1995–96 Wright State Raiders men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 January 2025 Basketball 1995–96 Wright State Raiders Wright State Raiders logo.png 200 MCC 14-13 8-8 Ralph Underhill 18th Jim Brown Jim Ehler Jack Butler Nutter Center The 1995–96 Wright State Raiders men's basketball team represented Wright State University in the 1995–96 NCAA NCAA Division I men's basketball season led by head coach Ralph Underhill. Season summary February 2024 The second season in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference was also the second with future first-round NBA selection Vitaly Potapenko. It was a season of heightened expectations followed by competitive but often disappointing results. After an encouraging non-conference season, the MCC season began 0–4. The Raiders fought back and finished the season 8–4 to earn a 4th seed in the tournament, which they hosted. An early exit to 5th-seeded Detroit Mercy seemed a fitting end to a good season, yet one with missed opportunities. The Season Behind the Season When Wright State moved up to Division I, men’s basketball was competitive on the floor from the start, and remained so in 1995-96. Off the floor, the program was not yet at the Division I level. They lacked a full time strength coach. They lacked a full time academic advisor, which resulted in losing athletes to academic issues. One secretary was supporting several athletic teams. The head coach didn’t have a multi-year contract. It wasn’t a lack of commitment to sports, but rather that the school was slow to shift fully from what had been a strong Division II program to the support required in Division I.January 26, 2018 Wright State University Retirees Association Oral History Project https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1037&context=archives_retirees Wright State University Archives Tom Archdeacon January 12, 1997 To dream, but first to win https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408642674/ 120 120 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Even before the previous season had ended following their upset of Xavier in the MCC tournament,Gary Nuhn March 5, 1995 'Home Run' is a winner https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408481479/ 118 175 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media the local media had begun calling for head coach Ralph Underhill to be awarded an extended contract.Tom Archdeacon February 12, 1995 WSU owes Underhill big vote of confidence https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408527256/ 118 154 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Reporters argued that the highly successful coach was undercompensated compared to neighboring Division I head coaches.Tom Archdeacon February 12, 1995 Underhill polishes bright future for WSU https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408505701/ 118 179 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media In response to this Mike Cusack began negotiations for what was expected to be a three-year contract deal. The offseason had the ups and downs of college athletics. Star center Vitaly Potapenko was coming back and expected to play two more seasons.Chick Ludwig March 23, 1995 WSU educates athletes on pro dangers https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408508916/ 118 193 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media New recruit Keion Brooks and junior college transfer Johnnie Blake were cause for excitement.Chick Ludwig April 22, 1995 Fort Wayne guard picks WSU https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408721575/ 118 223 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media But on the down side Rob Welsh broke his ankle, Jason Smith was lost due to academic issues and Blake hadn’t joined the team at the start of the season.Chick Ludwig October 15, 1995 Big tests ahead for WSU https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408076776/ 119 38 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Potapenko, who was apparently a good student maintaining a “B” average, had yet to pass the required English as a second language exam as required by the University. His English language skills were noticeably a work in progress.January 26, 2018 Wright State University Retirees Association Oral History Project https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1037&context=archives_retirees Wright State University Archives The most profound change, however, was the new university president, Dr. Harley Flack. Flack was a polymath with a quiet, academic demeanor. He was also described as having a "strong capacity for moral indignation." April 2, 1997 https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/409033294/ 120 199 10A Underhill case hard for all Dayton Daily News Cox Media The