Langston Galloway

Temple’s Allen and St. Joseph’s Galloway nab weekly honors

Lavoy Allen was named Player-of-the-Week for the third time this season while Langston Galloway tied a record with his fifth Rookie-of-the-Week honor.

Allen registered a double-double as the Owls earned a 2-seed in this weekend’s conference tournament.  The senior forward scored 14 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as Temple trimmed UMass in overtime 73-67. Allen followed that with a career-high 24 points and 11 boards as the Owls closed out the regular season with a win over Big 5 rival, La Salle 90-82.  Allen shot 46.4 percent (13-28) for the week.

Galloway went 6-for-7 from behind the arc and scored a career-high 27 points, including the game-winner from the charity stripe, as the Hawks defeated the Charlotte 49ers to clinch a spot in the A10 tourney. Galloway averaged 18 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists for the week. Galloway committed just one turnover in 71 minutes.

Weekly honor roll as compiled by Atlantic10.com.

Fordham’s Chris Gaston recorded his 16th and 17th double-double of the season as the Rams went 1-1 last week – he recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds in a win over UMass to help Fordham snap a 41-game A-10 losing streak…Richmond’s Kevin Anderson averaged 19.0 on 44.4 percent shooting as the Spiders went 2-0 and clinched the No. 3 seed in the A-10 Tournament…Tony Taylor led GW in scoring in both games of a 2-0 week – averaged 20.0 points and 4.5 assists for the Colonials…Andrew Nicholson went for 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting as the Bonnies ended the regular season with a win over Rhode Island…Aaric Murray averaged 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week for La Salle…Tu Holloway averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists for Xavier who finished the regular season with two wins and the outright A-10 regular season title…Rhode Island’s Delroy James averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals for the Rams…Mike McCall averaged a team-best 15.0 points in two games that saw Saint Louis go 1-1 last week…Duquesne’s T.J. McConnell flirted with a triple-double in a win over St. Bonaventure with 12 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and five steals…Chris Wright led Dayton in the final week of the regular season averaging 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.

2010-11 Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Basketball All-Conference Teams

First Team
Lavoy Allen, Temple Sr. F
Kevin Anderson, Richmond Sr. G
Justin Harper, Richmond Sr. F
Tu Holloway, Xavier Jr. G
Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Jr. F

Second Team
Bill Clark, Duquesne Sr. F/G
Delroy James, Rhode Island Sr. F
Ramone Moore, Temple Jr. G
Damian Saunders, Duquesne Sr. F
Tony Taylor, George Washington Jr. G

Third Team
Juan Fernandez, Temple Jr. G
Anthony Gurley, Massachusetts Sr. G
Mark Lyons, Xavier So. G
Jamel McLean, Xavier Sr. F
Chris Wright, Dayton Sr. F

Honorable Mention
Kenny Frease, Xavier Jr. C
Chris Gaston, Fordham So.
Chris Johnson, Dayton Jr.
Scootie Randall, Temple Jr.

All-Defensive Team
Lavoy Allen, Temple Sr. F
Tu Holloway, Xavier Jr. G
Marquis Jones, Rhode Island Sr. G
Damian Saunders, Duquesne Sr. F
Kevin Smith, Richmond Sr. F

All-Rookie Team
Tyreek Duren, La Salle Fr. G
Dwayne Evans, Saint Louis Fr. F
Langston Galloway, Saint Joseph’s Fr. G
T.J. McConnell, Duquesne Fr. G
Juwan Staten, Dayton Fr. G

All-Academic Team Cl. Pos. Major
Brian Conklin, Saint Louis Jr. F Business Administration
Paul Eckerle, Saint Louis r-Jr. G Biology
Juan Fernandez, Temple Jr. G Broadcast Journalism
Will Martell, Rhode Island Sr. C Finance
Steve Weingarten, La Salle Sr. F History & American Studies

