2014-2015 Dayton Flyers

[jimbo]

Thought I'd get a UD thread started for this season for the Flyer fans on the site.

The Flyers are quietly having a nice season so far with a current record of 11-2 with an RPI of 18. They beat a quality Ole Miss team just last week, who took Kentucky to OT two nights ago. They've had several obstacles, the big one being the dismissals of the two boneheaded big men, the career end of senior transfer Bass due to concussions, and a JC transfer who has yet to play a minute due to injury. They are currently going only 7 deep, with one of those 7 a walk-on. Amazingly though, they seem to have played their best ball since the player dismissals. The last 3-4 games has been the best Flyer basketball I've seen in a long, long time, and that includes last year's Elite 8 run. They have two road games this week, tonight and Saturday, that will be big tests.

Depth will probably become more and more of an issue as the season progresses, but if they can keep this quality of play continuing, it will end up being a fantastic coaching job on Archie's part. I'm really not expecting to see Archie here much longer than another season, if that. He'll start getting a lot of attention if this team can somehow get another NCAA invite.

[dfs]

That's the funny thing about depth. A couple of incidents can turn a very deep team into one just clinging to life. As reds fans, we might want to keep that in mind when we evaluate the 2014 season and try to crystal ball 2015.

[RedTeamGo!]

If Dayton was smart they would throw any amount of money they can at Archie. He is the type of coach that can turn UD into an "elite" mid major team. In reality, Archie will probably move on to an ACC, B1G or Pac 12 team sooner rather than later.

In the meantime all we can do is enjoy watching the best UD has been in decades.

Goooooo DAYton FLYers

[BillDoran]

Like many good coaching jobs, what's Archie's done defies explanation.

All logic would suggest the team would be poorer after booting it's only size, but lo and behold they've improved. The one obvious statistical bump since the Robinson and Scott's departures is their 3-pt shooting. It's improved dramatically. Beyond that, I'm not sure how they've managed to play such good ball despite giving significant minutes to a volleyball player.

I keep waiting for the balloon to burst (and I think it will, seems pretty unlikely we can continue to shoot this well), but I think more than anything it shows that the attitude of a program matters as much as the talent and Xs and Os. Archie has certainly established that tone.

[Ohayou]

#22 today in the AP/coaches polls. It's great to see Dayton back on the national basketball map.

[BillDoran]

Sitting at 19-5 (9-3), first in the A10, with a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. Should have no problem getting to 23 victories before the A10 tournament. Pretty impressive accomplishment by Archie & co.

The program is on a different tier right now that what it has been in the past. Think back to some of BG's teams. No lead was ever safe. We were guaranteed to struggle in conference play. It was a borderline miracle beating WVU in the tourney. Now we're playing with 6 scholarship players and blow competition off the floor. The offense is fluid and fun to watch. The defense rugged. We put teams away. We're competitive on the road.

The players are better. They know and execute the system. I have no idea how Archie is doing it, but this program is in phenomenal shape. Hope we can get him to stick around one more year. I think we could dominate the league and make a run in the tournament next year.

[jimbo]

Archie has really grown into being a fantastic coach. His ability to adapt and change according to the situation has become one of his best traits. It really has been fun to watch what this team has accomplished this season. It's been one of the most enjoyable Flyer teams that I've ever watched, and that includes last year's Elite 8 run. Pollard hit his head in yesterday's game and has a possible concussion. If he is out for any amount of time, Archie will be down to six scholarship players, with one of them being a walk on when the season began. This team just never accepts excuses and continues to win.

A great time to be a Flyer fan.

[jimbo]

The Flyers pull out a close one at home. St. Joseph's just seems to have our number. Beat us three times last year and came to the arena tonight as an 11 point underdog and kept it in doubt all the way to the buzzer.

Still no "bad" losses on the Flyers resume. Hard to do in this age of college basketball. Well, unless you're Kentucky.

[jimbo]

Big win for the Flyers, on the road against a top 25 team on senior day. It really is amazing what Archie is doing with only 6 true scholarship players. He is no longer conducting full practices, trying to keep everyone as fresh as possible and limiting the risk for injuries.

This win should have punched them a ticket to the dance.

[RedTeamGo!]

Yup, huge win - flyers are going dancing for sure.

