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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > February > 04 > Entry
Flyers finally reach Philly for La Salle game
Dayton coach Brian Gregory doesn’t expect the travel troubles on the trip to Philadelphia to be a factor in tonight’s game at La Salle, even though the players had a short night’s stay in a city they never expected to see.
The Flyers (20-2) didn’t arrive in Philly until 11:30 a.m. today for their 7 p.m. game, going straight to Tom Gola Arena for a light practice. The city reportedly was hit with six inches of snow in a two-hour span Tuesday night, forcing the team to divert to Allentown, Pa.
The Flyers, though, didn’t appear to be zapped from their travails during their lively workout, which lasted about an hour. They can bolster their NCAA tournament hopes with a win against La Salle (12-8), which is a one-point favorite.
“We live in the Midwest and travel to the East coast. You’re going to have travel adversity the whole year,” Gregory said. “The most important thing is for the guys to concentrate on what they can control, and the only thing we can control is the energy we play with, the attitude we play with and the toughness we’re going to need. That doesn’t change whether you’re on a bus or plane, in Maui or Philly.”
The Flyers’ charter jet was scheduled to take off from Dayton at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, but it was delayed until 9:30 p.m. because of the snowstorm in Philly. Once in the air, a typical 70-minute flight stretched into two hours as the pilots were instructed to go into a holding pattern because of problems on the ground.
While waiting for clearance to land, the charter became low on fuel and was forced to divert to Allentown, landing at about 11:30 p.m.
After waiting for a favorable report from the Philadelphia airport for nearly one hour, the decision was made to find lodging near the airport in Allentown, which is about an hour north of Philly. The team, UD athletic director Tim Wabler, UD Arena manager Tim O’Connell, other school personnel, media and about a dozen fans finally began checking into a nearby hotel at 1 a.m.
The Flyers had an 8:45 a.m. wake-up call, ate the complimentary breakfast at the Homewood Suites and boarded the bus for the arena. The trip took almost two hours — nearly twice as long as planned — because of traffic.
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By thepummeler
February 4, 2009 1:12 AM | Link to this
diversions? obstacles we shall overcome with vengeance and a nasty attitude, to bootBy Georgia Peach 25
February 4, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this
Hey everyone. I just moved into Kettering last week and am a huge college basketball fan. I don’t know much about Dayton or Wright State but had a couple of questions for y’all. I don’t recall either of these programs ever winning a game in the tourney. Has either program won an NCAA game in the past 25 years? Also, why don’t two mid-majors that are so close by not on the schedule for one another? Do those two schools just hate each other? Have a great day y’all.By Danny
February 4, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
Peach, if you have the money, get a ticket online or scalp for the Xavier game next week. Afterwards, come back and report. Then go to any Wright State game and come back and report. I would be interested in your thoughts.By WSU and UD Alum
February 4, 2009 8:17 AM | Link to this
Georgia Peach: This Saturday WSU plays Butler. This is a huge rivalry for WSU, with Butler currently leading the league and ranked #11 in the country. The atmosphere will be rocking, and there are no bad seats in the Nutter Center. I have attended the Dayton-Xavier game, and if you can get seats to this game, that is a fantastic game to see to get the flavor of a UD game. But the seats in the Nutter will be better because at UD you will be in the “nose bleed” section. Go Raiders! Go Flyers!By UDfan
February 4, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this
Going back to yesterday’s discussion about Dayton’s prestige and success within the past decade or so… why does the Atlantic 10 refuse to take the mid-major title?? Think of the matchup UD could have gotten with a team like Butler or Davidson this year to help the schedule. It most likely would have been Butler given that X had already played them (but then again would X want to be included in a Bracketbuster?)… At the very least they get a good St. Mary’s team and get a top-50 game possibly a top-25 game to help out the RPI… When is the A-10 going to realize they aren’t a major conference and help its teams out with games like this?By Jake
February 4, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this