Player of the Year
Tu Holloway, Xavier

Rookie of the Year
T.J. McConnell, Duquesne

Defensive Player of the Year
Damian Saunders, Duquesne

Chris Daniels Most Improved Player of the Year
Scootie Randall, Temple

Sixth Man of the Year
Khalif Wyatt, Temple

Student-Athlete of the Year
Steve Weingarten, La Salle

Coach of the Year
Chris Mack, Xavier

2010 – 11 STANDINGS

Richmond 69 St. Joseph’s 54

Richmond’s Kevin Anderson scored 22 and dished 6 dimes to lead the Spiders. Justin Harper chipped in 16 points and 9 boards. Dan Geriot added 14 with Darien Brothers getting 10.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi6rpTtmOpk]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDlU0lPLleY]

Temple 73 UMass 67 OT

Lavoy Allen posted his fourth straight double-double and ninth of the season scoring 14 with 18 glass cleaners. Juan Fernandez led the Owls with 19.

UMass senior, Anthony Gurley led all scorers with 25,

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soRZTX5JZo4]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AAlza5ZFs]

Richmond 68 Duquesne 56

Justin Harper notched a double-double with 16 and 12. Kevin Anderson also had 16 for UR.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfAsjb4_nFk]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds2hrzaCTlQ]

Temple 90 La Salle 82

Lavoy Allen dropped a career-high 24 pesos, and the Owls won for the 22nd consecutive time at the Liacouras Center.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f033ZGyhb7A]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxtXSypRXoI]

On Tap

2011 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship

Tuesday, March 8
First Round – Campus Sites
#10 La Salle at #7 St. Bonaventure – 5:00 p.m. (CBS College Sports Network)
#12 Saint Joseph’s at #5 George Washington – 7:00 p.m. (CBS College Sports Network)
#11 Saint Louis at #6 Rhode Island – 7:00 p.m.
#9 Dayton at #8 Massachusetts – 9:00 p.m. (CBS College Sports Network)

Friday, March 11
Quarterfinals – Boardwalk Hall – Atlantic City, N.J.
Game 5 – #1 Xavier vs. #8/#9 winner – 12:00 p.m. (CBSC Syndication)*
Game 6 – #4 Duquesne vs. #5/#12 winner – 2:30 p.m. (CBSC Syndication)*
Game 7 – #2 Temple vs. #7/#10 winner – 6:30 p.m. (CBSC Syndication)*
Game 8 – #3 Richmond vs. #6/#11 winner – 9:00 p.m. (CBSC Syndication)*

Saturday, March 12
Semifinals – Boardwalk Hall – Atlantic City, N.J.
Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner – 1:00 p.m. (CBS College Sports Network)
Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner – 3:30 p.m. (CBS College Sports Network)

Sunday, March 14
Finals – Boardwalk Hall – Atlantic City, N.J.
Game 11 – Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 1:00 p.m. (CBS)

Pickin Splinters will be courtside for the entire A10 tourney. Get live updates, news, analysis and insights here on the Pine where there’s always room for one more.

By Paul Casey Gotham

Setting: The Blackburn-McCafferty Trophy is on the line at the Cintas Center as Brian Gregory brings his Dayton Flyers (14-4/ 2-1) south on I 75 for a clash with Chris Mack and his Xavier Musketeers (10-5/ 2-0). The trophy honors former Dayton coach Tom Blackburn (1947-64) and Xavier coach and athletic director, Jim McCafferty (1957-63).

Plot: Position in conference standings is on the line. Along with the Musketeers, the Flyers trail three other unbeaten teams in the conference – Temple, George Washington and Duquesne.

There will be a plenty of energy on campus and plenty more on the court. Dayton will look to take advantage of Xavier’s short bench.  Ten Flyers average 10 or more minutes per game. Because of injuries, the Musketeers have nine scholarship players.

Sub-plot: Both squads enter play coming off a win. Chris Wright scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Flyers defeated the St. Joe’s Hawks 65-59. Tu Holloway led five Muskies in double figures as Xavier trounced UMass 79-50. Dayton has not won on Xavier’s home court since 1981.

