Now that's how you handle your business Dayton Flyers! Dayton beat Xavier 90-65 earlier this afternoon and with the win, knocked Xavier out of first place in the Atlantic 10. The Flyers showed that when both Chris Johnson and Chris Wright are on their game they are a dangerous basketball team, particularly lethal at UD Arena. Dayton opened things up with a 17-3 run to start the game and never looked back. This game in many respects was the polar opposite of the previous Dayton-Xavier matchup three weeks earlier. Dayton played with tenacity, rather than timidness. The Flyers continued to showcase their blueprint of excellent defense and rebounding with 6 blocked shots, and outrebounded Xavier 42-21. Two big differences were Dayton's Free Throw percentage, and 3 Point Field Goal Percentage. Dayton shot 72% from the line, versus 64% against Xavier in January, and the Flyers were 7-13 from beyond the arc versus 6-20 in January.
In the words of a fellow Dayton Alumn and good friend, "This was a Michigan State type of Victory" today. The kind of blowout home victory against a good opponent that the Flyer Faithful are expecting from the Brian Gregory era. Up next is an even bigger test at home in the first place in the A-10 Charlotte 49ers. Dayton has a major opportunity to reassert themselves in the A-10 standings with a victory, plus the table is set with upcoming games against Temple and Richmond prior to the start of the A-10 Tournament. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more..."
This was a very nice win. i was on the floor during the game, in the tunnel. So much fun and i was in the locker after the game. Those kids played their hearts out. As BG said after the game if we continue to stay as one team and play our game, well you saw the results. Another thing i met an NBA scout during the game, he is from the west coast team- not naming, might get him in trouble. He is responsible for mid-west scouting. I asked him about Chris Wright. He told me if he continues to play like he has these few weeks and comes back to UD for more one year. He has first rounder all over him. Whats scary is how easy he made look on Saturday. His last comment was interesting he mentioned Chris Johnson if he continues his play, he would be drafted. Something for thought. Big game on wednesday.
ReplyDeleteYou mean he wasn't there to scout London Warren (kidding)??!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because I was discussing this with a friend of mine during the game on Saturday. It seems that Chris Johnson is pretty much just as vital to Flyer wins as Chris Wright is now...and he's only a sophomore!
Wright just has to shine during big games from here on out. It's not a coincidence that he scored a career high 27 points in the tourney win over West Virginia, but in losses against New Mexico, Xavier, and stupid Rhode Island, he scored 8, 10 and 12 points respectively. The key for him is avoiding early foul trouble. If you get 2 quick fouls on him, he mentally takes himself out of the game.
Wednesday would be a great place to continue his outstanding play.