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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > January > 13 > Entry
Wright, Warren fighting flu
Sophomore forward Chris Wright has missed the last two days of practice with the flu but is expected to play against Fordham on Wednesday, although he’ll be held out of the starting lineup.
Junior point guard London Warren also has the flu, but he’ll see some action off the bench, too.
Freshman Chris Johnson will replace Wright in the starting line-up, while junior Rob Lowery will take Warren’s place.
The Flyers (14-2) are coming off a 75-62 loss at Massachusetts, and in coach Brian Gregory’s mind, the UMass game was similar to UD’s other setback, a 77-59 decision at Creighton.
“In our two losses, we didn’t defend and rebound the way we have all year long,” Gregory said. “We’ve lost our poise on defense where every help situation and every team defense situation — and they usually say this with offense — we were trying to swing for the fences (by gambling for steals).
“We were trying to make up a six- or seven-point deficit in one play, and you can’t do it,” he said.
Because of their limitations on offense — namely, few reliable outside shooters — the Flyers depend heavily on their defense and rebounding. But UMass shot 52.3 percent from the field. Only three other opponents have topped 40 percent against UD.
The Minutemen also had a 33-26 edge on the boards. Creighton and Wofford are the only other teams to out-rebound UD.
To cure their offensive woes — the Flyers have been held to 66 or fewer points in four of their last five games — Gregory wants his team to push the ball and create opportunities in the open court.
That certainly would make the athletic Wright more of a factor. He’s failed to reach double-figures in three of the last six games and hasn’t scored more than 18 this year.
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Comments
By jeff
January 14, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
Sick or not sick. Fordham is not a good team. This is an easy win, a loss would be an insult to this program.By b
January 14, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this
Could this sickness be the result of too many cupcakes in December?By Rowdy
January 14, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this
UD needs to get off its high horse and play Wright StateBy amy katz
January 14, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
wsu couldn’t sell out the game when they played ud before - obviously it’s just a vocal minority that wants this game - if the ‘city’ really wanted to see them play, the gem city jam would have sold out every gameBy sec 312
January 14, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
agree Amy, they draw 2500 to 3000 we are not going to help them build their program. hey Rowdy wrong board…sir go join the few WSU fans on your boardBy ha
January 14, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
gregory wants the team to push the ball because he cant coach a team to run ahalf court offenseBy Flyer '72
January 14, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Regarding the comment that “UD needs to get off its high horse and play Wright State” Just how will that prevent the flu?By MungoJer
January 14, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Lots of athletes, and even some high energy guys for UD…yet you can see the lack of shooting skill is going to creep up over and over again and lead to dissapointing losses in conference play. Which ultimately will lead to that Marquette win equaling the Pittsburgh and Louisville wins of last year. Great wins at the time, but in heindsight, not impressive enough to make the committee overlook the team’s mediocre conference play. Maybe I’m wrong, but this season looks fairly familiar to recent UD seasons.By Jeff
January 14, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
I’m concerned about Paul Williams missing time with an ear infection. Having missed time early with a foot injury, he was just starting to get into the flow. Fordham gave Xavier a run for about half a game. No team should be overlooked because it only takes one or 2 guys to get hot and carry a team in any given game. Just ask UK fans.By boxter
January 14, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this
Nothing like a bad team putting an excuse out before the game. UD sucks.By SidneyMoncrief
January 14, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
Wright State has averaged over 9500 fans per game against Butler over the past three years. UD is a few notches below Butler so a WSU/UD game would probably get around 8000. If UD sinks to Youngstown State level, then maybe it would draw 4k.By Tommy
January 14, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Youngstown State, Fordham is ranked below Youngstown State. What kind of moron would go to the UD arena to see UD play Fordham?By MJ
January 14, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
1 point victory over a 2-12 team at home. With a rotation of 12 players, this should not happen. Coaching?? Once again near the end of the game UD fouls on a 3 point shot. Coaching?? UD complains about getting national respect. When you get blown out on the road by a sub-500 team and are favored by 21 at home and win with 5 seconds left, you have become the Rodney Dangerfield of NCAA Division I basketball.By aaubasketball
January 14, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
Teams get up to play at the UD Arena. With Chris Wright was limited tonight in playing time with the flu it reminded me of how they struggled last season without him. And why can’t Kurt at least TRY a post move so the defense actually has to respect our inside game!