A brief rundown, Dayton’s main rival is Xavier followed by Miami. Dayton was in the Finals against UCLA in 67, made the sweet sixteen in 1952, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1984. In the 50’s and early 60s when the NIT was the big tournament they were runner up in 51,55,58,61 and won it in 62. Recently they haven’t been passed the 2nd round since 90 with a Final Four in 84. They have posted over 20 wins 5 of the last 8 years along with an 18 win and 19 win season. There is no rivalry with Wright State. Wright State was a D2 school until sometime in the 80s. They have appeared in 2 NCAA tournaments and are 0-2. UD and Wright State fans bicker about renewing the Gem City Jam which ended in 1997. For a true college atmosphere go to a UD game. The place is usually packed and the sudents get into the game. Wright State is more of a commuter school and doesn’t get the support UD does.By T-Rolling
February 4, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
An obstacle is something you see when your lose sight of your goal.By T-Rolling
February 4, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
An obstacle is something you see when your lose sight of your goal.By amy katz
February 4, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
UDfan - the confernces have nothing to do with the mid-major lable for bracketbusters. The organizers do not consider the A10 mid major becasue they typically get 3+ bids a season Peachy - the 2 schools use to play but no one cared as the games didn’t sell out. UD was willing to play wsu a few seasons ago but they refused withour a return game - UD can play wofford and get as many fans as the wsu game and wofford won’t demand a return gameBy chris
February 4, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
While peach appears to be an imposter who is attempting to set-up an argument, I will give him/her the benefit of the doubt and answer the question. If you like the atmosphere of college bball, you really only have one option. UD is within 1000 seats of a sell-out in every game, the students and fans get into the games, and the atmosphere is very exciting. Ud arena has been called by many commentators one of the 5-greatest basketball arenas in the country and it has hosted the 2nd most NCAA tourney games of any venue. It is a basketball-specific venue and gets very very loud. Nutter Center is always half-empty, with the only game that comes close to filling the place being the Butler game. The crowd is normally pretty passive, as most of them got in with free tickets, so are not as invested in the action. Secondly, Nutter Center is a big bowl, it was actually built as a revenue-booster for the University and was made for concerts and performances with basketball being an afterthought. As a result, it does not get as loud (it just echoes a lot) and the atmosphere, even for the big games, is pretty drull. The nice thing about Nutter Center is that with a ticket you can basically sit anywhere you like and can kick your feet back and relax. If you are looking to consistently go and see exciting games, UD plays a much more interesting schedule. Even though this season the schedule is weaker than most, they still play (and beat) teams such as Marquette, Aubrurn, Xavier, UMass, Temple, George Mason, Creighton, St Joe’s and in the past couple years have hosted (and beat) Pittsburgh, Louisville and several other tourney teams. Wright State’s only home game against a nationally-known opponent is Butler. Their non-con, in which they began 0-6 was against teams such as Sam Houston State, Illinois State, and Miami (OH). I am an alum of both teams, recieving my bachelor’s at WSU and my masters and JD at UD. So I have experienced first-hand the vast differences between the two schools. Although I still attend a lot of WSU games, I am a season ticket holder at UD. I just love college basketball and so prefer the atmosphere and experience of UD arena and the program there. The good thing about both these teams though is that both of the teams are in conferences and positiions where they win a lot of their games, UD consistently wins 20 games a year, and WSU normally breaks .500 and in the past 3 years has posted some 20 win seasons as well. So if you want to become really invested in either program you will be cheering for a winning team more often than not. Some posters advised going to a game at both schools and this is a very good idea. At UD, go to any game and typically it will be up-tempo and fun. For WSU I would go to the Butler game just because it would be a fun game to go to, but I would recommend hitting up another one as well so that you can see what Nutter is like half-full, like it always is. I know as a WSU student, although I always wanted my team to win, it was often difficult to get into the games at Nutter Center. The other thing to consider is that if you want to really follow one of the teams, not just at home, you will want to follow UD. This year over half of UD’s away games are televised, and the other half can be streamed online. Only 1-2 of WSU’s away games are televised, and they rarely offer a live video stream online. So just a thought.By Ron
February 4, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
Just nit-picking here Jake but the 84 team was beaten by Georgetown (Patrick Ewing) in the Elite Eight after winning against LSU and then taking out Oklahoma with Tisdale in the Sweet Sixteen. An awesome year for the UD Flyers.By Joe Pyne
February 4, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
The Flyers are a dog at LaSalle tonight. What’s up with that? UD should easily take care of business. What BOZO set the line?By Andy
