Game Notes In PDF Format
DAYTON BEGINS CONFERENCE PLAY WITH A ROAD CONTEST AT UMASS
After matching the program's best start in 52 seasons, the University of Dayton Flyers begin conference play with a road game against the Massachusetts Minutemen on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on WHIO-TV, carried through WHIO Radio and be available over the Internet with live stats and streaming video and audio from DaytonFlyers.com.
The Flyers are on a six-game winning streak and completed another great non-conference season, finishing with a 14-1 record. This marks the second consecutive year Dayton opened the season 14-1, the best start since UD opened the 1955-56 season 20-1. Domination on defense has been the main theme for UD this season. Dayton ranks second in the NCAA in field goal defense (.352) and in the Top 10 in scoring defense (55.2 points per game). Sophomore Marcus Johnson has reached double-digits in scoring in six consecutive games, all Flyer victories. He has averaged 13.7 points while shooting .526 from the field (30-of-57) during the steak.
Massachusetts enters the contest 5-8 overall and on a two-game losing skid. The Minutemen showcase a potent offense with four players averaging 10 points or more per contest. Led by 19.2 points per game from the 2007-08 Atlantic 10 Chris Daniels Most Improved Player of the Year, Ricky Harris, UMass is fourth in the A-10 in 3-point field goal percentage (.365). Senior forward Tony Gaffney is ranked in the NCAA's Top Eight in rebounding with 11.8 per game and second in blocked shots per game at 4.8.
SERIES STUFF
The series is tied at 7-7 but the Minutemen have won the last three meetings.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Dayton leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense, allowing a paltry 55.2 points per game and has held all but two teams under its scoring average. In the win over No. 15 Marquette, UD forced the Golden Eagles to shoot 39 percent from the field. At Akron the Flyers held the Zips to 25 percent shooting from the field. Marshall was held 28 points below its scoring average, and the best-shooting team in Conference USA (48%) was limited to a season-low 31% FG%. In their last 10 games, the Flyers also have 36 blocks and 62 steals. UD is on pace to average the most steals in 17 years and is 13-0 when out-rebounding their opponent.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Marcus Johnson has scored in double figures in his last six games, but what's even more critical to UD's six-game winning streak is his defense. He has guarded the opposition's top scorer in all six games. In Tuesday's win over Miami, he held Redhawk wing Michael Bramos to six points, 13 points under his season's average. Bramos torched UD for 36 points in last year's UD-MU game.
LOCK IT UP
No team has shot better than 47 percent from the field this year against UD. That's the first time in coach Brian Gregory's tenure the Flyers have accomplished that feat in his first six seasons through the first 15 games.
BIG ROTATION
Through Jan. 7, the Dayton Flyers are one of 13 teams in college basketball that are 12-1 or better. One of the keys to UD's success is the team's depth. Dayton is the only team with 12 players who see 8.5 minutes or more of action. Minnesota, Pittsburgh and North Carolina have 11 players, Illinois, Utah State and Wake Forest have 10, Butler, Clemson, Syracuse, Texas A&M have nine, while Arizona State, UConn, Illinois State, Oklahoma, St. Mary's each have eight.
LITTLE BIG MAN
At 6-foot-6, 247 pounds, Charles Little might be one of the most inaccurately named players in the country. Little scored 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting, in a win over UNC Greensboro including dunks on three straight possessions. He had 10 points and three rebounds over Bethune-Cookman. In the Mercer win Little tallied 11 points and five rebounds. He added a season-high nine rebounds against Auburn. Little tallied seven points and three rebounds versus No. 15 Marquette and was named to the Chicago Invitational Challenge All-Tournament Team. In his 100th career game, Little tallied his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 boards against Troy. Little had the game-winning basket at Akron and eight points. In the Toledo win he scored eight points and against Miami he had eight points and five boards. In nine home games this year, Little averages 8.3 points and is shooting .554 from the field.
CHARLES IN CHARGE
Nobody on the Flyers could be happier for conference play than Charles Little. In his last 33 games against Atlantic 10 competition, Little has averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 147-of-282, (.525) from the floor. Last season against the A-10, Little averaged 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting .527 from the field. In UD basketball history, Little is 54th on the all-time scoring list with 821 career points. Little needs 12 points to reach Bob Sullivan for 53rd.
