Retirees Association

DDN: Wright State men picked to win Horizon League

Lou Love

Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News

Wright State coach Scott Nagy doesn’t hesitate to challenge his players when necessary, bringing a hard word or even picking up the decibel level if that’s what it takes.

But he’s a little reluctant to chastise star Loudon Love — because the senior center is already so tough on himself.

“Coaching him, I struggle because if I end up being critical, he takes it to heart and thinks he’s disappointing me and letting me down. ‘You’re the MVP of the league. How can you be disappointing me?’” Nagy said with a laugh.

“But I’m probably the most critical of him. No. 1, I think he can take it. Some kids don’t take criticism well, but with Loudon, I can get after him, yell at him, and he won’t fold up his tent and go home. If you can be more critical of your better players, it helps the rest of the team.”

That candor certainly seems to be working. Love was named preseason Horizon League player of the year Thursday after having won the award for the 2019-20 season.

The Raiders — who set program records in the Division I era for total wins (25) and league victories (15) last season — also were the overwhelming pick as the preseason favorite for the third straight year, getting 37 of 44 first-place votes.