53 reasons to look forward to the season

[Medford]

Apparently, David Jablonski is going to have a 53 part series (1 for each win) on reasons to look forward to the season. The first two parts are up, one yesterday:

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...d-co-are-back/

the second one today:

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...t-the-ft-line/

The 1st one to kick of the series was good, but nothing new that hasn't all ready been kicked around here.

The 2nd one was awesome. I know I talked about it a bit in regard to Pollard, as have others, but this really digs into the free throw rate and its importance to what Archie coaches. Great stuff.

I'm looking forward to what is to come. Jablonski has really taken this beat, infused the "newer" aspects of social media as well as statistical measurements to give Flyer fans some much added insight into the team. In this day of social media, message boards, regular TV coverage, etc... the reporting that you read 20 years ago would already have been discussed over many different formats before the morning paper hits your doorstep; essentially making it old news. Jablonski is taking the next step to keep his coverage of the Flyers relevant in today's media. In short, he's one of the few people to keep me clicking on the DDN website each morning.

[Lifelong Flyer Fan]

For those who may not realize it, these "Flyer Connection" blogs are available for anyone to read, not just subscribers.

[San Diego Flyer]

Very interesting piece. Some really good thought put into the first two articles and backed up by stats.

[Smitty10]

"Still, Pollard made up for his lack of accuracy by getting to the line. Only two players in the top 15 in the A-10 in FT accuracy outscored Pollard at the line. One was his teammate Sibert, who shot many free throws and shot them well (145 of 184, 78.8 percent)."

This is not quite true. Going to the line while on offense most of the time is in lieu of making a FG, especially for the inside player. So while it makes up for some of his FT inaccuracy, it's certainly doesn't make up for it 100 percent. Now maybe the fact that someones from the opponent is accumulating those fouls and has to be careful on defense and also sits more minutes on the bench will make up for it. Not sure.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 "Still, Pollard made up for his lack of accuracy by getting to the line. Only two players in the top 15 in the A-10 in FT accuracy outscored Pollard at the line. One was his teammate Sibert, who shot many free throws and shot them well (145 of 184, 78.8 percent)." This is not quite true. Going to the line while on offense most of the time is in lieu of making a FG, especially for the inside player. So while it makes up for some of his FT inaccuracy, it's certainly doesn't make up for it 100 percent. Now maybe the fact that someones from the opponent is accumulating those fouls and has to be careful on defense and also sits more minutes on the bench will make up for it. Not sure.

I don't quite follow.

First, when do you go to the line on defense??

Second, I think he meant to only make a simple point: even though other guys shot much better, Pollard gets fouled so often he actually made more. It just shows that even though fans think his FT shooting is terrible, there is a silver lining. I don't think he intended it to be a Sabremetrics argument. Clearly making so few is a problem because each time he misses 2/2 it is a wasted trip down the court that could have been a FG attempt.

So I think he was just arguing that it's not as bad as it looks, not that it's good.

[Figgie123]

I took the top 15 FT shooters in the A10, and the Flyers main players and calculated the difference of points scored from FTs compared to if it was a FG attempt and the player hit at their yearly average. (taking 1 FG attempt for every 2 FT attempts.)

(calculation = FTM - ((FTA/2)*FGPCT))

Pollard was 7th on the list, with a +64.48.

First was Jordan Price from La Salle who had a +105.33, with Sibert 2nd at +103.05.

Pierre had a +60.52, Scoochie +55.89, Kyle +55.55, and Darrell Davis +12.60. (Wehrli +3.13)

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

[lhsgolf19]

#51... The Development of Baby D

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...darrell-davis/

[frisco flyer]

Interesting analysis of FT rate, and I mostly agree. One stat that can change the argument in the discussion about KP's FT shooting percentage is the number of missed FTs that were the front end of a 1 and 1. This can cause the effective percentage to take a nose dive due to compounding statistical effects. For example, if a player shoots FTs at a 50 percent clip, and if all his trips to the line are 1 and 1, the team is better off with him shooting 37.5% from the field and never taking a FT.

