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Kavanaugh ready to battle for starting spot
Matt Kavanaugh has been working on his figure. OK, the Dayton sophomore center is looking to become more lean and mean this season, and all the effort and sweat have helped him lose about eight pounds off his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame.
The UD coaches have him on a 3,500-calorie diet. If normal people ate that much, they’d blow up like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day float. But that’s about the right amount for an active athlete with a high metabolism.
“It’s helped with my stamina and endurance,” said Kavanaugh, who is currently sidelined with a strained left hamstring.
“(Strength coach Mike) Bewley gave me a calorie limit, what I should be eating and when I should be eating. I have a fat limit. (The diet is) 55 percent carbs, 25 percent protein and 20 percent fat. … It’s done me right so far.”
Asked what he’s had to grudgingly give up, Kavanaugh said, “Pretty much no more Five Guys (hamburger shop).”
Kavanaugh will battle senior Devin Searcy for the starting center spot, although sophomore Josh Benson also could play at the 5 if needed.
“Me and Devin are both capable of filling that spot,” Kavanaugh said. “Right now, nothing is set in stone. All of us have to keep working. Whoever gets that spot will give us the best chance of winning.”
Asked what he’ll bring to the Flyers this season, the Centerville grad said: “Just a tough mentality, go hard on every play, crash on every rebound. That’s what I’m really trying to focus on, my rebounding. Rebounding can go a long way. If I can do that on the offensive and defensive ends, that will help me and the team.”
Kavanaugh had a pretty good role model in the graduated Kurt Huelsman, who was a defensive warrior.
“He definitely helped me out, watching his approach to practice and games every day,” Kavanaugh said. “He’s one of the most focused and professional players I’ve been around. He definitely rubbed off on me and my growing process.”
Despite playing only sparingly last season, Kavanaugh remained upbeat. He could see his time would come and said he never thought about transferring.
And the UD coaches were more high on him than his minutes might have indicated.
“I’ve always been a Dayton Flyer, and I’m always going to be a Dayton Flyer,” Kavanaugh said. “(Transferring) never crossed my mind. I was happy. I knew it was going to be tough with Kurt having started every game. That just makes next year all the more exciting and makes me want to work that much harder to prepare for next year.”
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By UD fan Steve
July 16, 2010 12:36 AM | Link to this
Matt played all 5 positions in high school and knows the game well,if his body is shaped like a division 1 athelete he could become a dominate center in the A10,maybe another Tyler Hansborough.It would sure be a welcome sight to see a center with great offensive skills.Let’s hope he developes the mind set and strength to be all we know he is capable of.
By Flyer5
July 16, 2010 2:19 AM | Link to this
I think he’ll turn out to be a good finisher around the basket. Lunch pail warrior all the way…
By Doug
July 16, 2010 8:14 AM | Link to this
Let’s quit the in fighting people. No question that Matt is not going to be a major contributor at UD, but hopefully he does not transfer to get more PT somewhere else.
By frank
July 16, 2010 8:43 AM | Link to this
Technically speaking, Cleveland State has won two NCAA tournament games in the past 25 years. They beat Indiana in the first round of the 1986 NCAA tournament.
By sec 312
July 16, 2010 8:52 AM | Link to this
wow Doug, what D1 team or maybe CYO team have you coached to knows so much about talent? You must have missed reading class…to mention transferring.
By BrianRoberts
July 16, 2010 9:04 AM | Link to this
I don’t think MK is going to tell Doug Harris that he is thinking of transferring. With our improved recruiting, I’d be very surprised if MK is still a Flyer next year.
By Clark Kellogg
July 16, 2010 9:48 AM | Link to this
If Matt left UD, it would be “addition by subtraction”. Kavanaugh was a marginal mid-major recruit.
By Joe Pyne
July 16, 2010 9:53 AM | Link to this
I’m told Kavanaugh is a really nice kid but there is no doubt that he is in over his head. Much too slow and lumbering to play at this level. He would be better suited at Youngstown State, Marshall, Evansville etc.
