History of Wright State Raiders men's basketball in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 20, 2026

The Wright State Raiders men's basketball team represents Wright State University, competing in the Horizon League at the NCAA Division I level. They won a national championship in 1983 as a Division II school and have since made five NCAA Division I tournament appearances, with their most recent appearance in 2026. The team plays its home games at the Nutter Center and is currently led by head coach Clint Sargent.

1970: First Men's Basketball Team

In 1970, Wright State sponsored its first men's basketball team under Coach John Ross. Key players included Doug Meeks, Mark Beilinski, and Jim Thacker, among others.

1972: Series Began

In 1972, The Wright State and Northern Kentucky series began where both schools would routinely compete against each other.

1975: Marcus Jackson Takes Over

In 1975, Marcus Jackson succeeded John Ross, leading the Raiders to their first 20-win season and NCAA tournament appearance. He implemented an up-tempo, high-scoring philosophy.

1976: Young Team Struggles

In 1976, Wright State faced challenges as a young team.

1977: Team Runs Hot

In 1977, Jackson's Raiders team was performing well but his tenure ended early due to a losing streak and disagreements with the athletic administration.

1978: Ralph Underhill Hired

Ralph Underhill coached from 1978 to 1996.

1982: Ralph Underhill Coaching

In the 1982-83 season, Ralph Underhill led the team to an NCAA Division II National Championship.

1983: National Champions

In 1983, Wright State was the National Champions.

1983: Division II NCAA Tournament Win

In 1983, Wright State won the Division II NCAA tournament.

1986: Ervin J. Nutter Donation

In 1986, Ervin J. Nutter donated $1.5 million to Wright State University.

1987: Moved to Division I

In 1987, Wright State moved to Division I.

1987: Series Interrupted

In 1987, the series between Wright State and Northern Kentucky was interrupted when Wright State moved to division 1.

1988: Construction Began

In 1988, construction began on the Ervin J. Nutter Center.

1990: First Event at Nutter Center

In 1990, Wright State hosted the first event at the Ervin J. Nutter Center, defeating Tennessee State 88–66 on December 1.

1991: Conference Rivals

Since the 1991-92 season, Wright State and Cleveland State have been conference rivals.

1992: First Championship

In the 1992–93 season, Wright State had their first conference tournament championship under Ralph Underhill.

1993: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1993, Wright State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

1996: Ralph Underhill Coaching end date

Ralph Underhill coached from 1978 to 1996 and accumulated 356 wins at Wright State and an NCAA DII national championship in the 1982–83 season.

December 13, 1997: Last Meeting

The last meeting between Wright State University and the University of Dayton, also known as the Gem City Jam, was held at the University of Dayton on December 13, 1997; Dayton won 94–63.

1999: Israel Sheinfeld Stats

In 1999-2000, Israel Sheinfeld led the Midwestern Collegiate Conference in field goal percentage.

2000: Israel Sheinfeld Award

In 2000, Israel Sheinfeld was named to the All-MCC first team after leading the Midwestern Collegiate Conference in field goal percentage and rebounds per game.

2001: Israel Sheinfeld Stats

In 2000-2001, Israel Sheinfeld led the conference in two-point field goal percentage.

April 8, 2003: Paul Biancardi Hired

On April 8, 2003, Wright State announced that Paul Biancardi would be the new head coach.

2004: Finished 5th in Horizon League Standings

In the 2004-2005 season Wright State would finish with a 15–15 while finishing 6th in the conference standings with an 8–8 record.

2005: Finished 6th in Horizon League Standings

In the 2004-2005 season Wright State would finish with a 15–15 while finishing 6th in the conference standings with an 8–8 record.

2006: Finished 7th in Horizon League Standings

In 2005–2006, Wright State's final record was 13–15, with an 8–8 conference record they would finish 7th in the standings.

2006: Brad Brownell Took Over

In 2006, Brad Brownell took over the head coaching duties at Wright State, leaving his position with UNC Wilmington.

2007: Finished 3rd

In 2007, Wright State finished 3rd.

2007: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2007, Wright State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

2007: Horizon League Champion

In 2007, Wright State was the regular season Horizon League Champion, going 23–10 overall, and 13–3 in conference play. They secured an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, earning a 14 seed, but lost in the first round to the Pittsburgh Panthers.

2008: Finished 3rd

In 2008, Wright State finished 3rd.

2009: Finished 2nd

In 2009, Wright State finished 2nd.

2009: Horizon League tournament championship

Wright State was in the Horizon League tournament championship for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.

2010: Brad Brownell Left

After the conclusion of the 2009–2010 season, Brad Brownell left Wright State to take the head coaching job at Clemson University.

2010: Billy Donlon Hired

Billy Donlon was the head coach from 2010 to 2016 after Brad Brownell was announced as the new Clemson head coach.

2012: Finished 3rd

In the 2012–2013 season, after being projected to finish last in the league, Wright State finished 3rd in the Horizon League.

2013: Coach of the Year

In 2013, Billy Donlon earned the Horizon League Coach of the Year award for Wright State's performance in the 2012–2013 season.

2015: Scott Nagy Hired

Following the firing of Billy Donlon after the 2015–2016 season, Wright State hired then South Dakota State University head coach Scott Nagy to head their program.

2016: Scott Nagy Hired

Following the firing of Billy Donlon after the 2015–2016 season, Wright State hired then South Dakota State University head coach Scott Nagy to head their program.

2018: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2018, Wright State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

2022: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2022, Wright State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

2022: Raiders return to NCAA tournament

The Wright State Raiders returned to the NCAA tournament in 2022. His Raiders teams continued to set the standard in the Horizon League reeling off 20 win seasons.

2024: Clint Sargent Hired

In 2024, Clint Sargent was hired as the current head coach.

2026: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2026, Wright State made an appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

2026: Conference tournament championships

Wright State has five conference tournament championships, most recently in 2026 under coach Clint Sargent. Wright State's last appearance in the Horizon League/Midwestern Collegiate championship games was in 2026.