Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Kansas coach wary of Wright going to basket
Self remembers former Trotwood star as recruit with unusual blend of height, jumping ability.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Extras
Related links
- Flyers sharpen upset hopes
- Preview: No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 11 Dayton
- Flyers not awed by mighty Kansas
- Since Lowery's injury, Warren right on point
- Blog: Gregory sits for Q&A
- Kansas players know little about UD's tourney history
- Flyers prepared if a dunk contest breaks out today
- Blog: Drinking in the Dayton Flyers
- Photos: NCAA Tournament at UD Arena
- Photos: Dayton Flyers in the NCAA Tournament
- Photos: Flyer fans cheer on UD in NCAA Tournament
University of Dayton players Chris Wright and Marcus Johnson answer questions during an NCAA tournament news conference Saturday, March 21, in Minneapolis. Dayton will face Kansas in their second-round game today. Associated Press photo by Jim MoneMINNEAPOLIS — Senior forward Charles Little has noticed a difference in Dayton coach Brian Gregory lately.
"He smiles a lot more than he used to," Little said.
Of course, winning an NCAA tournament game has a way of brightening a coach's countenance. The Flyers knocked off favored West Virginia, 68-60, in the first round Friday, and they'll make their coach wear a Jack-o-Lantern-sized grin if they're able to pull off another upset against defending national champion Kansas today.
Gregory and the players basked in the victory — their first in the NCAA tourney since 1990 — before switching gears a few hours later.
"In the locker room, he was caught up in the moment and was really excited, and I think he was really proud of us," Little said. "But once we got back to the hotel, the next time I saw him, he was all straight-faced, back to business, talking about Kansas."
The Jayhawks (26-7) had to replace six of their top seven scorers from last year's title team, including all five first-stringers. But they still captured the Big 12 regular-season crown with two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior in the starting line-up.
The Flyers, though, are usually at their best against marquee programs, and Kansas coach Bill Self is concerned about containing 6-foot-8 sophomore Chris Wright, who had 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Mountaineers.
"I watched him play in high school when he was being recruited, and I thought to myself, boy, did Dayton get a steal in this guy because he's really good. How many guys out there are that tall, that physically gifted from a strength standpoint and have a 40-inch vertical (jump) on top of that?
"He's very active. He puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He's one of those guys who can play so aggressive that there's always going to be contact. ... If you're not in the proper defensive positioning, you can pick up a lot of fouls. But on the flip side, if you are, maybe you can get a cheap one or two on him as well."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com
