Bench even more important for Dayton Flyers if Kyle Davis misses time

Senior guard is day to day with sprained ankle

Two seasons ago at this time in the season, any injury would have doomed the Dayton Flyers. A seven-man team survived the gauntlet of Atlantic 10 play without any significant mishaps. Senior Jordan Sibert played through a wrist injury throughout the final months of the season but didn’t miss any games.

This season, the Flyers (13-4, 4-1) have kept winning despite a series of unfortunate events. With Kendall Pollard, Josh Cunningham, Charles Cooke, Darrell Davis and now Kyle Davis going down, it has been one piece of bad luck after another. Maybe the Flyer Faithful used up their luck at the casino in Pittsburgh on Saturday because it was clear when Davis tumbled out of bounds in the second half against Duquesne and sprained his ankle, they and their team had nothing but misfortune on their side.

>>> Thirteen photos: Dayton Flyers vs. Duquesne Dukes

Pollard missed six games with a thigh bruise. Cunningham has missed 15 games and counting with a torn ligament in his ankle. Cooke missed three games with wrist and back injuries. Davis missed a game with a hamstring injury. It’s too early to tell whether Davis will miss any games. For what it’s worth, he told fans on Twitter on Saturday he would return Thursday for a 7 p.m. game against first-place Richmond (11-6, 5-0) at UD Arena.

Dayton coach Archie Miller provided an update on Davis’ status Monday during the weekly Atlantic 10 coaches teleconference.

“Kyle is day to day,” Miller said. “Right now, he’s off his feet. He probably won’t (practice) today. We’re going to play it by ear. By Thursday, we’ll see where he’s at. He’s got an ankle sprain and foot bruising. It’s not an easy thing to come back from, but if there’s anybody who’s going to try to get there, it’ll be him.”

If Davis misses any time, the Flyers will lean even more on the bench. Cooke likely would move back into the starting lineup. Darrell Davis has started for him the last four games, the first two of which Cooke missed with injuries.

Xeyrius Williams and Ryan Mikesell have provided solid production in recent games. They combined for 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 90-74 victory against St. Bonaventure. Williams had 10 rebounds in a 67-55 loss at Massachusetts. He had a career-high 18 points in a 76-57 victory at Duquesne.

One player who has struggled in conference play is backup point guard John Crosby. He has four points and six assists in the last three games. He shot 0 of 2 from the floor Saturday and grabbed three rebounds in 16 minutes.

“John needs to bring pace to the table,” Miller said. “He’s a guy who can get the ball to the paint. He’s sort of playing it safe right now at times. I think we’ve got to allow him to be more of himself. He’s got to make good decisions. If John doesn’t turn the ball over and he plays solid on the other end, he’s got a chance to help our team. He knows that. As the conference grind continues, he’s playing extended minutes, and what I’m hoping is every game that goes by he gets a little bit better.”


THURSDAY’S GAME

Richmond at Dayton, 7 p.m., ESPNU, FM 95.7, AM 1290 WHIO

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