Pregame Preview: Northern Kentucky (14-7, 6-4) vs Wright State (12-8, 7-2)
Saturday’s matchup comes with an adjusted start time, moved up to 1 pm out of precaution for fan and player safety with an incoming snowstorm expected in the region.
Northern Kentucky has faced an interesting trend recently, with back-to-back opponents coming off losses to the bottom two teams in the Horizon League. The Raiders remain near the top of the league standings and are coming off just their first loss since December 16, when they fell to still-undefeated Miami (OH). This time, it was Cleveland State that handed WSU a setback in Dayton, snapping a seven-game winning streak.
Despite the loss, Wright State did plenty right. The Raiders had six players score in double figures and poured in 50 points in the paint, but cold perimeter shooting proved costly. WSU went just 5-for-24 from three and struggled to slow down Dayan Nessah, who erupted for 31 points on 9-for-13 shooting and lived at the free throw line, getting there 15 times on his own.
Expect Wright State to approach this one with urgency. A bounce-back effort feels likely in a rivalry setting, and there is little reason to expect a hangover effect from the Cleveland State loss, similar to what NKU saw last game against Robert Morris.
Historically, the series has leaned Wright State’s way. The Raiders hold a 32–18 advantage all time, though NKU claimed the most recent meeting, last season, with an 80–76 win at the Nutter Center, powered by five Norse scoring in double figures.
There is also a milestone on the line. Head coach Darrin Horn enters the afternoon sitting on 299 career wins, putting No. 300 within reach on Saturday.
Efficiency defines this Wright State team. The Raiders are shooting 49.4% from the field and rank among the league’s most consistent offensive groups. In Horizon League play, they own the second-best effective field goal percentage at 58%.
While WSU does not rely heavily on volume three-point shooting, they convert when they do take them. The Raiders average just 7.3 made threes per game but shoot 36.3% from deep. In league play, they rank last in point distribution from three, with only 23.2% of their points coming from beyond the arc. That puts added emphasis on NKU’s ability to protect the paint, stay disciplined defensively, and defend without fouling.
All signs point to a statement-game opportunity for both teams. Check out the full scouting report ahead of the matchup with the Norse.
Wright State's Scouting Report
★ = Starter of Previous Game
★ #2 Sam Alamutu – Graduate Guard, 6'5" 220 lbs – Ajax, Ontario, Canada / Rothesay Netherwood School
Previous School: Vermont
Season Averages: 14.7 MIN, 4.1 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.4 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.2 BLK, 1.4 TO, 51.7 FG%, 63.6 FT%, 37.5 3PT%
Started the last two games but logged just five minutes against Cleveland State, all in the first half. Not a perimeter-focused player despite respectable percentage numbers, just 3-for-8 from three on the season. Most effective as a cutter and finisher, with nearly all of his scoring coming at the rim off movement rather than creation.
Spent four seasons at Vermont as a rotation forward, starting 19 games in 2024–25. Known for efficiency around the basket and rebounding impact, shooting near 47% or better from the field each of his final two seasons. Had multiple double-figure scoring games and peaked with a 23-point performance late in the 2023–24 season.
★ #3 Dominic Pangonis – Sophomore Guard, 6'7" 200 lbs – Burlington, Ontario, Canada / Polaris Prep
Previous School: Stephen F. Austin
Season Averages: 26.3 MIN, 9.0 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.2 BLK, 1.1 TO, 50.0 FG%, 73.7 FT%, 40.4 3PT%
Started 13 games this season, including each of the last eight, and has scored in double figures in six of the last eight outings. Efficient but low-volume shooter from three, prefers attacking off the bounce. Likes to drive right and is comfortable making plays after dribble handoffs. On the opening possession of each of the last two games, he scored WSU’s first basket at the rim after wing dribble handoffs. One came on a straight-line drive, the other on a well-timed backdoor cut. Defensively sound, holding opponents to 36.4% shooting when he’s the primary defender.
Played one season at Stephen F. Austin as a freshman rotation guard, averaging 21.4 minutes and 6.2 points per game. Showed efficiency inside the arc and flashed scoring upside with multiple double-figure outings.
★ #4 Kellen Pickett – Freshman Forward, 6'9" 215 lbs – Fort Wayne, IN / Blackhawk Christian
Season Averages: 18.5 MIN, 6.8 PTS, 4.8 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.4 STL, 1.1 BLK, 0.7 TO, 61.9 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 20.0 3PT%
Started each of the last eight games and has won his third straight HL Freshman of the Week after being a double digit scorer in 5 of his last 8 games. Efficient scorer who thrives off movement, post touches, and offensive putbacks. As a post player, he consistently looks to get back to his right hand to finish. Offensively effective around the rim, but limited as a perimeter threat.
Defensively, he can be targeted. Two games ago against Youngstown State, he gave up 21 points as teams pulled him too deep into the paint and kicked out to his assignment for open looks, or isolated him on the perimeter where Dawkins was easily able to beat him one-on-one to the rim.