February 4, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
Its a trap game.By A-Train
February 4, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
It’s a trap game.By Jim
February 4, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
RULE OF THUMB: if you have to go back to the 1984 season - yes, 25 years ago, then your program is not that good. Why do UD fans think that UD is an elite team? They are not. Xavier is a much better program the last 25 years. Heck, most of UD students were not born since UD had been good. UD is having a nice season, leave it at that - and they duck Wright State (this is all over the engineering program and not a basketball thing.) You UD Fans are kind of losers if you think you have a top 20 program. Get real. They are middle of the pack. WSU made the NCAA tournament last year, UD got killed by The Ohio State University. I am certain UD fans think they are better than OSU - but UD is not.By chris
February 4, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
Jim - WSU did not make any tournament last year…it was two years ago they made the NCAA. I dont mind when people such as you create ridiculously stupid posts that much, but when they cannot even get the facts right, that is bad.By Dear Jim
February 4, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
UD and OSU are comparable most years. OSU has just put together a couple solid seasons recently, but are still historically weak in Big 10 hoops. Marquette is far better than OSU and we beat them earlier this season with little trouble. Last year’s season was damaged by injuries, but they beat rank #4 Pitt 80-55 beforehand. The program is coming back. Keep talking about your Bucks. They should do well in the NIT again this season, just like they did in their football bowl - as usual. Also, it appears the polls think UD is an elite program this season as well, giving them the 26th spot for the season with a 20-2 record. Xavier is the real deal, but don’t rule out Dayton in a week. Peace.By sec 312
February 4, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
underdog uh? did not know that..this is a tough game, and will be a dog fight. GA peach..you can always get a front row seat at WSU..just a tipBy asdf
February 4, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
Jim: Rule of thumb UD averages about 12000 fans a game and about 20 wins per season. Obviouly the Dukes and North Carolinas are the elite programs, no one ever compared UD to one of those teams. As for Wright State making the tournement TWO years ago. They wouldnt have even been a thought to go to the tournement if they didnt win the horrible horizon league tourny. They had an rpi of 98 they wouldnt have even went to the NIT. By the way when was the last time Wright st was ranked? Can you name any raked teams they beat in the past ten years that are not Butler or MSU? Didnt think soBy Matt
February 4, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
UD fans are a joke. To even mention the word elite with the Dayton program is absurd. They compare themselves to a 20 year old WSU prgogram to make themselves look good. Thats just sad. All that history and all they can brag about is they average more fans than a 42 year old school. Thats an elite program If I didn’t know one.By asdf
February 4, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
Dont see where any UD fan said we had an elite program. Dont need to compare Dayton to WSU theres nothing to compare. WSU doesnt even come up in these forums ignorant WSU fan brings up some ridiculus argument.By WSU!?!?
February 4, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
UD fans only mention WSU when they chime in on our discussion boards. WSU isn’t even an afterthought and they shouldn’t be. Still, most UD fans have nothing against WSU. Why would they? The Horizon League, minus Butler, is pathetic, and I for one go to root for WSU to kick their @$$es anyways. UD fans compare UD to the solid MAC schools (Akron, Miami, Toledo), MVC schools (Creighton), and top A-10 programs (X, St. Joe’s, Temple, etc). UD isn’t elite - just an old program with a very elite fan base. Don’t believe me? Ask “elite” programs (Marquette, Notre Dame, Louisville, Pitt, etc) how UD Arena is and why they won’t accept more home-and-aways with us.By Jim @ Dear Jim
February 4, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this
Dear Dear Jim: Historically weak Ohio State has gone to 10 final fours, 5 finals with one championship. Weak is right - if you are UCLA, NCarolina or Kansas. ONE Final Four and ONE final for UD - get a life UD fans. OHIO STATE IS BETTER!!! And UD ducks Wright State, but will play SouthEastern Rhode Island Tech for the Blind. Cry flyer fans. CRY. When did having a big arena with a lot of dumb fans make you a good program? How many NCAA tournament wine in the last 25 years? get frickin real…By Matt
February 4, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with Jim. Somehow having a full arena makes you a bigtime program. Your 20-2 and not even ranked. Loser programs talk about getting votes. Your a 2 point dog to La Salle. They want you to bet on the Flyers. Theres a reason the other A-10 teams call UD a paper tiger.By Non-UD fans...
