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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > March > 03 > Entry
Gregory sees improvement in Flyers
Dayton is in the midst of a killer seven-game stretch to finish the regular-season, playing games against the top-tier of the Atlantic 10.
The Flyers are just 3-2 so far, but they’ve beaten Xavier and have shown signs of improvement offensively. They’ve shot at least 45.8 percent from the floor in all but the Saint Louis game, and field-goal accuracy has been an Achilles Heel for this squad.
They’re going into the rematch with Xavier with confidence and are growing as a team, which is what you want at his time of year.
“I’ve been very pleased how we played. Unfortunately, in this league, you can play extremely well and that doesn’t mean you always win,” coach Brian Gregory said.
“We’re a much better team than we were previous to those five games. We’ve played very well in all five of those games. We played with great energy and great intensity. That doesn’t mean we were mistake free. But that formula has gotten us a pretty good amount of wins this year.”
The Flyers had a good showing even in their most recent defeat, a 93-91 overtime decision at Rhode Island last week.
“I thought it was just a tremendous college basketball game, and I think anyone around the country who saw that, you couldn’t have a better promotion for just how tough our league is and how talented the players are and the toughness and grit teams in this league play with,” Gregory said.
“And for our guys to take that bitter defeat and not get down about it and bounce back with two really good days of preparation and play a really high-quality team in Temple and play well in that game and come out with a win, I was really proud of our guys. At this time of the year, you can get a tough loss and get in a funk because of it, and that wasn’t even close to happening to us.”
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Comments
By Bhoops
March 3, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
The FLYERS need to stick to the formula which is to control the boards and committ to high intensity pressure man-to-man defense. If you are a FLYER fan and as BG has mentioned, the FLYERS have done these things consistently over the last 7 games. From a personnel standpoint, LW has to continue to protect the ball and limit turnovers. However, I think the player that can make the most impact outside of CW, MJ, LW, and CJ, is Mickey Perry. Mickey has done a phenominal job on the defensive end, and has been stroking the ball well from the perimeter. With RL sidelined with an injury, the FLYERS need a lock down defender who is a threat from the perimeter. Offensively for the FLYERS, thier ability to open up the lanes so CW, MJ, and CJ can get to the basket is key! One of the ways to do this is to make shots from the perimeter and keep the d honest. You better believe X and the DUKES will play a ton of zone testing the FLYERS inconsistency from the perimeter. Bottom line: If the FLYERS continue to play high intensity pressure D, beat thier opponents on the glass, and shoot 45% or better from field and atleast 38% or better from three, they will beat X and Duquense.By Kurt
March 3, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
I’m going to the X game on Thursday, and while nothing would be sweeter than breaking the streak, I’m going down there with low expectations. While a win would erase any NCAA doubt (though I think we are already safely in), I think it is more important to play well, not sustain any injuries and get ready for the final push. No one expects us to win on Thursday - nor should they until we prove we can beat X on their home court - so a loss would not be devastating. So play hard, stick to the formula and we’ll see how it turns out. Go Flyers!By tds70
March 3, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
X is picked as a 7 point favorite over the Flyers. I am hoping for the upset, but like at the Arena, X is very tough to beat at home. I suspect it will be a very intense game, and no injuries for either team. At this point in the season teams are pretty much what they are going to be for the last 6-7 games through tournaments etc . No one needs injuries, lets just see how we stack up and have a good finish to an already good year. I agree with Bhoops, rebounds and D are key musts. Our offense is always a bit of a risk to hang your hat on. Go Flyers!By FaithfulFlyer65
March 3, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Just an observation.One of the things the tourney committee looks at is the team’s record in their last 10 games. With a loss at Xavier and then having no time to prepare for Duquesne two days later, it’s possible that the Flyers could lose both games. That would be 4 losses in their last 5 games. A loss on the road to Xavier is no problem, but a loss to Duquesne at home would look bad on the resume. I don’t think they’re a lock for the big dance yet. If they don’t win one of their games this week, they’ll be a bubble team and it will all come down to the A-10 tourney. I’d like to see them win both games this week, but I take nothing for granted.By World B. Free
March 3, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
Dayton is in if they do the following: Beat X (does not matter after that) Or lose at X, Beat Duq and win at least ONE in the A-10 tournament, that would be 26-7 with a top 40 RPI - they are in. Dayton fans suffer from a disease that makes them think Dayton is a top tier program. Heck, one jerk compared them to Kansas and even said they were better than Kansas. Dayton Fans, collectively, you are losers and not at all smart when it comes to being objective regarding the Flyers. Teams like Kansas, UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio State, Indiana, and the like are true blue national programs. Yes, they have off years, but look at their body of work over the last 50 years and you see multiple final fours and national championship banners. Get over the NIT s**t from the 50’s and 60’s. Grow TF up and act like men and admire your program for what it is…… up and coming, top 50 or so……. GO FLYERS!By Dr. Know
March 3, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this
World B Flea: Now be a good boy and take your meds. You know your doctor warned you not to forget them as you act irrationally.By Matt
March 3, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this
World B. Free might have made the only comment I’ve read on here for about 5 weeks that is the truth with no BS. I have no clue what world Dayton fans are living in sometimes? They can act and try as hard as they want not to be a mid-major program, but they are the definition of one. Once every 5 years your good enough to make the NCAA Tournament. No matter how many fans are in the stands or how many games you won 40 years ago is gonna change what you are.By hank
March 4, 2009 12:51 AM | Link to this
They were good enough to make the tournament last year too.By 21
March 4, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this
Folks, UD is in the NCAA. Right now they are a 9 seed. There is virtually no way they can go from a 9 to out of the NCAA. Lunardi who works for ESPN and has picked almost every team the last 3-4 years gave UD a 9. Whatever Flyer fans are headed to X to watch the game, pregame is at “The Establishment” in Hyde Park. We have 20+ years of redemption.By Rick
March 4, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
World B Free you hit the nail on the head. Everything you said is so correct about Flyer Fans. Too bad they can’t realize it’s true.By Herb
March 4, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
World B Free why would you make such a broad comment about a group of people? UD draws about 13000 people per home game (regardless of the cupcakes scheduled). On these blogs you see what 5 to 10 comments from sometimes rabid and irrational fans (every team has them including Xavier) and you lump all UD fans into the same group. Before you isult people maybe you sould get your facts straight. There are a select few that still think UD is the program it was in the past but most of us realize that UD is a solid program and from a national standpoint are where Xavier was about 8 to 10 years ago (potentially, it all depends on what we do in the next few years). Next time why not have an intelligent comment instead of that trashBy bill, an old UD fan
March 4, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
Xavier always gets the calls in the games played at X, Always!!! Every year, one key player after another gets in foul trouble for UD, right away, and this year will be no different. That’s Xavier’s biggest advantage, at home, antiminationof the officials. I expect this game to be no different. UD will get homered. just like they always do. So, get ready for it, prepare for it, and hope UD can play through it. But in all those years I have watched the games at X, X usually won, because of key fouls called on key UD players, early in the game….Watch the game closely, and see if this year will be any different…Right, Bucky…By WSUandUCfan
March 4, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
I do not think the game will be decided by the stripes, Bill. Nor do I think UD is a lock for the dance. They have a lot going for them, but they have to do well against X. They obviously can beat X. Who cares what has happened for the past 30 years. What happened in the past 30 days against X? Good luck against X and in one of the tournaments.By Mini-Me Gregory
March 6, 2009 3:15 AM | Link to this
Yet again, the Cryers are crushed by Xavier in Cincinnati. You can’t win here. [Repeat 24 times+]