The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Early tests await Flyers

Men’s basketball team releases nonconference schedule highlighted by tourney in Puerto Rico.

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 2:06 AM Thursday, July 23, 2009

Brian Gregory knows his team isn’t going to have a regular-season tuneup or two before diving into the meat of its schedule, but the seventh-year University of Dayton men’s basketball coach can see some benefits from being challenged so early.

He believes his players will take their preseason workouts even more seriously because they know what’s awaiting them in 2009-10.

“You’re not going to have to do anything to grab their attention,” said Gregory, whose team opens at home against defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Creighton on Nov. 14, then likely will meet at least two BCS teams in the loaded Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic.

“They know who they’re playing in that first game and that we’ll have an exciting atmosphere at the arena. … When it’s all said and done, you’re going to have the opportunity to play two games against top-25 teams (in Puerto Rico).”

Gregory also expects to feel the effects of that imposing lineup.

“It means the coach will not be getting a lot of sleep,” he said.

The Flyers released their nonconference schedule Wednesday, July 22, and have dicey road games against George Mason, Miami University and New Mexico (on New Year’s Day). The field in the Nov. 19-22 Tip-off Classic includes Final Four participant Villanova, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State and Mississippi.

The Flyers will play just 16 home games, their fewest since 2004-05. Old Dominion will initiate a two-year series by visiting UD this season. The traditional bevy of one-time foes include Towson, Lehigh, Presbyterian College, Appalachian State, Boston University and Ball State.

“We spent an extensive amount of time researching teams we’re playing,” Gregory said. “These one-way games, for the most part, are teams that we really think will challenge for their league championships.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

UD men’s non-conference basketball schedule

Date	Opponent	Location
Nov. 3	Ferris State (Exhibition)	Home
Nov. 9	Georgetown College (Exhibition)	Home
Nov. 14	Creighton	Home
Nov. 19-22	Puerto Rico Tip-Off	Away
Nov. 28	Towson	Home
Dec. 2	Miami	Away
Dec. 5	Lehigh	Home
Dec. 8	George Mason	Away
Dec. 11	Old Dominion	Home
Dec. 19	Presbyterian College	Home
Dec. 21	Appalachian State	Home
Dec. 29	Boston U.	Home
Jan. 1	New Mexico	Away
Jan. 5	Ball State	Home