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Team Preview: 3rd Place - Dayton Flyers
By CCT Staff | November 15, 2008
(Christian Marge; Ian Nolan)
In hindsight, the 2007-08 Dayton Flyers season left fans asking, “what could have been?” The year began so promising, with the Flyers jumping out to their best start since 1955 when they blistered their competition on the way to an 11-1 record. This opening string of victories, including ten in a row, was highlighted with an 80-55 dismantling of the sixth ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. Everything pointed to an NCAA tournament appearance for the Flyers.
As the calendar changed from 2007 to 2008, however, so did the Flyers. After new year’s day, Dayton became a pedestrian squad, going just 9-8 over their final 17 games. Injuries to stars like Chris Wright - as well as key role players such as Charles Little - played a prominent role in the UD decline. Once they were sent packing in the A-10 Tournament by rival Xavier, Dayton found themselves destined for the NIT. While the Flyers made a nice run before bowing out in the quarterfinals to intra-state rival and eventual NIT Champion Ohio State, the season left a bitter taste despite the 23-11 overall record.
Probable Starters:
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PG - London Warren, 6-0, Jr.
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SG - Marcus Johnson, 6-3, Jr.
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F - Charles Little, 6-6, Sr.
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F - Chris Wright, 6-8, So.
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F/C -Kurt Huelsman, 6′10″, Jr.
On the Court in 2008-09:
Dayton will look to move past the Brian Roberts era this season into a new era of Flyers Basketball; the Chris Wright era.
Wright played in just one conference game last season, but will undoubtedly be the best player on the floor for Dayton in 2008-09. Last season, the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team member averaged just over 10 points and just under 6 boards a game when healthy, showing his big-time ability from day one. With their centerpiece back in the fold, Dayton can pencil their lineup around one of the league’s most versatile players.
In the backcourt, Brian Roberts will be missed. The consummate teammate and player, Roberts did so many things well for the Flyers during his four years on campus. Last season, he ranked fifth in the league in scoring, seventh in field goal percentage, tenth in assists, fifth in three-pointers made, third in three-point field goal percentage and second in free-throw percentage. Roberts was one of the most efficient offensive players in the league and replacing his veteran presence and production in the backcourt will be difficult.
Tasked with that responsibility will be London Warren and Marcus Johnson. Both players have experience. Johnson started in thirty-three games last season and averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds a game. A 47% shooter from the floor in his twenty-nine minutes of action, his 38% three-point shooting also would have placed him in the top twenty of the league. As last season wore on, Johnson improved his shooting from long range and looks to carry that improvement forward. With just twenty-two makes, Dayton would benefit from Johnson becoming a bit more trigger happy from deep. Simply put, his ability to make jumpers with regularity will greatly benefit Chris Wright and company on the interior.
At the point guard slot, London Warren assumes the role of floor general. Warren played in all thirty-four games and cracked the starting five twice, but struggled taking care of the basketball, evidenced by his tally of 65 assists against 77 turnovers. Warren has the speed and quickness to push the ball up the floor as well as anyone in the Atlantic 10, just as long as he holds on to it. He’ll also need to give defenses a reason to play him straight-up, by knocking down the occasional jump shot. Shooting aside, if the junior can simply improve his assist-to-turnover ratio, penetrate and find open shooters, Brian Gregory will be pleased.
Mickey Perry, Rob Lowery, and freshman Paul Williams will be next in line to contribute in the backcourt. Between the three, only Perry has suited up for Dayton, averaging 2.8 points in under ten minutes a game. Perry saw increased action and demonstrated more assertiveness on offense as the season progressed. He’ll be trusted to provide quality minutes off the bench.
Lowery, a JUCO transfer, will most likely spell Warren at the point. Averaging over 18 points and 8 assists in the JUCO ranks, Lowery should provide UD with a more offensive minded point-man once he adjusts to the game at the Division One level. Lowery should have the quickness and speed to replace Warren without losing too much defensively.
Williams’ presence should also be felt. Highly recruited and regarded by scouting services, Williams finished third for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball Award. He has good size at 6-4 and 213 pounds, and could be an immediate offensive spark at the two and three spots.
As far as the frontcourt is concerned, it all starts and ends with Chris Wright. Wright is the focal point of the Dayton offense, and will be giving opposing coaches headaches all season. Wright will use his great size and athleticism to post up on the blocks as well as exploit defenders with his face-up game. His leaping ability and explosiveness in transition make him one of the most versatile big men in the league. He shot a terrific percentage from the field last year at 60%, and nearly led the team in blocks despite playing just 15 games (falling 2 short). The sophomore will need to mature in terms of taking care of the basketball (just 5 assists to 30 turnovers last season), but the game should slow down for him as his sophomore year unfolds.
Providing support down low with CW will be junior Kurt Huelsman, senior Charles Little and sophomore Devin Searcy. Little will play second fiddle to Wright this year after notching 8 points and 4.6 rebounds a game last year coming off the bench. He gives the Flyers good muscle inside, grabs key rebounds and uses his powerful frame to convert second chance opportunities. He should play a key role for Dayton this season opposite Wright.