I am not suggesting that KP should play any differently, but it is an important point that was, and often is missed, in discussing FT shooting.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by frisco flyer Interesting analysis of FT rate, and I mostly agree. One stat that can change the argument in the discussion about KP's FT shooting percentage is the number of missed FTs that were the front end of a 1 and 1. This can cause the effective percentage to take a nose dive due to compounding statistical effects. For example, if a player shoots FTs at a 50 percent clip, and if all his trips to the line are 1 and 1, the team is better off with him shooting 37.5% from the field and never taking a FT. I am not suggesting that KP should play any differently, but it is an important point that was, and often is missed, in discussing FT shooting.

Well, that's interesting but seems kind of irrelevant to me because there are only a maximum of six 1 and 1 available per game per team. If we're talking Pollard specifically, very few of his FTs are 1 and 1 because he's usually in the act of shooting when he's fouled. So for him to shoot a 1 and 1 it has to be foul #7, 8 or 9 of the half and also not be in the act of shooting. So what I'm saying is a very small percentage of his trips to the line are one and one.

[springborofan]

When calculating FT%, if a player misses the front end of a 1 & 1, their personal stats should reflect 0-2. By nature of missing the first, they automatically missed the second.

[Buster Goode]

Originally Posted by springborofan When calculating FT%, if a player misses the front end of a 1 & 1, their personal stats should reflect 0-2. By nature of missing the first, they automatically missed the second.

Yeah, no.

[steve]

Originally Posted by springborofan When calculating FT%, if a player misses the front end of a 1 & 1, their personal stats should reflect 0-2. By nature of missing the first, they automatically missed the second.

Can't do that..That's like hitting your tee shot in the water and saying you would have had an automatic par if you didn't..

[superfan99]

Originally Posted by steve Can't do that..That's like hitting your tee shot in the water and saying you would have had an automatic par if you didn't..

Your example is nothing at all like what Springboro said.

I don't care either way, but it isn't the worst idea like some are acting. It is true that by missing the first shot you don't get a second shot that you would otherwise have.

I can't think of a good comparison though. Extra point in football or penalty kick in soccer, but I can't think of something where you earn an extra "freebie" by making first.

[longtimefan]

I love KP, but I can't forget the two free throws he missed with 14 seconds left against Boise State. We're lucky that didn't cost us the game. Let's hope he is shooting MANY free throws this summer.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by springborofan When calculating FT%, if a player misses the front end of a 1 & 1, their personal stats should reflect 0-2. By nature of missing the first, they automatically missed the second.

Add another statistic called missed FT opportunity or something if you wish. But you cannot just add it as an attempt.

Again, one and ones are a small percentage of free throws. There are only a maximum of 6 per game per team and and the majority of time not all 6 result in a one and one(9 fouls not committed in half, in the act of shooting during foul number 7 through 9). The fact that most players shoot over 50 percent FTs means that the times that the front end is missed is even smaller. So let's say that the average number of one and one opportunities is about 4 per game per team(assuming one or two in the act of shootings and/or 9 fouls not being committed). For argument sake, say that 2 of those 4 are front end misses(less than that for sure over time), it's just not worth the statistic.

[lhsgolf19]

#50... The Arkansas Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...arkansas-game/

[San Diego Flyer]

Darrel Davis can shoot anytime he is in rhythm beyond arc IMO. He has that great stroke. What he HAS TO IMPROVE is his shooting inside the arc. DMO had that issue for several years, but not to the extent DD did this season. He shot 19% inside--mostly inside the ft line. It was a shock when one went in.

[Medford]

^^^

I hope some added muscle will help out; from some of the pictures, it appears that he's packed on some solid muscle over the off season. Scoochie was often weak around the rim as a frosh, then after building up, he could take on the contact that occurred as you cut thru the lane or tried to take someone off the dribble and finished much stronger around the rim or on pull ups. If Darrel can add that to his game he'll be an unbelievable scorer for this program. Worst case, he'll always be a guy that you can spot up on the perimeter and teams will be forced to extend out on.

[Gazoo]

What kind of summer routine do the guys have? I mean specifically--like lifting 2 hours in the morning, ice bath, shooting at night? Does anyone know? I'm impressed by the muscle these guys add in a couple of months.

[rollo]

There's no such thing as too much muscle...I like what I'm seeing.