[BillDoran]

UD closes the season strong again, knocking off a pair of previously first place teams (one at VCU, possibly the toughest road win in the conference) to take sole possession as A10 leader.

Finishes the season a perfect 16-0 (home win streak now at 21). A win at LaSalle puts them in pretty good position heading into the A10 and NCAA tournies. There's some talk they could rise as high as a five or six seed. Getting a bit ahead of myself, but hard not to be optimistic when considering what the program was able to achieve under difficult circumstances.

#Archie4Lyfe

[jimbo]

I know it's been said over and over again, but it's really amazing what this team is accomplishing with so many limitations. I know it's pretty much a given that Calipari will win COY, but Miller should at least be in the conversation.

[RedTeamGo!]

Caliparri should win recruiter of the year, not coach.

I watched the game last night and I honestly think Calipari just waves his hands around in the air to make it appear like he is doing something in game.

[jimbo]

UD technically in the tournament, but this feels more like a complete snub. Actually, according to the NCAA, the Flyers would have been out if UConn had beated SMU.

Really is a joke. UD's resume matches up quite nice, if not better, than the likes of UCLA (Lunardi didn't even have them as one of the last 6 out), Texas, Indiana, and even Ohio State. Nothing but a money grab. Dayton averaged an 8.8 seed in all bracketology predictions, but is team #68 according to chairman Barnes and his clown committee. The "eye test?" Seriously? Glad to see the media really all over this.

I've lost complete interest in this tournament. I'll watch the UD games, none of the rest. I realize it means nothing, but the NCAA will not get my support this year.



Surprises

UCLA is in: And not only is UCLA in, but it's in comfortably! The Bruins will not have to play in Dayton, and will get a matchup against SMU in the first round. Steve Alford's group had a 2-8 record against the top-50, a 5-10 record against the top-10, and no road/neutral wins of note outside of a win at Stanford. I think the Bruins could legitimately do some damage in the tournament given the way they are playing (extremely well), but there is no circumstance where this resume was NCAA Tournament caliber. The so-called "eye test" was used extensively for this selection.



Dayton in the play-in game: Okay. For the life of me, I can't figure out what the committee was doing on this one. A top-40 KenPom rating? Check. Top-30 RPI? Check. 25 wins? Check. Winning record against the RPI top-100? Check. There is legitimately no world where the Flyers on the 11-line makes sense to me, no world where UCLA being ranked ahead of the Flyers makes sense to me, and no world where UConn beating SMU earlier this afternoon in the AAC Championship game causing the Flyers to be left at home makes sense to me (exactly what would have happened had the Huskies beaten the Mustangs). The committee has a lot of explaining to do here.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25109216/ncaa-tournament-surprises-and-snubs-ucla-dayton-nearly-not-in

[RedTeamGo!]

A complete money grab. Dayton being the 68th team and playing in the "first four" is just shameful.

Honestly, after looking at this bracket the whole thing is a joke this season.

How in the world do Indiana, OK St, and UCLA deserve to be a part of this?

[jimbo]

This is a great column and really goes in depth. Just a snippet on UD, but I recommend reading it all.

Bracket impressions: Committee missed it with Indiana, Texas, UCLA


Dayton’s seed is a joke. It’s almost as if the committee was looking to penalize the Flyers for making the Elite Eight last year, that’s how bad their seeding is. It is inexcusable how poorly they were seeded, and the fact that the committee thought they belong in a play-in game (and Indiana, Texas and UCLA didn’t) shows a certain level of cluelessness.

http://www.hoopville.com/2015/03/15/bracket-impressions-committee-missed-it-with-indiana-texas-ucla/

[BillDoran]

When push comes to shove, power conference teams get in the tournament.

