Hey Archie, it DOES matter to be a top 25 team

[FlyerinChicago]

There's not much I don't like about Archie, but his comments about not wanting to be a top 25 team, rather be the hunter..blah blah blah. Hey Archie, we the fans want to be consistently in the top 25. It matters to US. His players follow his lead, and making a statement like that is ridiculous. It almost leads them into playing poorly right when they are about to be or have just been ranked. Act like you should be there. We are at the point where we shouldn't shy away from being a ranked team. As soon as we beat Vandy, and I read that comment I just shook my head. I'm more than sure his brother doesn't say crap like that.

Stop with that talk..it's just going to bite you in the rear.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by FlyerinChicago There's not much I don't like about Archie, but his comments about not wanting to be a top 25 team, rather be the hunter..blah blah blah. Hey Archie, we the fans want to be consistently in the top 25. It matters to US. His players follow his lead, and making a statement like that is ridiculous. It almost leads them into playing poorly right when they are about to be or have just been ranked. Act like you should be there. We are at the point where we shouldn't shy away from being a ranked team. As soon as we beat Vandy, and I read that comment I just shook my head. I'm more than sure his brother doesn't say crap like that. Stop with that talk..it's just going to bite you in the rear.

I agree with it matters. But all the other reasons aside it matters because the sooner you enter it, the sooner you can climb within it and the higher you climb within it, the less likely one loss is going to knock you completely out of it.

This season the perfect storm hit for us to enter it. We had a lot of winnable games that would have kept us climbing up through the top 25 and put us in a very stable position. Last season we got stuck having to go to Davidson right after we entered. This season was much different and I have a very sour feeling of a blown opportunity.

And the bottom line why climbing as high as possible when you can is so important, because every loss afterwards doesn't send you as far down the ladder as when you don't. So to summarize, we need to get as far up the food chain as possible so we're not playing another game at UD arena after senior night like last season.

[FlyerinChicago]

Originally Posted by Smitty10 I agree with it matters. But all the other reasons aside it matters because the sooner you enter it, the sooner you can climb within it and the higher you climb within it, the less likely one loss is going to knock you completely out of it. This season the perfect storm hit for us to enter it. We had a lot of winnable games that would have kept us climbing up through the top 25 and put us in a very stable position. Last season we got stuck having to go to Davidson right after we entered. This season was much different and I have a very sour feeling of a blown opportunity. And the bottom line why climbing as high as possible when you can is so important, because every loss afterwards doesn't send you as far down the ladder as when you don't. So to summarize, we need to get as far up the food chain as possible so we're not playing another game at UD arena after senior night like last season.

Posted via Mobile Device

[FlyerinChicago]

Agree completely. It was Illinois State the year before. As soon as we enter,
the door shuts. I'm assuming our RPI will still be higher than 75% of the teams
in the top 25. Very frustrating.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by FlyerinChicago Agree completely. It was Illinois State the year before. As soon as we enter, the door shuts. I'm assuming our RPI will still be higher than 75% of the teams in the top 25. Very frustrating. Posted via Mobile Device

I think it's been different in the past. Those other teams that let things get away right after entering, were just not that good at that point in time as was shown in subsequent games after those immediate losses. I wasn't shocked by the loss to Illinois St. on the road. I also didn't have as high of hopes entering those seasons as I did this one. Now people can say "this team might prove to not be that good also" but my expectations were from before the season started, not after it began and we cracked into the ratings. Then to add that we're getting our stud senior back(I think), if we had just won 2 more games that we were supposed to we were on our way to those expectations. I'm irritated. But I'll get over it. It was another painful lesson for our team. And a painful kick in the butt to me lol

I think Arch's comments about not wanting to be in the top 25 were just a poor choice of words to say we shouldn't put that much stock into it this early in the season. I certainly don't think he meant to convey we're better off losing this game to avoid it. I doubt the team let those words effect them psychologically.

[Canonball]

I'm betting Archie has a pretty good idea as per what his players respond to, and young teams typically have to learn to deal with adversity and success. Early season is best spent getting players to play the right way especially with young guys and new pieces.