[Rick Scaia]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 Add another statistic called missed FT opportunity or something if you wish. But you cannot just add it as an attempt. Again, one and ones are a small percentage of free throws. There are only a maximum of 6 per game per team and and the majority of time not all 6 result in a one and one(9 fouls not committed in half, in the act of shooting during foul number 7 through 9). The fact that most players shoot over 50 percent FTs means that the times that the front end is missed is even smaller. So let's say that the average number of one and one opportunities is about 4 per game per team(assuming one or two in the act of shootings and/or 9 fouls not being committed). For argument sake, say that 2 of those 4 are front end misses(less than that for sure over time), it's just not worth the statistic.

I was thinking along the same lines... it's something that I actually do think should be accounted for, but not just by mixing it in with FT%. And I also arrived at 2 front-end misses per game being the reasonable upper limit to assume, and just thought "This is too insignificant to ever make a dent in any rate stat."

But as a COUNTING stat, accumulated over the course of a season, it might reveal significant differences between teams and players. Then again, I'm out of touch with the more advanced basketball metrics that have started to pop up (I stopped keep up after the sea change to per-minute, instead of per-game, stats), and that might already be accounted for, if hoops has an equivalent stat to baseball's RAR or WAR (Runs or Wins Above Replacement). If such a stat does exist, but does NOT account for this, you'd simply add a pro-rated penalty for every missed front end (the penalty for a missed FT, and then same penalty again but multipled by the player's FT%; e.g. a 70% FT shooter just cost his team 0.7 hypothetical points on top of the 1.0 very real points he avoided scoring).


Rick

[springborofan]

Originally Posted by Rick Scaia I was thinking along the same lines... it's something that I actually do think should be accounted for, but not just by mixing it in with FT%. And I also arrived at 2 front-end misses per game being the reasonable upper limit to assume, and just thought "This is too insignificant to ever make a dent in any rate stat." But as a COUNTING stat, accumulated over the course of a season, it might reveal significant differences between teams and players. Then again, I'm out of touch with the more advanced basketball metrics that have started to pop up (I stopped keep up after the sea change to per-minute, instead of per-game, stats), and that might already be accounted for, if hoops has an equivalent stat to baseball's RAR or WAR (Runs or Wins Above Replacement). If such a stat does exist, but does NOT account for this, you'd simply add a pro-rated penalty for every missed front end (the penalty for a missed FT, and then same penalty again but multipled by the player's FT%; e.g. a 70% FT shooter just cost his team 0.7 hypothetical points on top of the 1.0 very real points he avoided scoring). Rick

Yeah...what Rick said is what I meant :-)

[San Diego Flyer]

Originally Posted by rollo There's no such thing as too much muscle...I like what I'm seeing.

Actually there is a point of too much muscle. Pollard is very supple with his large body. Not sure muscle would affect that in a good way, and particularly his quest to shoot better free throws. Can get bound up. Happened to Julio Franco and Ruben Sierra in baseball. Lost bat speed. The old saying, "if a little would help, think what a lot would do" , doesn't always work.

Also don't think Pierre needs more beef. Or he could give it to Darrell.

[tirebiter]

If a player is a 50% freethrow shooter, and has 10 freethrows, say he misses 5. And if 1 of them was the front end of a 1-1, he should be penalized 50% of the 2nd 1-1 that he threw away. So he's 5 for 10, but then more like 5 for 10.5 in my book, and that makes him actually a 47.6% freethrow shooter.

And as far as muscle goes, I challenge Rollo after he spends an hour lifting weights to a freethrow contest after I spend an hour shooting freethrows.

As my wife says, "Five dollar bet, how much?!"

[rollo]

Originally Posted by tirebiter And as far as muscle goes, I challenge Rollo after he spends an hour lifting weights to a freethrow contest after I spend an hour shooting freethrows. As my wife says, "Five dollar bet, how much?!"

I accept! As what makes you think I don't lift weights before shooting around now?? For the record, I lift weights before everything I do, work or play...not only does it make every royal muscle, appendage, hair, fiber and sinew look and feel harder, it also makes me look better while doing whatever it is I'm tasked...which - as the Queen would admit - is darn near impossible and well worth the extra effort.

