Location: Dayton, Ohio

Enrollment: 6,800

Founded: 1850

President: Dr. Daniel J. Curran

Athletic Director: Ted Kissell

Nickname: Flyers

Colors: Red and Blue

Arena: University of Dayton Arena

Capacity: 13,266

Average Attendance: 12,479

Head Coach: Brian Gregory

Overall Record: 98-60 (62.1% Winning Percentage)

Record at Dayton: 98-60

2007-2008 Record: 23-11 (8-8) NIT

Assistants: Billy Schmidt, Jon Borovich, Cornell Mann

ROSTER

0 Mickey Perry R-JR G 6-2 197 Maywood, IL/Wisconsin
1 London Warren JR PG 6-0 180 Jacksonville, FL
3 Rob Lowery JR PG 6-2 165 Forestville, MD/Cecil CC (MD)
4 Chris Johnson FR G-F 6-5 176 Columbus, OH
11 Stephen Thomas SO PG 6-1 170 Indianapolis, IN
15 Charles Little SR F 6-6 247 Cleveland, TN
22 Paul Williams FR WG 6-4 213 Detroit
23 Luke Fabrizius FR WF 6-9 205 Arlington Heights, IL
*32 Marcus Johnson JR F/G 6-3 196 Akron, OH
*33 Chris Wright SO F 6-8 226 Trotwood, OH
34 Devin Searcy SO F/C 6-10 226 Romulus, MI
*41 Kurt Huelsman JR C/F 6-10 245 St. Henry, OH
44 Josh Benson FR PF 6-9 205 Dayton, OH

*Returning starters (3)

OVERVIEW

The story has been well told. The Flyers glided to a 14-1 record, a top 15 national ranking and a certain bid to the NCAA tournament. Then stud freshman Chris Wright broke his ankle. A few games later, forward Charles Little fractured a foot. Minus its top two forwards, Dayton stumbled to a 7-9 regular-season finish and seventh place in the A-10. A semi-effective Little actually returned during that stretch, but the damage was done. The school ended up in the NIT.

Fast forward to the 2008-09 season. The Flyers only graduate one key player from last year’s squad, but a big loss it is. Deluxe scoring guard Brian Roberts led the team in scoring, free-throw percentage, assists – and clutch shots.

The good news is Wright and Little are healthy and the Flyers welcome a strong recruiting class. Wright, the explosive 6-8 sophomore, has First Team A-10 potential and can do things few players in the league can match. His star is on the rise and he’ll be expected to carry the load.

He’ll get plenty of help from a good supporting cast that includes Little, swingman Marcus Johnson and junior center Kurt Huelsman. The high-flying Johnson is ready for a breakout season and could join the league’s elite.

What’s unclear is where the shooting will come from. Coach Brian Gregory has a fleet of fine athletes who are capable of scoring from 15 feet in, but he needs a few players to stretch defenses and open up the middle for Wright and Co.

Another major concern is point play. Roberts was forced into the primary ball-handling role because of the erratic play of London Warren. It could be the team’s Achilles heel.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Brian Roberts (18.4 ppg, 45.5% 3PG, 86% FT). The three-year starter, an A-10 First Team selection, will be remembered as one of Dayton’s greats. A highly efficient and versatile scorer, Roberts carried the team his entire career. He made teammates better (117 assists), hit countless big shots and was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country. It’s unfortunate Roberts never had a supporting cast good enough to get him to the NCAA tournament.

Andres Sandoval (6.4 ppg, 30% FG, 33 steals). Combo guard was inconsistent during his two-year stay in Dayton. Sandoval oozed athleticism and potential when he joined the Richmond Spiders five year ago, but his career was hurt by academic problems, injuries and inadequate conditioning. A one-year hiatus at a junior college did nothing to improve his game between two stops in the A-10.

Jimmie Binnie – Small forward never rediscovered the shooting touch he showed as a freshman and was a role player in his final three seasons. Binnie played hard and didn’t make many poor decisions, but he was limited offensively (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 35% 3PG) and did not defend especially well.

Thiago Cordeiro (2.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 53.5% FG). The 6-9 Brazilian juco teased coaches with a surprisingly accurate jumper and his shot-blocking ability (team-leading 16), but he quickly fell out of favor because of his penchant for careless turnovers, ill-advised shots and poor positioning. He did not play in the final six games and transferred to a Division 2 school.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Charles Little (8.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 50% FG). Chiseled 6-6 power forward took a step back as a junior. Assigned the role of sixth man, Little did not adjust quickly to the presence of freshman sensation Chris Wright. Once his game started to come around, he suffered a fractured foot in January that caused him to miss three games. It hampered his performance the rest of the year. He only scored in double figures nine times and grabbed 10 rebounds just twice. His free-throw shooting was abysmal again (45%) and his defense above average at best.