TOP TWO RPI RANKINGS LEFT OUT OF THE FIELD OF 68

2015: Colorado State (28), Temple (34)

2014: Southern Miss (33), Toledo (38)

2013: Southern Miss (31), Louisiana Tech (54)

2012: Marshall (47), Oral Roberts (51)

2011: Harvard (35), Cleveland State (42)

2010: Rhode Island (40), Wichita State (43)

2009: San Diego State (34), Creighton (40)

2008: Dayton (32), Illinois State (33)

2007: Air Force (30), Missouri State (36)

2006: Missouri State (21), Hofstra (30)

2005: Miami-Ohio (39), Wichita State (45)

[Assembly Hall]

I feel terrible for Dayton. That was horrendous. I cant speak about UCLA, Okie St., or Texas. As a Hoosier fan, I am glad IU got in and to be honest I didn't see it coming. But their resume is pretty good, all things being considered. I think they only suffered one "bad loss". They did beat Butler on a neutral floor and spanked Maryland at home. Their losses included Louisville and Georgetown OOC. But you guys got hosed, pure and simple.

[jimbo]

There are many ways to look at the fact that UD got royally hosed by getting placed in the play-in game, but this one says it all.

The Bracket Matrix had UD in on all 136 brackets, with an average seed of 8.79. Had UConn won their conference tournament, the NCAA committee would have been the only one with UD out completely.

[jimbo]

In the same Bracket Matrix:

Average Seed:

Indiana - 11.06, in on 107 of the 136 brackets
Texas - 10.39, in on 129 brackets
UCLA - 10.93, in on 14 brackets
Purdue - 10.33, in on 131 brackets
LSU - 10.48, in on 134 brackets
Georgia, 9.96, in on 128 brackets

Dayton - 8.79, in on all 136 brackets

http://www.bracketmatrix.com/

[Assembly Hall]

There are many ways to look at the fact that UD got royally hosed by getting placed in the play-in game, but this one says it all.

The Bracket Matrix had UD in on all 136 brackets, with an average seed of 8.79. Had UConn won their conference tournament, the NCAA committee would have been the only one with UD out completely.

To be honest with you Bro.......best case scenario for me was IU getting a play-in game. UCLA shocked me even more, Texas did as well. And Okie St. just baffles my mind.

[jimbo]

Two worst teams in the ncaa tournament? Yeah, right. Neither of these teams deserved to be put in that position, but what a game.

[Assembly Hall]

Two worst teams in the ncaa tournament? Yeah, right. Neither of these teams deserved to be put in that position, but what a game.

It was one helluva a game. Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedTeamGo!]

Two worst teams in the ncaa tournament? Yeah, right. Neither of these teams deserved to be put in that position, but what a game.

Dayton should have been a 9 seed and Boise a 10. What a joke of a situation set up by the NCAA, an absolute joke. After the game all of the Flyers players were basically apologizing to Boise for having to play at Dayton.

With that aside - What a big shot at the end by Sibert, and Schoochie always seems to get himself into the middle of big momentum shifting plays. I really like that.

[Assembly Hall]

Dayton should have been a 9 seed and Boise a 10. What a joke of a situation set up by the NCAA, an absolute joke.

It has been that way for a long time. You just never know what is going on in the committee's heads. Every year we scratch our heads and say WTF? If it aint seeding it is why some teams got in and others didn't. Oh well, Dayton is in and they will get their shot.

[Hoosier Red]

A complete money grab. Dayton being the 68th team and playing in the "first four" is just shameful.

Honestly, after looking at this bracket the whole thing is a joke this season.

How in the world do Indiana, OK St, and UCLA deserve to be a part of this?

Just curious, wrt to people claiming it was a money grab, I had been under the impression that the First 4 games got pretty good attendance every year without bringing in a UD team. Is that incorrect.

As always I think it's far more accurate to ascribe it to incompetence rather than conspiracy.

[dabvu2498]

Just curious, wrt to people claiming it was a money grab, I had been under the impression that the First 4 games got pretty good attendance every year without bringing in a UD team. Is that incorrect.

As always I think it's far more accurate to ascribe it to incompetence rather than conspiracy.

You are correct.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2015/03/16/dayton-ohio-ncaa-tournament-first-four-host/24868991/

[jimbo]

Oh well, Dayton is in and they will get their shot.

I'm not over it, but I'm done fretting about it. I was as nervous about last night's game as I have been a Flyers game in a long, long time. I've never considered the first four as a real NCAA appearance, even thought technically it is. They call is a play-in for a reason. You have to win to earn a bid into the first round of 64 so you can play on Thursday and Friday with everyone else. When you fill out brackets, most of the them don't even give you the option of picking winners in the first four. It's a great thing on it's own, but to me it's never felt like it was a real part of the tournament.