[lhsgolf19]

#49... The A-10 Race

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...antic-10-race/

[San Diego Flyer]

"A lot of fans would trade two NCAA tournament victories for one or both of those titles, and obviously the Elite Eight appearance in 2014 trumps anything the Flyers could accomplish in the conference."

I'm not one of them. Think NCAA wins at any and every level is what players and recruits want
in a program they are committing to. Not saying we could get away with tanking the league and tournament badly. But our 3rd and 2nds, coupled with NCAA wins get national recognition. Winning the regular season is second place in my book next to the wins over Boise and Providence (even throw in the loss to Oklahoma as good exposure).

Winning the A10 tournament is pause for thought since it gets us the auto-bid and a better seed. But first place in the season league? Meh. I'd take two NCAA wins and a Sweet Sixteen loss that year instead.

2 cents

[CE80]

I really want to see them walk away from Barclay's with the Championship trophy. Might never have that opportunity (both them and me) again.

[Chris R]

The NCAA Tourney is what everyone remembers. Anyone remember who won the CUSA regular season title two years ago?

[Medford]

#48... something sure to send Rollo off in excitement

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...rd-highlights/

[San Diego Flyer]

I could watch that Pollard mix clip all day. What a treat to have him playing at Dayton.


PS- As far as Pollard getting more muscled up, here's Arch's input:

“Being able to slim down a little bit more to guard different positions is something we’re concerned about right now with him."

[lhsgolf19]

#47... Road Trips

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...ns-road-trips/

[lhsgolf19]

#46... Newfound Optimism

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...ound-optimism/

[lhsgolf19]

#45... Chart-Climbing Pierre

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...imbing-pierre/

[jack72]

Did not know about Pierre's injury problem.
"Last year because of his injuries in the fall, he really started off heavy. He was slow. You could tell even at the end of the year, he didn’t have the bounce that he normally has."

That high school number for total points is unbelievable!!

[Medford]

That high school number is interesting, but it also made me wonder, how many games do they play up there? are we talking apples & oranges in terms of opportunity? I have no clue.

At any rate, one of my favorite Flyers over the last 30 years. Pierre does so much well he's impossible to hold down. He may well be the best passer on the team, great court sense, tough around the rim, finds holes in defenses that few can find. If he can get his perimeter shooting back to where it was as a freshman, he could easily be a 16+ ppg kind of scorer his senior season.

[Gazoo]

DP is the opposite of most great college players. Most of those guys are shooting stars with projections of greatness in the NBA. I think DP is the opposite, he's a "good" player in college that I think actually has a great shot at being an NBA player.

[jack72]

Originally Posted by Medford That high school number is interesting, but it also made me wonder, how many games do they play up there? are we talking apples & oranges in terms of opportunity? I have no clue. At any rate, one of my favorite Flyers over the last 30 years. Pierre does so much well he's impossible to hold down. He may well be the best passer on the team, great court sense, tough around the rim, finds holes in defenses that few can find. If he can get his perimeter shooting back to where it was as a freshman, he could easily be a 16+ ppg kind of scorer his senior season.

I wondered also. Most HS teams in the USA play about 95-120 games in four years.

'In helping Anderson to five straight LOSSA championships and the two provincial titles, Pierre amassed a whopping 3,566 points in 187 games, or just under 20 points per game, and 1,793 rebounds, both school records to the best of coach Dean Hutchcroft's knowledge."

That is 47 games a year. What??

[tirebiter]

I want to hear more about Pierre!

It's time for the annual what-if mind games. What if he maxes his potential and has a real beast of a season, healthy and hungry?

The sky is the limit.

[lhsgolf19]

#44... Competition

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...s-competition/

[lhsgolf19]

#43... The Vandy Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...nderbilt-game/

[FLYER5]

Cool series of articles so far. Multiple choice questions and answers at the bottom are revealing. Couldn't help myself from answering yes to:"Has Kendall Pollard ever dunked on you?"
Was anticipating a bit devoted to Clarett speaking to the team. That reminds me, Go Buckeyes! Beat the Hokies tonight!

[Flyer 86]

i'm pretty certain Pierre played in many high school all star games and All Canada teams, of which those numbers include. A hunch but i'm pretty certain.

no schools play that amount of games normally.