Flashback: Holloway scored 22, and Jason Love corralled 10 rebounds as the X-Men advanced to the A10 semi-finals with a 78-73 triumph over the Flyers at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dayton leads the series 82-63. Xavier has taken eight of the last nine meetings.

Xavier has earned 21 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. Dayton’s resume includes 14 appearances in ‘The Dance.’ Brian Gregory took the Flyers to the tourney in 2009 and in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Sixteen Flyers have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA, including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis.  Seventeen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West.

Conflict: Both teams play games in the 60s. Dayton scores 66 while surrendering 62. Xavier scores 69 and gives up 64.  The Muskies hold a slight advantage in field goal percentage (44 percent to Dayton’s 39). Turnovers are a near wash. UD creates as many as they commit. XU has a slight advantage (.8). The Flyers take and make slightly more free throws per game than their adversaries as do the Musketeers.  But the Flyers have an edge on the boards. Their 5.6 rebounding margin ranks in the top 50 nationally.

Dayton’s Chris Wright and Xavier’s Jamel McLean could be the individual match-up of the night. Both average a near double-double (Wright 13.3 ppg/ 9.2, McLean 11.3 / 9.5).

Wright will end Dayton’s drought when he plays in the N.B.A. next year.  Wright can overpower with brute strength. He has developed a mid-range game that makes him difficult to guard. Opponents can not lay off him from 15 feet. Get too close though, and Wright will blow by a defender with one dribble and a dunk.

McLean’s back-to-the basket game has quietly matured. He is patient with the ball in the post allowing the play to develop and finding open teammates. At the same time, he can finish with either hand. When the ball goes in the air, McLean is difficult to keep in check.

Dayton’s freshman point guard, Juwan Staten, and Xavier’s Tu Holloway are primarily responsible for feeding the ball into the post.

Staten hands out more than six assists per game and he possesses a better than 2:1 assist to turnover ratio . For a freshman, he has an uncanny ability to play within himself.

Holloway has the talent to be the best point guard in the country, when he keeps his emotions in check. The Xavier junior could dominate Staten. But he also could lose sight of winning the game and turn the point guard battle into a personal confrontation.

Dante Jackson hit five of eight shots from long range when the Muskies beat Dayton at Cintas last year. Chris Johnson averages two threes a game for the Flyers. Jackson and Johnson could tip the scales in the game. Whoever of these guys gets hot will affect floor spacing and the length of passing lanes to be defended.

Xavier’s Mark Lyons and Kenny Frease have played inconsistently this year. Both are capable of big performances. It is also possible for them to be a liability.

At 7′, Frease is a difficult match-up. Add to that a baby hook he has developed and Frease can get 22 like he did against Wake Forest. The following game he accounted for zero at Gonzaga.

Lyons averages 12 a game. He scored 11 in a loss to Cincinnati and two in a loss to Florida. His assist to turnover rate is one to one, but those numbers do not include shots that Lyons forces.

Paul Williams provides a deep threat for the Flyers. The junior guard hits almost 49 percent from long range.

Dayton’s Josh Parker, Devin Searcy and Josh Benson combine for 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Conflict: After limping through the end of December and an emotional game at Cincinnati, the Musketeers seemed to have found their just in time for conference play. The Flyers will take this game to final minutes, but Xavier’s play-makers will be too much. Staten will put up a struggle, but Xavier’s experienced back court will outlast the freshman. Xavier will come away with with a five-point victory.

Coach: Brian Gregory 149-79 in eight seasons at Dayton.

Sixteen Flyers have graduated to the National Basketball Association.

Dayton has earned 14 invitations to the NCAA Tournament including an appearance in the 1967 National Championship game, an Elite Eight showing in 1984 and four times in the Sweet Sixteen.