★ #13 Solomon Callaghan – Redshirt Sophomore Guard, 6'2" 195 lbs – Wadsworth, OH / Wadsworth
Season Averages: 28.6 MIN, 10.4 PTS, 1.7 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.0 BLK, 0.8 TO, 42.6 FG%, 96.6 FT%, 40.4 3PT%
Left-handed shooter who is a major perimeter priority. Starter in all but two games this season and the primary way he impacts the game is through spacing and shot volume from deep. Went 3–12 overall and 2–10 from three against Cleveland State, but remains a high-volume threat. 109 of his 148 shot attempts this season have come from three, a jump from 52% to 74% of his shot profile compared to last year. Most dangerous from the wing and top of the key. When he puts the ball on the floor, he prefers driving left.
Saw extended minutes as a freshman and already has a strong track record against NKU. Scored 16 points on 4–9 shooting from three in his most recent start against the Norse last season.
#21 Logan Woods – Redshirt Junior Guard, 6'5" 185 lbs – Fairfield, OH / Fairfield
Season Averages: 22.4 MIN, 6.7 PTS, 2.3 REB, 1.9 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK, 1.1 TO, 47.5 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 38.9 3PT%
Rotation wing who functions as WSU’s seventh man. Over half of his shot attempts come from three. Reliable catch-and-shoot option, especially from the wings where he’s hitting 47%, and effective finishing around the rim (66.7%). Can create opportunities off the bounce and is most dangerous when left unattended. Defensively, he can be targeted. Opponents are shooting 52% overall and 47% from three against him this season.
In five career games versus NKU, he has totaled six points, with limited offensive impact. Started extensively last season and shot the ball well from deep, but his role this year has shifted more toward a bench spacer and situational shooter.
★ #22 TJ Burch – Sophomore Guard, 6'1" 160 lbs – Dallas, TX / Ball State
Season Averages: 22.8 MIN, 10.6 PTS, 2.2 REB, 3.4 AST, 2.8 STL, 0.3 BLK, 1.8 TO, 43.2 FG%, 73.2 FT%, 27.3 3PT%
Burch is the third leading scorer on the roster and has taken a clear leap since moving into the starting lineup eight games ago. Since the loss to Miami OH, he has scored in double figures in every game, averaging 16 points per contest during that stretch, including a career-high 24-point outing against Youngstown State. His offensive usage has shifted heavily toward ball screen actions, where nearly 38% of his possessions come as a pick-and-roll ball handler. He has converted 31 of his 76 total shot attempts out of those actions and shows a strong tendency to drive left, doing so roughly 75% of the time.
WSU leans into that comfort by using multiple screeners and ghost screen actions to force defensive communication and create downhill lanes for Burch. NKU’s ability to stay connected, talk early, and pass off responsibilities will be critical. The clip below is slowed down and shows Cleveland State executing that exact coverage late in a game, communicating through the ghost screens and taking away Burch’s driving angle, with #7 Dayan Nessah playing it perfectly.
#33 Michael Imariagbe – Graduate Forward, 6'7" 225 lbs – Houston, TX / Alief Elsik
Previous School: Houston Christian
Season Averages: 22.5 MIN, 11.5 PTS, 5.6 REB, 1.8 AST, 0.4 STL, 0.9 BLK, 1.8 TO, 58.1 FG%, 67.8 FT%, 16.7 3PT%
Imariagbe is the second leading scorer for WSU and a constant interior presence when he is on the floor. He missed the Youngstown State game with a leg injury, then returned against Cleveland State but fouled out in just 16 minutes, still finishing with 10 points. His offensive profile is almost entirely paint based. He operates primarily out of the post and looks to establish deep position early in possessions, often trying to bury his defender under the rim before help can arrive. He has taken just six shots outside the paint all season, underscoring how committed he is to scoring at the rim.
His activity on the glass is a major part of his value. Forty-one percent of his rebounds come on the offensive end, creating second chances and putting constant pressure on opposing bigs to finish defensive possessions. Defensively, teams have not shied away from attacking him. Opponents are shooting 51.7% against Imariagbe, with most of that damage coming on post-ups and isolation actions where he is forced to guard without help.
Imariagbe has also been productive against NKU in the past. Across two games last season, he totaled 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting and pulled down 13 rebounds.
#55 Michael Cooper – Freshman Guard, 6'3" 185 lbs – Jeffersonville, IN / Jeffersonville
Season Averages: 28.0 MIN, 14.6 PTS, 3.4 REB, 2.6 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.3 BLK, 1.3 TO, 45.6 FG%, 76.9 FT%, 34.2 3PT%
Cooper has been the offensive driver for WSU all season, leading the team in scoring as a freshman. He started every game he appeared in until the last two against Youngstown State and Cleveland State and has consistently embraced being the focal point of the offense. He has recorded double-digit shot attempts in 12 games this season and shows no hesitation asserting himself late in possessions or in scoring actions designed specifically for him.
Much like TJ Burch, WSU is comfortable putting Cooper in high pick-and-roll situations as the primary ball handler. He strongly favors driving right, doing so on more than 76% of his drives, making on-ball discipline and angle control a priority for NKU’s perimeter defenders. While he can knock down the three, less than 40% of his total shot attempts come from beyond the arc. He is comfortable pulling up in the mid-range and has shown good touch when defenses sit on the drive.
Cooper also takes care of the ball, posting better than a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and contributes defensively. Opponents are shooting under 33% against him, reflecting solid positional defense and activity on the ball. For a freshman, his combination of scoring confidence, decision-making, and two-way impact stands out.
