Impressions of the new UD Flyers

[NCkevi]

By Doug Harris
Staff Writer

DAYTON — The five basketball recruits for the University of Dayton arrived on campus last weekend to begin summer classes, and I watched their initial pick-up games with the returning players.

First impressions:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/con...spaudible.html

[kiefaber455]

Not a word about about Paul Williams?

[rollo]

Some of the old Flyers will be sporting new numbers. London wil be #1 and Chris Wright will be #33.

The big question is: Will BB33 be changing his moniker to CW33?

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

[zmz723]

Its good to here that Fabrizius is bulking up a little.

[Atlantic 10]

Originally Posted by rollo Some of the old Flyers will be sporting new numbers. London wil be #1 and Chris Wright will be #33. The big question is: Will BB33 be changing his moniker to CW33?

are you sure about the number change? there was a reason that CW wore number 23, even though JB had 33

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

[Fudd]

Good to hear about the long range shooting abilities. We need to spread those defenses.

[jcubspoe]

CW going to 33?? Kind of makes sense, that's what he wore in high school. But what are they going to do with the tons of #23 tshirts they sold last year?

[Gazoo]

"reluctant shooter" - you're being too kind.

[The Chef]

Originally Posted by kiefaber455 Not a word about about Paul Williams?

Ummm, don't think you read closely enough.

The Flyers are in need of outside shooters with Brian Roberts' departure and the 3-point line being moved back a foot this season, and help is on the way. Lowery, Paul Williams, Chris Johnson and Luke Fabrizius can all stroke it. Even center Josh Benson has nice form.

[UDBrian]

Thanks Doug

[Flyer 86]

Originally Posted by rollo Some of the old Flyers will be sporting new numbers. London wil be #1 and Chris Wright will be #33. The big question is: Will BB33 be changing his moniker to CW33?

post of the Week!

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

[Binnie Bombs 33]

I don't know.

I knew this was coming since Wright signed here. I told my friends, he is 33 in all his highschool videos ... he better not have the arrogance to come in here and take it from a senior.

He didn't so I liked him even more from the beginning ... he can have 33 now and I bet he takes it. That is why I didn't buy a CW jersey because I thought in the back of my head, he is going to change his number. Like Charles Little did and some others. I will this year ... nothing looks better than 33 on the back.

And if UD starts retiring jersey's (which it should, so freaking stupid) when they hang up #33 it will say Wright/Binnie.

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by Binnie Bombs 33 And if UD starts retiring jersey's (which it should, so freaking stupid) when they hang up #33 it will say Wright/Binnie.

You forgot your smilie face there...

From daytonflyers.com on Jimmie Binnie, there are others that had #33 (I'm only listing a few)
- Tom Frericks
- Don Miller
- Anthony Grant
- Chris Daniels
- Brooks Hall

John

	Brooks Hall BROOKS HALL 6-6 205lb Troy HS | Troy (OH) Cool, calm, cerebral wing player who finished among the Top-25 scorers in Flyer history. Deadly three-point shot and excellent passing skills. Helped Dayton reach two NCAA tournaments under Oliver Purnell. Consensus Top-125 recruit out of Troy HS in 1999 where he was D-I First Team All-Ohio and the media's choice for Ohio Mr. Basketball. CAREER STATS 1999-00 10.4ppg 5.8rpg 2000-01 9.20ppg 4.6rpg 2001-02 13.2ppg 5.0rpg 2002-03 12.8ppg 6.9rpg TOTALS 1404pts 686rbs 275asts

[rollo]

Originally Posted by Atlantic 10 are you sure about the number change? there was a reason that CW wore number 23, even though JB had 33

Yesterday my son came home from Gregory's bball camp with a bunch of autograph's on his shirt and ball. London signed the #1 after his name and Wright signed #33. We didn't notice any other number changes.

	Brian Gregory BRIAN GREGORY UD Men's Basketball Head Coach since 2004. Groomed by the likes of Judd Heathcoate and Tom Izzo at Michigan State, as well as Kevin O'Neill and others, Gregory's defensive-minded leadership has led Dayton to NCAA and multiple NIT appearances. A good recruiter, BG has elevated the athleticism of the squad in recent years and kept top area talent at home. Still looking for that breakthrough season with his own players that catapult him to the NCAA tourney. Graduated from Oakland University.