By Rudy Flyer
July 16, 2010 10:20 AM | Link to this
Kavenaugh only averaged .8 rpg and .8 ppg as a freshman. Hopefully he will smell the coffee and transfer.
By chris cage
July 16, 2010 10:21 AM | Link to this
How ‘bout more coverage of Flyer Football? UD has arguably the best Division-1 non-scholarship team in the nation!
By Rosie
July 16, 2010 10:25 AM | Link to this
No disrespect to Matt, and I love him. But, I doubt he could make it in the Horizon League.
By Muddy Waters
July 16, 2010 10:42 AM | Link to this
Matt is just another in a long line of big white stiffs that have donned the flyer uniform. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed.
By David
July 16, 2010 10:46 AM | Link to this
If we can’t get anyone better at center than Matt K then we are in deep doo doo. The guy spends more time falling down than standing upright. Ralph Hill would make a better center than Matt.
By frank
July 16, 2010 10:56 AM | Link to this
Matt is a great kid, but lets get serious… Trey McDonald will start before Matt Kavenaugh. I agree with others that Matt is in way over his head. I could see him playing D-II or D-III basketball though.
By Michael
July 16, 2010 11:12 AM | Link to this
Chill out everyone. There is no way that Matt Kavanstiff is going to start. Devin will start, Benson will be the backup center, and K-stiff will be feeding drinks to CW.
By UNC fan
July 16, 2010 11:25 AM | Link to this
Did a UD fan actually compare a weak mid-major center to an All American like Tyler Hansborough? Talk about delusional.
By Skippy
July 16, 2010 12:02 PM | Link to this
You people must not watch much college basketball if you’re judging a center after 1 year. Our last decent center, Sean Finn, didn’t earn any playing time at all his freshman year.
By Matt
July 16, 2010 12:51 PM | Link to this
Yea, UNC fan. We all know Dayton can’t play with the big boys….oh wait, 79-68.
By mk
July 16, 2010 1:55 PM | Link to this
flyer fan my whole life, live and die flyer basketball, get a chance to play there, don’t complain when I don’t play, great team mate, good kid and student…and you clowns are calling names and ripping, unreal..hey thanks..thanks alot. Ps not the real MK but bet he thinks this
By Joe Pyne
July 16, 2010 2:03 PM | Link to this
The name of the game is WINNING; not giving basketball scholarships to nice guys who probably don’t belong on the team. We’re not ripping the kid, we just haven’t seen ANYTHING to tell us he is going to be a premier player.
By True Flyer Fan
July 16, 2010 2:58 PM | Link to this
Gang, You know, I typically do not scroll down to the point where I would see these comments and now I know just why. With the exception of a few, you people are pathetic individuals with far too much time on your hands. Matt comes from a good family, good program and has exceptional work ethic. Lay off the guy and give him a chance. BTW…don’t bother slamming me, moving on and won’t see it anyway.
By KennyFreaseStiff
July 16, 2010 4:15 PM | Link to this
MK will play the 10 minutes that I am on the floor otherwise he will be lucky to play 7-8 minutes a game this upcoming season. He is not battling for a starting spot. He is battling for playing time.
By Rudy Flyer
July 17, 2010 8:29 AM | Link to this
How about we trade Matt Kavanaugh to Wright State for a six pack of Bud Light and a hot cheerleader to be named later?
By CvilleFlyer
July 17, 2010 11:02 AM | Link to this
I agree with True Flyer Fan. Lay off the guy and give him a chance. If you were on the team you would want to be awarded the same opportunity. At 6’10” and 250 I wonder if the same individuals on here would make these same comments to his face.
By Xfactor
July 17, 2010 3:02 PM | Link to this
Dayton needs a guy like Andrew Taylor. He has all the intangibles!
By Mwampy Seadows
July 18, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this
I think MK makes 2nd team all A10 this coming year. Just saying…
By Bobby G
July 18, 2010 4:49 PM | Link to this
There might be 5 really dominant centers in all of D-1. The position isn’t what it used to be and it isn’t necessary to have a Shaq in the middle anymore. UD has the wing men to be successful, and all the post guy has to do is rebound and clear out the middle. MK can be a good minute-eater in this regard, along with Benson. He’s been in the system now a year, and will contribute. I’m guessing he’ll average 17-20 min., 5.5 points and 6 boards a game. If he does that, he’ll be a contributor and will be successful.
