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Wright, Flyers take A-10 nod in stride

Flyers are favored, but conference is deep

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 12:49 AM Friday, October 23, 2009

DAYTON — Chris Wright knows he was engaging in coach-speak, but the University of Dayton junior forward didn’t know how else to explain the blase attitude around the men’s basketball program toward preseason honors.

The Flyers were picked as the clear favorite to win the Atlantic 10 — followed by Xavier, Richmond and La Salle — while Wright was named to the preseason all-league first team, senior wing Marcus Johnson to the second team and senior point guard London Warren to the all-defensive team.

The A-10 made its announcement Thursday morning, Oct. 22, but the news didn’t cause a cell-phone chain reaction among the Flyers. In fact, the players showed up for afternoon media interviews without having even been told why they were there.

“We’re not worried about that stuff,” Wright said. “We know what we have to do. It might seem like we say the same things all the time, but that’s really how we are.

“We’re happy with it, but we know the season determines everything — especially what you do in March.”

The Flyers, who received 33 of 57 first-place votes from coaches and media, have never been league-wide preseason favorites, although they once were picked to finish first during the divisional era from 2001-04.

Other first team picks were Temple’s Lavoy Allen, Richmond’s Kevin Anderson, La Salle’s Rodney Green and Massachusetts’ Ricky Harris. An A-10 spokesman would not reveal the results of the player tally, but he said Wright was “comfortably” among the top-five vote-getters.

“He’s a much more polished player (than last year),” UD coach Brian Gregory said. “He’s greatly improved his shooting and ball-handling. There’s a time to be at 100 mph and a time to be at 80 mph, and that’s the thing he’s learning.

“He does some things better than anybody in the country. No one plays as hard, no one finishes on the break better, and no one goes to the offensive glass better. Those traits make him ... one of the nation’s best.”

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

Atlantic 10 preseason poll

1. Dayton (33)

2. Xavier (18)

3. Richmond (4)

4. La Salle (2)

5. (tie) Temple

Duquesne

7. Charlotte

8. Rhode Island

9. Massachusetts

10. Saint Joseph’s

11. St. Bonaventure

12. Saint Louis

13. George Washington

14. Fordham

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Tony the last time I checked 6ft. 9inches was a perfect height for a small forward in the NBA. You have a right to your opinion but don't try to back it up with a stupid reason. Increase your knowledge about the sport please. This young man had NBA athletism as a junior in high school. That was the opinion of a NBA player.

JD
3:46 PM, 10/29/2009

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I CANT BELEIVE THEIR ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO
THINKS CHRIS WRIGHT HAS A SHOT AT THE NBA
HE`S NOT A SHOOTING GUARD,HE`S TO SMALL TO
PLAY FORWARD IN THE NBA,HE MIGHT GET A
CHANCE OVER SEA`S

TONY
8:21 PM, 10/25/2009

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Um Jim if you cant wait to see him in the NBA and if he chose UD to play ball at in front of his HOMETOWN, why would he go elsewhere? There is no reason and with him playing and starting as a Freshman at UD rather they playing a little in a bigger school, do you think he's be as ready to go pro?

ryno
12:56 AM, 10/24/2009

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What a dumb comment, He choose the University of Dayton because no other school compares as a basketball town then Dayton. He got us back on the map, We are slowly becoming a great program, Every website has us ranked in their preseason polls. That’s why he choose Dayton! Go flyers!!!

Chris
3:05 PM, 10/23/2009

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Congratulations Flyers and Chris Wright. Not to knock Dayton (it is a great program) but can anyone who really knows tell me why Wright chose UD over some major basketball powers? Being a T-Wood grad I am happy he stayed in the area and hope he reaches all his goals but can't help wonder why he chose UD. I can't wait to see him in the NBA and at the all-star NBA dunk competition.

jim
11:46 AM, 10/23/2009

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