February 4, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
OSU and WSU message boards can be found under the respective pages on this site. Please go talk up your “awesome” programs there. Other fans, you know your place as well. What is it with you people? Buckeye fans, I’m new to Ohio and you all are ridiculous. Tell Florida I say hello.By Fed Up
February 4, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Let’s think abot this for a minute. The only way a Wright State team can make the NCAA tournament is if they win the league tournament. They havne’t got an “at large” bid, nor has the NIT ever called upon them. UD, just have a good showing.By Xavier Mike
February 4, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
UD fans are the best. Somebody puts them in their place and the messages stop. Well done OSU Jim.By 21
February 4, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this
UD is by far one of the best venues to watch a game and has an exciting team. Better yet , go see OSU or X or even WSu and you’ll see a bunch of fans talking about how their day was, whats for dinner, while they wait for the Ice Capades to come out. BORING…By chris
February 4, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
It is true UD has some of the best fans nationally, just ask Vitale, he has mentioned it several times. Last night I watched OSU/Purdue. the commentators stated how OSU bball fans are known as a “wine and cheese” crowd who dont get into the game and who just wait for football season. This is true, I remember the NIT game last year, UD probably had 1/6 of the fans but made just as much (if not more) noise. People can knock UD all they want, but I think it really says something that people think it is WORTH THE TIME to come knock us. Especially fans outside the Dayton area, that is really funny. But perhaps the funniest thing of all is the guy who uses the email mekoveleskie@yahoo.com who uses multiple aliases and claims to be many different people. There is another guy that uses select_ryan@yahoo.com that does the same thing. Bottom line: go flyers!! I think we will have a good showing tonight. LaSalle is a tough team, with 4 players hitting better than 30% from 3-point range. So hopefully we go out to Philly and take it to them.By Xavier Mike
February 4, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
UD fans just don’t get it. Attendance and gameday atmosphere don’t make the program. Making the NCAA tournament and hanging banners is all that matters. It’s like trying to teach a monkey to get that point across to you.By Kyle
February 4, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
Comparing WSU to UD is a joke….similar to comparing UD to Duke or UNC. People from WSU should just admit that they are a small program in a mid-major (which is a stretch since Butler is the only worthwhile team) - one that is not going to consistently compete with UD with regards to recruiting, fan base, or national recognition. Similarly, UD needs to realize that its a decent program in a low-major league. Once UD starts going to Xavier route and winning NCAA tourney games, then they will start to head up the pecking order. WSU fans also need to realize that the Gem City Jam isn’t coming back….it’s been over 10 years! UD does’t want to play at the Nutter Center and I don’t blame them - simliar logic dictates why OSU doesn’t want to come to UD Arena. Hopefully UD will pull one out tonight at LaSalle. It’s a tough game and a tough (high school) gym to play in.By Jim aka Mr. Perfect
February 4, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
I compare UD and Wright State bc they both rarely make the tournament. I think Xavier has made 21 of the last 25 NCAA tournaments, how many NCAA tournament has UD gone to in the last 25 year? 5 ? 6 ? 7 ? Wright State is at 2. 7 is closer to 2 than to 21. That is a fact. UD is more comparable to Indiana State, Bradley and Western Kentucky….. real power houses. UD fans need to understand that they are having a nice season but once Xavier stomps on them twice it will be time to run to the corner and go to the NIT. Dayton is NIT - second tier at best. Ohio State’s current class and the class coming up in 2010 will make a final four in 2011 or 2012. UD can barely make the tournament. I think real basketball fans should talk about teams that actually make the tournament year in and year out. UD is going once every 5 or 6 years. That is really impressive. Then they never advance, losing to Tulsa or Georgia Southern or Drake or Holy Cross or Western Indiana or Northern Iowa (go Kurt Warner) or Southern Kentucky or Eastern Florida or Oral Roberts or Kentucky State or Arizona Tech or Texas El Paso or Tenn-Chatt or Kansas or Right State or Capital or Wittenberg or Sinclair. Good luck at that powerhouse LaSalle. If UD loses you can kiss the NCAA tournament good bye. GO OSU, GO X, GO UD, GO WRIGHT STATE. But only two or those four will go to the Big Dance!By Chauncy
