DAYTON, Ohio — Thousands of fans filed into the University of Dayton Arena Tuesday evening as the first matchups of March Madness got underway.
According to the arena box office, both sessions sold out by Tuesday afternoon with local fans eager to see the first Ohio team of the tournament, Wright State University, take to the court.
What You Need To Know
- The First Four kicked off Tuesday night at UD Arena
- Wright State will be the first Ohio team to play in the tournament
- The Raiders’ campus is 12 miles from UD Arena
- Fans are expecting a home-court feel for Wright State Wednesday night
- Both sessions of games are sold out
Wright State will make its fourth tournament appearance Wednesday night when the team takes on Bryant University. The team has never made it out of the first round, but fans are hopeful a strong showing from local supporters will make a difference.
The Jurgens join dozens of fans in the stands at open practice
The campus is located just 12 miles from UD arena, and to give the taste of what they can expect Wednesday, a few dozen came out to cheer the Raiders on at open practice, including Judy and Pat Jurgen.
“I think it’ll be a big advantage for them,” Judy said.
Both Wright State graduates who recently returned to Dayton, the Jurgens said it’s a stroke of luck that they get to watch their alma mater from their hometown, so they’re hopeful enough fans take advantage of the opportunity to make a difference.
“Hopefully it’ll be a good turnout. Everyone will root for Wright State, even if you’re a UD fan,” she said.
Often, she said Raiders fans can feel like they’re cheering in the shadow of the Dayton Flyers, though their support is loyal and formidable on its own.
Before the practice, a group of fans and alumni held got together for a small lunch and reunion as they rally their friends and family for the game.
“It’s just really exciting,” said Wright State graduate Susan Ayers. “When you’re a fan, you’re a fan good or bad, but winning is always good. And it’s really good to see the team getting a chance to do this. Our players are wonderful.”
The players have taken notice as well. In Wright State’s pregame news conference, all of the athletes were asked about the impact they expected from the fans.
Wright State takes the court at UD Arena for open practice.
“They’ve stuck with and definitely gave us some momentum throughout the games when we’re getting kind of low,” Junior forward Grant Basile said.
He said the team felt the fan’s presence in Indianapolis when they traveled for the Horizon League Tournament, and he’s hoping for an even bigger showing with higher stakes and a shorter distance.
“Dayton is a great basketball city,” Basile said.
In the end, though, the Basile said the game will come down to what the players can do on the court.
“I think the biggest thing is we got to stay level-headed, and that’s what we’ve kind of done when we’ve gotten down,” he said.
Wright State University rose to the top of the Horizon League thanks to a strong offense. Junior guard Tanner Holden leads the country in free throw percentage and is 8th in the country in points, but the team’s defense has been a liability.
Holden said the Raiders earned this spot because they’ve proven they can keep up with strong teams but to win their first tournament game, they need to take it to a higher level.
“I think we’re definitely on the uprise,” he said. “Our defense has definitely gotten better through the season.”
While Wright State is still looking for its first tournament win, the team does have a history of winning at UD Arena. The team has a 14-7 record playing in the Flyer’s barn, and they hope to add to those stats in front of a home crowd Wednesday night.
“I think the crowd will definitely play a part, but you know we just gotta do our jobs on the court,” Holden said.