Gregory needs and expects more from Little as a senior. Though not a traditional post player, he’s a good scorer around the paint. Little prefers to catch the ball 10 to 15 feet from the basket and make quick dribble drives to score on layups and short jumpers. He’s also a good weakside rebounder who soars to deliver thunderous dunks. Even if Wright is the budding star, Little has much to contribute with his athleticism and experience. Few players in the A-10 possess his combination of strength and explosiveness.

Marcus Johnson (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 48% FG, 38.8% 3PG, 76% FT). The third-year swingman is a classic slasher with big hops and an attack-the-rim mentality. Though just 6-3, Johnson gets a surprising number of baskets on tip-ins and putbacks. He also finished second on the team in rebounds.

Even more important, Johnson showed an improved jumper, especially late in the season. He hit 11 treys in the last seven games to equal the number he hit in the first 27 games. Johnson hit a few bombs off the dribble and others after the catch. If he keeps improving his shot, Johnson could pick up a sizable portion of the scoring that departed with Roberts. A good ball-handler, Johnson would also be able to take defenders off the dribble if they had to guard him on the perimeter. In the past opponents generally left him alone beyond 15 feet.

Johnson’s defense might the best part of his game. Already one of the top defenders in the league, he can guard three positions and shut down the other team’s main perimeter scorer. The situation is ripe for Johnson to blossom. Don’t be surprised if he makes a strong bid for one of the A-10’s all-conference teams.

Chris Wright (10.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 60% FG, 80% FT, 14 blocks). The league’s best freshman last year broke his ankle early in league play and was sidelined him from mid-January to late March. Before his injury, Wright showed exactly what made him so special. He scored 22 points in his first college game and 26 in his third, while winning the A-10 newcomer award in four of the season’s first six weeks. His inside scoring, rebounding and defense – combined with Roberts’ shooting – led the Flyers to a 14-1 mark and a top 15 national ranking. Dayton faltered badly after his injury, going 9-9 in games without him.

A healthy Wright will be expected to lead the team as a sophomore. He says he’s grown 2 inches to a legitimate 6-8 and he’s also bulked up. Arguably the most athletic player in the A-10, he scores in a variety of ways around the basket, using his quickness and leaping ability to explode by, or over, defenders. Despite his incredible gifts, Wright doesn’t always rely on sheer athleticism. He plays with more poise and intelligence than most players his age and appears to possess a natural ability to lead.

Like all sophomores, Wright’s game needs polish. He has to refine his back-to-the-basket skills, improve his handle and shoot better from deep (1-5 3PG), all of which he worked during the summer. If he improves in those areas, Wright would have all the tools to become a great inside-out forward and eventually a pro prospect.

London Warren (4.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 44% FG). The 6-0 “Jacksonville jet” should be called Mr. Incredible. For every incredible pass and assist (65), Warren makes an incredibly stupid turnover (75). That explains his 0.8 assist-to-turnover ratio, a pitiful mark for a point guard. Throw in poor free-throw shooting (51.5%) and a nonexistent outside shot and it’s a wonder that Warren ever plays. When he’s bad, Warren is very bad.

When he’s good, though, Warren is very good. As fast as any guard in the league, he puts tremendous pressure on other teams by pushing the ball or hounding ball-handlers (45 steals). And even though defenders lay off him, Warren is still quick enough to knife into the lane to feed teammates for easy scores.

His passing and defense alone are enough to make him a topflight A-10 point guard, if only he could reduce turnovers and made smarter decisions. And that’s the rub. There’s little evidence Warren can do that. Although he played better as a sophomore than as a freshman, his assists went down and his turnovers rose. Warren’s brain cannot keep up with his feet and it would be unwise to believe otherwise. Gregory can only hope that with maturity comes growth, but just to be safe, he recruited a point guard from junior college.

Kurt Huelsman (5.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 53% FG). Workmanlike 6-10 center is not a big leaper, but his game took a leap as a sophomore. Stronger and more confident, Huelsman became adept at using his big body to back defenders down. He scored more frequently with dropsteps toward the baseline or half-hooks in the middle. By making himself a threat in the paint, opponents even began to double team him. If Huelsman continues to improve, it will help create space for his teammates on the perimeter to shoot.