[Archie MillerLite]

The complex of being scared of success, even still after the great last two years is alive and well in flyer nation. You would think the mindset would change, instead it's the same old BS.

I want to be ranked every **** year! Wouldn't you rather be a 4-7 seed come March instead of life support 11 seeds? It all starts with being ranked. That's how deep runs are built every year!

That being said, this team will be ranked if the win their next four, come Monday January 4. And that should be the short term goal, period.

[UDDoug]

Of course everyone wants to be ranked. No one has a goal of not being ranked, including Miller. But in the scheme of things, that's not one of the highest priorities right now. Would you rather be ranked now, develop no one and leave an uncertain rotation, leading to a late season collapse. Just like no one plays to not be ranked, no one plays for early season rankings either. It's about March
Posted via Mobile Device

[Alberto Strasse]

It is about March not December.

[ud2]

Going to take another 3-4? weeks maybe of no more losses to start sniffing the rankings again.

Maybe beat Furman, Miami, Arkansas, Duquesne, and UMass and sit at 12-2 and maybe get ranked.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

[frisco flyer]

Archie didn't say categorically that he doesn't like for us to be ranked. He said he would rather not see this team at this time be ranked. I agree with him. We are not a top 25 quality team at this time of the season, and I don't think we can be one without Pierre coming back and playing quality minutes. The team now is not as resilient and tough as the last two years, and without Pierre we are going to have more ups and downs through conference play than any of us likes.

[cj]

Ever hear of "coach-speak"?

[Archie MillerLite]

Not just coach, attitude of Flyer Nation. Get ranked and stay ranked, stop being scared of being hunted. It will feel so good when we are used to Dayton being ranked over 50% of a season every season. Then, finally we can get multiple games per year against real opponents into our arena/neutral because them losing won't hurt their perception come March.

Break the status quo, become the hunted and thrive. No more underdog crap, we need to take the next step while Archie is here - just like X did with Miller handing it off to Mack. This begins now, it cannot wait any longer. This program should want to be ranked come January 4, throughout the winter into March and open next season in the pre-season poll. Time to put on our big boy pants and stop hiding!

[SeasonTicketFan]

Archie's comments are directed at the team more than the fans and pollsters. He knows there are weaknesseses in the team.

The problem with college players can be overconfidence. Archie is trying to keep their egos in check. They can also be tentative when things go poorly. One of the coaches told me that they work hard to lift the players when they are down and reduce their egos when they are doing well.

The two losses this year show that they have work to do to become a stay a top 25 team. There is a lot of work to do and there are a lot of games to be played.

You don't become top 25 by proclaiming it. You do it by winning.

[Bat'71]

IMHO, this Post is an over reaction and misinterpretation of what AM meant: it's NOT that he doesn't want the team to be ranked, it's that he doesn't believe we're a top 25 caliber team at the moment. He sees our flaws everyday at practice, he watches tape, he analyzes our opponents, he's worked with some of the best coaches and has been involved with top programs and he knows what needs to be accomplished to be a top program; we're not there yet.

He doesn't want our kids to get too far ahead of themselves in thinking they're better than they are...it makes his job that much tougher if they do. We've got a lot of new faces and new line-ups and AM knows there is work to be done for the kids to come together and be a top competitor on the national stage. IMHO, it's not that he doesn't think we can break into the National rankings, but that he knows we have work to do to get there.

[Radar]

Originally Posted by cj Ever hear of "coach-speak"?

Yep, that's exactly what Archie's comments were -- "coach speak!"

And now the fans are giving their "fans speak"...especially the long suffering fans/alum who've yearned to be ranked early and often. Archie knows that being ranked opens doors to recruits, etc., not to mention his own coaching stock. And I'm confident he would be able to manage his players and stoking the fire to keep them motivated to STAY ranked if/when that happens.

[ud2]

Sucks to have to stew in a loss for a week and wait to get the taste out of your mouth...Utah, Vanderbilit, Oregon, Gonzaga, and Cincinnati, all ranked near the bottom of the top 25 last week, all lost. UD might have been ranked this week.