For Flyer fans, a loss last night would have been devastating. Now, it feels like we are really in. I will be much more relaxed watching tomorrow night's game. I think this team is once again capable of making some noise. I hope they show Barnes and Co. that they pass the "eye test."

On a side note, I think the Flyers match up better with Providence than they did with Boise St.

[Assembly Hall]

I'm not over it, but I'm done fretting about it. I was as nervous about last night's game as I have been a Flyers game in a long, long time. I've never considered the first four as a real NCAA appearance, even thought technically it is. They call is a play-in for a reason. You have to win to earn a bid into the first round of 64 so you can play on Thursday and Friday with everyone else. When you fill out brackets, most of the them don't even give you the option of picking winners in the first four. It's a great thing on it's own, but to me it's never felt like it was a real part of the tournament.

For Flyer fans, a loss last night would have been devastating. Now, it feels like we are really in. I will be much more relaxed watching tomorrow night's game. I think this team is once again capable of making some noise. I hope they show Barnes and Co. that they pass the "eye test."

On a side note, I think the Flyers match up better with Providence than they did with Boise St.

There have been a lot of things that have "pissed" me off through the years concerning how the NCAA did my favorite team through the years. Your boys are in, at the end of the day that is all that matters.

[Redsfan08]

Depending on what is open I think Archie returns next year.

[Brutus]

You are correct.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2015/03/16/dayton-ohio-ncaa-tournament-first-four-host/24868991/

Although it's true the attendance was solid, it really doesn't matter a whole lot since the NCAA simply has Dayton paying a set amount ahead of time, like all sites. The ability or inability to draw a crowd is coming out of the site host's pocket.

[BillDoran]

Up 28-25 at the half against Providence. Was worried Dunn and all the size would run the Flyers off the court, but they look every bit Providence's equal. The game's obviously still in the balance, but wouldn't be surprised at all to see UD pull this out.

[RedTeamGo!]

Either way I am proud of the Flyers this year. To have this kind of season with 7 scholarship players (one of which started as a walk on) is incredible.

Heck of a team!

Let's go!

[RedTeamGo!]

Man, Sibert is ice cold.

I think he's exhausted.

[RedTeamGo!]

Wow. What a team. I don't consider that an upset. Dayton was just better than providence and has a better coach with Archie.

[BillDoran]

:thumbup:

[jimbo]

I think they passed the "eye test" last night.

[jimbo]

On a side note, it's amazing how so many of these power 5 conference teams become merely average once they are forced to leave the cozy confines of their "power" conference and home court. Not so much a direct shot at Providence, but just overall as we see it every March.

[Roy Tucker]

UD runs a nice motion offense. The basketball purist in me loves to watch a team like that.

[jimbo]

UD runs a nice motion offense. The basketball purist in me loves to watch a team like that.

Their offense was much more fluent earlier in the season. They pretty much do not practice anymore so it's not quite as efficient, but still effective when they are shooting at a good clip. IMO, they are winning games now because of their stifling defense and ability to draw fouls. Kyle Davis was the star of the game last night for the Flyers for his defense play on Dunn.

A lot of people this morning are talking about how bad Providence played, but UD should get credit for that. They forced them into a lot of contested low percentage shots and at times simply out hustled them. One play in particular comes to mind towards the end of the game when a Providence player stood still watching the ball go out of bounds while a UD player ran by him and grabbed it.

If they can put together two halves of good shooting, I really think they can play with anybody in this tournament, minus Kentucky.

[BillDoran]

Season ends with a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Not sure they were demonstrably better, but they did earn the victory. Dayton went exceptionally cold down the stretch and coughed up a fairly comfortable second half lead. OU's size was definitely a factor as was Big 12 POY Buddy Hield.

Certainly a disappointing end to the season, but hard not to be excited about the future of the program (caveat: assuming Archie stays).

[BillDoran]

Archie signs an extension through 2021-2022 - CBS Sports (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25123744/dayton-announces-arche-miller-has-signed-a-new-deal-through-2022)

No word yet on buyout, really the only thing that matters in a contract like this.

[RedTeamGo!]

