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UD's Dillard expected to play Saturday

Point guard’s ankle still bothersome, but news a relief to Miller, Flyers.

Point guard Kevin Dillard is expected to play against Fordham this Saturday.

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 12:43 AM Friday, February 10, 2012

Point guard Kevin Dillard is expected to be ready to go when the University of Dayton basketball team plays at Fordham on Saturday despite still being somewhat gimpy this week from the sprained ankle he suffered in the Flyers’ last outing.

Dillard’s relative good health is a relief for coach Archie Miller, who has had to navigate a rash of injuries in his first season but would dread having to try to snap the team’s four-game losing streak without his most indispensible player.

“He’s everything to us in a lot of ways,” Miller said. “I don’t think that’s any secret. He’s having a terrific year for us. ... Him more than anybody understands what’s on the line, and he knows he has to play well for us to have a chance.”

He can’t do it himself, though, and UD needs a few others to regain their form to salvage the season.

Shooting guard Paul Williams is just 3-for-31 from the floor during the four-game skid, while his back-up, Josh Parker, has gone 5-for-23.

Williams was one of the A-10’s top 3-point shooters last season at 41.4 percent, and the senior has made 20-of-21 foul shots in the last four games. But he’s mired in a slump from the field.

“Consistency of his long-range shot has taken a toll on his confidence,” Miller said. “That’s not just Paul, that’s any player who goes through a stretch he’s in. It’s also an opportunity for him to come back. Very rarely do you see a player finish the season (this way) where they don’t come back around. That’s my hope for Paul, and that’s all we’re focusing on.”

Parker had 16 points in the win over Xavier on Jan. 21 and Williams 13, but they are a combined 6-for-32 on 3-pointers since.

“We’ve got to keep working at it,” Parker said. “It’s been rough for us the past couple games, especially knowing as a player you want to help your team and you’re not playing the way you want to play.

“Once you start hitting some shots, teams scout and they know they can take away some stuff. But my teammates are giving me pretty good looks, and now I’ve just got to start knocking them down. They will come.”

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

Next game:

Who: Dayton (14-9, 4-5 A-10) at Fordham (9-13, 2-7)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

TV: WHIO (Ch. 7)

Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)

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