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Displaying an NBA-like level of athleticism, Chris Wright looks to lead the Flyers back to the postseason. The sophomore forward is a Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Second Team selection heading into 2008-09. Wright tied for a game-high 17 points to go with four rebounds and a block in UD's win over Wofford. He came back to score a game-high 18 points and haul in seven rebounds over Delaware State. Wright recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 boards against Mercer. He added his second straight double-double with a career-best 14 rebounds and 10 points against Auburn. Wright then posted his third double-double in as many games with 13 points and 13 boards. At Akron, Wright led all scorers with 18 points. He had eight points and eight rebounds at Creighton. Wright then added 13 points and nine rebounds versus Coppin State. Against Marshall, Wright recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards. Wright scored a game-high 14 points versus Miami. The Flyers are 27-3 overall and 4-0 against ranked opponents with Wright in the lineup during his UD career.
FIGHT FOR YOUR WRIGHT
On March 10, Chris Wright earned a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie team. Wright was the fifth Dayton player to be selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Tony Stanley (1998), Brooks Hall (2000), Keith Waleskowski (2001) and Brian Roberts (2005) are the previous Flyer A-10 Rookies. He played eight minutes in the A-10 opener against Rhode Island before fracturing a bone in his ankle that required surgery. Before that, he was chosen A-10 Rookie of the Week four times in the first six weeks of the season (the last player to do that was Jameer Nelson).
TAKING FLIGHT WITH WRIGHT
Sophomore Chris Wright leads the Flyers this year in several statistical categories including points (12.3), rebounds per game (6.6), field goals made (65), offensive rebounds (37), defensive rebounds (62) and double-doubles (4).
WRIGHT NAMED THE ATLANTIC 10 CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK ON DEC. 1
Chris Wright was named Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 1 for his efforts after leading UD to a Chicago Invitational Challenge title. Wright averaged a double-double (12.0 ppg., 10.5 rpg.) and was named tournament Most Valuable Player. This was Wright's first A-10 Player of the Week Award. In the championship game against No. 15 Marquette, Wright had 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
MARVELOUS MARCUS
During the six-game winning streak, Marcus Johnson has scored in double figures in all six wins. He has averaged 13.7 points while shooting .526 (30-57) FG and .391 (9-23) 3-pt. FG during that span. He tied for a game-high 17 points in a season opening win over Wofford. Johnson then scored 15 of his team-high 16 points in the first half over Bethune-Cookman. He scored all 10 points against Mercer in the first half. Against Auburn he sank all eight free throw attempts with six of them in overtime en route to 16 points. Johnson added 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor against Troy. Johnson came back to score 15 points versus Coppin State, tallied 10 points versus UNC Greensboro and scored 11 against Marshall. In the George Mason win he had 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting. He posted a season-high 21 points at Akron hitting four 3-point attempts. Johnson added 12 points against Miami. The 6-3 guard has scored in double figures 28 times in his 79-game career, with 26 in his last 39 games. Johnson has also reached double figures in scoring 11 times this season, including the last six.
MORE ON MJ
Quietly, Marcus Johnson has moved up the charts in UD basketball history ranking 67th on the all-time scoring list with 715 career points. He needs seven points to reach Sedric Toney for 66th. Overall Johnson leads the team in 3-point shooting (.385) and minutes (28.5) and ranks second in scoring (11.7).
BEING `KURT' TO THE OPPOSITION
As one of the most team-oriented players to wear a Flyer uniform, Kurt Huelsman looks to assert himself more on both ends of the floor. Huelsman opened the 2008-09 campaign with five points, five rebounds and a steal versus Wofford. He came back to snag seven rebounds in a victory against Delaware State. Huelsman added a team-high seven boards over Bethune-Cookman. He tallied eight rebounds and three blocks versus Auburn. Huelsman came back with eight points versus No. 15 Marquette. At Akron, he had four points and four boards, including a big offensive rebound late. Huelsman shot 3-of-3 from the floor at Creighton. Huelsman had five rebounds versus UNC Greensboro. He had four points, four rebounds and three blocks versus Marshall. In the George Mason win Huelsman tied his career-high with four blocks and added eight points and seven rebounds. At Toledo, he had six points and seven rebounds. Huelsman is third on the team in rebounding (4.7) and leads the team with 15 blocks.