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/20 at Ole Miss, 11/27 at Cincinnati, 12/11 at Old Dominion, 12/22 at Seton Hall, 12/29 vs. George Mason, 1/1 vs. New Mexico

Stat of Identity: 39.3 field goal percentage defense (15th in the nation).

Key Returners:

Chris Wright 28.6 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg

Chris Johnson 24.1 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 35.1 3Pt.%

Paul Williams 20.4 mpg, 5.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Luke Fabrizius 9.4 mpg, 4.9 ppg

Devin Searcy 14.1 mpg, 3.9 ppg

By Paul Casey Gotham

Dayton’s 2009-10 season was one measured by inches. The Flyers’ 12 losses all came by single digits. In the end, Brian Gregory’s crew proved their worth with an NIT Championship that included wins over UNC, Mississippi, Illinois and Cincinnati. Two years ago, Dayton trimmed West Virginia to open the NCAA Tournament. Chris Wright, Chris Johnson, Paul Williams, Luke Fabrizius and Devin Searcy all logged double digit minutes per game for the Flyers that year.

Now, the Flyers have a chance to put their lessons learned to work.

Any discussion about Dayton starts with Chris Wright. The 6’8″ forward was named to the Wooden Award Pre-Season Top 50 List. Wright’s game has gradually developed throughout his stay in Dayton. He will give opposing defenses fits if he establishes a mid-range game this year.

Chris Johnson’s perimeter game provides a perfect compliment to Wright. Johnson led the Flyers in threes taken (188) and made (66) last season.

But any discussion about the Flyers ultimately has to touch on defense. Gregory used wholesale substitutions throughout the season last year. His players came at opponents in waves, and the result created impressive trends on the defensive end of the floor. Dayton limited opponents to 62 points per game. This despite a schedule that saw the Flyers play ten games against NCAA tournament teams.

Dayton finished with a rebound margin just a touch under six. That number will improve.

Fabrizius was limited to 20 games because of injuries last season. He hit 37 percent from behind the arc as a freshman. A healthy Fabrizius will add to the Flyers output.

Red shirt sophmore, Josh Benson will add size inside.

Freshmen, Juwan Staten, Devin Oliver, Brandon Spearman, Ralph Hill and Mitch Asmus will vie for time in the Flyers rotation.

Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

By Paul Gotham

Marcus Johnson led with 20 points.

Chris Wright and Chris Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds apiece.

When it was over, Dayton’s Flyers defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 79-68 to take the 2010 NIT Championship.

Dayton beat North Carolina at their own game. The Flyers ran the floor at break-neck speed opting, more often than not, for the first available as opposed to the best shot.

The result saw the Flyers  compile 22 assists, many on their 11 3-pointers for the night. Chris Johnson hit two from behind the arc. Marcus Johnson added three, and Paul Williams came off the bench to drop four from long range.

The championship was Dayton’s first since their run in 1968. In the process, the Atlantic 10 school downed teams from four “power conferences” and left fans wondering about what could have been.

After thumping Illinois State 63-42 to open the tournament, Dayton bounced Cincinnati (Big East) 81-66. The Flyers then eliminated Illinois (Big Ten) 77-71 and Mississippi (SEC) 68-63 before taking down the Tar Heels (Atlantic Coast).

A season that started with great promise ended with the Flyers earning the spot as the nation’s 66th team.

After beating West Virginia in the opening round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, Dayton looked poise for a deep run in this year’s tournament. The Flyers returned all five starters from that squad. Pre-season polls noted this and ranked the Flyers in the top twenty-five. Dayton earned the respect of its peers given the nod in October as the A-10′s top squad.

Along the way, Dayton stumbled through a 25-12 campaign and found themselves invited to the consolation tournament otherwise known as the NIT.

On the surface, Dayton’s ledger appears mediocre, but a closer inspection shows how small the margin of success can be.

Dayton’s 12 losses (all by single digits) amounted to a combined margin of 49 points or an average of 4.08 points per loss.  By comparison, Duke’s margin of defeat in five losses this season totalled 51 points. Michigan State’s nine defeats amounted to 60 points. West Virginia lost seven games by 58 points.

