Flyers, Raiders officially lace 'em up

The University of Dayton and Wright State men's basketball teams have been on campus through the summer playing pickup games and participating in individual workouts with coaches.

But today it gets serious.

College basketball teams are permitted to begin practices at 5 p.m. today with a little more than four weeks before the regular season begins. For each team, it's an anticipated start.

"Guys have been together all summer long and had a great fall in team workouts," UD coach Brian Gregory said. "I know they're as excited as I am to get started.

"Every team is different. You've got to build the team. And you build the team by developing those tight bonds. Hopefully, we'll be able to have that this year and build the chemistry that helps you get through the tough times and stay humble through the good times."

Gregory begins his eighth season with UD and returns the top two scorers - Chris Wright (13.7) and Chris Johnson (11.9) from a group that finished 25-12 and won the NIT championship.

Wright State's Billy Donlon is a first-time head coach and succeeds former boss Brad Brownell, who took the Clem-son job last spring after leading WSU to a 20-12 record. He will mix seven newcomers with four returning players, including all-Horizon League guard Vaughn Duggins (14.2 points per game), who is entering his fifth season.

"I think we've worked hard, at least when I've been in the gym and individuals, and I do think have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, and a great amount of passion, and I think as a coach it's my job we maintain energy level," Donlan said. "Like any season, bumps in the road, maintain energy level."