[ud2]

Oh what could have been, beat Chattanooga, get ranked, and they could possibly have stayed ranked for the rest of the year.

[ud2]

GW got ranked this week.

[ud2]

Was just curious about the recent history of UD being ranked in the AP poll for more than 2 weeks: 2003 UD was ranked for 5 weeks, 2004 UD was ranked for 3 weeks, and 2008 UD was ranked for 4 weeks.


http://collegepollarchive.com/mbaske...6#.VnBlO_krKM8

[udflyerhoops2]

And I'm paraphrasing...

He didn't want to be ranked now because all it does is give us a chance to tell the team how good they are and continuously blow smoke into the nether regions.

Direct quote..."they're not that good right now"

[Archie MillerLite]

Originally Posted by Archie MillerLite The complex of being scared of success, even still after the great last two years is alive and well in flyer nation. You would think the mindset would change, instead it's the same old BS. I want to be ranked every **** year! Wouldn't you rather be a 4-7 seed come March instead of life support 11 seeds? It all starts with being ranked. That's how deep runs are built every year! That being said, this team will be ranked if the win their next four, come Monday January 4. And that should be the short term goal, period.

Btw ---- people laughed but what did good Ol' MillerLite say?? Ranked by Jan. 4??? Thank Ya Thank Ya. Now let's capitalize on it, no one be scared. Our paper numbers are ridiculous win the next 4 and Dayton will be a top 16 team in the rankings.

[Buster Goode]

Originally Posted by Archie MillerLite Btw ---- people laughed but what did good Ol' MillerLite say?? Ranked by Jan. 4??? Thank Ya Thank Ya. Now let's capitalize on it, no one be scared. Our paper numbers are ridiculous win the next 4 and Dayton will be a top 16 team in the rankings.

However, that won't happen though. Our record post-ranking is atrocious.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by Buster Goode However, that won't happen though. Our record post-ranking is atrocious.

75%: we go 1-1 with a loss to a horrible LaSalle.
24%: we go 0-2.
1%: we win both.

No, not being serious, but it sure feels that way.

I will continue to say I want us to be ranked all the time. Get used to it, not have it be a special occasion worthy of great discussion.

Let's build a new tradition of lamenting that every time we crack the top 15 we lose and drop down into the 20-25 range again. Then build on that.

	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.

[Catman94]

Originally Posted by Archie MillerLite Btw ---- people laughed but what did good Ol' MillerLite say?? Ranked by Jan. 4??? Thank Ya Thank Ya. Now let's capitalize on it, no one be scared. Our paper numbers are ridiculous win the next 4 and Dayton will be a top 16 team in the rankings.

Dayton has 2 easy, 3 tough, then 5 more easy games. If we win five, we can win ten and that is what we need to get Top 16 and stay in even if we lose in the next three which are more difficult.

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Catman94 Dayton has 2 easy, 3 tough, then 5 more easy games. If we win five, we can win ten and that is what we need to get Top 16 and stay in even if we lose in the next three which are more difficult.

No road game is "easy."

[Medford]

According to RPI forecast, UD is favored to win all of their next 10 games, the closest predicted win is the game @ Fordham (57% chance of winning at the moment)

UD is then a slight dog in the next 2 games (@ Rhody, @ SJU)

Win the next 10, and by virtue of the nature of the polls, UD will be spot a top 15 ranking, perhaps even top 10. Certainly much easier said than done, @ Bonnies is always tough, and they are pretty good to boot, GW at home is going to be tough, Davidson burned UD last year, etc....

	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.

	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.

	St Joseph's ST. JOSEPH'S Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive educational experience. One of only 139 schools nationwide with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,200 full-time undergraduates and 3,100 graduate, part-time and doctoral candidates. Located in urban Philadelphia, SJU is a fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Hawks. Athletic claim to fame is is the Hawk mascot, a university student on full scholarship who wears a Hawk uniform and flaps his wings continuously for an entire athletic event. School spirit slogan is "The Hawk Will Never Die."