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by rollo Yesterday my son came home from Gregory's bball camp with a bunch of autograph's on his shirt and ball. London signed the #1 after his name and Wright signed #33. We didn't notice any other number changes.

Did Lowery sign the jersey and ball? If so, does he have a number there? I'm curious if Lowery wanted #14, so Warren moved to #1. I say that because LW could have had #1 last year, because Monty Scott had just graduated.

[rollo]

From what he told me, Lowery wasn't there....or at least he never saw him.

[as_4]

IMO: 33 should already be retired. Or at least should have never been worn after Chris Daniels.

[Dirty Sanchez]

I like this:
"the point-guard battle between junior-college transfer Rob Lowery and junior-to-be London Warren became a little heated at times, although the two later slapped palms to defuse the situation."

Our two point guards are going to drive everyone crazy, including our fans. I think more good than bad - I like Lowery's approach.

	London Warren LONDON WARREN 6-0 185lb Junior Raines, HS | Jacksonville FL Nicknamed the "Jacksonville Jet", London Warren is perhaps UD's quickest player baseline to baseline. Leader in steals defensively, he likes to push tempo on offense. Working on his shot and confidence at the charity stripe. 2007-08 | 4.3ppg 2.9rpg 2006-07 | 2.4ppg 1.7rpg

[ClevelandFlyer05]

Since we're on the topic of uniform numbers, I'm probably going to get laughed at for admitting this, but up until last week I didn't really notice that in college basketball only certain numbers (00/0-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55) are allowed. While I understand the reasoning for limiting players to those numbers (for refs signals), does anyone know why FIBA restricts players to numbers 4-15?

[ud69]

Originally Posted by ClevelandFlyer05 Since we're on the topic of uniform numbers, I'm probably going to get laughed at for admitting this, but up until last week I didn't really notice that in college basketball only certain numbers (00/0-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55) are allowed. While I understand the reasoning for limiting players to those numbers (for refs signals), does anyone know why FIBA restricts players to numbers 4-15?

To avoid confusion when the referee signals fouls etc to the scorers table. One digit of the uniform number for each hand. Using numbers 6 and higher gets confusing and hard to "handle".

[ClevelandFlyer05]

Originally Posted by ud69 To avoid confusion when the referee signals fouls etc to the scorers table. One digit of the uniform number for each hand. Using numbers 6 and higher gets confusing and hard to "handle".

No, I get that reasoning for the NCAA numbering system, but to me it seems that the FIBA numbering system of 4-15 is a bit odd. I was wondering why they chose that specific numbering sequence? For instance why are 0, 1, 2, and 3 excluded?

[sheg]

Originally Posted by ClevelandFlyer05 For instance why are 0, 1, 2, and 3 excluded?

Communists. [/takes off tinfoil hat]

[Atlantic 10]

Originally Posted by rollo Yesterday my son came home from Gregory's bball camp with a bunch of autograph's on his shirt and ball. London signed the #1 after his name and Wright signed #33. We didn't notice any other number changes.

The reason I brought up the number 23, because players that can really ball wear it, Michael Jordans number

[hUDygrad]

Originally Posted by Atlantic 10 The reason I brought up the number 23, because players that can really ball wear it, Michael Jordans number

You're kidding right?

[NorthwestFlyer]

Is there a way to know when these pick up games are going to happen?

[UDBrian]

Originally Posted by Atlantic 10 The reason I brought up the number 23, because players that can really ball wear it, Michael Jordans number

If he can play like the Birdman #33 we will have a great season

[Binnie Bombs 33]

If Lowery is the same as London but can shoot ... Lowey will play 25 minutes a game.

