DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — It's generally assumed that former Marquette coach Al McGuire coined the term "Big Dance" when referring to the NCAA tournament. McGuire's moniker stuck and now schools that take part in the tourney are said to be going "dancing."

And if the tourney actually were a dance contest instead of a basketball event, the Dayton Flyers might be able hold their own against any team in the nation.

Senior forward Charles Little has been taking ballet, while sophomore forward Chris Wright has been attending tap-dancing classes.

Wright also has been displaying his ability to boogie during warm-ups before every game. Encircled by teammates, Wright will show off a few steps and then lead the team in a swaying routine.

"Chris does everything. He knows every single dance that comes out," junior guard Marcus Johnson said. "He's like a radio. He knows every song, words, lyrics, everything. If basketball doesn't work out, I think he can be a backup video dancer or choreographer."

Wright is so smooth that teammates have asked him for tips.

"If I see it once, I have it down," the Trotwood native said. "When they see a dance on TV, they ask me to show them.

"It's just natural for me. I can do it all. I even dance Salsa. Nobody's got moves like me. I guess you have to be born in Dayton to have moves."

Well, not exactly.

The Cleveland-bred Johnson also knows how to bust some moves, according to teammates. And junior walk-on Dan Fox, who hails from rural Wolcottville, Ind., has no inhibitions about dancing.

"Guys like Marcus and Chris, who are pretty good, if I tried dancing against them, I'd look pretty awful," Fox said. "But every now and then, when a good song comes on, I'll start busting out."

Fox said he's at his best while grooving to a car radio — where only upper-body movements are required.

"You can go crazy in a car, as long as you're not driving," he said. "People can't tell you don't have rhythm when you're not moving your feet."

But not every Flyer is comfortable hoofin' it. Junior center Kurt Huelsman can never be coaxed into doing anything more than slow-dancing.

"I do this," he said, taking one step to his left and another to his right. "Back and forth. That's the most dancing I do."

b>NCAA tourney opener

Who: Dayton (26-7) vs.

West Virginia (23-11)

What: NCAA tournament, first round

When: 3 p.m. Friday

Where: Metrodome,

Minneapolis

TV: WHIO-TV (Ch. 7)

Radio: WHIO (1290-AM)