Wright State vs Georgia Tech: What you need to know about Friday’s game

WSU’s Jaylon Hall. Wright State defeated host Toledo 77-69 in a men’s college basketball game on Sat., Dec. 16, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

WSU’s Jaylon Hall. Wright State defeated host Toledo 77-69 in a men’s college basketball game on Sat., Dec. 16, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Wright State-Georgia Tech Preview

Who: Wright State (7-5) at Georgia Tech (5-5)

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Where: McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta

TV/Radio: ACC Network/106.5-FM

Series: First meeting

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Coaches: Scott Nagy is 26-17 in his second season at Wright State and 436-257 in 23 years overall. Josh Pastner is 26-21 in his second year at Georgia Tech and 193-94 in nine years overall, including seven at Memphis.

Probable Wright State starters

Parker Ernsthausen;6-11;Jr.;C;4.5

Justin Mitchell;6-4;Sr.;G;11.2

Mark Hughes;6-4;Jr.;G;9.9

Louden Love;6-9;Fr.;C;9.3

Grant Benzinger;6-3;Sr.;G;13.6

Probable Georgia Tech starters

Ben Lammers;6-10;Sr.;C;12.4

Josh Okogie;6-4;So.;G;20.0

Moses Wright;6-9;Fr.;F;5.1

Tadric Jackson;6-2;Sr.;G;16.0

Jose Alvarado;6-0;Fr.;G;12.7

About Wright State: The Raiders are 1-30 all-time against teams from the five power conferences. Their only win was a 53-49 decision over Michigan State on Dec. 30, 1999. … They're 1-5 on the road this year and have been inconsistent on offense. In a 66-50 loss at Missouri State on Tuesday, they were 18 of 64 from the field (28.1 percent), 6 of 29 on 3-pointers (20.7) and 8 for 16 from the foul line. … They're averaging 68.4 points per game, which is 298th out of 351 Division-I teams. Their field-goal percentage of 42.6 is 278th. They're limited by having only two reliable outside shooters in Hughes and Benzinger. They're hitting 30.8 percent on 3-pointers (303rd nationally) with 70 made 3's (285th). … Love has three double-doubles this year and is second in the Horizon League with an 8.3 rebound average. Mitchell first in steals at 1.9 per game and tied for seventh in assists at 3.2. … The offense is expected to improve as sub Cole Gentry gets acclimated to the team. The sophomore point guard transferred last year and has been eligible for two games.

About Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets made the NIT finals last season, losing to TCU. They were picked to finish ninth in the 15-team ACC. … They lost to Grambling State this year and also dropped a 63-60 decision to UCLA in China in the infamous trip where three Bruins were arrested for shoplifting and needed President Trump's intervention. They beat Northwestern, 52-51, in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. They're coming off an 80-59 loss at Georgia on Tuesday. … Lammers was a second-team All-ACC performer last season after averaging 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. He also was the league defensive player of the year. He's been slowed by an ankle injury this season and is averaging 8.1 rebounds. … Okogie, who played for the USA U-19 team in the FIBA World Cup in Egypt last summer, suffered an open dislocation of his left index finger in an exhibition loss to Georgia State. He's been back for two games. Jackson has been hindered by an Achilles injury and has played seven games. Okogie and Jackson also were suspended earlier this year for breaking NCAA rules by receiving extra benefits. … Three of Georgia Tech's top-six scorers are freshmen. Frosh sub Curtis Hayward is averaging 8.3.

Coming up: The Raiders will break for Christmas and then open Horizon League play against UIC at 7 p.m. Thursday and IUPUI at 4 p.m. Saturday. The women's team will play both days before the men's games.

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