THE IRON MAN
As a freshman Kurt Huelsman was the only player to start every game during 2006-07 season. He started all 34 games in 2007-08 and the first nine in 2008-09. Huelsman is tied for the longest active streak of consecutive starts in the Atlantic 10 Conference with 80 games.
HEY MICKEY
Known as a strong outside shooter, team-first player and a quality individual, Mickey Perry looks to build upon a promising sophomore season. Perry was flawless against Bethune-Cookman knocking down both three-point attempts. Perry knocked down 3-of-4 shots versus No. 15 Marquette. Perry scored 10 points against Troy. Perry then tallied 10 points and a career-best three steals at Creighton. The Flyers are 13-2 when Perry knocks down a three-pointer in his career.
THE JACKSONVILLE JET
Known as the "Jacksonville Jet," London Warren is an explosive point guard who has outstanding quickness on the offensive and defensive ends. Last season Warren earned the Flyers' Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the team with 45 steals. Warren opened the 2008-09 season with three points, four assists and a steal in the season opener over Wofford. He followed up with four points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Delaware State. He dished out six assists, had three steals and a block over Mercer. In 14 minutes against Bethune-Cookman Warren had five assists to only one turnover. Against Auburn he picked up four points and three assists. In the triumph over No. 15 Marquette, Warren added seven points and two assists. Warren came back with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and six assists versus Troy. Warren recorded a season-high seven rebounds and dished out six assists versus Coppin State. Warren had five points and five rebounds versus Marshall. At Toledo, Warren was flawless with eight assists and zero turnovers to go with 11 points and three steals.
LONDON CALLING
London Warren's defense has certainly provided a spark for the Flyers. Warren has at least one steal in every game but one this season. Warren leads UD in steals (24) and assists (55). Warren is only four steals shy from 100 in his Flyer career.
BIG SHOT ROB
Junior Rob Lowery has quickly made a name for himself as a clutch performer. In the win over No. 15 Marquette, Lowery scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor. With UD protecting a two-point lead, Lowery, who missed his first five shots, drilled a 15-foot field goal with 48 seconds to go to push the lead back to four and swished two free throws with 15 ticks left to seal the decision versus Wofford. He tied for the team-high with 13 points and had the steal and dunk that tied the game, the assist on the go-ahead three-pointer and the free throw that made it a two-possession game against George Mason. Against Delaware State, he had nine points, four steals and three assists. Lowery then dished out four assists against Bethune-Cookman. He had five points and four rebounds in a win against Mercer. Lowery posted a team-high 15 points at Creighton. Lowery added five points and five rebounds versus Coppin State. Against UNC Greensboro he added seven points. In the win at Toledo, Lowery scored 13 points. Lowery is averaging 5.2 points a game at home, but more than twice that much away from UD Arena (11.0).
COOL HAND LUKE
Although it didn't show up on the box score, freshman Luke Fabrizius had a memorable Flyer debut. His mom, Julie Fabrizius, is a breast cancer survivor for five years and, thanks to her son, she was honored at halftime of the Flyers' home opener against Wofford. It was a part of UD and National City teamming up to fight breast cancer with the "Real Men Wear Pink" campaign. To honor survivors, nominations from the public were taken -- Fabrizius submitted his mom's story -- and from a pool of 200 people, eight were selected to take the court. He converted his first collegiate field goal against Delaware State with a 3-pointer. Fabrizius hitting 3-of-4 shots from beyond the arc en route to nine points against Bethune-Cookman. He then connected on three, 3-pointers to finish with nine points and four rebounds against Mercer. Fabrizius then had eight points against Troy. Fabrizius came back with six points, two rebounds and two blocks in the win over Coppin State. He reached double-figures for the first time with 10 points against UNC Greensboro. Fabrizius tallied a 3-pointer versus George Mason and one against Miami.
