Women's Basketball: Raiders’ new defensive philosophy paying early dividends

Wright State head coach Mike Bradbury made practices a physically demanding event in the offseason.

If players missed defensive assignments, took ill-advised shots or simply did not follow directions, they ran endline-to-endline wind sprints.

The grueling conditioning the Raiders experienced translated into in-your-face style of defense that now puts the onus on the opposing team. The Raiders forced the RedHawks into committing 29 turnovers Tuesday night in a one-sided 90-63 win.

In both wins this season, WSU’s opponents have turned the ball over 47 times.

“We’re getting a little more comfortable playing that way. Last night was good, but we were quicker and more athletic than [Miami (Ohio)],” Bradbury said.

Kim Demmings hopes the running the Raiders did before the season started will allow them to run on their opponents and create transition opportunities.

“It plays to our advantage. Our team is fast and if we can get out and shoot the gaps, get steals and get some transition points, we love to do that,” Demmings said.



Jump makes the most of limited opportunities

After logging just six minutes against Southern Illinois, junior Abby Jump saw an expanded role Tuesday night and made the most of it.

The 5-7 guard hit four three-pointers in 18 minutes of action and finished with 12 points. Last season, Jump averaged just over six minutes and two points per contest.

Against the RedHawks, Jump’s eyes were constantly pointed towards the basket. When the ball came her way, she was ready to pull the trigger.

“I wasn’t hitting [my shots] in practice the other day, so afterwards I got a lot of shots up, hopefully got all my misses out and it worked out. I wasn’t thinking about it, I just let it go,” Jump said.

Given the few times she heard Bradbury call her name, Jump might have been relishing the opportunity to play longer. But she said Tuesday night was just business as usual.

“I was eager, but at the end of the day, I had to come in and shoot and that’s what I’m supposed to do,” Jump said. “I just felt that when my name was called, I had to do my job no matter how many minutes it is.”

Bradbury weighs in on Walz’s free beer promotion

According to ESPN.com, Louisville women’s basketball head coach Jeff Walz will be picking up a $5,000 beer tab for student and adult fans ages 21 years and older, Thursday, when the No. 5 Cardinals take on No. 14 LSU.

Assistant sports information director Kim Pemberton told ESPN.com that the promotion will allow fans to receive one free beer that will be sold at concession stands and will be paid for by Walz himself. Pemberton said the promotion was Walz’s idea to get more fans to attend the game, according to the article.

Bradbury said he and Walz have been close friends for 20 years. When the Cardinals and the Raiders square off in Louisville on Dec. 7, however, both coaches will be adversaries on opposing ends of the floor.

That didn’t stop Bradbury from taking a friendly jab at Walz Wednesday after practice.

“He makes as much in one month as I do in a year, so clearly he can afford it,” Bradbury said. “We’ve been best friends for 20 years and I ain’t I got him to pick up the tab yet and now all of a sudden he’s going to buy [2,500] beers. So that’s my comment on coach Walz.”

Up next: Raiders try to tame Tigers

WSU will look to avenge a 41-point loss to Memphis last Jan. when the Raiders host the Tigers Friday at 7 p.m. at the Nutter Center.

Bradbury said the game will serve as a barometer as to how far his team has progressed.

“They’re big, quick and athletic and they shoot the three well too,” Bradbury said. “Concerns are stopping them in transition and rebounding the ball. We’ll have a better idea of where we are after Friday night,” Bradbury said.