Indiana, Wright State clash hoping to live up to own expectations

Both Wright State and Indiana are feeling a bit disappointed heading into their meeting in Bloomington, Ind., on Thursday.

Indiana is off to a 2-0 start, but it hasn't been particularly impressive in home wins over Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 7 and Army on Sunday. The Hoosiers beat the Eagles 69-63 before topping the Black Knights 72-64.

Indiana is trying to adapt to life without elite forward Trayce Jackson-Davis and has had to rely on small ball in its first two games to carry it through.

In each of their first two wins, the Hoosiers have gone to a guard-oriented lineup featuring Xavier Johnson, Gabe Cupps, Trey Galloway and CJ Gunn in the waning minutes to close out the game.

"The last two games that small lineup coming down the stretch was pretty good for us," Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. "I don't know if we'll live with it for the rest of the season, but if they keep making plays down the stretch, I think it will be OK for us."

Indiana does have a post presence in center Kel'el Ware, a transfer from Oregon who scored 20 points against Army.

Wright State isn't satisfied simply because it hasn't won yet.

The Raiders dropped to 0-2 on the season after a heartbreaking 78-77 home loss to Toledo on Tuesday, which followed a 105-77 loss at Colorado State last Friday.

Wright State was picked to finish third in the Horizon League preseason poll and is led by guard Trey Calvin, who was named preseason Player of the Year in the conference and scored 22 points against Toledo after posting 33 in the season opener.

Raiders coach Scott Nagy said he was disappointed with the loss to Toledo, but that the team should have a lot more confidence heading to Indiana after bettering itself following the Colorado State setback.

"At least they didn't walk out with their head down, ashamed," Nagy said. "Really, in the Colorado State game, we embarrassed ourselves. But it's, how are you going to respond? And our guys responded."

—Field Level Media