The best parts of his game are less evident. Huelsman boxes out, clogs the middle on defense and opens lanes for teammates to get to the basket. He plays solid interior defense, always hustles and doesn’t make many bad mistakes. The one area where he could make another leap is rebounding. Huelsman grabbed fewer boards than three of his smaller teammates, including the 6-3 Johnson. Although he’s not especially quick, Huelsman should be able to grab 5 or 6 boards a game. He reportedly worked on his conditioning in the off-season to improve his quickness and mobility.

Mickey Perry (2.8 ppg, 39% FG, 23% 3PG). The 6-2 Wisconsin transfer, known as a terrific shooter in high school, mostly misfired after he gained eligibility in December. Yet Perry made the best of limited minutes, taking care of the ball and playing good defense. With Roberts gone, he’ll see more time and perhaps settle into a role of third or fourth option. He lacks Roberts’ ball-handling skills and ability to create his own shot, but he’s more comfortable in the Flyers system and can better focus on what he does best.

Devon Searcy (6.6 mpg, 1.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 9-23 FG). The 6-10 sophomore has a knack for offensive rebounds and a decent touch near the basket, including a nice half-hook. His biggest problem was that he wasn’t big enough. Searcy lacked the strength to hold his position. More disappointing, he failed to show much explosion, blocking a mere 4 shots. Searcy could turn into a good player, though, if he works hard in the weightroom, and improves his post game. Preseason reports suggests he has done both, which is good news. The A-10 doesn’t have many 6-10 players with his length, athleticism and energy.

Stephen Thomas. The 6-1 point played sparingly as a frosh despite Dayton’s glaring need for someone who could protect the ball and hit open shots. Thomas made only 6 of 22 attempts and just 3 of 14 treys. It didn’t help that he was somewhat frail at 165 pounds and did not appear ready to play the sort of defense Gregory demands. Over the summer Thomas reportedly gained strength and improved his game. The Indianapolis native is a good ball-handler with above-average quickness, and like Perry, he was viewed as a topnotch shooter in high school. The jury is still out on whether Thomas is an A-10 level player, but Gregory has suggested the sophomore might seen an expanded role.

NEWCOMERS

Chris Johnson – One of the best players in Ohio, the 6-4 Johnson (No. 236, HoopMasters) was named to the state’s Division 1 First Team. He’s a high-flying swingman who does most of his scoring near the basket, and he rebounds and blocks shots well for his size. He’s not a great outside shooter, however, and will need to work on that part of his game. Based on preseason reports, Johnson is expected to be an immediate contributor. He adds to Dayton’s rapidly growing level of athleticism and Gregory’s penchant for players who can dig in on defense. “He’s going to be a big difference-maker for us this year,” teammate Chris Wright told The Dayton Daily News.

Paul Williams – The 6-3 lefty, considered one of the top players in Detroit (No. 100, PrepStars), might be the most physically ready to play among the freshmen. The 200-pound Williams is a good athlete with deep range and advanced defensive capabilities for his age. He’s also known to be an intense player who rarely slacks off. A preseason foot injury, however, prevented him from practicing and it’s unclear when he will suit up.

Rob Lowery – Juco point guard, a first-team Division II All-American, was recruited to give Dayton depth at point in case Warren falters. The 6-2 Lowery likes to push the ball and penetrate and he improved a weak jumpshot, hitting more than 40% of his treys last season. Such a high level of accuracy rarely translates well in the A-10, but Lowery should pose more of an outside threat. What Dayton needs most is good decision-making from its point guards. Lowery is thin for his size and it should be noted that very few transfers from his junior college (Cecil) have left a mark in Division 1.

Luke Fabrizius - Illinois native (No. 218, HoopMasters) was recruited by some Big 10 schools and is viewed as one of the best-shooting big forwards in the country. He’s a 40%-plus 3-point shooter whose game is strictly perimeter oriented, somewhat similar to Xavier’s Justin Doellman when he was a freshman. Fabrizius is mobile for his size and knows how to rub off defenders to get open. He could learn some low-post skills in time, but he’ll have to gain a lot of strength. Although Dayton could use his shooting right away, the physical rigors of the college game are likely to challenge Fabrizius as a freshman, especially at the defensive end.

