Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > January > 13
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wright, Warren fighting flu
Sophomore forward Chris Wright has missed the last two days of practice with the flu but is expected to play against Fordham on Wednesday, although he’ll be held out of the starting lineup.
Junior point guard London Warren also has the flu, but he’ll see some action off the bench, too.
Freshman Chris Johnson will replace Wright in the starting line-up, while junior Rob Lowery will take Warren’s place.
The Flyers (14-2) are coming off a 75-62 loss at Massachusetts, and in coach Brian Gregory’s mind, the UMass game was similar to UD’s other setback, a 77-59 decision at Creighton.
“In our two losses, we didn’t defend and rebound the way we have all year long,” Gregory said. “We’ve lost our poise on defense where every help situation and every team defense situation — and they usually say this with offense — we were trying to swing for the fences (by gambling for steals).
“We were trying to make up a six- or seven-point deficit in one play, and you can’t do it,” he said.
Because of their limitations on offense — namely, few reliable outside shooters — the Flyers depend heavily on their defense and rebounding. But UMass shot 52.3 percent from the field. Only three other opponents have topped 40 percent against UD.
The Minutemen also had a 33-26 edge on the boards. Creighton and Wofford are the only other teams to out-rebound UD.
To cure their offensive woes — the Flyers have been held to 66 or fewer points in four of their last five games — Gregory wants his team to push the ball and create opportunities in the open court.
That certainly would make the athletic Wright more of a factor. He’s failed to reach double-figures in three of the last six games and hasn’t scored more than 18 this year.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment |
Wright misses practice with sickness
Sophomore forward Chris Wright has flu-like symptons and missed practice Monday. Coach Brian Gregory said Wright’s status for the Fordham game Wednesday will be evaluated after today’s practice.
Freshman guard Paul Williams has an ear infection and is considered questionable for the Fordham game, too.
If Wright — the team’s leading scorer and rebounder — doesn’t play, freshman Chris Johnson will likely get the starting nod.
