1996–97 Wright State Raiders men's basketball team

Coach Underhill vs. President Flack

University president Dr. Harley Flack had made his displeasure with head coach Ralph Underhill widely known. This was contemporarily reported to include ultimatums of suspension or firing if the coach received technical fouls, and interference with contract negotiations.^[1][2] Dr. Flack pointedly stopped attending basketball games.^[3] His annual briefings to the athletic department called for more diversity, which was understood to be directed at the basketball coaching staff.^[4] Coach Underhill later claimed in the press that Flack required athletic director Mike Cusack to interview black basketball players specifically looking for any racial animus.^[5]

In coach Underhill’s new contract were specific performance and behavioral expectations. Dr. Flack had made it clear that he expected that the program become a top 50 program ^[6] and the contract stipulated Wright State should be in the top 150 in RPI within two years.^[7] This was an ambitious goal for a fledgling NCAA Division I program in a competitive conference.

Division I growing pains

The Raiders program at this time was under particular strain because it did not have a full time strength and conditioning coach or a full time academic advisor, or even a full time secretary.^[8] The new arena lacked dedicated locker room or workout space specifically for the basketball teams, leading to awkward sharing of equipment and space with other teams, other Nutter Center functions, and the student body. Having grown from a Division II program, few administrative adjustments had been made to accommodate the competitive demands of Division I. The coaching staff tried to pick up the slack.^[9]

Vitaly Potapenko

President Flack made an ultimatum to center Vitaly Potapenko that he would have only one more chance to pass the English as a second language exam or face expulsion. Potapenko had a “B” average and had come very close to passing the exam on his last attempt.^[9] Flack had been critical of Potapenko previously, including threatening Potapenko with consequences for perceived academic shortcomings.^[5][10] Potapenko was expected to return for his senior season,^[6] but a suspension would have meant missing a year of basketball.

Potapenko entered the NBA draft as an undergraduate and was selected 12th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Players Leaving

Guard Rick Martinez had left before the end of the previous season, starting a series of players leaving. Bilaal Neal had left the team with an illness, and junior college swingman Johnnie Blake again promised to join the roster but did not do so for the second year.

Guard Terrance Cast asked out of his scholarship complaining about lack of playing time.^[11] Forward Thad Burton also asked for release, but in the end did not leave the school.^[12]

New Recruits

Recruits included junior college forward Mark Oliver,^[13] guard Mike Richardson, guard John Sivesind,^[14] forward De'Andre Shepard, forward Lequient Lewis,^[15] and forward Ryan Grose.^[16]

Walk-ons Steve Yeagle,^[17] and Anthony Brown rounded out the recruiting class.

Coaching Change

On November 11, head coach Ralph Underhill attended the MCC preseason media event in Indianapolis. Upon returning home he was arrested for shoplifting at a local grocery store.^[18] Four days later he was fired, an event that quickly became a media circus.^{[19][20][21][22]}

Jim Brown was appointed head coach following his tenure as an assistant coach. The Raiders team for that season included several inexperienced players and a schedule that included multiple high-ranking opponents.