“It really is a logjam,” he said. “We just have a lot of wings who can play and play multiple positions. It’s going to be a challenge trying to figure out how we should do it. We can play big or play small. We still have a lot to work out.”
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Nagy isn’t complaining. It’s nice to have options.
“It’s better than not having them, that’s for sure — which is where we’ve been in the past,” he said.
Jaylon Hall, a 6-6 wing, averaged 9.1 points as a freshman in 2017-18 before sitting out all but one game last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He’s been slowed by an ankle injury in the preseason but has plenty of upside.
“He’s someone we think should be (a starter). But he’s still trying to get the rust off and get into a rhythm,” Nagy said.
“The key for him is not to get frustrated and just realize we know exactly what he can do.”
Grant Basile, a 6-8, 225-pound forward, was expected to see plenty of action as a freshman last season, but he appeared in just three games and was redshirted after undergoing ankle surgery.
He could end up being a breakout star for the Raiders.
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“He’s a pure post scorer,” Nagy said. “He’s got more finesse and more touch than Loudon. He probably has better post moves. He just doesn’t have the power or quickness that Loudon has.
“But we have two really good post players, which is a luxury for sure.”
Skyelar Potter, a 6-3 guard, is the Raiders’ most athletic player. He averaged 5.8 points (fifth on the team) and 3.8 rebounds (fourth) as a freshman last year.
Known for his above-the-rim game, Potter has had a productive preseason.
“He amazes me with just how easily he can do things other guys can’t do at all,” Nagy said. “It does give him an advantage in certain areas. But his big challenge is consistency and level of concentration.
“I think there are days he can get bored or distracted. Everybody has something they’re challenged by. But when he’s good, he’s really, really good.”
The Horizon League preseason favorite also will get a lift from a solid freshman class, including Tanner Holden, a 6-6 wing from Wheelersburg who had a pair of 50-point games as a senior.
He led the Raiders in scoring on the exhibition tour of Italy, and he’s also first in assists in scrimmage situations in practice.
“He’s just a real versatile player. There’s a lot of positions we can play him,” Nagy said. “Figuring out the physicality and defensive side of it will be the biggest adjustments for him.”
Holden isn’t the only freshman bucking for playing time.
“Our younger guys are pretty good,” Nagy said. “Maybe, instead of thinking they’re a year or two away, they AREN’T a year or two away.
“We know the expectations are high. We’re fine with that. That’s what we want. The biggest challenge will be to make sure the four or so guys who don’t play as much as they want are good teammates and don’t become a distraction and drag our team down.
“But we’re in a good spot. We’re very deep, and deep with good players.”
TICKETS: Wright State season tickets for its 16-game home schedule are priced from $85 to $460. Eight-game mini-plans cost $72, and four-game packages are $44.
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