By 1 HATED ON
July 18, 2010 10:27 PM | Link to this
I want to throw in my jab at the UNC fan….Last time we played them we whooped’em like they stole something(like our inventing flight motto) & had their coach on espn about to soab like a baby when having to explain how his team full of hyped recruits lost the NIT title to a hungrier team. NOW I KNOW U GUYS HAD TO KNOW THAT 1 WASNT GOING TO RIDE…LMBO
By More UD bball stories
July 18, 2010 10:37 PM | Link to this
From CW’s sr season to Staten & the 6’3 guard from chi town, I’m so excited for UD Flyer bball this season & cant wait to see high flying elbow above the rim action with Staten commanding the peel down the stretch to secure a win. I (1 HATED ON) could care less if MK is Hansborough, long as he rebounds, hit FT’s & fouls hard to prevent easy baskets he’ll be more than serviceable this season in the rotation.
By uddunk
July 19, 2010 3:38 PM | Link to this
Maybe Kavs should be out scouting hookers at Diamonds. That way London wouldn’t need to be hiring them in NYC and causing BG to punch holes in the hotel walls. He could be a great assist man in hooking up his fellow Flyers. Bring everyone into Diamonds and let them choose. Sounds like a new calling.
By CVille
July 20, 2010 11:10 PM | Link to this
UD Fan steve. I know this is a little late, but as a close friend to Matt, i can tell you, he did NOT play all 5 positions in high school. hahaha
By 12penguins
July 21, 2010 8:41 AM | Link to this
Good luck to Matt and the Flyers. Only becuase the league is weakining, I will suggest they win as many as 16 games this season. For those of you who would be disappointed with that total, understand that the talent level is just not what you think.
By 1 HATED ON
July 24, 2010 11:57 AM | Link to this
HA! Did I seriously read something about UD lacking senior leadership? HA (again) that sr leadership only cost us atleast 3-5 games for such generosity in coughing up the peel down the stretch & making the wrong decision. As DDN reported Staten has grown a few inches & buffed up while down at the NBA factory. Dude has the IT FACTOR! No doubts can come from with-in or better yet, A true freshman cant be worse than what we seen last year. HA(3rd time) this is Flyer bball not tOSU when upperclassmen look like underclassmen & still get to hold up progession of blue chip recruits. My bag but be honest, JT is sitting on a NFL minor league system to be so loyal to underperformers with future pro’s breathing down their necks for buckeyes & nfl film.
By UDFAN
July 25, 2010 12:46 PM | Link to this
Clark, Joe, Rudy, all quite accurate. Raw talent just not there. It’s easy to be a stand out in HS, when your bigger than most others, but you don’t develop the work ethic that guys who are smaller learn. How many guys do you see that are 6-4 out rebound 6-10 guys all day long ?? Alot. Thats because those guys have scrapped all thier playing days. If Matt takes on the fight of a 6-4 guy under the basket he has a chance.
By duh
July 27, 2010 9:41 PM | Link to this
.. actually, matt is very talented, UD was/is lucky to have him. UD will be improved at both guard positions and in the low post. staten IS that good. he’s a big improvement over the good but limited guards from this past year. he’s actually quicker than they were as well. 2010-11 is a likely tourney team—and to suggest otherwise disqualifies you from this conversation.
By Elmo Lincoln
July 28, 2010 10:52 PM | Link to this
Staten is a FRESHMAN…Don’t believe all the hype. He has a learning curve like all incoming freshman. Staten is NOT the second coming. Don’t have too high of hopes. An 18 game winning season is in the cards.
By Rudy Flyer
July 29, 2010 9:00 PM | Link to this
I’d love to give Matt K-Stiff to Wright State, but they don’t seem to want him. BG, drop K-Stiff NOW