	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.

[Levelbest]

Originally Posted by Gazoo I will continue to say I want us to be ranked all the time. Get used to it, not have it be a special occasion worthy of great discussion. Let's build a new tradition of lamenting that every time we crack the top 15 we lose and drop down into the 20-25 range again. Then build on that.

Sing it loud brother!!!

[CE80]

to infinity and beyond...

[ruechalgrin]

Originally Posted by Medford According to RPI forecast, UD is favored to win all of their next 10 games, the closest predicted win is the game @ Fordham (57% chance of winning at the moment) UD is then a slight dog in the next 2 games (@ Rhody, @ SJU) Win the next 10, and by virtue of the nature of the polls, UD will be spot a top 15 ranking, perhaps even top 10. Certainly much easier said than done, @ Bonnies is always tough, and they are pretty good to boot, GW at home is going to be tough, Davidson burned UD last year, etc....

We are favored in all but 3-4 games the rest of the season, but UD unlikely to go 25-5. Just a quick primer for all of those not into sagarin, kenpom, etc.

Add the win % for the next 4 games for example to get expected wins and losses. Sagarin or Ken will say that more accurate over long periods of time like the rest of the season. For example, next 4 game win % according to kenpom.com = 86% + 83% + 81% + 71% = 321%. So expected won loss over next 4 games is 3.21 wins and .79 losses.

Both kenpom and sagarin have most likely scenario Dayton going 23-7 which would mean 13-5 in A-10 play.

	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.

	St Joseph's ST. JOSEPH'S Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive educational experience. One of only 139 schools nationwide with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,200 full-time undergraduates and 3,100 graduate, part-time and doctoral candidates. Located in urban Philadelphia, SJU is a fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Hawks. Athletic claim to fame is is the Hawk mascot, a university student on full scholarship who wears a Hawk uniform and flaps his wings continuously for an entire athletic event. School spirit slogan is "The Hawk Will Never Die."

	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.

[Archie MillerLite]

The short term goal again is to win the next 4 games. Getting Dayton to a 15-18 ranking, that way if they lose one or two they continue to stay ranked.

If they can pull off the next four and don't have any back to back losses the rest of the year - they should be ranked come Brooklyn.

[forego1]

I like the thread; I like the flow, and as a fan I want it all.

Still, I PREFER Archie's eye on sorting out, putting it together, and peaking when it matters.

Getting in, being tournament ready, and doing an elite eight suits me just fine.

[maddog07]

The concept of not wanting to be ranked strikes me as being absurd. Accordingly, we'd really hate to be number 1 then!!!!!

[ud2]

Originally Posted by Medford Win the next 10, and by virtue of the nature of the polls, UD will be spot a top 15 ranking, perhaps even top 10. Certainly much easier said than done, @ Bonnies is always tough, and they are pretty good to boot, GW at home is going to be tough, Davidson burned UD last year, etc....

Maybe you move up 2-3? spots every week that you don't lose...10 wins in a row should maybe be around top 10 or better with a 21-2 record.

I think UD will win the next three, UMass, LaSalle, Davidson...GW at home looks tough.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

	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.

[SeasonTicketFan]

Ranking is important if:
1) You deserved to be ranked
2) Your players' don't get big egos and think they are better than they really are
3) It helps recruits better players
4) It gives more exposure to the program especially during selection Sunday. (Face it, name teams get preferences).
5) Development can get more contributions from alumni and supporters.

Given the way the team has played at times, I think Archie worries about #1 and #2

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by maddog07 The concept of not wanting to be ranked strikes me as being absurd. Accordingly, we'd really hate to be number 1 then!!!!!

One is the loneliest number.

[UDFlyer23]

Something about the LaSalle game just screams let down to me. The loss there at the end of last season was brutal. I fully expect to beat UMass at home with a great crowd, and I think the team will be riding high into LaSalle and drop one on the road to a lesser team just like every other year. Hope I'm wrong.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

	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.

[UDGutter2]

Originally Posted by CE80 to infinity and beyond...

