Fresh off the CoSIDA tournament championship, the Dayton Flyers return home to face Mt. St. Mary’s from Emmitsburgh, MD, on Friday evening. The Mount is coached by the legendary Jim Phelan, who has a career record of 800-443 in 46 seasons. This will be the first of two matchups within a week against Northeast Conference members. The Flyers will face Maryland – Baltimore County on Dec. 1.

The Mount was 15-15 in 1998-99, but won the NEC’s postseason conference tournament to gain the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Mount lost to Michigan State by a score of 76-53 in the first round. The Mount will be short-handed against the Flyers. Melvin Whitaker, a 6’10″ sophomore center, broke his ankle and is out for at least two months and possibly the season. Whitaker was among the contenders for Player of the Year in the Northeast Conference and had been attracting interest from NBA scouts. Whitaker’s absence will reduce the depth in what is widely regarded as the best frontcourt in the NEC, and reduces the likelihood that the Mount will be able to hold on to their role as favorites to win a competitive NEC this year. If Whitaker does not return, Maryland – Baltimore County will assume the mantle of favorite.

The Mount returns three other starters from last year’s squad, including 6’3″ senior guard Gregory Harris. Harris led the Mount in scoring and assists in 98-99 and had 60 steals to boot. Probably the most complete player on the team, Harris is also a solid rebounder and defender. Jim Phelan teams tend to play a sagging man defense, mixed with some 2-3 zone, and gang rebound. They will most likely sag and double Mark Ashman in the post, making the Dayton wings and point guards knock down perimeter jumpers. Mt. St. Marys uses a motion offense, and takes care of the basketball.

They will run Harris through a thicket of screens to spring him open for jumpers or drives to the glass. Aaron Herbert, a 5’10″ point guard, joins Harris in the backcourt. He is a solid ball handler and uses dribble penetration to break down the defense. Herbert averaged 4.4 points in 98/99. Jerry Lloyd, a 5’11″ sophomore provides depth in the backcourt. Lloyd typically looks to pass first when he runs the point.

Terrence Wilson, a 6’8″ forward is the Mount’s second scoring option without Whitaker. Rail thin at 180 lbs., Wilson is a fine athlete who can score from deep, use his quickness to drive to the hole, and his leaping ability to score off the offensive glass. Rounding out the frontcourt are 6’8″ Robert Balgac and 6’10″, 245 lb Konata Springer. Springer is not much of an offensive threat, but isn’t afraid to throw his weight around on the glass and sets devastating screens. Balgac does all the little things to make the team win, setting high screens in the flex offense, grabbing rebounds and providing solid defense. Balgac will frequently step back beyond the 3 point line after setting the high screen, and can knock the shot down if left unguarded. Angel Rivera, another rail thin small forward provides front court depth at the small forward position. In their 73-64 loss at La Salle, the Mount played Balgac, Harris, and Wilson at least 37 minutes each. Wilson played 39 minutes and Harris all 40. The Mount played small most of the game as Springer got only 18 minutes and Rivera 24. Wilson led the team in scoring with 20 while Harris contributed 18. The Mount struggled with their shooting all night, hitting at a 38% clip and just 30% behind the arc. The rebounding in the game was even.

UD will need to play good perimeter defense, take advantage of their height on the glass, and hit the open jump shot to come away with the victory. Tony, Brooks, and Cain will be able to get some open looks from the arc, but it is important to take those shots only within the offense. They can’t forget about Ashman, Green, and Holland inside even as the Mount sags inside, and will have to hit the open shots. La Salle struggled for most of the game as Butler, Blanks, and Thomas combined to shoot 3-17 from deep.