new boss couldn’t have posed a more profound contrast to the passionate head coach. Their apparent feud would play out in the press and alter the trajectory of Wright State basketball. Underhill routinely scheduled top-tier programs, and always coached like he expected to win. He was known to ride the referees, and notably when hosting Wisconsin in December 1995 he earned a technical foul that helped secure Wisconsin’s comeback win.Chick Ludwig December 6, 1995 Wisconsin rallies in 2nd half with help of Underhill technical https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408338779/ 119 90 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media For this he was soundly criticized in the local media.Gary Nuhn December 7, 1995 Underhill ignites too often https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408339616/ 119 91 C1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Just four days later, Underhill found himself at cross-town rival University of Dayton with his star center Vitaly Poptapenko running a fever and playing like it. The frustration of the day got the best of the veteran coach and he earned two technical fouls, which is an automatic ejection from the game.Bucky Albers December 12, 1995 Jam turns into a sparkling gem for UD https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408341735/ 119 146 5D Dayton Daily News Cox Media President Dr. Harley Flack was embarrassed by these events. First he suspended the talk of a new three-year contract, details of which were already appearing in the press.Chick Ludwig December 29, 1995 Underhill agrees to 3-year contract https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408415244/ 119 113 5D Dayton Daily News Cox Media He then demanded that Coach Underhill be put on notice that further technical fouls would lead to suspension and any additional ejections to termination.Alex Marvez Greg Simms February 10, 1996 WSU edict: No technicals https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408493733/ 119 153 A1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Dr. Flack also stopped going to the basketball games as a public rebuke of his coach, explaining that coaches must be “worthy ambassadors of Wright State.” Tom Archdeacon February 4, 1996 Underhill deserves better from Wright State https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408396002/ 119 150 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media In a statement to the press, Dr. Flack outlined his subjective four-point plan for evaluating Underhill after the season: Building athlete character and citizenship, academic achievement, coach’s character, won loss record.Mark Fisher January 31, 1996 Underhill judged on 4 criteria https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408508122/ 119 146 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Athletic Director Mike Cusack prevailed upon the president to rescind the probationary status after just six games, pointing out that Underhill and only been ejected once before in 17 years. Flack announced that contract talks would then be suspended until the off season.Alex Marvez Chick Ludwig February 1, 1996 Underhill goes mum on pact https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408393841/ 109 154 C1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media Guard Rick Martinez quit the team about the same time, adding further stress to the team and staff. Alex Marvez Chick Ludwig February 20, 1996 Martinez quits WSU team https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408395897/ 119 134 A1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media After pressure came from the university board of directors Flack eventually permitted Cusack and Underhill to resume contract negotiations.Alex Marvez Chick Ludwig February 11, 1996 Off-court pressure: WSU president was urged to cut a deal with coach https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408496887/ 119 154 A1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media A two year contract was agreed to on February 9Chick Ludwig February 9, 1996 WSU, coach agree https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408490949/ 119 152 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media and signed by Flack on February 12.Chick Ludwig February 13, 1996 Flack signs Underhill contract https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408512009/ 119 156 D1 Dayton Daily News Cox Media The team celebrated by upsetting Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse that evening. Roster 1995 Wright State Raiders y yes Delme Herriman n basketball sr 32 F 6 7 220 yes Manchester, England Claymont Bilaal Neal n basketball sr 41 F 6 6 205 Warren, AR Westark JC Rob Welch n basketball yes jr 20 G 6 2 170 Haviland, OH Wayne Trace Rick Martinez n basketball