More than half of Dayton’s losses came to NCAA Tournament teams. The Flyers fell at Villanova by six, to Kansas State by eight, at New Mexico by two, at Temple by two, at Richmond by four, and twice to their I-75 rival, Xavier, by four and five.

Three of Dayton’s remaining defeats came on the road.

The sum of those losses left the Flyers with a chestful of lessons.

Chris Wright, Chris Johnson, Paul Williams, and Devin Searcy all return next year.  It will be a season full of opportunities for Coach Gregory and his Flyers to put into play the lessons learned from a season decided by the slightest of margins.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The Robins Center will be rocking tonight with the sounds of an Atlantic 10 rumble. Brian Gregory brings his Dayton Flyers (19-9/ 8-6) to Richmond for a tilt with Chris Mooney’s Spiders (22-7/ 11-3).

Plot: Richmond already clinched at least third place in the A10 standings. With a pair of wins to close conference play, Dayton could jump from seventh to fourth.

Sub-plot: Dayton opened the season ranked. After back-to-back weeks in the polls, the Spiders fell from the top 25 this week. The Flyers are 4-6 on the road, including 2-5 in A10 play.

Dayton’s nine losses have been by a combined total of 35 points.  Dayton has not yet suffered a double-digit loss this season.

The A 10 has 18 victories over BCS schools. Nine different teams have posted non-conference triumphs over the BCS conferences. Temple leads the way with four victories. Richmond, Rhode Island, and Xavier each have three.

Flashback: Marcus Johnson led the way with 15 points and Luke Fabrizius chipped in 11 as the Flyers overcame a slow start in last year’s conference quarter-final in Atlantic City. Richmond held Dayton to five points for the first 10 minutes of play, but the Flyers notched a 69-64 victory. Dayton lost to Duquesne in the semis, 77-66.

Dayton leads the series 10-4, but Richmond has won the last four at home.

Richmond has been invited to the Dance seven times, including most recently in 2004. Dayton has earned 14 invites to The Dance, including a spot in the 1967 title game where they fell to John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins 79-64. Dayton beat West Virginia in last year’s opening round, 68-60.

Foreshadowing: Sixteen from the Marianist college have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis. Two Spiders crawled the hardwood of the Association: Johnny Newman and John Schweitz.

Conflict: Points will be hard to come by tonight. In five seasons under Mooney, Richmond has allowed 70 or more points just 37 times. The Spiders rank in top 20 nationally in field goal percentage defense (38.7), scoring defense (60.2), and 3-pt. percentage defense (28.6).  Richmond is also 14th in the nation with a turnover margin of 4.4. The Spiders play a stingy match-up zone that confuses opponents and limits open opportunities.

UD opponents have scored 22 or fewer points in a half nine times this season. The Flyers hold opponents under 40 percent from the field and 31 percent from behind the arc. Dayton opponents average 61 a game.

Chris Johnson is the key to Dayton’s success. The sophomore guard hits nearly 36 percent from behind the three-point arc. He is unafraid to shoot. He can create his own shot off the dribble. Dayton will need Johnson to open up the middle.

From there Wright has to takeover. The pre-season Wooden candidate scores 14 and half points and grabs seven rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time. Wright scored Dayton’s first 11 points against Duquesne. He is capable of dominating, but he has not shown that he can do it for long stretches.

Marcus Johnson chips in eight points and three rebounds. Rob Lowery shares point guard duties with Warren. The senior scores almost seven a game and hands out nearly four assists.

Paul Williams is valuable off the bench. The sophomore has hit 26 threes this season.  Mickey Perry hit five threes against Massachusetts.

Richmond hit 12 trifectas in an overtime loss to Xavier.

Kevin Anderson leads three Spiders in double figures. The junior point guard scores 17.4 while handing out 2.7 assists. Anderson is joined in the back court by senior, David Gonzalvez. The senior scores 13.8 a game and leads the Spiders with 60 threes.