Uh, isn't infinity a really, really, really large number? I thought the goal was to get to the smallest number in the polls. Lol

[frisco flyer]

Originally Posted by Archie MillerLite The short term goal again is to win the next 4 games. Getting Dayton to a 15-18 ranking, that way if they lose one or two they continue to stay ranked. If they can pull off the next four and don't have any back to back losses the rest of the year - they should be ranked come Brooklyn.

I think the short term goal is to beat the Minutemen. We can overlook no one. We are top dog in the A10, and now we are ranked! We will get everybody's best shot. We cannot sleepwalk through any wins in the A10, we have to earn each and every one. That means one W at a time.

The price of success!

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

[UD94]

Originally Posted by UDFlyer23 Something about the LaSalle game just screams let down to me. The loss there at the end of last season was brutal. I fully expect to beat UMass at home with a great crowd, and I think the team will be riding high into LaSalle and drop one on the road to a lesser team just like every other year. Hope I'm wrong.

LaSalle is battling Saint Louis for worst team in the conference. Gotta think we win that one going away.

Hey everyone....CHEER UP!!! We are ranked and Archie will get the guys ready for EVERY game. Oh yeah, and a guy named Pierre just might be helpful too!

	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.

	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.

[UACFlyer]

If PR matters, then being ranked matters. The sports section of most local papers every day reviews games of Top 25 teams, with a short para about each. With the Flyers at #25 that means last nights UMass game received its "short para". That's good PR.

Making the Top 25 and the dance regularly, consistently, matters enormously for Dayton basketball. It's not easy to do even one year. Pulling it off consistently year after year establishes ("restablishes") the Flyer brand. That's what peers like X, Gonzaga, Villanova,....have been able to do. We're on the right track.

Absent that #25 spot,..nada.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer If PR matters, then being ranked matters. The sports section of most local papers every day reviews games of Top 25 teams, with a short para about each. With the Flyers at #25 that means last nights UMass game received its "short para". That's good PR. Making the Top 25 and the dance regularly, consistently, matters enormously for Dayton basketball. It's not easy to do even one year. Pulling it off consistently year after year establishes ("restablishes") the Flyer brand. That's what peers like X, Gonzaga, Villanova,....have been able to do. We're on the right track. Absent that #25 spot,..nada.

What is a "local paper"?

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer If PR matters, then being ranked matters. The sports section of most local papers every day reviews games of Top 25 teams, with a short para about each. With the Flyers at #25 that means last nights UMass game received its "short para". That's good PR. Making the Top 25 and the dance regularly, consistently, matters enormously for Dayton basketball. It's not easy to do even one year. Pulling it off consistently year after year establishes ("restablishes") the Flyer brand. That's what peers like X, Gonzaga, Villanova,....have been able to do. We're on the right track. Absent that #25 spot,..nada.

Agree with everything you said except one. Nova? They've been an established somewhat mid-pack powerhouse for a long, long time. Have an NCAA championship and a runner up to their history.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

[THirt]

This is a small thing, but I typically listen to NBA radio on SiriusXM on the way to work every morning. Today, I got to hear that Dayton was victorious during the sports update at the top of the hour. Being ranked is fun.
Posted via Mobile Device

[UACFlyer]

Originally Posted by CE80 What is a "local paper"?

A "local" paper is one with relatively limited circulation covering a "local" area.

USA Today, the New York Times, the Wall St. Journal are not local papers. The "local" paper I was referring to covers a few towns east of the CT river in greater Hartford.....a locale where a percentage (small) of the residents think they may have heard of Dayton Ohio at one time or another in their lives. There are dozen, or so, such papers in CT; they all have sports pages.

A paper with a somewhat larger circulation but still "local" is the Hartord Courant covering the Greater Hartford "local" area.

Papers like that cover only local sports...they pick up all the rest from the wire services. That's how a team like the Flyers gets coverage when it cracks the Top 25.... AP provides coverage for use by local media.