[FlyerNation23]

The item for today is about the Junior Class chasing history (Scooch, KD, and Pollard). They are currently 53-20 and 5 NCAA tournament wins. Has a UD class ever been to 3 or 4 straight NCAA tourneys? Obviously, a long way to go but Archie has this team set up to make deep runs in the NCAA over the next 2 years. Where does this class currently rank among the greats and where does this class rank at the end if we continue our March success?

3 years from now, we could easily be saying this is the greatest class of all time and all 3 might be top 15 players in UD history. HIGH EXPECTATIONS

[Swampy Meadows]

Linky goodness to the above:

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...asing-history/

[UD62]

Originally Posted by FlyerNation23 The item for today is about the Junior Class chasing history (Scooch, KD, and Pollard). They are currently 53-20 and 5 NCAA tournament wins. Has a UD class ever been to 3 or 4 straight NCAA tourneys? Obviously, a long way to go but Archie has this team set up to make deep runs in the NCAA over the next 2 years. Where does this class currently rank among the greats and where does this class rank at the end if we continue our March success? 3 years from now, we could easily be saying this is the greatest class of all time and all 3 might be top 15 players in UD history. HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Believe '65,6,7 was the last time, think they won a total of seven games but one was for a 3d place finish in the regionals. this is from memory so total wins could be off.

[Medford]

...But one was for a "play in game" to get into the tournament.

No matter how you slice it, its tough to compare today's game to college basketball in the 60s. That class in the 60s didn't get to play their frosh season. Knock off 3 wins from these 3 frosh season and they are looking way up towards the results in the 60s. Its not fair to either class to compare NCAA win totals or overall win totals.

At any rate, the trajectory these 3 are on will put each of them in a special place in UD history. If they enjoy similar (or improved) success the next 2 seasons, as they have over their first 2 they'll putting murals of the 3 of them around the concourse. I like that they are aiming for the win totals. It gives them something to focus on when they make the trip to Fordham, something to aim for in the middle of February when the bruises and bumps have piled up. I'd like to see them add a couple of A-10 championship banners as well.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

[lhsgolf19]

Kyle Davis ‏@KD_MP3 · 16m16 minutes ago
New year big expectations more goals to achieve and more hard work to put in

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Medford ...But one was for a "play in game" to get into the tournament.

Couldn't disagree more. The First Four is part of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament field was expanded to 68 teams. There are 68 teams in the tournament. We were one of them. We beat an 11 seed. When a 6 seed beats an 11 seed it counts. When a 5 seed beats a 12 seed it counts. When a 4 seed beats a 13 seed it counts. Our win over Boise State is an official NCAA Tournament win, just like all the others. We get money for it, just like all the others. (I guess the First Four being called "play-in games" is a pet peeve of mine.)

[Medford]

That was in response to UD62 pointing out that one of the 7 wins in the 60s was a 3rd place game for the regionals. Frankly, I agree with everything you say, I was mostly playing devil's advocate; in a world of nit pickers, its a nit that's going to be picked in a debate. Main point is, you can't really compare cumulative stats of players/teams in the 60s to players/teams of today, so much has changed, so many more games are played.

[UD62]

Comment on the 3d place game was not meant to nit pick the record of 7 wins. simply pointing out a difference in the tournament in the 60's and now.
Current sophs have a good chance to beat the 7 win mark. Now getting to the national championship game may be a bit tougher.

[Medford]

Sorry, didn't really mean to nit pick that either, as in both cases, its in the record book, therefor its official. 30 years from now, few are going to remember the specifics, just the highlights and what they can find in the record book. Obviously they have a great shot at passing the record; but despite the 5 wins over the last 2 seasons, there is no guarantee they'll pick up 2 more; I'm sure as heck going to root for 12 NCAA tournament wins.

[lhsgolf19]

Jeremiah Bonsu @j_bonsu

Am I going to be one of the 53 reasons to look forward to Dayton Basketball? Will Joey Gruden ever beat me 1v1?

