Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > February > 21 > Entry
Flyers’ Johnson, Williams not expected to play
SAINT LOUIS — Dayton freshman Chris Johnson, one of the team’s top players, sat out a pre-game shoot-around today because of a bruised calf and likely will be sidelined when the Flyers face Saint Louis tonight.
Freshman guard Paul Williams, who suffered a strained groin during Friday’s practice, participated in the shoot-around but is considered doubtful.
“It doesn’t look good for either one,” UD coach Brian Gregory said.
Johnson, a 6-foot-5 Columbus native, is fifth on the team in scoring (7.0) and second in rebounding (5.7). He was injured during Thursday’s practice during a scramble for a loose ball and was still limping when the Flyers went through light drills at the Billikens’ new home, Chaifetz Arena.
Williams is averaging just 1.9 points, but his playing time has been increasing as the season has progressed after getting a late start because of a broken bone in his left foot.
The 25th-ranked Flyers (23-3), who are in first place in the Atlantic 10 at 9-2, were already short-handed because of the loss of point-guard Rob Lowery to a season-ending knee injury Feb. 11.
A sell-out crowd of about 10,600 is expected tonight. The school put about 30 obstructed-view tickets on sale this morning, and had sold all but a few as of 1 p.m. local time.
It’s the first sell-out this season for the Billikens (16-10, 7-5), who have won five of their last six games.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Mongoose
February 21, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
We sure don’t need these injuries. Maybe it’s time for Luke to bust out now.Go Flyers!!!By FaithfulFlyer65
February 21, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
This could really hurt. Maybe they shouldn’t be playing so hard in practice this far into the season? Since none of the Flyers are accustomed to playing 30 minutes in a game, I wonder if they will have the stamina to do it. This is a situation where not having given players more playing time, could hurt. I hope not. Tough it out Flyers. This is an important game.By Tommie Numnetz
February 21, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
This wouldn’t happen if we brought back the Gem City Jam and UD played WSUBy tds70
February 21, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now, but by next weekend the A10 could be a 5 team race. If UD and Xavier don’t hold serve Temple , St Louis, RI, St Joes are still in the running. Flyers will once again have to find a way to pull out a victory this week either at St Louis or R.I. Injuries will definetly test their depth. X has the advantage schedule wise. Injuries diving for balls in practice this time of year? I’d like to know more about that Doug. What is the total story? We will see, Go Flyers.By amy katz
February 21, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure of your point FaithfulFlyer65. If UD didn’t use 12 players, we’d have to relay on soemone who typically sat on the bench and hasn’t played; most teams couldn’t compete id they were without 3 of their top players but this is where being deep gives UD a chance to still win tonightBy FaithfulFlyer65
February 21, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this
To amy katz. My point is that with 3 starters out, the guys who are left are going to have to play more minutes than they are accustomed to play. And since the 3 players out are 3 of the better players off the bench, it would seem that the 5 starters are going to have to log more minutes than they usually play. If they are not conditioned to play that many minutes, they may wear out toward the end of the game. While if they had been playing more minutes all along, this wouldn’t be a concern. It’s not a big deal. I was just making an observation. I’ll be rooting for them, and I know you will too.By tds70
February 21, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
Flyers go 7 minutes in second half with no points and shoot 50% from the foul line. 5 players in foul trouble, some early, playing out of control it sounded like. Long road ahead I am afraid if this is what happens on the road. CJ and RL sorley missed. Log Jam in X favor as Flyers have to play the three hottest teams in A10 St Louis, Temple, & RI. You don’t have to wait until next weekend, X and UD didn’t hold serve. X 9-3, UD 9-3, Temple 8-3, RI 9-4, St Joes 7-4, St. Louis 8-5 with X ,Temple and St Joe’s heading for home games tomorrow. Another opportunity lost, lets hope they find the range in RI. Go Flyers.By GregS
February 21, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
That is an unexcusable loss. Losing to St Louis is totally ridiculous. WTF! Detroit has not won a freaking game in the Horizon League but they beat St Louis. I’m so pissed off right now I could kick my TV.By Critic#1
February 21, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this
I know this sounds like a cry baby, but I say that St. Louis didn’t beat the Flyers, the zebras did. The officials should be ashamed of themselves. The poor calls, and the no calls were ridiculous. Those officials shouldn’t be allowed to officiate college basketball. In spite of it all, if the Flyers make their free throws, they still win this game.By TDS70
February 21, 2009 10:43 PM | Link to this
Forget that Detroit beat St Louis, that was early season and RM is willing to loose games to make a point with his players. RM has been around the block a few times, more then many coaches. They are 17-10 and if they win there last 4 could be 21-10 and on a roll, they are hungrey. It really doesn’t matter what they did or what UD did early on. The last 12 games of the season tell the tale and UD needs to put together a game with all aspects working. 21 offensive rebound (great), but - zero points off those rebounds? 54% foul shooting. That just is not gonna do it as the team knows! Greg , don’t kick the TV in, send the team a manual on foul shots. I suspect they will work hard to solve that issue, but they are running out of time. They need to take good shots , make them and play a full game to go into NCAAs, as it should be! - Go FlyersBy FlyerFan45
February 21, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
The refs did not cause that loss. Our crappy play lost that game. The good news is that Chris Wright looked more like a WNBA player than an NBA player. Well, we are back on the bubble.By Hartman
February 21, 2009 10:50 PM | Link to this
I’m glad we don’t play the Gem City Jam any more. We’d get our asses kicked in pretty good if we played like that.By Matt
February 21, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this
Is it just me but why does everytime UD plays an away game somehow magically 2 guys get the flu or get a day-to-day injury. It’s as almost if there making it up for an excuse in case they lose.