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Gregory looking for senior guards to take charge
SAN JUAN — Dayton coach Brian Gregory wasn’t happy with the rebounding from his frontline — Kansas State had a 44-32 edge on the boards — and the guards didn’t end the game in his good graces, either.
Seniors London Warren (3-for-7) and Marcus Johnson (1-for-4) were a combined 4-for-11 from the foul line. And back-up senior guard Mickey Perry didn’t contribute much, either. Johnson needed a team-high 13 shots to get 14 points, and the trio combined for just eight assists with eight turnovers in the 83-75 defeat.
Kansas State, of course, is picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 behind Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma and is an NCAA tourney-caliber team, but Gregory expects more from his backcourt than that.
Warren and Johnson couldn’t deliver in a semifinal loss to Big East favorite Villanova, either.
“With upper-class guards, you have to have more poise in crucial situations, and I thought we didn’t have that these last two games,” Gregory said.
“I think we showed flashes. Unfortunately, these three games highlighted some deficiencies we have to address and improve on when it counts, when the (Atlantic 10) conference comes around.”
Perry had a chance to cut into a four-point deficit with a 3-pointer from the wing with 30 seconds to go, but it bounced long. And he was called for an intentional foul as Denis Clemente was taking off for a break-away lay-up.
It was the Flyers’ last gasp.
“You can’t play the way we played against a team of that caliber,” Gregory said. “It’s the same thing against Villanova. We played hard and we scrap and all that stuff — and that’s great. But you also have to play well, and we didn’t do that in this game.”
Chris Wright had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Johnson had 16 points and Paul Williams 10. Jacob Pullen, who had UD in his final two schools as a recruit before choosing K-State, had 26 points, while Clemente added 21.
“Those two guards dominated the game … in every aspect,” Gregory said.
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Comments
By nyc
November 23, 2009 5:52 AM | Link to this
missed the game..but i heard it looked like a pro team playing a high school team…..
By Steve
November 23, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
UD has play ugly in all of thier games so far. They need the upperclassman to step up and control the flow.. Of course you still need the basics.. Rebounding, Passing, Defense, and shooting (Foul). UD is not a top 25 team.. Sorry to say..
By Ben
November 23, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
QUITE FOULING!!!! The Flyers have crossed the line in playing hard and agressive to just playing just plain stupid. The number of fouls is alarming. Let’s back it down one notch and make the other team earn their points the hard way. Go Flyers!
By Doug
November 23, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
Ben, they are fouling because they are not keeping the player infront of them. Bad feet work, results in stupid fouls
By amy.katz
November 23, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
Flyers did not play well but I wouldn’t say it looked liked a pro vs high school team — the only game I’ve seen like that the past few years was last season when Duke pounded x - talk about ugly -OUCH!!
By Barry Zuckerkorn
November 23, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
At least they can get a neutral site nationally televised showcase game. We’re not there yet. UD has a lot of work to do
By BrutusBuckeye
November 23, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but it’s now clear that the Dayton Flyers were highly overrated in the preseason. Are they a good, middle-of-the-pack team? - yes. A top 25 team? - NO.
By deltaz
November 23, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
Gregory has a decision,continue this charade starting Huelsman and Warren game after game and expecting quality basketball from them,or benching these two highly unproductive seniors and starting Chris Johnson and Williams.
By Rob
November 23, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
Huelsman needs to go as a starter for sure. The problem is Dayton is pretty limited at the center position. Also, Chris Wright has to step up now! Playing one half is not acceptable for a future NBA player and he needs to lead this team now. Finally, this is a top 25 team. Dayton will show everyone once they get back and can focus on each game and team.
By Flyer 17
November 23, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Dayton is not currently a top 24 program with London leading the way. When and if Rob Lowery comes back and is running the show Dayton is a top 15 program. Remember this is only November and there is a lot of ball still to be played. March Madness is over 3 months away.
By Harry the Horse
November 23, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
I think the 3 sophomores were the best the Flyers put on the court in Puerto Rico. Paul Williams is vastly improved. CJ is Coach Gregory’s go to guy down the stretch. And Luke will keep most zone defenses, which the Flyers will see a lot of, honest. The question most Flyer fans have is what does the team do when they face a team as quick as tall as talented. Throw in most teams the Flyers face will shoot better from the free throw line. Right now my starting 5: CW, CJ, Luke, Paul and MJ at the point.. The Flyers got a nice wake-up call in Puerto Rico….
By matt
November 23, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
Why Kurt continues to play baffles me. He is slow defensively, unathletic, constantly turnovers the ball, and looks lost on the floor. I cant stand how I always hear how Kurt does the things that dont show up on the stat sheet. He doesnt rebound, gets beat off the dribble, gets in early foul trouble, and cant defend. Gregory, please play the Freshman or go small/more athletic.
By Bob
November 23, 2009 10:44 PM | Link to this
All three games required come from behind effort. Villanova and K State had outstanding guards that shot well and broke us down with dribble drive penetration with a finish or pass for a flush. The effort was evident, but execution of the half court offense will, I’m sure, keep the fellas in the film room. These were not bad losses. All three teams’ fans were highly complimentary of the team and its potential. I asked them if they would do a home and home with us. They said, “Absolutely, no way.” They know they’d have a hard time at the arena, but also said we would not be a “bad loss.”
By POPO
November 24, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
UD has some work to do. I do agree that Kurt should not be playing much. On the other hand somebody said that UD is limited at the Center position. Who’s fault is that? Friends….it is called the coach. If just recruit guards and fowards (who are limited except CW) this will be the result.
By flyer hoops fan
November 28, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
We have to learn to play the game a little more smarter as Wright stated in his interview. Smart has to come in practice and carry over into the game not in the game and carry over into practice. I LOVE defense it wins games plain and simple but it has to be controlled. Tone it down and control it. We are after to many steals, defense hurts it is not easy and you do not get alot of accolades for it but it wins games. Chris Wright is a 3 or 4, he is not gonna lead this team like people are trying to make him he will give a 110% nite in and nite out but we need a bona fide leader that will explode from the outside and this opens it up for your guys like Chris to really get their game off. Warren and Huelsman, need to step up that is where Dayton is gonna have trouble if we cannot get a guard that can handle pressure and a big man that can atleast make his presence felt in the paint. Not leading the team in rebounding none since he has been on campus is horrible. Quit kidding ourselves he is a very nice young man but not a starter. Warren, it has amazed me the young men that play ball and this is the only pg we can get, speed and nice defense all levels out when he plays offense.