LOL

[lhsgolf19]

#41... Charles Cooke

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...charles-cooke/

[Whacker]

I'd bet this lineup gets the most minutes barring injury this year:
Smith
K Davis
Cooke
Pierre
Pollard

and this lineup gets the 2nd most minutes:

Smith
D Davis
Pierre
Pollard
McElvene

[1903 Flyer]

Originally Posted by lhsgolf19 #41... Charles Cooke http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...charles-cooke/

"Cooke filled in for a suspended starter in the First Four game and scored 20 points. He scored 18 points off the bench against Indiana."

So excited to see Cooke play. And wouldn't mind him maintaining his 19 ppg average at UD Arena.

[springborofan]

I REALLY APPRECIATE Jablonski taking the time to write these. I was a little concerned when Harris retired that the quality of UD reporting at the DDN would go down. Jablonski has really stepped up to the plate!

I know times are tough at papers like the DDN. This guy is the beat reporter for the Flyers, the Reds, and OSU football. He is a prolific writer and puts out a pretty good product.

He and Hal McCoy are the only two reasons I keep my Th-Sun subscription. It sure isn't because of the liberal biased "reporters" who basically regurgitate some press release from a progressive "think tank" that litters the front pages on an almost daily basis.

[lhsgolf19]

#40... Home Winning Streak

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...inning-streak/

[lhsgolf19]

Next One... The Biggest Game on the Schedule IMO... The Iowa Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...the-iowa-game/

[NJFlyr71]

The caption says


"Iowa‘s Jarrod Uthoff with the layup against Tennessee in first half action"


The picture has IOWA spelled as IONA .... I do think they have the wrong picture in the article ... but all in all I've enjoyed the series so far ...

[1903 Flyer]

Originally Posted by NJFlyr71 The caption says "Iowa‘s Jarrod Uthoff with the layup against Tennessee in first half action" The picture has IOWA spelled as IONA .... I do think they have the wrong picture in the article ... but all in all I've enjoyed the series so far ...

Actually the photo shows "B10" above the school name on the jersey in question. So unless the Gaels joined the Big 10 in the last round of conference shake ups, the DDN got it right.

[shapanud]

Originally Posted by NJFlyr71 The caption says "Iowa‘s Jarrod Uthoff with the layup against Tennessee in first half action" The picture has IOWA spelled as IONA .... I do think they have the wrong picture in the article ... but all in all I've enjoyed the series so far ...

Just the way the jersey is creased that make the "W" look like a "N". Those are certainly Iowa's colors and #20 for Iowa last year is the guy in the picture:
http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/...ff_815339.html

[priceg75]

Did we skip #39?

[NJFlyr71]

Originally Posted by shapanud Just the way the jersey is creased that make the "W" look like a "N". Those are certainly Iowa's colors and #20 for Iowa last year is the guy in the picture: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/...ff_815339.html

Originally Posted by 1903 Flyer Actually the photo shows "B10" above the school name on the jersey in question. So unless the Gaels joined the Big 10 in the last round of conference shake ups, the DDN got it right.

Thanks to both of you for pointing out this obvious oversight. You know with DDN track record I thought it probably was in error ....

AND the fact I need to pare back on my heavy weekend drinking. Makes for a rough Monday Morning!

[UDTradition]

UD NJ folks used to be known for weekend binge drinking...but that of course is not the situation today.

Let's state today's facts...7 days a week...sometimes a little less when we don't have a designated driver.

Please be accurate in the future...........

BTW - I think NY, CT and Eastern PA are being slighted...they are part of our East Coast Team too.

[lhsgolf19]

#38... True Team Nickname

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...team-nickname/

[lhsgolf19]

#37... Scoochie

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...sons-scoochie/

The 1st line is awesome... Jablonski saw Bonsu's tweet ha

[lhsgolf19]

#36... Outside Expectations

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...-expectations/

[Runnin' Rebel]

I want me a pair of them magical dunking shoes !!!

(they probably just have flubber applied to them)

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel I want me a pair of them magical dunking shoes !!! (they probably just have flubber applied to them)

How could you not vote for magical dunking shoes? - they are magical!

[lhsgolf19]

#35... Season Opener

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...season-opener/

[tirebiter]

Wonder if Scoochie and Joel Angus keep in touch from their Putnam days. Might be a nice back story for the opener.

And Antonious Cleveland is a great name.