CHRIS-CROSSING
Freshman Chris Johnson joined the Flyers with a reputation as a high-flying, explosive scorer endowed with the ability to take over a game. He nailed the go-ahead shot on a three-pointer with 1:05 to go against George Mason. Johnson recorded his first career double-double adding 12 points and 11 rebounds versus No. 15 Marquette. In the Coppin State win Johnson led UD with 20 points and 12 rebounds. He was just short of a double-double with 12 points and eight boards versus UNC Greensboro. Against Delaware State he had eight points and five rebounds while hitting 3-of-6 shots from beyond the arc. Johnson scored in double-figures for the first time in a UD uniform with 14 points over Bethune-Cookman. Johnson then came up with eight points and eight rebounds versus Mercer. At Akron, Johnson connected on 4-of-5 free throws, including two technical shots, to help seal the win. At Toledo he had seven rebounds and five points. In the Miami win he snagged a team-high seven rebounds. For the year Johnson is the team's second-leading rebounder even though he averages 16.5 minutes a game. His 36 offense rebounds are more than anyone else on the team but Chris Wright, even though Wright plays 10 minutes more. During UD's current six-game wining streak Johnson averages 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.
DIAL IN WITH DEVIN
Devin Searcy has been one of the most pleasant surprises this year for UD. Searcy leads UD in field goal percentage (.621). Against Wofford, Searcy recorded two rebounds and two assists. The two assists against Wofford equaled his total from all of last year. Searcy broke free with eight points and three rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting against Bethune-Cookman. Searcy had three points and an assist in 12 minutes against Mercer. He chipped in with six points and four rebounds in a win over Auburn. Searcy had four rebounds and two blocks versus No. 15 Marquette. In the Troy win Searcy had five rebounds and another five at Akron. He followed that up with four rebounds at Creighton. He was 2-for-2 apiece against UNC Greensboro, Marshall and George Mason. At Toledo, Searcy had six points after hitting all four free-throw attempts. He added five rebounds in the win over Miami.
STEVIE WONDER
A heady player with a classic Hoosier-guard game, Stephen Thomas is a quick, shifty point guard. He enjoyed one of his best games with four points, four rebounds and numerous hustle plays against Marshall. Against Delaware State he had four points and three rebounds in the Flyer victory. He recorded his first career block and a career-high five rebounds against Bethune-Cookman. Against Auburn Thomas netted a career-high eight points. He came back and recorded five points and a steal versus No. 15 Marquette. At Akron, Thomas tallied six points, two rebounds and two steals. He had a 3-pointer and an assist versus Miami. Thomas matched last year's point total by the sixth game of this season and assists in the third game of the year.
P-DUBYA
Freshman Paul Williams, one of the top prep recruits out of Michigan, brings a reputation as a clutch shooter and lockdown defender to the Flyer backcourt. Williams is a Preseason Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection. He added two rebounds against Delaware State and one versus No. 15 Marquette. Williams broke out in a big way with three 3-pointers to finish with nine points against Troy. He then added four points and three boards versus Coppin State. Against George Mason he had two points, two boards and a steal. At Toledo, he had two rebounds and a steal. He had four rebounds versus Miami.
GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER
Freshman Josh Benson, the second in a line of highly-anticipated local talents, will be out 3-to-6 months following shoulder surgery performed on Nov. 3. The 6-foot-10 big man was an ESPN Top 150 recruit where he averaged of 18.9 points, 11 boards and four blocks during his senior year. Benson has been cleared to do lower body conditioning.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Head coach Brian Gregory has enjoyed success in the month of January going 24-15 (.615) in five seasons. Dayton is 2-0 this year in the month of January.
EYE 75 ON THE SCOREBOARD
The Flyers are 34-4 under head coach Brian Gregory when they score at least 75 points.
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS
UD is tied for first in the Atlantic 10 in rebound margin at plus 7.5. Against Mercer, a team that had upset Alabama and Auburn by pounding the boards, the Flyers out-boarded Mercer 48-31. UD followed that up corralling 60 rebounds in an overtime win over Auburn. UD then held a 44-33 advantage on the glass against Coppin State thanks in part to 17 on the offensive end. Dayton then out-rebounded Marshall 42-32, George Mason 42-29 and Miami 38-30. Since being out-rebounded by a much smaller Wofford squad in the opener, UD has gotten at least ten more rebounds than nine of its last 14 opponents.