[San Diego Flyer]

True if all other things are equal. Here are a few that aren't equal in my view;

1) Lowery's knowledge of the offense as BG wants it run
2) Lowery's knowledge of his teammate's tendencies under game pressure.
3) BG's affinity for upperclass players, and his lack of knowledge on Lowery under game pressure.
4) Lowery's ability to shoot the same % in a game in front of 13,000 fans as he does in practice. Binnie and now possibly Perry seem to have been bitten by that bug.

All the above could be solved in ooc if Lowery is substantially better than Warren. Then I could see 25 minutes. But truthfully I don't think all that will happen. We tend to fall in love with new players in pre-season an awfully lot.

Regardless, it sounds like we have a solid player in Lowery.

[rollo]

Offense, shmoffense. If he can't play defense, he's a liability. It'll be the defense that earns him playing time.

Regardless of his defense, he doesn't sound like a pg whose style will help us in a 4 point game and under 5 minutes to play.

[San Diego Flyer]

Originally Posted by rollo Offense, shmoffense. If he can't play defense, he's a liability. It'll be the defense that earns him playing time. Regardless of his defense, he doesn't sound like a pg whose style will help us in a 4 point game and under 5 minutes to play.

LOL. Which one were you talking about Rollo, could have been either? You sound like you are having serious Brian Roberts withdrawal symptoms. Our last 5 game minutes are going to be interesting next year for sure.

[rollo]

And don't even get me started on the free throw thing. The way it looks now, up by 4 and 2 mintes to go, I'd put Johnson at the point, Wright at the '2' and 3 walk-ons on the court. Who else can make free throws without throwing it away first ( London, Lowery????).

[Atlantic 10]

Originally Posted by hUDygrad You're kidding right?

no not kidding

[Binnie Bombs 33]

Rollo read stats on Lowery, he will help us, he shoots 80 percent from the freaking line. I don't care about JUCO or A-10 one thing that stays the same is the free throw percentage, it is a skill.

This is one reason I see Lowery getting 25 minutes a game, because he will be playing at the end, unless London improves on his 49% free throw shooting to like 80%.

Lowery needs to learn tendencies and all of that I agree. But so does London, he had 20 more turnovers than assists. Also if BG's style which he already stated is going to turn into a running game, Lowery has done that and excelled at that at a high level. 10 assists a game for a JUCO championship team scoring 100 pts a game does it all. In the A-10 if that translates to 4 assists a game that is an upgrade of Warren.

All things said I think they are basically even London with a slight edge now, but by October Lowery's shooting will take him over the top. If Lowery is just as fast and quick as London then that equals London's main strong points, then Lowery adds jump shooting and free throw shooting.

It will be interesting to figure out, but I am praying London doesn't play 25 minutes a game because that will hurt us more than help us.

[PinehurstFlyer]

I believe Lowery starts and gets the most minutes. Here's why: He is a better shooter, he shoots better, he can shoot. Everything else seems to be about the same between these two. I don't give much credence to the "experience" factor. This team will be so different from last year that the plays, the players and the system will all be a lot or somewhat different. No BRob means the defenses they face will be different also. We have lots of new players and our best one, CW, had only half a season. London was not a starter and is probably better coming off the bench where a few opponents may forget to drop off of him and leave the lane open. Lowery is not a freshman and I expect as a point guard he will learn quickly. I've seen freshman step right in, and I expect Lowery to do the same. Finally, I believe BG brought Lowry in to improve our point position, not back it up, and I, for one, hope he wins the starting job. That said, I would also love to see them both on the floor at the same time to see what happens.

[Fudd]

I would bet that London gets the starters nod at the beginning of the season. I expect the position to be his to lose. If he is not playing well and Lowery or Thomas is, things will take care of themselves.

[Binnie Bombs 33]

Lets hope not, i agree

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Fudd I would bet that London gets the starters nod at the beginning of the season. I expect the position to be his to lose. If he is not playing well and Lowery or Thomas is, things will take care of themselves.

I agree. I would be shocked if London is not the starter at the beginning of the season. And I don't expect him to lose the starting position, but if Lowery (or Thomas) plays well I would expect London's minutes to decrease as the season goes on.

[Binnie Bombs 33]

London may start, but Lowery will finish ... because he can make a shot and MAKE A FREE THROW.