[lhsgolf19]

#34... Surprises

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...ons-surprises/

[lhsgolf19]

#33... Hope

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...-reasons-hope/

[lhsgolf19]

#32... Walk-On All Stars

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...-on-all-stars/

[swish61]

I'm not so excited and looking forward to the season anymore. This thread, and lack of responses to it, shows others feel the same.
Everything changed last Sunday, and in subsequent days since, after learning how a certain someone is getting screwed. And not just him is getting screwed, its the entire city, and Flyer fans everywhere.

[FLYER5]

I'm just as excited. One player for sure will get early exposure in the first ten games that he wouldn't have gotten otherwise. My eyes are on the two forwards. I know Cooke already plays a vital part to bridging the ten-game gap so I'm guessing Miller is the man most likely to see the floor early. But maybe its Xerius, we will have to find out. Some [Rolloites] need to drop their fan cards in the can on the way out for throwing the U under the bus w/o knowing all the facts.

[jack72]

Still very excited for this season. I feel a bit down like I did after the two thugs were kicked off last year, but then I remember what we accomplished despite them. And this year we have more options. We will all second guess what could have been, but time to move on.

[rollo]

Originally Posted by FLYER5 Some [Rolloites] need to drop their fan cards in the can on the way out for throwing the U under the bus w/o knowing all the facts.

Say what?!

[FLYER5]

Originally Posted by rollo Say what?!

I've been here a lot longer than the date says and I never recall you or your sources being right about anything. You throw out so many blanket statements along the way that though all your bases get covered, it severely dilutes the value of the information. Hogwash defined. Love ya though, bro.

[rollo]

Originally Posted by FLYER5 I've been here a lot longer than the date says and I never recall you or your sources being right about anything. You throw out so many blanket statements along the way that though all your bases get covered, it severely dilutes the value of the information. Hogwash defined. Love ya though, bro.

You're either my wife or my boss hiding behind that moniker...aren't you?!

CONFESS!

[lhsgolf19]

#31... Davidson Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...davidson-game/

[lhsgolf19]

#30... URI Games

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...-island-games/

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

[THirt]

Originally Posted by lhsgolf19 #30... URI Games http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...-island-games/

I'm pretty excited to play Rhody twice. I think Hurley has a very punchable face, but they do have a talented squad. I would guess that URI will be at or near the top of the league standings most of the year. Would love to pick up a couple of quality wins at their expense. I know we were very interested in EC Mathews, but I'd rather have Scoochie or Kyle Davis than him any day. He's very very talented, but too much of a gunner for my liking. Don't get me wrong, I'd take an NBA-caliber wing on our squad, but I think we have one coming eligible this year (and of course, we had one the last two years in Jordan Sibert!).
Posted via Mobile Device

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

[lhsgolf19]

#29... VCU Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...sons-vcu-game/

[San Diego Flyer]

Originally Posted by lhsgolf19 #45... Chart-Climbing Pierre http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...imbing-pierre/

I had to read #45 again in light of all that has gone on, which more and more I believe to be total BS on the part of the U. This is a great summary for one of our great all-time players.
But it's on hold.

As a minimum this thread should now be titled 52 reasons to look forward to the season.

[jack72]

So for those who wondered if VCU would be good without Smart, see 2016 recruiting.

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by jack72 So for those who wondered if VCU would be good without Smart, see 2016 recruiting.

Will Wade knows PRECISELY what he is doing. Don't be surprised if he takes them to new heights

[Whacker]

Since they've already been to a Final Four new heights would have to be the National Championship game. I don't see that happening.

Shaka's system is ideally suited to win a lot of games in the regular season. To beat them you need to limit turnovers, which in turn limits their transition baskets. If you can guard in the half court and take care of the ball you'll beat VCU. Lots of teams in Tourney can do that - not so many on the regular season schedule.

Shaka's teams as of late couldn't get high percentage buckets in the half court either by dumping it in the post or effective dribble drives. Too many threes early in the shot clock and too many toughly contested dribble drives.

Wade will either need to get some skill in the post or get them moving the ball better to create seams in the defense. They are always dangerous in the post-season because of how many threes they take. The only team that took more triples in the A14 last year was Davidson. Teams that advance in the post-season can get high-percentage looks when they really need them. To me that's the only thing keeping them from another deep run.

