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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > January > 07 > Entry
Defense does it again
Dayton may not ever dazzle anyone with its offense, but we know at least this much after 15 games: The Fly-boys can rebound and play some serious defense.
Miami came into the game ranked 11th nationally in the RPI, but Michael Bramos and his mates were chewed up like leftovers going down a garbage disposal.
Bramos had just six points — 13 below his average — and the RedHawks shot a mere 32.1 percent from the field in their 45-40 defeat.
The Flyers went into the game ranked second nationally in field-goal percentage defense at 35.2 (Washington State was No. 1 at 35.1). And UD forward Chris Wright knows he wouldn’t fare too well, either, if he were wearing an opposing uniform against the Flyers.
“We do a good job of defense on each other. If you came to practice, it would look like two different teams (going against each other). We don’t cut each other any slack,” he said.
Miami (2-for-13) and UD (3-for-16) combined to make just 5-of-29 three-pointers. But the Flyers had 14 offensive rebounds and a 38-30 edge on the boards. They’re out-rebounding foes by 7.4 per game this season.
“Just another offensive battle between Miami and Dayton,” UD coach Brian Gregory said facetiously. “We only play each other once a year — thank God. … Both teams played tremendously at the defensive end.”
Miami’s Charlie Coles added: “I didn’t think that was a fun game to watch. I thought it was a fun game to coach.”
The Flyers aren’t very polished, but their depth allows them to apply unrelenting pressure on defense. Coles is right. UD’s offensive flaws are often exposed, but it’s hard to argue with the results.
They finished the non-league season with a 14-1 record, tying last year’s team for the third-best start in the modern era (since 1947). But the Flyers couldn’t sustain that torrid pace last season after losing Wright to an injury. They finished just 8-8 in the Atlantic 10, but I don’t see them fading this season if they stay healthy.
“I can speak for the team: we’ve been here before (at 14-1), and we have to continue to work every day,” Wright said. “They were 11th in the RPI and this was a great win, but we can’t be satisfied.”
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Comments
By B-rad
January 7, 2009 4:13 AM | Link to this
Way to go Flyers!! Sure, the offense isn’t as good as last year without B-Rob, but the Flyers are still WINNING games-and that’s what counts. UD should easily win 10 games in the A-10 this year. Hopefully, Wright will keep getting more playing time-he’s too valuable to sit the bench for half the game. He should be playing at least 30minutes a game if he’s not in foul trouble.By Honest UD Fan
January 7, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this
The RPI’s are so irrelevant that it is better not even mentioning them. Miami is nowhere near a top 25 team and they were playing without their starting PG. The Miami game improved our strength of schedule to 280 in the Sagarin rankings (still very poor).By Mongoose
January 7, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
For those who would like to know, B-Rob is doing pretty good in Israel. After 8 games he is averaging 17.3 perBy Greg E
January 7, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
I thought that the post game comments from Charlie Coles were atypically ungracious for him. Saying that UCLA and West Virginia are in a different universe from Dayton is a really lousy thing to say. How many times have you heard Brian Gregory say you are not nearly as good as other teams we lost to?By Mike B
January 7, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
I thought Charlie’s comments were exactly right, and not meant to be a dig at UD. Teams like UCLA (not sure I agree about WVU) are in a different universe than UD. They get to pick and choose which Top 100 players they want, get nearly unlimited national exposure, and anything less than a Final Four every year is considered a down year. UD does not fly in those circles. To listen to Charlie, he is always very respectful, but he is also candid, with very little “coach speak”. He is also close enough and been around long enough that he can make an honest assessment. What he said doesn’t bother me at all, and I don’t think it should bother Brian Gregory or the team.By sec312
January 7, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Love they way they clamp down at the end of games. Also its fun it watch, who will score a key basket. I was thinking the same about Mr Coles, he said at least a couple of things I thought was unlike him..one about the 12 guys, Miami WAS worn out look at the bad shots they took..that is a tired team and UCLA…when you win say little…lose? say lessBy Chargeback Defense
January 7, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
For those who would like to know, B-Rob is doing pretty good in Israel.By tds70
January 7, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Effort again there, way to go flyers. Does anyone know exactly what happened to Chris Johnson near the end of the game. Looked like a knee injury, hopefully a bruse. I agree on Chris Wrights time at about 25-30min per game as long as he plays defense and stays away from some bad fouls. Thanks,By billg
January 7, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
I like Chris Wright; but Marcus Johnson should have been the star of the game. Also, it’s hard for me to think of the Flyers as a top 25 team with their offense; top 50 okay, top 25 NOT!By Cbridge
January 7, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
Great win! Want to jump start the offense? Eliminate every play that forces the ball into Huelsman. Kirk played 27 minutes against Miami with ZERO rebounds and he took only ONE shot. Let’s focus on getting the ball to more productive players. Need a good game to beat U. Mass. Go Flyers!By sammy
January 7, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this
UMass is absolutely horrible.By sammy
January 7, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this
Will somebody tell Doug Harris to quit talking about the RPI’s? The guy sounds like a flaming idiot.By RogerBrown
January 8, 2009 5:45 AM | Link to this
Watched my first game on All-Access and it’s a mystery how this team could be 14-1. What a pathetic display of basketball. These guys are supposed to be athletes but seem awkward in their movements particularly when handling the ball. Marcus Johnson is easily their best player.Would like to see more of Thomas. Would hate to be a player in Gregory’s system—-no chance to establish a rhythm with the frequent substitution.By Ken
January 8, 2009 7:24 AM | Link to this
HUDF, you said that you would post how the A10 has compared against the Horizon over the past 10 years but I missed your post. Would you please post those again? Looking forward to your response.By amy katz
January 8, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t say UMASS is horrible - if the team shows up that won at Kansas earlier this year it could be a tough game (and there are seldom easy games on the road anyway)By Kansas Jayhawk
January 9, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
Kansas played like crap against UMass. Our worst game in the last 10 years, just pathetic basketball.