Josh Benson – Touted 6-10 freshman dislocated a shoulder in preseason and is likely to redshirt. Voted to First Team Ohio in Division II, Benson (No. 161, HoopMasters) might be the most talented bigman Dayton has signed since joining the A-10. He is long and athletic, a solid faceup shooter with improving post moves. He’ll need time to fill out, polish his game and meet the intensity level of college ball, but Benson could be a fine player in a few years. Redshirting could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

SCOUTING REPORT

Gregory has laid the bedrock for success. Dayton was one of the better defensive teams in the A-10 and finished second in rebounding (+4.9 margin). The loss of Roberts, a mediocre defender and rebounder, won’t hurt. A more athletic Flyers squad could improve in both areas; Gregory has assembled a bevy of long and quick players who cover plenty of space.

The post game is in great shape. Little plays big inside, Huelsman improved dramatically as a sophomore and Wright is primed to become a prime-time performer. That’s why the Flyers had one of the highest field-goal percentages (46.9%) in the A-10.

What’s less certain is who’ll provide the outside firepower. Roberts hit nearly half of Dayton’s 3-pointers (100 of 203) and shot 45.5% despite a high degree of difficulty, especially after injuries struck. The rest of the team shot a miserable 32% behind the arc – equal to the worst teams in the A-10.

A healthy Wright, however, will demand double teams and give his teammates better looks than Roberts got. Johnson showed improved range late in the season and Mickey Perry hasn’t forgotten how to shoot. It would help greatly if one of the newcomers, Paul Williams, makes an impact. It’s also hard to believe point guards Stephen Thomas and Rob Lowery can shoot any worse than London Warren.

Speaking of Warren, the junior guard faces a make-or-break season. Not just for himself but for the team. If he falters and Thomas and Lowery can’t provide an antidote, Dayton could be doomed to a middle-of-the-pack A-10 finish.

The bet here is that Gregory will obtain enough production from his point-guard trio to complement Dayton’s topflight frontcourt, arguably the second best in the A-10. Each guard brings a different set of offensive skills and all three can pressure the ball defensively.

Aiding Dayton’s cause is one of the best home-court advantages in the league. The Flyers have averaged six wins in conference play at UD Arena since the program joined the A-10 in 1996. The schedule appears particularly favorable for the upcoming season.

What’s more, Dayton’s experience should help the team on the road. The Flyers, with five seniors and juniors in the regular rotation, are one of the older teams in the league.

PREDICTION

After injuries swept through Dayton’s lineup last season, Roberts tried to carry the team, but the load was too great. The Flyers grew predictable on offense and most opponents were able to contain the star guard.

Ironically enough, the departure of Roberts is likely to infuse the Dayton offense with more creativity and give other players a chance to shine. With all the athletes at his disposal, Gregory could step up the full-court pressure. And in half-court sets, the Flyers will focus on an inside-out attack. It was the other way around during the reign of Roberts.

The Flyers still need better point play and a few shooters to grease the gears of the offense. Without a solid perimeter game, Dayton is unlikely to score enough to contend for the league title or punch a ticket to the Big Dance.

Yet with a bigtime talent like Chris Wright, the Flyers can beat anyone in the conference. Players with his combination of skill and world-class athleticism are rarely seen in the A-10. He impacts a game in so many ways opponents are forced to build defensive game plans to stop him. When the game is on the line, the ball will be frequently in his hands.

In that sense, he’s the perfect heir to Brian Roberts.

WH’s

NONCON PREDICTION: 11-4

W – WOFFORD
W – DELAWARE STATE
W – BETHUNE COOKMAN
W – MERCER
L – Auburn (Chicago)
L – Marquette (Chicago)
W – TROY
W – At Akron
L – At Creighton
W – COPPIN STATE
W – UNC GREENSBORO
W – MARSHALL
W – GEORGE MASON
L – At Toledo
W – MIAMI (OH)

This is a typical Dayton sked: Lots of home games vs. mediocre to decent midmajors, mixed in with a few high-profile opponents. I could see the Flyers losing as few as two noncon games, but I double the number to be safe.

The Flyers should win the first four games; Mercer is probably the toughest of the bunch. Auburn is quite beatable, small and not as talented as other SEC teams. I go conservative and call it a loss. Marquette has a great backcourt; Dayton doesn’t.

Back home a win over Troy and then a win at Akron, which suffered steep graduation losses. Creighton is good as usual and rarely loses at home to noncon foes. Dayton could beat every remaining team on the sked, but I expect one or two losses. Marshall has added a bunch of transfers and sharply improved its talent level. Playing at home, Toledo returns four starters and is good enough to beat the Flyers. Miami Ohio is solid again and usually gives Dayton fits. On the other hand, George Mason has now lost everyone from its Final 4 team. This should be a win.