Though he’s still working through what he can reasonably manage during a game, he considers that task a natural fit. He puts an emphasis on being relational, and if a player is honked off over being taken out, he wants that frustration to be directed at him.
“I want them to know who’s putting them in the game. I want that connectivity with the guys coming in and out,” Sargent said.
The Raiders, like most teams, traditionally have had a seven-man rotation. On rare occasions, it would grow to eight.
Sargent, though, has nine players who have proven to be worthy of quality minutes. That might give the Raiders an ability to weather injuries better than most, but it’s difficult to give all nine enough action to stay sharp.
“It’ll be different every game,” Sargent said of divvying up the minutes. “But that’s where the humility of this group will be important. If it’s your night, step into it. If it’s not, step into being a teammate and don’t flinch at it. And so far, this group has embraced it.”
Top scorers Alex Huibregtse (34.2 minutes per game) and Brandon Noel (32.5) and floor general Keaton Norris (30.9) are fixtures in the lineup, while Jack Doumbia and Mike Imariagbe split time at the 4 spot depending on matchups (the heftier Imariagbe plays more against bigger lineups, while the nimble Doumbia gets the nod against quicker teams.)
But Sargent’s job after that gets a little dicey — especially with redshirt freshman Solomon Callaghan’s emergence and redshirt junior Drey Carter finally breaking out of his funk.
While the 6-foot-2 Callaghan is averaging a modest 5.6 points, he’s an aggressive offensive player and can break down defenses with his dribble. The lefty is making 40% of his 3′s and 85.7% of his foul shots.
“He’s dynamic with the ball. He’s a very good defender. He’s physical. I would say him and Keaton, in terms of every day, you never have to worry about him. Even in his redshirt year, his habits were as good as I’ve seen in our program, and his ceiling is very high,” Sargent said.
A welcome sign in the Raiders’ win over Marshall last week was the 6-9 Carter looking as if he’s regained his confidence. He had 11 points for his first double-figure game after notching three as a freshman last season.
He averaged 11.7 minutes and 4.2 points last year but just 9.9 minutes and 2.4 points in the first 11 games this year.
“Drey oozes talent, cares deeply and has become an everyday guy, emotionally and mentally,” Sargent said.
“With very little minutes and ugly games at times for him, he embodies what I would love our younger guys to be about: Just their development here at Wright State. If you don’t get that immediate return on your minutes, or the affirmation from having good games, you just stay process-driven with a good heart and attitude — and Drey’s done that.”
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Youngstown State at Wright State, 7 p.m., ESPN+, 101.5, 1410
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