It is about this time of year, every year, that Flyer fans want to sit down and start figuring out how many minutes each player will get and how many points each player will accumulate. Shortly thereafter, the “W” and “L” pen gets put to the schedule and it is decided just how many wins the Flyers will achieve and will it get them to that special place in heaven, the NCAA Tournament.

Now that the Flyers have had a handful of days to practice and have actually shown their wares on the court in public for the first time, those decisions become much easier for the armchair quarterback. Now we can use our splendid eye for talent and our computer quick brain to analyze just how all of this is going to fit together.

The problem with all of this is that we have seen the boys play for a grand total of 40 minutes and do not have a clue as to what has been going on in practice. We are all ready to write players off and ascend others to the top of the highest star. In just those few minutes, we make decisions about players we have never seen before and players we have seen too often. Trust me, we know talent.

Luckily, Brian Gregory and his reworked staff know a little more than the rest of us. I’m sure, it didn’t take Gregory and company to sit down with the tape of the scrimmage and pick apart every player’s attempt at perfection. Yes, Brian Roberts scored 29 points and Warren Williams handed out 11 assists, but only the coaches know if they played well.

There is far more to success than the number of points a player puts up on the board. On the surface, Roberts had a sensational scrimmage. Under the surface, I’m sure the coaches saw him miss an assignment or two and were probably less than pleased with his defensive effort. In the same sense, Marques Bennett had a lousy game because he couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean. Never mind the steals and the sound defensive work. Good for Marques, we aren’t the guys making the decisions about playing time.

I have to admit that sitting there, it was hard not to draw my own conclusions. It is easy to see that Roberts has the opportunity to be the first 20 points/game scorer UD has had in some time. He can score from beyond the arc, in the paint and just about anywhere else he chooses. His play at the point left a little to be desired, but with any luck, he will play less than 10 minutes per game there. For the first time in a decade, UD has a player that can create his own shot. Look out A10.

Warren Williams looked to be at the top of his game in handling and distributing the ball. His shot was not there, but the feeling here is that he will find it when it counts. More than anyone else, he holds the key to this season. Forget, the other guys, WW will determine if this team advances to the NCAA Tournament.

James Cripe looked as though he used the summer to have a brain and heart transplant. He looks ready to have a break through season and get rid of that donut offense that we had last season (the hole in the middle type.) He was not only aggressive on the defensive end with blocks and rebounds, but he also demanded the ball on offense. He has done this before when it didn’t count so I am holding my breath until the season opener to see if Cripe found the Wizard of Oz or not.

Monty Scott looked like Monty Scott on one of his good nights. He handled the ball well and stroked it from outside. Still missing is the guy that needs to get to the line six or seven times a night. Take the ball to the hoop Monty and you can make some money from this game after you hang up the Flyer uniform for the last time. Stay outside and you will be left on the outside of the money game.

Norman Plummer looked stronger and better prepared to be able to bring his man out a few more steps from the basket. He still may be our only hope inside (if Cripes reverts to the Toto version.) We need Plummer to rebound. He could get seven or more per game this year.

Of the rest, Alvarez, Bennett and Binnie will get more playing time than the remaining six combined. Alvarez looks ready to stay in the starting line-up if Cripe is a mirage. He has extended his shot and was everywhere on defense. He has far exceeded anything that I thought he would be when he was recruited. He is Waleskowski with better hops and quicker legs.

Bennett will get his share of playing time with the best shot at getting time at the two when Williams is getting a breather.

Binnie looks ugly on the court and I’m not talking about that thin beard of his. He is not particularly fast and he is not a sky king. What he is, however, is a basketball player. He will make shots when called upon and he will get more than his share of rebounds. He will win one or two games just by doing that.

In a word, the rest of the guys showed more lows than highs. White looked adequate as a third point guard. He looked quick enough, but couldn’t buy a basket. Little looked like a freshman with a few freshman mistakes. Adedeji is BIG. His free throw shooting will remind long-suffering fans of the adventures that Marco Pikar had while at UD. He can help with size, but he is a project. Stafford will struggle to get minutes.

This team could be very exciting and should be more able to play Gregory’s preferred running style. They will not be putting up UNLV type numbers because they will also be required to play defense, but this team will be fun to watch. As long as they stay healthy, punch that ticket to the big dance.