That is all that matters to me. I also will say that if they are both fast as hell, both play defense and both run well, one thing stands out ability to score, ability to shoot and ability to drive to the rim and make ur foul shots. Not to mention the ability to be on the court at the end of the game without fear of "hack a london."

Lowery will finish games, who starts ... who cares. Just wait and see, the PG spot will be 25 min to 15 min and my bet is Lowery is the one at 25 by the 10th game of the season if not earlier.

[San Diego Flyer]

Originally Posted by Binnie Bombs 33 London may start, but Lowery will finish ... because he can make a shot and MAKE A FREE THROW. That is all that matters to me. I also will say that if they are both fast as hell, both play defense and both run well, one thing stands out ability to score, ability to shoot and ability to drive to the rim and make ur foul shots. Not to mention the ability to be on the court at the end of the game without fear of "hack a london." Lowery will finish games, who starts ... who cares. Just wait and see, the PG spot will be 25 min to 15 min and my bet is Lowery is the one at 25 by the 10th game of the season if not earlier.

I care because I have already put $100 on London starting more than 50% of the games where he is physically able to start. Plus he will average at least 20 min/game this year on the court. And we will get an NCAA bid.

Now we can just sit back and relax and not beat it to death while swapping ignorance for 6 months since we have no control over it and certainly no heavenly knowledge.

[oldfan]

Originally Posted by Binnie Bombs 33 London may start, but Lowery will finish ... because he can make a shot and MAKE A FREE THROW. That is all that matters to me. I also will say that if they are both fast as hell, both play defense and both run well, one thing stands out ability to score, ability to shoot and ability to drive to the rim and make ur foul shots. Not to mention the ability to be on the court at the end of the game without fear of "hack a london." Lowery will finish games, who starts ... who cares. Just wait and see, the PG spot will be 25 min to 15 min and my bet is Lowery is the one at 25 by the 10th game of the season if not earlier.

All that knowledge about Lowery without ever seeing him play an A-10 game or play a game in a Flyer uniform; Amazing. Or are the players being selected based on their press clippings.

[rollo]

Originally Posted by Binnie Bombs 33 Rollo read stats on Lowery, he will help us, he shoots 80 percent from the freaking line. I don't care about JUCO or A-10 one thing that stays the same is the free throw percentage, it is a skill.

"Stays the same"???? Are you insane?? (don't answer that!!)

He shot 80% at the DII Juco level, which means nothing come '08-09.

Don't believe me??? Look no further than your man Binnie's free throw numbers from high school through last season.

HS: 80% ish
Frosh: 81%
Soph: 79%
Jr: 67%
Sr: 54%

Obviously free throw shooting is a skill that doesn't transfer year to year....or school to school.

Lowery came from a DII community college that averaged almost 100 ppg. It means they ran little offense and played little defense. If he's getting 25 minutes, we're in trouble.

[Binnie Bombs 33]

I'll laugh and remember this when he is closing out games and playing more minutes.

I'm done until January on this discussion. Give him 8 games and he will be where we need him.

[Avid Flyer]

BB33 remember Thiago had very impresive numbers in community college and it didn't even come close in Div 1.

[UDFLYERS2K]

I really hope that Lowery and the freshmen will be able push this team to the next level. It really sounds like we have some good players coming in, but i am not so naive to think that all of the new guys are going to work out. Chances are that one or two of the guys will either be duds or transfer. Obviously our most urgent need is at the point and hopefully Lowery will be the real deal and London will improve. After that we are really going to need a shooter to step up and compliment MJ and CW. It looks like PW is the guy but it is unfair to compare him to BRob right away.

[Binnie Bombs 33]

Totally different.

Thiago was not a guard, Thiago could not dribble, Thiago could not shoot and Thiago was not a speed demon.

I am not saying Lowery is the second coming of christ. What I am saying is he is going to average about 7 pts and 4 assts a game for us next season. He can shoot the rock and can make free throws, much better than the brick laying point guard we have now.

I like London's defense, actually I love London's defense but he kills us on offense and turns the ball over almost double his assists in his career. He did not improve last season, he had more turnovers and he did not even improve on the free throw line where all it takes is repitition.