jr 22 G 6 1 180 Fontana, CA Ambassador Christian Eric Ramsey n basketball yes jr 23 G 6 1 185 Dayton, OH Carroll Terrance Cast n basketball jr 30 G 5 6 150 Gary, IN Lake Land JC Mike Conner n basketball jr 40 F 6 7 225 Boston, MA Malden Vitaly Potapenko n basketball jr 52 FC 6 10 310 Kiev, Ukraine Kiev State University of Physical Culture Derek Watkins n basketball so 24 G 6 0 165 Germantown, OH Valley View Antuan Johnson n basketball so 33 F 6 6 200 Toledo, OH Scott Thad Burton n basketball so 43 F 6 10 240 Columbus, OH St. Charles Prep Steno Kos n basketball so 44 F 6 11 220 Klosterneuburg St. Catherine JC Keion Brooks n basketball fr 1 G 6 3 160 Ft. Wayne, IN North Side Anthony Brown n basketball fr 31 F 6 4 210 Beavercreek, OH Beavercreek Ralph Underhill Jim Brown, Jim Ehler, Jack Butler https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1152&context=athletics_publications 1995-96 Wright State University Raider Basketball Athletics Publications 14 November 1995 Wright State University Athletics February 23, 2024 Albers Bucky Dayton Daily News Cox Media May 15, 1996 Blake spurns WSU for Rutgers https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408346368/ 119 248 3D Schedule and results y Nov 25, 1995 yes Wilmington Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 102-53 1–0 |- Dec 2, 1995 yes Eastern Kentucky Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 76-64 2-0 |- Dec 5, 1995 yes Wisconsin Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 91-94 8,032 2–1  |- Dec 9, 1995 yes yes Dayton UD Arena Dayton, OH Gem City Jam 80-98 2-2 |- Dec 12, 1995 yes Ohio Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 88-77 3–2 |- Dec 16, 1995 yes Toledo Centennial Hall Toledo, OH 62-57 4–2 |- Dec 19, 1995 yes Youngstown State Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 74-66 5-2 |- Dec 23, 1995 yes Manhattan Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 85-76 6–2  |- Dec 27, 1995 yes Miami (OH) Millett Assembly Hall Oxford, OH 86-105 6–3  |- Dec 31, 1995 yes yes Virginia Tech 21 Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA 46-62Ludwig Chick Dayton Daily News Cox Media Dec 31, 1995 Hokies anything but Big Easy for Wright State https://daytondailynews.newspapers.com/image/408416415/ 119 114 5D 6-4 |- Jan 3, 1996 yes Green Bay Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena Green Bay, WI 52-78 6-5 0–1 |- Jan 4, 1996 yes UIC UIC Pavilion Chicago, IL 79-91 6-6 0–2 |- Jan 11, 1996 Butler Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 68-71 6–7 0–3 |- Jan 13, 1996 yes Cleveland State CSU Convocation Center Cleveland, OH 68-83 6-8 0–4 |- Jan 15, 1996 Loyola Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 87-73 7-8 1–4 |- Jan 20, 1996 yes Milwaukee Baker Fieldhouse Milwaukee, WI 74-71 8-8 2–4 |- Jan 22, 1996 yes Detroit Mercy Calihan Hall Detroit, MI 59–57 9-8 3–4 |- Jan 29, 1996 Northern Illinois Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 63-71 9-9 3–5 |- Feb 1, 1996 UIC Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 91-74 10-9 4–5 |- Feb 3, 1996 Green Bay Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 53-60 10-10 4–6 |- Feb 10, 1996 yes Loyola Alumni Gym Chicago, IL 67-85 10-11 4–7 |- Feb 12, 1996 yes Butler Hinkle Fieldhouse Indianapolis, IN 67-61 11-11 5–7 |- Feb 14, 1996 Cleveland State Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 65-54 12-11 6–7 |- Feb 17, 1996 Detroit Mercy Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 70–63 13-11 7–7 |- Feb 22, 1996 Milwaukee Nutter Center Fairborn, OH 99-75 14-11 8–7 |- Feb 24, 1996 yes Northern Illinois Chick Evans Field House DeKalb, IL 71-81 14-12 8–8 |- !colspan=12 style=Wright State Raiders| Midwestern Collegiate Tournament |- Mar 2, 1996 4 Detroit Mercy 5 Nutter Center Fairborn, OH First Round 61-67 14-13 |- MW Midwest Sourcehttps://wsuraiders.com/documents/2023/10/16/MBB_History_Through_2022-23.pdf Wright State Record Book October 23, 2023 Awards and honors Vitaly Potapenko MVP Delme Herriman Raider Award Vitaly Potapenko First Team MCC Keion Brooks MCC All Newcomer Statistics Number Name Games Average Points Assists Rebounds 52 Vitaly Potapenko 26 20.7 538 36 193 21 Keion Brooks 27 12.4 335 92 87 32 Delme Herriman 27 9.3 252 73 165 40 Mike Conner 27 6.1 164 14 76 30 Terrance Cast 26 6.2 161 58 55 33 Antuan Johnson 19 7.3 138 17 87 20 Rob Welch 20 6.6 132 56 53 44 Steno Kos 27 3.4 92 14 70 22 Rick Martinez 15 3.9 59 39 26 43 Thad Burton 23 2.3 52 3 43 41 Bilaal Neal 11 4.4 48 2 22 24 Derek Watkins 21 0.5 11 6 7 31 Anthony Brown 14 0.1 2 2 7 Sourcehttps://wsuraiders.com/documents/2018/8/16//1995_96_MBB_stats.pdf?id=14450 1995-96 Final Statistics February 22, 2024 References Category:Wright State Raiders men's basketball seasons Wright State Wright State Raiders men's basketball Wright State Raiders men's basketball