Justin Harper leads the Spiders with 5.6 rebounds. The junior adds almost 11 points a game.

Ryan Butler and Darrius Garrett combine for nearly 10 points and six and  a half rebounds.

Dan Geriot provides valuable minutes off the bench for the Spiders. The junior scores seven and grabs four boards.

Resolution: In the final five minutes of play, Dayton has outscored opponents 327-239. That trend will continue tonight as the Flyers steal one in Richmond.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: 1776 N. Broad Street is the location for an Atlantic 10 showdown between Brian Gregory’s Dayton Flyers (18-8/ 7-5) and Fran Dunphy’s No. 18 Temple Owls (22-5/ 10-2).

Plot: Urgency is the theme for Dayton. At one time, the season held promise for the Flyers. Now, they find themselves in seventh place in the A 10 standings.  Temple seeks to keep pace with Richmond for the regular season conference title. The Owls have won the past two A 10 crowns.

Sub-plot: Dayton’s eight losses have been by a combined total of 27 points. This includes losing their last two on the road by a total of five points. Dayton has not yet suffered a double-digit loss this season. The Flyers are 1-2 against ranked opponents.

Temple has won three in a row and five of their last six. The Owls have held all but two of their opponents under their season scoring average. Sixteen of those opponents have scored 10 or more fewer points than usual. Temple posts a similar record against ranked opponents of a win and two setbacks.

The A 10 has 18 victories over BCS schools. Nine different teams have posted non-conference triumphs over the BCS conferences. Temple leads the way with four victories. Richmond, Rhode Island, and Xavier each have three.

Flashback: Dionte Christmas and Ryan Brooks tallied 20 a piece, but the Owls came up short at UD Arena last season.  Chris Wright matched Christmas and Brooks with 20. London Warren grabbed nine boards and dished out eight assists as the Flyers took 70-65 decision.

Temple leads the all-time series 14-11, but the Flyers have taken the last three in the series.

Temple has made 27 appearances in the NCAA tournament including Elite Eight spots in ‘01, ‘99, ‘93, ‘91, and ‘88. Dayton has earned 14 invites to The Dance, including a spot in the 1967 title game where they fell to John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins 79-64. Dayton beat West Virginia in last year’s opening round, 68-60.

Foreshadowing: Thirty-three former Owls have played in the Association. Mardy Collins is the lone Temple alum in the league. Sixteen from the Marianist college have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis.

Conflict: Call it psychedelia, tonight’s game will be played in the 60s. Dayton averages a touch above 70, but, as pointed out above, Temple trims their opponents’ totals. The Owls enter the action at 66 a contest.

Surprisingly, the Flyers fell victim to foul troubles in their two-point loss at Duquesne. Ten Flyers play at least ten minutes. Usually, they can avoid foul problems. Nonetheless, Chris Wright spent significant time on the bench with four fouls, and London Warren fouled out at 1:19 mark with Dayton in the lead.

How will this affect the usually aggressive Flyers?

How will the Owl defense respond? Temple was exposed earlier this year against Kansas. The Owls got out and defended beyond the arc while fronting the post. Kansas exploited an advantage in athleticism for a big win. Temple matches up with Dayton athletically, but will the Flyers take a page from the Kansas playbook?

The Flyers frequently run a double high screen on the ball. Opponents struggle to defend this. If Temple tries to apply pressure on the ball 25 feet from the basket, the Flyers could capitalize on an open area in the lane.

Chris Johnson is the key to Dayton’s success. The sophomore guard hits nearly 37 percent from behind the three-point arc. He is unafraid to shoot. He can create his own shot off the dribble. Dayton will need Johnson to open up the middle.

From there Wright has to takeover. The pre-season Wooden candidate scores 14 and half points and grabs seven rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time. Wright scored Dayton’s first 11 points against Duquesne. he is capable of dominating, but he has not shown that he can do it for long stretches.