STEAL OF A DEAL
With 104 steals in 15 games, the Flyers rank sixth in the Atlantic 10. Six different Flyers had a steal in the season opener against Wofford. Dayton followed that with seven different players tallying a steal over Delaware State. In the Bethune-Cookman game, Dayton had eight steals. Dayton had four steals over Mercer and eight versus Auburn. UD tallied six swipes against No. 15 Marquette. At Akron the Flyers had 11 steals and at Creighton UD tallied seven swipes. UD added nine steals against UNC Greensboro and eight at Toledo. Dayton's 6.9 steals per game is the best in 17 years and on pace right now to have the fourth-best steal-per-game average in school history.
TAKE IT AWAY
One of the most interesting defensive statistics this season is the Flyers forcing as many turnovers as made field goals by its opponent seven times this season. Dayton leads the Atlantic 10 with 249 forced turnovers and ranks second in turnover margin at plus-3.0.
FLYERS PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN A-10 POLL
After a 23-11 season in 2007-08, the Dayton Flyers were picked to finish third in the league according to a poll of the Atlantic 10's head coaches and media. Xavier was the preseason favorite, with 44 of the 61 first-place votes. Temple garnered 12 first-place votes and placed second in the preseason poll. Dayton garnered three first-place votes and was tabbed third. Saint Joseph's was fourth, while Charlotte earned a pair of first-place votes and was fifth. Massachusetts was selected sixth in the poll followed by Saint Louis, Richmond, Rhode Island, La Salle, George Washington, Duquesne, Fordham and St. Bonaventure.
UD AMONG THE BEST IN NCAA ATTENDANCE
The University of Dayton finished in the Top 30 in men's basketball attendance for the 11th straight season in 2007-08. The Flyers led the Atlantic 10 in attendance for the 12th straight season. UD averaged more than 2,400 fans a game better than any other team in the conference.
NON-CONFERENCE NOTES
UD's non-conference schedule features two top 25 teams from the Associated Press Poll and USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll. The Flyers will play No. 16/18 Xavier in February and March and defeated No. 15/18 Marquette in November. Dayton received 54 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll and 22 votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
According to RealTime RPI, the Atlantic 10 ranks 4th among Division I conferences in strength of schedule. In addition, A-10 teams have already faced 18 ranked opponents thru Jan. 2. A-10 teams have amassed 15 wins over BCS conference teams thus far, the most of any non-BCS league and good for fourth nationally.
WANT THE GOOD NEWS, OR THE BAD NEWS?
The bad news was that UD set an NCAA record in the Auburn game with 24 three-point attempts without a make. The good news was that UD won, relying on defense, rebounding and clutch free throw shooting. The bad news early in that game was that the Flyers made just 5-of-16 free throw attempts in the first 32 minutes of the contest, but finished with 15 straight made free throws, including 7-for-7 in overtime.
INCONTHREEVABLE!
The odds a team that was making 39.5 percent of its three-pointers going 0-for-24 in a game are six-in-one-million, according to Texas Tech professor Dr. Alan Reifman, on his website: http://thehothand.blogspot.com/.
FLYERS SIGN KAVANAUGH TO 2008 CLASS
With only one scholarship available, University of Dayton men's basketball coach Brian Gregory and his staff landed their third top local product in as many years when Centerville High School star Matt Kavanaugh signed his letter of intent to attend UD and play basketball for the Flyers. As the newest official member of the Flyers family, the 6-foot-9, 225 pound power forward, follows in the footsteps two other local standouts who will be his teammates in 2009-10. Chris Wright of Trotwood-Madison High School was the first as he signed with the Flyers in November of 2006. Dayton Dunbar graduate Josh Benson followed Wright and signed with UD last year.