[lhsgolf19]

#28... Richmond Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...richmond-game/

	Richmond UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Founded in 1830, the private liberal arts university in the Commonwealth boasts 2,800 students in 57 majors within its picturesque 350-acre campus. The Robins School of Business is one of the Top-20 business schools in the country. Nickname is the Spiders and are fellow A10 Conference members.

[lhsgolf19]

#27... Freshman Contributions

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...contributions/

[THirt]

Originally Posted by lhsgolf19 #27... Freshman Contributions http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...contributions/

It's funny. I feel like I/we had not heard much about Xeyrius Williams this summer. He could be a big contributor; it's hard to know. Wayne was so good and so deep last year that it is hard to gauge how good he is. It sounds like Archie envisions him as a 4, maybe the ol' "stretch 4." He surely seems like the kind of versatile guy Archie likes. Mikesell too.

These days it is hard to know what to expect from freshmen. They usually are capable of a few really nice performances, you just don't get the consistency out of freshmen. That's fine as long as someone is on their game every game. It's not so good if you have 2, 3, 4 guys who are off on a given night.

I'm excited for the season. Dave J's series has been really enjoyable to read.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jack72]

Anyone know if Xerius has put on any weight? In that picture he looks like a skinny version of Josh Benson.

[THirt]

Originally Posted by jack72 Anyone know if Xerius has put on any weight? In that picture he looks like a skinny version of Josh Benson.

Read today he gained 10 lb and reduced his body fat by about 1.5% since arriving on campus.
Posted via Mobile Device

[lhsgolf19]

#26... Big Steve

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...teve-mcelvene/

[lhsgolf19]

#25... Improved Depth

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...mproved-depth/

[lhsgolf19]

#24... GW Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...shington-game/

[31770]

Originally Posted by jack72 Anyone know if Xerius has put on any weight? In that picture he looks like a skinny version of Josh Benson.

LOL

[Medford]

When I saw X play Findley Prep last winter, first glance showed me a kid that has the ability to put on significantly more muscle than Benson. Benson was always wirey thin, he never stuck me as a guy that would be able to get yoked, I think X has the frame that could support a Pierre build over time. He also appeared to have bigger shows than kids from Findley Prep with similar size; perhaps there is room for an additional 3-4 inches of growth.

Time will tell. He's extremely athletic, and I think the thing I liked most about him is that he had an off night, got in early foul trouble (one legit foul, one that was just wrong place/wrong time king of thing that just happens, not because he did anything wrong) and sat most of the 1st half, then picked up another foul shortly into the 3rd quarter, meaning in what was certainly their biggest regular season game of the season, he played about 6 minutes of the first 3 quarters combined; however, never once did he hang his head. He rushed a 3 pointer early in the 3rd, I think trying to impact the game, but while on the bench, he was supportive and cheerful of his teammates. His free throw shot reminded me a little of Kendal, however he made them down the stretch and in OT as Wayne was trying to close out. Overall, I couldn't have been more impressed with Wayne and how they played/how they were coached, confident, yet not cocky, they played like a team and were not going to back down from Findley Prep for a second. They're coaching and attitude couldn't have been more opposite of Findley Prep, who while talented, played like the collection of AAU stars that they are/were and not like a team that was all in for each other. Wayne came out and punched them in the mouth, and you could tell FP was not used to another team standing toe to toe with them. I think we're going to enjoy X at UD, as well as Trey Landers, its obvious Coach Trice installs more than just basketball skills into these kids.

[lhsgolf19]

#23... Bonnies Game

http://daytonflyers.blog.daytondaily...venture-games/

	St Bonaventure SAINT BONAVENTURE Founded in 1858, St. Bonaventure University is a liberal arts college located on 500 acres in southwestern New York state. SBU offers 43 undergraduate majors, the most popular of which are elementary education, journalism, psychology, accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Total undergraduate enrollment is 2,000. Virtually all freshmen and most undergraduates live on campus. A founding member of the A10 Conference. Famous athletes include Bob Lanier. Historical nickname was the Brown Indians, but later changed to the Bonnies. Their mascot is a wolf.