C'mon `80,...you know all this stuff.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer A "local" paper is one with relatively limited circulation covering a "local" area. USA Today, the New York Times, the Wall St. Journal are not local papers. The "local" paper I was referring to covers a few towns east of the CT river in greater Hartford.....a locale where a percentage (small) of the residents think they may have heard of Dayton Ohio at one time or another in their lives. There are dozen, or so, such papers in CT; they all have sports pages. A paper with a somewhat larger circulation but still "local" is the Hartord Courant covering the Greater Hartford "local" area. Papers like that cover only local sports...they pick up all the rest from the wire services. That's how a team like the Flyers gets coverage when it cracks the Top 25.... AP provides coverage for use by local media.iio C'mon `80,...you know all this stuff.

I know, I was just being me ( a wise a$$) I actually read the local paper every day but on the iPad but I would say most of my friends don't. I wonder what the numbers look like as far as demographics and local newspaper readership. A friend is pretty high up at the Cleveland Plain Dealer and he does not paint a pretty picture.

I like not having to use the drop down menu on ESPN website to go from top 25 to A10 to get to the Flyer box score.

[UACFlyer]

Originally Posted by CE80 I know, I was just being me ( a wise a$$) I actually read the local paper every day but on the iPad but I would say most of my friends don't. I wonder what the numbers look like as far as demographics and local newspaper readership. A friend is pretty high up at the Cleveland Plain Dealer and he does not paint a pretty picture. I like not having to use the drop down menu on ESPN website to go from top 25 to A10 to get to the Flyer box score.

Re the comment by your Plain Dealer friend....."paper" newspapers everywhere are taking a beating these days. I understand why...but at the same time, I don't. Personally, I can't imagine satisfaction from reading a magazine, book, newspaper, etc, by looking at a screen.

To each his own, I suppose.

[Bat'71]

Well, newspapers have been plagued by changing technology, demographic shifts, alternative news sources and lifestyle changes. Newspapers (and magazines) have had a hard time adapting their revenue models to reflect these new dynamics and as a result many have folded (no pun intended.) Moreover, some of the ways print media have reacted to revenue short falls, such as cutting back on content and raising prices, have been counter productive...providing less value at a higher cost. In order to boost revenues, Print media may need to simply cut pricing drastically, perhaps going so far as some neighborhood circulars by offering free content, to dramatically ramp up circulation in order to attract more advertising dollars. An in-depth analysis of all the issues confronting print media and possible methods of counteracting them would make for an interesting case study at the Undergraduate or Graduate B-school level. It would definitely call for a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving.*

*Wow, methinks this Thread just got hijacked...sorry, now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by Gazoo 75%: we go 1-1 with a loss to a horrible LaSalle. 24%: we go 0-2. 1%: we win both. No, not being serious, but it sure feels that way. I will continue to say I want us to be ranked all the time. Get used to it, not have it be a special occasion worthy of great discussion. Let's build a new tradition of lamenting that every time we crack the top 15 we lose and drop down into the 20-25 range again. Then build on that.

Prove me wrong, Archie.

	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.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer Re the comment by your Plain Dealer friend....."paper" newspapers everywhere are taking a beating these days. I understand why...but at the same time, I don't. Personally, I can't imagine satisfaction from reading a magazine, book, newspaper, etc, by looking at a screen. To each his own, I suppose.

I was the same way regarding actual paper but then the PD starting cutting home delivery to 4 days per week so I had to read it on the ipad the other days anyway. There really is not much in there. I read it in about 10 minutes when I have my morning bowl of cereal.

[Canonball]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer Re the comment by your Plain Dealer friend....."paper" newspapers everywhere are taking a beating these days. I understand why...but at the same time, I don't. Personally, I can't imagine satisfaction from reading a magazine, book, newspaper, etc, by looking at a screen. To each his own, I suppose.

I love getting the morning paper. If only for the crossword.