Huelsman is a blue collar big man who does many things to help a team win games. The 6-10 junior averaged 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last year and possesses a decent back-to-the-basket game. He also sets good screens, clogs the middle of the floor and works hard on the boards. Huelsman shot over 50% from the floor last year, but also shot just over that mark from the free-throw line (54%), an area he’ll need to improve upon. Huelsman will unquestionably benefit playing alongside Wright a full season, cleaning up on the weakside off double teams Wright sees on the opposite block.
Devin Searcy, 6-10, provides depth at the forward spot. The lean second year man has looked more comfortable in exhibition play, showing a increased aggressiveness and better ability to absorb contact and finish.
An intriguing prospect is Chris Johnson, a 6-5 guard/forward out of Columbus, Ohio. Johnson has plus length and athleticism that should enable him to become an excellent defender as he fills out his frame. He is resourceful, possesses a knack for scoring the ball and will help on the glass. Through the first two exhibition games, Johnson has averaged nineteen minutes, a harbinger of things to come.
Luke Fabrizius, another talented freshman, will see time. Fabrizius has a smooth stroke and confidence in his shot, a welcomed addition to the Flyer offensive arsenal. Mix in a few boards and an improving understanding on defense, and Dayton has a nice forward for years to come.
Newcomer Breakdown: According to Assistant Coach Jon Borovich
Josh Benson - (inj.) 6-10, 210 lbs., Forward/Center. Dayton Dunbar High School. Long and athletic. Very good at running the floor and active around the basket as well. Very good rebounder and defender. Improving perimeter skills.
Luke Fabrizius - 6-9, 210 lbs., Forward. Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Very good range with a quick release on his perimeter jump shot. Very skilled and versatile.
Chris Johnson- 6-6, 195 lbs., Wing. Columbus Brookhaven High School. Long and athletic wing who runs the floor exceptionally well. High motor. Very good rebounder on both ends of the floor.
Rob Lowery - 6-2, 175 lbs., Guard. JUCO transfer from Cecil Community College in Maryland. Very good speed and quickness with the basketball. Makes the people around him better, has high energy and is a vocal presence.
Paul Williams - 6-3, 205 lbs., Guard. Detroit Renaissance High School. A strong scoring guard who is physical. A versatile scorer and hard-nosed defender as well.
Go-to-Guy: Chris Wright. The sophomore played in just one league game last year, yet still managed to find his way onto the All-Rookie Team. Inexperience aside, Wright has all the tools to become a great player and deliver in the clutch. As a freshman, Wright shot 60% from the floor and 80% from the line in fifteen games before injury. His field goal percentage of 60% - which would have qualified him second in the conference - is unheard of for a freshman. His 80% shooting from the charity stripe is a pleasant surprise for a 6-8 forward.
Although Wright is likely to be the youngest player in the UD starting lineup, he is without question the most talented. By the time league play rolls around, there is no doubt Chris Wright’s number will be called in late and close situations.
Impact Newcomer: Chris Johnson. The freshman has an excellent chance to impact the game at both ends of the floor and, because of his ability to contribute defensively and rebound the basketball, can register in the black on the plus-minus scale even on nights when the shot isn’t falling. He is versatile, runs the floor well and should fit perfectly into Brian Gregory’s system.
Top Non-Conference Matchup: November 29th, 2008 against Marquette at the Chicago Invitational Tournament. Marquette has a new coach in Buzz Williams, but returns Dominic James and Jerel McNeal to a team that won 25 games last season. Marquette relies on a guard heavy lineup and is capable of being exposed down low by teams with a legitimate inside presence. This will be a great early season test for the Flyers against a team that should be ranked between 15th and 20th in the nation at tip-off. A victory is certainly within reach.
Notable Positive Statistic (2007-2008): A rebound differential of 4.7 in the plus column; best in the A-10.
Notable Negative Statistic (2007-2008): A 63.9% effort from the charity-stripe; worst in the A-10.
The Flyers will succeed if…. they anchor to fundamentals on the defensive end. Despite being supremely athletic, the Flyers need to protect against relying solely on their athleticism to secure defensive boards. Dayton also must pressure the ball aggressively and intelligently, avoiding the cheap foul and instead using their collective quickness and length to frustrate opponents and create turnovers.
Additionally, UD must shoot the ball effectively from the perimeter. Andres Sandoval, Jimmy Binnie and Brian Roberts combined to make 166 three-point field goals in 2007-08 (100 from Roberts). It may be unfair to expect this team to recover that entire spread, but UD must receive contributions from the newcomers, as well as returnees Johnson and Perry, to fill some of that void.
Outlook: This is an NCAA caliber ballclub. The Flyers possess depth, athleticism, balance and a heap of talent. Chris Wright is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, Marcus Johnson is coming into his own and a host of other important role players, such as Kurt Huelsman and Charles Little, are present.
While Brian Roberts is gone, plenty of scoring options remain on this Flyer team, many now of the veteran variety. In addition, UD is exceptionally athletic and versatile from a personnel standpoint, placing the Flyers in the unique position of being able to match-up with most any team they’ll face all year. The newcomers appear court-ready as a unit, giving Brian Gregory some flexibility with which to work.
If the Flyers can safeguard the basketball and distribute it effectively to their scorers, protect the defensive glass and turn other teams over the way in which they are capable, UD can challenge for a league title.
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