I will bet anyone, at the end of games that Lowery or Thomas will be on the court more than London will. No questions. And I believe that Lowery will become our closer because of the ability to not break the backboard, with him taking over that roll and the confidence that comes with it, it is just natural he will have more minutes.

Let London be in for the opening tip, let him take a charge and pick up a couple fouls and then let Lowery finish the half, just like he will in the second half.

We will see. But if London is closing games or is playing over 20 minutes a game we are in deep trouble. Defense is important but you have to score to win, no B-Rob this season to bail us out with 5 seconds on the clock, when London is in Wright will be double teamed.

[THirt]

Originally Posted by Binnie Bombs 33 I'm done until January on this discussion.

oh. i see.

[Fudd]

Originally Posted by Avid Flyer BB33 remember Thiago had very impresive numbers in community college and it didn't even come close in Div 1.

Thiago's productivity per minute was not much different in junior college and at UD as I recall when I went through the numbers. The minutes that he played were dramatically different.

That doesn't mean that I think Lowery is going to have numbers like he did in JC. I really have no idea how he will play for us. I need to see him play. If he can't play good defense, that will be a significant knock against him, and in favor of London.

I'm not so sure that "London can't shoot". I watched him "not shoot often" last year, but I don't know if that means he "can't shoot". Every time I see him play and shoot, he hits a good percentage. I think the ones saying we are in trouble if London is our pg next year are a bit premature in that thinking.

[San Diego Flyer]

Originally Posted by THirt oh. i see.

We got to January in 2 hours and 34 minutes.

[Flyer'95]

I would really like to believe that Lowery will step up and be the guy we need him to be in terms of running the team, not turning it over, hitting the open shot, and playing good defense. I just have a hard time believing he can deliver on that at this level. I say that for a couple of reasons. First off, he had ZERO offers coming out of high school. That's not exaggeration. He literally had ZERO offers. Secondly, the style of play that his team exhibited last year was clearly a breakneck pace with little defense.

So i have a hard time believing that playing at a D2 run and gun juco school for two years has turned him into an impact D1 point guard for an ncaa-caliber team. I want to believe it, but i just don't. I like what i've read about him, his shot, his attitude, etc. But i'm not counting on him playing 25 minutes a game simply because it's a big jump from where and who he was playing last year to where and who he will be playing this year.

I hope and pray that he really is that rare diamond in the rough though. I also pray that london is busting his butt this summer, that someone has broken down his release on his shot and rebuilt it, that he practices his freebies, and that he can slow it down when we need him to. The whole season hinges on it.

[daytonflyers]

BB you lost all credibility by saying UD will retire the number 33 and have "wright/binnie" on it ...

[rollo]

Originally Posted by daytonflyers BB you lost all credibility by saying UD will retire the number 33 and have "wright/binnie" on it ...

You can't lose something you never had.

[Binnie Bombs 33]

Rollo, your parents still wish that they used a sock instead of ur mom ... so at least I have that going for me. Go cry in a room and feel better about yourself.











And I was kidding about the Wright/Binnie thing ...

[rollo]

I'm repeatedly amazed at BB33's ability to type while simultaneously stroking himself with one hand and patting himself on the back with the other.

You should join a circus. Unlike your brain, don't let that talent go to waste. Apply now. You'd fit in perfectly.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Could BB33 be the new generation's John R?

[allflyernamesaregone]

An off-season boredom killer? John R, Rollo, and BB33 in a chat room for an hour (with a moderator?)...post the transcript...hillarity ensues?

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by allflyernamesaregone An off-season boredom killer? John R, Rollo, and BB33 in a chat room for an hour (with a moderator?)...post the transcript...hillarity ensues?

You don't want tman in there too??? Probably shouldn't put him in there, though; he might not make it out.

[Flyer'95]

Boredom killer? More like torture chamber. I wouldn't wish that transcript on anyone. This thread has really devolved.

[FlyerYouBetcha]

Sounds like a royal rumble.

[John C.]

This has gotten stupid.