[66flyer]

I always read the sports section first, then make myself read the first two sections before the Life with the puzzles. Costs too much to skip anything, especially since I don't watch the depressing TV news much.
RE: being ranked--I have mixed feelings. It's great being ranked, but over the years, it's also been a curse due to losing soon after. Maybe this is the year they break the jinx.
Win at LaSalle, come home for two more wins and move up far enough so that if we lose one, we don't fall all the way out. Just hoping!
To those of you bemoaning "ugly" games even though we win. I hope you appreciate the "prettiness" of a 30 pt. win over a normally better A10 team. SOMETHING must make you happy now and then.

	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.

[ScottyExpress]

I really really really want to break the top ten, or at least rank higher than we did in OP's last year. Have we sniffed such a high top 25 ranking since?

[Flyer 86]

Originally Posted by ScottyExpress I really really really want to break the top ten, or at least rank higher than we did in OP's last year. Have we sniffed such a high top 25 ranking since?

Think we were ranked 14th for a minute Chris Wright's early in career

Then 19th a few years ago. Also for about 10 seconds before we blew the pooch.

	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

[UDBrian]

Archie's goal is to be #1 at the end of the season, I think we can all agree that iis also every fan's goal.

For recruiting it would seem that victories in the ncaa tournament far outweigh early season rankings

[ud2]

Originally Posted by Flyer 86 Think we were ranked 14th for a minute Chris Wright's early in career Then 19th a few years ago. Also for about 10 seconds before we blew the pooch.

Yes, they were ranked as high as #16 in OP's final year, 2003, and BG holds the "modern" era record at #14 in 2008.

Blackburn and Donoher were ranked highly many times in the 50's, 60's, and 70's.


http://collegepollarchive.com/mbaske...9#.VpESQhUrKM8

	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

	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.

[jack72]

Big week for ratings. Away game at LaSalle, Davidson Tuesday and GW on a short turnaround Friday. Hard to win 3, but with the two tough ones at home, possible.

	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.

[FlyerGuyer]

Absolutely classic Dayton: Ranked and then lose to the RPI # 271 team within the week. Some things never change.

[FlyerinChicago]

Originally Posted by FlyerGuyer Absolutely classic Dayton: Ranked and then lose to the RPI # 271 team within the week. Some things never change.

It's the most difficult place for our team and me and my staff to play," Miller said. "We've had some real ugly ones up there where we've laid an egg, particularly last year with a chance to win a conference championship and didn't get the job done."

At least Archie let his players and staff know there was a very solid chance of a loss today.

[kiefaber455]

Originally Posted by ScottyExpress I really really really want to break the top ten, or at least rank higher than we did in OP's last year. Have we sniffed such a high top 25 ranking since?

They're not going to sniff top 25 until maybe next year after the LaSalle loss

	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.

[forego1]

ha, ah , ha, ha where is the shoot myself symbol ?

[pmcmullen]

Talked himself right into not being a Top 25 program. What an epic choke job. I've never seen a team try so hard to lose a basketball game.

[jack72]

It did not matter today who took the shots or who played defense. They all stunk. Turnovers, bad shooting, no movement, not covering their man on defense, poor clutch free throw shooting and absence of coaching. We have seen the bottom, and it is us.

[UACFlyer]

Originally Posted by pmcmullen Talked himself right into not being a Top 25 program. What an epic choke job. I've never seen a team try so hard to lose a basketball game.

To even the most loyal, well informed Prider....how much of your own money would you have bet on a Flyer win today....knowing what we all know....first week cracking the Top 25....first game! Doom.

Really good teams demonstrate consistency. Of course they lose at times, sometimes against teams they should beat. But, for really good teams that's a rarity. Dayton has already demonstrated that it's good enough to beat really good teams. Unfortunately, we've also demonstrated that we can be beaten by poor or just average teams...not in a blue moon...but all too often. Indeed, a win or two against poor or average teams could just as easily been a loss.

I'm disgusted...disgusted that I let myself become so emotionally invested in a game played by kids whose minds already are probably on other things,...like what am I going to do tonight?

After the UTC loss we had to win four or five in a row to suck the pollsters and fans into thinking we were a Top 25 team. After La Salle it will take another four or five in a row to win them back. That won't be easy.

Consistent we ain't.

	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.