BEVERLY HILLS (MI) — The Dayton Flyers are tipping off their 2014-15 hoops campaign against Big Ten stalwart Illinois this afternoon at 2:00 PM somewhere in Indianapolis. This will be the first “Secret Scrimmage” that UD has ever played, as The U has preferred to schedule two open-to-the-public exhibition games vs. D-III schools to allow their fans to see them sweat and presumably for the concession revenue that comes with it. The Red & Blue are not alone this year in slating a private run vs. a D-1 opponent, as most of their Atlantic 10 brethren along with many other schools have opted to do likewise. Jeff Goodman of ESPN has a list:
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goodman/post/_/id/4172/this-years-secret-scrimmages
So what can we expect to not see?
— First off, we have two head coaches who are very well acquainted with each other. Illini Head Coach John Groce was an Assistant under Herb Sendek at NC State when Archie was starring at PG for the Wolfpack. They later both served under Thad Matta at OSU in 2008.
— Next, some of the players are also familiar with one another. Kendall Pollard teamed with Illini guards Jaylon Tate and Kendrick Nunn (as well some dude named Jabari Parker) at Chicago Simeon to win three Illinois Class 4A State Championships in a row. Kyle Davis played against most of the Illini roster in HS when he was at Chicago Morgan Park and won the Illinois Class 3A State crown. Even walk-ons Bobby Wehrli, Eddie Eshoo and Nick Haldes probably matched up with current Illini when they were in HS. And then there are a few recognizable names of recruits that UD pursued in the past such as Aaron Crosby from Louisville and Maverick Morgan from nearby Springboro.
— Unfortunately, even tho it’s only a scrimmage ineligible freshman Steve McElvene and James Madison transfer Charles Cooke will not be allowed to participate.
— Trent Meacham
While the public and press are not allowed to attend a “Secret Scrimmage” college hoop writers like Goodman or Andy Katz usually end up getting a rundown on who won, which players looked good, etc. I have a co-worker who is an equally rabid Illini fan and we have agreed to share any nuggets that we can gather from our respective Message Boards.
The Flyers will then play a traditional exhibition game vs. Southern Indiana on the 8th and then open the season at home on the 14th vs. Alabama A&M.
Elsewhere:
— It seems OSU players couldn’t bear to watch the rest of the NCAA tournament after their 2nd round loss to UD:
— If you were wondering why Syrcause PG Tyler Ennis took that three pointer at the end of the NCAA game vs. UD, well, he had his reasons:
http://rushthecourt.net/2014/10/16/where-2014-15-happens-reason-30-we-love-college-basketball/
— Great interview with Brian Roberts on the role that playing in Europe had in shaping his NBA career:
— 2015 UD commit Xeyrius Williams and his Wayne HS teammates will be playing in the finale of this year’s Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament vs. national powerhouse Findlay (NV) Prep:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/flyin-to-the-hoop/nhjxm/
— National LOI Day is 10 days away, but more and more players will not be inking one, opting instead to sign a scholarship agreement:
Can’t argue with this logic as it commits the university to the kid rather than vice versa.
— News from around the A-10:
Just about everyone has VCUVIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
Established: 1838
Location: Richmond, VA
Enrollment: 28,919
Type: Private Research
Affiliation: None
Nickname: Rams
Colors: Black and Gold as #1:
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/14/vcu-unanimous-pick-to-win-the-atlantic-10/
Butler Coach Brandon Miller won’t be back anytime soon:
SJU will be without Markell Lodge this season:
— Since this is prime time for pre-season rankings in college hoops, let’s look at a few polls for other categories:
College mascots: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11531880/top-10-mascots-college-basketball
College burgers: http://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-college-burgers-in-america
That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at [email protected]
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