GREGORY A PART OF OPERATION HARDWOOD
After the 2007-08 season, coach Brian Gregory was selected as one of eight college basketball coaches to travel to the Persian Gulf and visit troops as part of the fifth installment of "Operation Hardwood," a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. The tour featured a week-long basketball tournament and championship game with some of the best military players stationed overseas. Joining Gregory on the tour were Fran Fraschilla (ESPN Basketball Analyst and former St. John's head coach), Jeff Jones (American), Reggie Minton (National Association of Basketball Coaches Deputy Director and former Air Force head coach), Tom Pecora (Hofstra), Barry Rohrssen (Manhattan), Tom Schuberth (Texas-Pan American) and Jerry Wainwright (DePaul). Among the coaches and basketball figures who have participated in previous tours are Jay Bilas, Mike Brey, Bobby Cremins, Karl Hobbs, Tom Izzo, Bobby Lutz, Dave Odom, the late Skip Prosser, Tubby Smith and Gary Williams.
ELITE COMPANY
Dayton coach Brian Gregory became just the fourth coach in Flyer basketball history to record 100 career victories. Gregory joined Don Donoher, Tom Blackburn and Oliver Purnell as the only Dayton coaches to reach the 100-win plateau. Gregory reached 100 wins faster than any Dayton coach except the two icons of Flyer basketball: Donoher and Blackburn.
WELCOME TO FLIGHT CLUB
After averaging 1.8 dunks per game last year, UD is well above last year's pace. Dayton has 44 slams this season (2.9 average) and a program-record nine against UNC Greensboro. In the Wofford contest Chris Wright had two slams and Marcus Johnson dunked in one. Then against Delaware State, Wright had four dunks including one where Mickey Perry threw it off the backboard. Three Flyers, Charles Little, Chris Johnson and Devin Searcy, each had a dunk over Bethune-Cookman. Wright added three dunks and Little with one against Mercer. Against Auburn Wright had two dunks for UD. At Akron Wright had four of the Flyers' five slams. The Johnsons (Chris and Marcus) had two apiece in the Coppin State win. UD had four slams against George Mason. In fact, Wright has 20 dunks in 15 games.
OH, DOCTOR
Dayton's nine dunks against UNC Greensboro established a new Flyer standard for slams in a single game, surpassing the eight UD had against Toledo last year. The school single-season record is 61, set in 2003-04.
HOT, HOT, HOT
UD has won its last 28 non-conference home games. Included are games against members of the Big East, Conference USA, Mid-American and Missouri Valley conferences.
NATIONAL CITY'S "THINK PINK" PROGRAM WITH UD A SUCCESS
The Flyers and National City teammed up to honor breast cancer survivors during an on-court ceremony at halftime of the Wofford game. The 10 survivors, including Luke Fabrizius' mom Julie and UD women's tennis coach Linda O'Keefe, were chosen from more than 200 nominees. Both coaching staffs wore matching pink ties to show support for the fight against breast cancer. The activities were a part of National City's "Real Men Wear Pink" campaign, featuring UD coach Brian Gregory.
FILLING UP THE STAT SHEET
Dayton has had five different players lead the team in scoring this season - Chris Wright (six), Marcus Johnson (five), Rob Lowery (three) Charles Little (twice) and Chris Johnson (once). In rebounding, five players have taken honors in at least one game - Wright (six), Chris Johnson (five) Kurt Huelsman (four), Little (twice) and Devin Searcy (once). (Note: scoring and rebounding numbers add up to more than 15 due to games where more than one player tied for the team-high).
NATION'S BEST
Through Jan. 5, the Flyers rank second in the NCAA in field goal defense (.352), fourth in scoring defense (55.2) and tied for fifth in winning percentage (.933).
LUCKY SEVEN
Dayton has won 14 of its first 15 games for just the sixth time in school history. Brian Gregory matches the legendary Tom Blackburn as the only coach to do it twice at UD.
THAT'S A CATCH-22
UD has held opponents to 22 points or less in a half nine times during the 2008-09 campaign. Last year the Flyers accomplished that feat six times.
DEPTH CHARGE
UD is the only top team playing 12 players at least 8.5 minutes a game, and one of the products of that is simply wearing down the opposition down the stretch. In the George Mason win, Dayton outscored the Patriots 11-2 in the last 4:41 of the game. In the Miami game, UD out-scored the Redhawks 10-4 over the last 4:31. Against Marshall, the Flyers held the Thundering Herd scoreless for exactly nine minutes late in the second half. In the last five minutes of the game, Dayton is holding its opponents to just .295 (33-112) from the field and .191 (9-47) from three.
