NEW ARTICLE: Be Careful What You Wish For...

BEVERLY HILLS (MI) –- The last installment of “From the Swamp” not only correctly predicted a Flyer victory; it also called the winner of the nightcap, too. For those of you not inclined to hit the ‘back’ button, it said to bring on “a freakin’ heapin’ helpin’ of Tar Heels.”

Done and done.

If I told you back at the beginning of this season that UD would be facing North Carolina in their final game of the season, you would have been cool with that, no? The fact that it’s UD vs. UNC for the NIT crown instead of the NCAA title does absolutely nothing to lessen the accomplishment.

Clearly, these guys in the cool black uniforms are on a mission.

Probably the low point of many this year was “Senior Night” vs. SLU when the Flyer Faithful booed BG and the Boys as they left the UD Arena floor at half time.

I was there. It was bad.

But you know what? It wasn’t the first time.

Many people have compared the ups and downs of this Flyer campaign to that of the 1967-68 squad. Coming off an appearance in the National Championship Game vs. UCLA (and a win over UNC to get there) expectations were sky high for Donnie May’s senior season. Tom Archdeacon captured it all in a recent chat with Mickey Donoher in the DDN:

“The first two years I coached, we had Henry Finkel and we went to the regional (Sweet 16) both years,” Donoher said. “I remember when Finkel left, I thought, ‘Well, we gave ’em two good years so they’ll be patient. But we open against Baldwin Wallace (in 1966) and we’re headed off the floor at halftime and that end of the (Fieldhouse) bleachers booed us all the way to the dressing room. I remember thinking, ‘Aaah, that’s how this works.’ It’s been that way at Dayton since day one.”

You can read Arch’s piece here:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayto...comments=false

After that St. Louis debacle, I introduced myself to Yvette Gregory. I told her that I thought BG was the right guy for the job and that the SLU defeat would make both him and the team stronger.

I had no idea.

Yeah, the A-10 loss to X in AC hurt. UD having to settle for the NIT in a season that had “deep NCAA run” written all over it was hard to swallow, too.

Not anymore.

Ladies and germs, the University of Dayton is getting set to play the defending National Champion University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Not UNC-East Boo Foo, either.

The Chapel Hill branch of UNC.

Coached by Roy Williams.

Featuring all of those Mickey D All Americans.

And with all of that history.

On national TV.

If you can’t get excited about this game, then there is definitely something wrong -- with you.

A few weeks ago I found my thoughts drifting ahead to next season. Now I don’t want this one to end.

Thanks, guys!

“From the Swamp” prediction:

Birthplace of Aviation 72

First in Flight 65

That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at: swampy@udpride.com

	Flyer Faithful FLYER FAITHFUL Best college basketball fans in the country. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and loyal. Help to create one of the toughest home courts in the nation at UD Arena. Over 12,000 fans a game put the Flyers in the Top-30 nationally in attendance. Fan spirit and support growing to other UD sports and athletic programs as well.

	Don Donoher DON DONOHER Legendary Flyer men's basketball coach who guided Dayton to 435 victories in 25 seasons (1964-1989) including the 1967 NCAA Runner-Up. Took over the program after the passing of Tom Blackburn and earned many NCAA and NIT bids over his career, including five Sweet-16s, one Elite Eight appearance, and the 1968 NIT Championship. Groomed All-Americans Don May and Jim Paxson, along with all-time leading scorer Roosevelt Chapman. Coached UD as they joined conference affiliation for the first time (Midwest Collegiate). A graduate of UD, Donoher played for Blackburn and credits much of his coaching success to his mentor's teachings: defense, ball protection, patience, and unselfishness.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

	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.