February 4, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Comparing WSU to UD is like comparing UD to Duke? Are you serious? WSU fans realize its a mid major program, but when’s UD going to realize they are too? WSU has been D 1 for 20 years and minus fan base has a comparable program to UD. They have better facilities, have had a NBA lottery pick, have won as many NCAA games as UD has the past 20 years and has a coach taller than 5’2. I don’t really care to see the Gem City Jam back, it doesn’t help either team because most years the visiting team would lose. A better comparison is UD as the Browns and WSU as the Bengals. The Browns had success 100 years ago but haven’t done anything in the modern era and WSU has had a lot of rough years sprinkled in with some great ones. But at the end of the day they are the same mid major trying to compete with the big boys.By Jim again
February 4, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Brian Gregory is more like four eleven - five two with the shoes and ‘fro. One good thing about him is that when my girl accidentally threw the Frisbee in a storm sewer he crawled in and got it. And my boy who is in fifth grade likes to post him up and play one on one with BG. He is a good coach, not much of a player though. My kid beat him one on one, then they had a Popsicle together. They are buddies. Rumor has it he is Michael J Fox’s stunt double. Wright State’s coach is a tall man though - well, tall compared to the other D-1 coaches in the Dayton area.By amy katz
February 4, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
I see a lot of little boys here compensating for their short comings -feel sorry for the women in dayton and cincinnati with these losers as choicesBy RUDY
February 4, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Xavier Mike, What in the hell has your team ever won? Go away!!By Jason
February 4, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
hey osu jim - you do know that osu’s 1999 final four appearance has been erased because of cheating!By Rick
February 4, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this
This comment section is absurd. Real basketball fans talk about their team no matter what other people say or how the team is doing. UD fans have passion, no arguing that. Hopefully the Flyers will find some consistency and win tonight.By RUDY
February 4, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this
Rick, I agree UD fans are passionate but who other than you thinks 20-2 is not consistent? What more do you want?By Rick
February 4, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
I agree you can’t complain about wins, but they seem to play to the level of their competetion (see Fordham, GW or SLU vs. St Joe’s). Sometimes it’s defense/effort but mostly their shooting especially from behind the arc that needs to develop some consistency.By Joe
February 4, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
I’m just pissed that the game isn’t on TV or CSTV.By Jim
February 4, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
UD will win tonight by 16 or so…… they are great. 20-2, with a win over Marquette proves they deserve at least a 3 seed, maybe a 2, and if they go 29-2, which I think they have a good chance, then a 1 seed is in order………. oh, wait, I just woke up from my dream and realize that this scenario will never happen, and a 7 seed is the best they can do. And there will be a very good chance they will not win a game in the NCAA tournament. The game is on radio, they will squeak by with a 2 point victory, Xavier will prove to be too much for UD, and insiders keep telling CW to transfer, bc when was the last time a UD was drafted? Was it for a war? Get a better non-conf schedule and maybe CW will stay… but I think he is going to the BIG EAST and Louisville. His buddy is going to Mizzu next year, btw. OSU has still been to 10 final fours, UD one. So they are 10% of what OSU is, right? Good Luck UD! Beat LaSalle! NIT BOUND AGAIN!!!By matt
February 4, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this
CW transferring makes no sense. Sitting out a year would be a career killer. If he isn’t here next year, it’s because he decided to declare for the draft.By kurt
February 4, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
Dear Jim,OSU would eat UD for breakfast this year.By Jim
February 4, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
If your read my prediction above, you will notice I was right on the money - 2 point victory by UD. If you want any further predictions please feel free to ask via this blog - bowing is expected though.