March 31, 2008

Roberts Photo Gallery

One of the greatest careers in University of Dayton basketball history came to a close March 26, when Flyer senior Brian Roberts walked off the floor after the 2007-08 UD men's basketball season ended with a quarterfinal NIT loss at Ohio State.

Roberts not only made his mark in the record books, ending his career in the UD Top Ten in 10 career statistical categories, including #1 in three-pointers made (293), 3-pt. FG% (.441, 293-665) and consecutive games played (125), but also on the program.

Roberts led UD to a 23-11 record and back to the post season in '07-`08. It was Dayton's first post season appearance and most wins since 2004. The Flyers started out 14-1 and were ranked as high as 14th until injuries derailed the season. Team eventually re-invented itself and played its way back on the bubble, and eventually won two games in advanced in the NIT. A constant through the all that was Roberts, who led Dayton in scoring (18.4), three-pointers (100-220, .455), free throws (111-129, .860) and minutes (34.7).

UD's first three-time All-Atlantic 10 performer, Roberts was a finalist for the Wooden, Naismith, Cousy and Lowes Senior CLASS Awards. He ended his career fourth on the UD All-Time Scoring List with 1,962 points, behind Roosevelt Chapman (2,233), Don May (1,980) and Henry Finkel (1,968) and just ahead of Jim Paxson (1,945) and Don Meineke (1,866).

What does it mean to Roberts to have his name among some of the best to wear the Red & Blue?

"It hasn't really sunk in yet. It's an honor just to play for UD, but to be mentioned with those guys...man, that's amazing," Roberts said. "The first three years, we had a lot of ups and downs and sometimes weren't successful and had to kind of go through some growing pains. But for the season to finish off like this, with the accolades I've had and the run we had in the postseason, it feels good."

Part of the first recruiting class brought to Dayton by Flyer head coach Brian Gregory, Roberts will have a special place in Gregory's memory banks.

"In a coach's career, if you get three or four special guys, you've got to consider yourself lucky, Gregory said. "(As an assistant at Michigan State) I worked with Mateen Cleaves, Eric Snow, Jason Richardson and Andre Hutson. They're special guys, as well as special people. Now I've gotten to coach Brian Roberts and he's the same. He'll go down as one of the greatest players of all time in this program's rich basketball history."

"I don't think we will feel the impact Brian (Roberts) had on the program for a while," Gregory continued. "He put us on his shoulders. He set the tone by the type of person he is, the type of player he is, and the way improved at both every year."

Roberts' influence wasn't lost on his teammates.

"He's not that much older than me," freshman forward Chris Wright said. "but I think of him like an older brother. I probably learned something from him every day."

Roberts hopes he and classmates Jimmy Binnie and Andres Sandoval have a lasting effect on the present and future Flyers.

"I'm proud we finished heading up. This was just a stepping stone," Roberts concluded. "From here on, there's going to be higher standards for the University of Dayton."

Brian Roberts Records

CAREER

1st 3-pt FGM -- 293

1st 3-pt. FG% -- .441, 293 of 665

Tie 1st Consecutive Games Played - 125

3rd FT% -- .849, 365 of 430

3rd 3-pt FGA -- 665

4th Scoring 1,962

Tie 4th Games Played - 125

9th FGA - 1,442

10th FTM -- 365

10th FGM - 652

10th Average Minutes Played -- 34.7

11th Scoring Average -- 15.7

12th Assists -- 349

SEASON

Tie 1st Games Played -- 34

2nd 3-pt FGM -- 100

3rd Minutes - 1,179

9th Points -- 627

Roberts has 4 of the top 11 UD seasons in 3-pt % (best is 5th).

Roberts has 2 of the top 9 UD seasons in FT% (best is 3rd).

Roberts also had the 2nd-best consecutive FTM streak in UD history.