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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2008 > November > 16 > Entry
blog: Thoughts from the Dayton Flyers opener
Here are some quick thoughts after watching the UD Flyers open their season Sunday night against Wofford:
— Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss their early season schedule of second and third tier teams — Wofford, Delaware State, Bethune Cookman, Mercer — as a cakewalk.
The Flyers had all they could handle in Wofford. They trailed much of the game and were out-rebounded — an unbelievable 35 to 25 — by a team they had a height advantage on at every position. The Terriers— led by 6-foot-5 Tim Johnson (13 rebounds) — just out-worked them inside.
— As of right now, UD looks like a two man show. High-fliers Chris Wright and Marcus Johnson combined for 34 points and eight rebounds.
It’s great to see the muscled-up Wright running the court, jamming ally-oop passes, swatting opponents’ shots and showing the initial flashes of what I think will be a season as one of the A-10’s greatest stars — especially after last year’s injury-plagued downer.
— Who in the world will give UD another offensive threat from the outside? Ron Lowery, Mickey Perry and London Warren were a combined 3-for-13 from the field. They combined for twice as many turnovers as field goals.
— How does Brian Gregory keep things straight with so many substitutions? The scorers table at UD Arena is busier than Grand Central Station at rush hour.
— Early in the game, Kurt Huelsman called for the ball inside, then faked one way, took a drop step the other way and drove up and under the basket for a beautiful reverse lay-up.
He didn’t do much of that last season and I thought, “Okay, new season, smaller opponents, he’s going to make some offensive hay tonight.” Turns out it was his only basket of the game. He only shot twice in 29 minutes…In 25 minutes, Charles Little made just one of five shots.
— UD did play some good defense — although Wofford’s 6-foot-2 Junior Salters gave them some problems from long range — but by my count, six different Flyers missed lay-ups and Lowery missed two.
Afterward Gregory was mostly optimistic. For Flyers fans, I hope he’s right.
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Comments
By fred
November 18, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Arch keep an eye on the new trend of disgruntled Flyer fans who express their displeasure through coded messages in their personalized liscense plates. This could be a valuable tool for your writings of the Flyer program.
By Harry the Horse
November 17, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
I thought Wofford outhustled the Flyers most of the night. Wofford was running after loose balls. That’s unforgiveable. To let a small school out-hustle you on your home court is troubling. Love London Warren’s energy but he may help the Flyers off the bench rather then starting.Lowery or Perry must step up. Where was Luke Fabrizius?? Kid played well in the exhibition games and gets 2 minutes against Wofford. Keep the faith !!
By Larry
November 17, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
I miss Don Donoher and the glory days. I miss Donnie May and Donald Smith (rest in peace). The glory days for the Flyer Faithful are long gone. Brian Gregory shouldn’t even be a D-1 coach. Maybe he might do well coaching a D-3 team. Long season ahead for this team.
By Brian Quirk
November 17, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
John, What does my past employment have to do with the game. Do I know you? don’t think so. Who are you? Do you have some anger thing going on, or avenging angel? Did your post make you feel good?
By Bobby
November 17, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I’m so SICK of BG talking about defense!!! This guy has no clue…defense is only 50% of the game. Offense is needed just as much as defense, and in UD’s case even more so as they can’t seem to make free throws. It doesn’t matter how many top-notch recruits BG gets if he can’t use all the talent effectively. BG needs to bring in an assistant coach who only coaches OFFENSE!!!
By Brutus
November 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Arch, you lost me at “They trailed much of the game”… UD trailed for 13:06 and were either tied or in the lead for 26:54.
By Nettie
November 17, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Did anyone else wonder why Huelsman spent the majority of his game ball-handling outside the arc? No wonder he only had one shot; the offense they played didn’t have him set up to take shots.
By David
November 17, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I’m glad to see this article about some of the Flyer’s question areas. As much fun as it was last night to see basketball start up…and with as much talent as this team possesses…last night did raise some red flags. First, I give credit to Wofford. We played with good energy and effort, but they matched us and out-scrapped us. That said, many of our turnovers were of the unforced variety…this can’t continue if we expect to make the tournament. And some of our issues from last year showed themselves again: poor free throw shooting (though it was nice to see Lowery nail a couple at the end); too many possessions where 4-5 guys were standing behind the 3-point line; not getting our big men involved in the offense enough to get the inside-outside game going; and although Wright ended up with 17 points, I was surprised at how little effort was made to get him the ball in the first half…he hardly touched the ball (the few times he touched it he scored). I’m glad to see they made this adjustment at halftime and the offense flowed through him more in the second half. Positives: Wright and Johnson are legit stars; the team defense was solid and will keep them in every game, regardless of opponent; and they found a way to win.
By sec 312
November 17, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Right Jimmie, there is so much talent to go around these days any team can beat anyone. Sorry, John say what? You lost me man. Go Flyers
By John Bettinger
November 17, 2008 4:13 AM | Link to this
Having lived in Spartanburg, SC I can guarantee you that Wofford College with their United Methodist affiliation would not be proud of Brian Quirk a Playboy VP alum as is the U. of Dayton. Brian Gregory, Paxson even feels that your schedule is a gyp to the Flyer Faithful. Maybe you should consider division three. Wofford College Fast Facts Wofford College, established in 1854, is an independent liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, S.C. It offers bachelor’s degrees in 26 major fields of study and is well known for its programs leading to graduate and professional studies (medicine and other health professions, law and the ministry). Affiliated with the United Methodist Church
By jimmie
November 17, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
It’s those second and third tier teams that you think so little of that beat teams like Alabama in Tuscaloosa. You, like a lot of other folks, are often caught up in the “name” game. Let’s wait until the end of the season to see just what kind of schedule this turns out to be.