NEXT GAME
Dayton at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m. Wednesday, ESPNU, 1290, 95.7
Dayton coach Archie Miller has seen gyms all across the country, but he’s never been to Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn. He’ll experience one of basketball’s most unique courts when the Flyers (6-1) play No. 21/16 Vanderbilt (6-2) at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
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The benches sit to the side of the basket on each end, meaning coaches will have to yell even louder than normal to call a play when their team is on the other end. The court is elevated above the front rows of stands. WHIO’s Larry Hansgen will call the game from press row while looking up at the players.
“It’s a different feeling for your coaching staff and your team,” Dayton coach Archie Miller said. “We’re going to have to get our players’ attention. (They’re) a long way away in terms of communicating.”
Memorial Gym seats 14,316. The Commodores ranked 51st in the nation in attendance a season ago, averaging 8,862. Attendance has increased this season (9,905 through four home games) for a good reason.
“Vanderbilt’s one of the best teams in the country,” Miller said. “Coach (Kevin) Stallings is renowned for the way they play offense. This year’s team is very talented.”
Dayton’s only true road game on the non-conference schedule might turn out to be its most difficult game outside the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, where it played Iowa, Monmouth and Xavier. At least the Flyers hope they don’t have a rougher day this season than they did in a 29-point loss to Xavier on Nov. 29.
Vanderbilt has few weaknesses. It ranks 17th in the country in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com, and 18th in defensive efficiency. It shoots 49.3 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from 3-point range. Opponents shoot 34.6 percent from the field and 29.1 percent from 3-point range.
With three 7-footers on the roster — Damian Jones, Luke Kornet and Josh Henderson — Vanderbilt is also the nation’s third-tallest team. It’s tied for eighth in the country with 53 blocks. That size will provide a tall challenge for Dayton freshman center Steve McElvene, whose goal will be to avoid foul trouble.
“It’s a new opportunity for Steve,” Miller said. “Xavier really gave people a game plan. You’ve got to attack him and move him and go at him a lot. Steve has to be ready early on because people are going to try to get him out of there. He is important. He has to do what he’s supposed to do and our team has to understand how to protect him with help.”
Vanderbilt’s two losses came against ranked teams: 70-63 against No. 2/7 Kansas in the Maui Invitational championship game and 69-67 at No. 16/15 Baylor on Sunday. Its best win came against Wake Forest: 86-84 in the Maui semifinals. It beat Detroit 102-52 in its last home game Dec. 2.
After this game, the Flyers play four straight home games. Their next road game is their Atlantic 10 opener at Duquesne on Jan. 2.
“It’s important to get on the road, especially playing against Vanderbilt, who’s going to have one of the harder home courts in the SEC,” Miller said. “Some of our veteran guys are used to being out there. It’s a different feeling. We’re going to be on the road in conference play a lot.”
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