Marcus Johnson chips in eight points and three rebounds. Rob Lowery share point guard duties with Warren. The senior scores almost seven a game and hands out nearly four assists.

Paul Williams is valuable off the bench. The sophomore has hit 23 threes this season.

Ryan Brooks leads three Owls in double figures with nearly 15 a game. The senior guard hands out almost two assists to every turnover.

Off the bench, Juan Fernandez hits 43.7 percent of his trifecta attempts. Fernandez hit seven of nine when Temple beat Villanova earlier this year.

Lavoy Allen averages a double-double (11.4ppg and 10.3 rpg).

Ramone Moore, Michael Eric, and Luiz Guzman round out the starting five combining for 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Resolution: The time is now for Dayton. They need to put their losses behind and notch a win over a ranked opponent. Temple will not go down easy. Wright and Johnson will combine for over 30 points as the Flyers win a low-scoring affair.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The Blackburn / McCafferty Trophy is on the line at the University of Dayton Arena  when Chris Mack takes his Xavier Musketeers (16-6 / 8-1) north on I-75 for a tilt with Brian Gregory and his Dayton Flyers (15-6/ 4-3) . The Trophy honors former Dayton coach Tom Blackburn (1947-64) and Xavier coach and athletic director, Jim McCafferty (1957-63).

Plot: There will be a plenty of energy on campus and plenty more on the court. Ten Flyers play 12 minutes or more per game. Eight Musketeers log at least 16 minutes per contest. Coaches Mack and Gregory take pride in their benches.

Sub-plot: Xavier sits atop the A-10 standings with Charlotte and Temple at 7-1 ready to pounce on the next chance. With four conference wins and three losses, Dayton is in the sixth place.

Xavier brings a four-game win streak into Saturday’s match-up. The X-Men are in the middle of three consecutive road games. Dayton beat St. Bonaventure the last time out, but the Flyers have split their last six games.

Flashback: Dante Jackson had a career-high 19 points. Jordan Crawford and Terrell Holloway contributed 15 and 16 a piece as the Muskies beat UD on January 16th, 78-74. Dayton leads the series 81-62. Xavier has taken eight of the last nine meetings.

Xavier has earned 20 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. Dayton’s resume includes 14 appearances in ‘The Dance.’ Brian Gregory took the Flyers to the tourney last year and in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Sixteen Flyers have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA, including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis.  Sixteen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, James Posey , and David West.

Conflict: Xavier ranks twentieth in the nation scoring 80 points per game. Dayton holds opponents to 62 points. The Flyers have out-rebounded opponents by 9.9 over the last eight games. Dayton is 13-3 when winning the war on the boards. Xavier’s rebound margin is 3.7.

Xavier’s attack begins with Terrell Holloway. The sophomore point guard has an assist to turnover ratio of 2.4:1 while putting 11 points per game. Holloway hit 85.6 percent from the free throw line.

Jordan Crawford leads the way with 19.5 points. The sophomore transfer adds 4.8 rebounds and hits 41.2 percent from behind the arc.

Inside, Jason Love and Jamel McLean make it happen. Love grabs 8.5 rebounds to go with 11.1 points. The senior’s best weapon is his jump hook. When on, the shot is nearly indefensible.

McLean logged a double-double last time out against UMass. The junior scored 14 and grabbed 11 boards as the X-Men to a 87-79 road win. McLean is a ball-getter. Opponents need to keep track of him at all times when the ball goes in the air.

Dante Jackson hits 43.4 percent from behind the arc. Jackson hit five of eight from long range last time out against the Flyers.

Brad Redford, Mark Lyons, and Kenny Frease log valuable minutes off the bench. The trio contributes 20 points and eight rebounds. Redford is deadly from long range hitting with 45.2 percent accuracy. Lyons has become a defensive stopper on the perimeter, and Frease provides valuable minutes in the paint.

Chris Wright leads the Flyers. The Wooden Award candidate heads a balanced attack with 14 points and seven rebounds. Wright can score from the inside and from the outside. McLean and Jackson will have their hands full trying to slow down the junior.