DANCE TO THE MUSIC
Dance is well known as a beautiful art form. Dancers will attest to the physical demands of the profession. But dancers are not the only ones doing ballet. Many athletes use dance and ballet to cross-train and improve their physical skills. Two Flyers can attest to that as Charles Little took a ballet class during the first semester while Chris Wright studied tap dance.
SPREADING THE WEALTH AROUND
The Flyers have seven players who are averaging four points or more and 12 who play eight minutes or more this season. One other Atlantic 10 team has 11 players who play eight minutes or more. The Flyers force an average of 16.6 turnovers per game. UD also leads the A-10 in scoring margin at plus 12.1.
ON CLOUD NINE
With the win against Coppin State, the 2008-09 Dayton Flyers put themselves in elite company. In the 101 seasons of UD basketball only 19 teams have started off the season winning nine of its first 10 games. Three of the 19 have come during the Brian Gregory era.
CONQUERING GOLIATH
In recent years the Flyers have proved they can handle the big-name programs. The Flyers are 5-2 in the last three years against BCS programs and have won three consecutive games against Big East opponents.
HOME SWEET HOME
Dayton's 9-0 start at UD Arena has mirrored previous team success. Last year the Flyers' started off the 2007-08 campaign 10-0 at home. It was the second consecutive season UD won its first 10 games of the season on Tom Blackburn Court. Dayton finished with a 15-3 home record in 2007-08 that included victories over NCAA Tournament teams Pittsburgh, Saint Joseph's, Temple, American and Coppin State. The Flyers have a home all-time winning percentage of .777 (741-213).
THE FLYER FAITHFUL
For years, UD has claimed it has had the best fans in the nation. In 2001, The Sporting News conducted an unscientific poll of college basketball coaches, media and SIDs. In the Jan. 8, 2001 issue of the magazine, UD's fans were tabbed as college basketball's best. And they prove it to everyone the Flyers play. In 2007-08 UD had the second-best average home attendance in school history (12,801). UD Arena has 85 sellouts in its 38-year history and seven in 2007-08. The record for sellouts is eight held in the Arena's first season 1969-70. UD's last 144 regular season home games have had attendance of at least 11,000 fans. In the last 14 years, 99% of UD's home games have drawn at least 10,000 (382 of 385), including the last 181 regular season games.
UD AMONG THE BEST IN NCAA ATTENDANCE
The University of Dayton finished in the Top 30 in men's basketball attendance for the 11th straight season in 2007-08. The Flyers led the Atlantic 10 in attendance for the 12th straight season. UD averaged more than 2,400 fans a game better than any other team in the conference.
TOURNEY TOWN
The NCAA Division I Tournament will make its start at UD Arena for the eighth year in a row as the University of Dayton Arena hosts the NCAA Opening Round Game in 2009. In addition, the Arena will be a First and Second Round site for the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, and a regional site for the 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. UD has hosted the Opening Round game since its inception in its current form in 2002. When the 2009 NCAA Tournament is over, UD Arena will have been an NCAA site in 23 of the last 40 years and will have hosted 84 NCAA Tournament games. That will make UD Arena the most prolific NCAA Tournament venue ahead of Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City (83) and the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City (81).
DAYTON AMONG TOP 10 IN NCAA GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE
The University of Dayton's 96 percent Graduation Success Rate leads the Atlantic 10 Conference and ties it for 10th in the NCAA. In addition, this year's GSR Report shows that UD graduated 100 percent of its student-athletes that participated in women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country/track & field, men's golf, women's golf, women's rowing, women's soccer, men's tennis, women's tennis and volleyball. In addition to the ten programs listed above, the football program had a GSR of 95 followed closely by men's soccer (93), baseball (92), softball (92) and men's basketball (89). The UD's men's basketball team's GSR was the best in the A-10.
DID YOU KNOW?
UD won more games than any other school in both the 1950s and `60s. UD won 435 games between 1950 and 1969 and ranks among the top teams of the 1950s and 1960s in Division I history. The Flyers' .763 (228-71) winning percentage in the 1950s ranks fifth in the decade. Their .729 (207-77) winning percentage ranks eighth in the 1960s.
