998 season
Roster
Schedule and results
!colspan=12 style=| Midwestern Collegiate Tournament
Source
Awards and honors Steno Kos Raider Award Thad Burton Horizon League All Tournament Team
Statistics Number Name Games Average Points Assists Rebounds 21 Keion Brooks 28 17.1 479 76 129 43 Thad Burton 28 12.5 351 22 305 30 Sherman Curry 25 8.2 204 27 93 40 Marvin Rodgers 15 12.3 197 9 85 32 Brandon Pardon 28 6.1 172 111 49 5 Tony Baultrippe 17 8.5 144 31 32 44 Steno Kos 26 5.4 141 20 103 25 Steve Yeagle 27 2.3 63 11 31 21 Ryan Grose 21 2.9 60 8 37 3 Scott E. Onome 27 1.7 46 12 42 24 Bruno Petersons 24 0.8 19 3 20 33 Eddie Chambers 12 0.4 5 2 2 Source
References