Chris Johnson is capable of exploding. The sophomore had 26 points and 20 rebounds against Duquesne last month. The 6’6″ forward averages 12 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Rob Lowery and London Warren are Dayton’s two-headed point guard monster. The duo nearly split time (Lowery 18.9 minutes, Warren 20.4) for the Flyers. The pair combine for two steals a game and an assist to turnover ratio of 1.8:1.

Paul Williams and Kurt Huelsman contribute nine points and five rebounds.

The Flyers attack is about depth and balance. Ten players log double digit minutes per game.

Marcus Johnson add eight points and three rebouns off the bench.

Resolution: Urgency reigns in the Flyer locker room. Pre-season polls pegged Dayton for back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournaments. And why not? The Flyers returned all their starters from last year’s club that beat West Virginia in the opening round of ‘The Dance.’ One year ago, the Flyers were 21-2. Dayton’s last four losses have been by a combined eight points. Last year, UD topped Xavier at home 71-58.

Chris Mack will use last year’s loss as motivation. Crawford has become a special player, and the Flyers will struggle to contain him. Earlier in the year, Crawford wasted numerous possession with ill-advised shots. The shooting guard has grown from the experience.

Dayton uses more players, but Xavier brings more talent. The Muskies drop the Flyers in a game decided in the final moments.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

London Warren (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

By Paul Gotham

’08 – ’09 Results: 27 – 8 (11 -5 Atlantic 10) Loss second of NCAA Tournament to Kansas, 60 – 43.

Coach: Brian Gregory 125 – 68 – 6 seasons at Dayton

Key Returners:

Chris Wright – 13.3ppg, 6.6rpg

Marcus Johnson – 11.8ppg, 3.1rpg

London Warren – 4.1ppg, 4.5apg

Kurt Huelsman – 3.6ppg, 4.1rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/19 vs. Georgia Tech, 11/20 vs. Villanova or George Mason

Stat of Identity: 39.7 Field Goal Percentage Defense, Memphis led the country at 37.1

No need to adjust your set. You have not been abducted and taken on a time travel machine and placed into the 60s. Yes, you read it right!  The Dayton Flyers have earned pre-season top 25 notoriety. We would have to check the almanac as to when this phenomenon last occurred.

Wooden candidate, Chris Wright, leads a Flyer squad which returns four starters and 10 of its top 11 scorers from a team that advanced to the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament. Last year’s success and a wealth of returning players have earned the Flyers the coaches’ pick as the favorite to win the Atlantic 10 this year.  Wright and gang could be ready to make a run in March that Dayton hasn’t experienced since 1984.

Dayton makes opponents earn everything they get – no coincidence considering head coach, Brian Gregory’s background. The seventh-year coach has put into place the grinding style of basketball he learned under the tutelage of Jed Heathcote and Tom Izzo.  Gregory served as an assistant  under Heathcote for five years and Izzo after that. The Spartans made three trips to the final four and won one title with Gregory serving as associate head coach.

Like those Spartan teams the formula is simple for Dayton. The Flyers limited opponents to 39.7% from the field last year including 32.8% from the three-point arc.  Dayton’s defense begins with London Warren. The senior guard has led the Flyers in steals his first three seasons. A10 coaches voted Warren pre-season first team all-defense. Warren was also 30th in the country in assist / turnover ratio.

Marcus Johnson led the Flyers in minutes played last year. The senior shooting guard hit 36% (45-125) from long range last year. Rob Lowery returns from injury to add depth to the back court. Senior, Mickey Perry will provide minutes off the bench.

Junior, Devin Searcy, sophomore, Luke Fabrizius, and freshman, Josh Benson will add depth to the Flyer front court.

Last time Dayton won multiple games in the NCAA tournament was 1984 when the Flyers lost to the Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown Hoyas in the Elite Eight. This year’s Flyers have the potential to remind Flyer fans of that run.