Next step: move to the Big East

[jimbo]

Archie signs an extension through 2021-2022 - CBS Sports (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25123744/dayton-announces-arche-miller-has-signed-a-new-deal-through-2022)

No word yet on buyout, really the only thing that matters in a contract like this.

I guess this is good news, but does it really mean anything? I just don't get excited when I hear news like this anymore. In the end, contracts and extensions mean little. If a coach wants out, he'll get out.

[Assembly Hall]

I guess this is good news, but does it really mean anything? I just don't get excited when I hear news like this anymore. In the end, contracts and extensions mean little. If a coach wants out, he'll get out.


Just like Alford at New Mexico.

[Hoosier Red]

Next step: move to the Big East

Really don't understand why The Big East just didn't bring in Dayton and SLU in the last round of expansion.
I fear the conference will really be hating choosing the short term high(Creighton) over a more proven program like Dayton.

[Assembly Hall]

Really don't understand why The Big East just didn't bring in Dayton and SLU in the last round of expansion.
I fear the conference will really be hating choosing the short term high(Creighton) over a more proven program like Dayton.

I never understood that either HR. If Butler gets in it, then why not Dayton?

[BillDoran]

I never understood that either HR. If Butler gets in it, then why not Dayton?

Speculation has it they wanted one of Dayton or Xavier, as they're too similar of television markets. Xavier being the better program over the past 20 years was the easy choice there. Further rumor has it XU actually campaigned against UD's entry, but that could just be sour grapes from a bitter Flyer fan.

I do think the new Big East is more or less set. There remains a lot of hope in the Flyer fanbase that an invitation will come in the next few years, but why split the cash two more ways when the new programs would only add marginal new revenue?

[Assembly Hall]

Speculation has it they wanted one of Dayton or Xavier, as they're too similar of television markets. Xavier being the better program over the past 20 years was the easy choice there. Further rumor has it XU actually campaigned against UD's entry, but that could just be sour grapes from a bitter Flyer fan.

I do think the new Big East is more or less set. There remains a lot of hope in the Flyer fanbase that an invitation will come in the next few years, but why split the cash two more ways when the new programs would only add marginal new revenue?

My comment was more directed at the Catholic ideology. But I see what you are saying.

[Boston Red]

My comment was more directed at the Catholic ideology. But I see what you are saying.

The Big East wanted at least one non-Catholic school. They don't want to be seen as a "Catholic" conference, so even if it had not been Butler they would have brought in another non-Catholic school like a Richmond.

[Assembly Hall]

The Big East wanted at least one non-Catholic school. They don't want to be seen as a "Catholic" conference, so even if it had not been Butler they would have brought in another non-Catholic school like a Richmond.

Interesting BR. As Bill alluded to, how much did TV revenue also figure into their choice?

[Boston Red]

Interesting BR. As Bill alluded to, how much did TV revenue also figure into their choice?

No idea. Given the deal with Fox, I assume Fox had quite a bit of input into the decisions for who to add, but I don't know much more about how that factored in.

[BillDoran]

Flyers landed an impact transfer in Josh Cunningham over the weekend. Originally from Morgan Park (the same high school as Kyle Davis) he's long and lean, but rebounds well (7.5/game as a freshman). Needs to improve his shot (43% from the field, 23% from 3 and 57% from the line), but looks like he could step right in after Pierre graduates and be an all conference-type contributor.

UD is supposedly still in the running for Rashid Gaston from Norfolk State. He only has one season of eligibility left (and would need to sit out a year), but looks like a guy that could be a player from day one (averaged 16 and 9 last season). They still have another scholarship open, but hard to say if its still available for Gaston after Cunningham's commitment.

Archie really has the program in phenomenal shape. He's got a really nice, varied four-piece freshman class coming to campus this week, a big transfer on the way and a roster that returns all but one (very important) player. Toss in another impact transfer and a massive freshman center now eligible and I truly believe it's a top-20 program in the country. Archie's built something very similar to what Sean did at Xavier, and as an aggrieved outsider to that run, it's exciting to see a Miller work his magic for the cause of good.

[Boston Red]

UD is supposedly still in the running for Rashid Gaston from Norfolk State. He only has one season of eligibility left (and would need to sit out a year), but looks like a guy that could be a player from day one (averaged 16 and 9 last season). They still have another scholarship open, but hard to say if its still available for Gaston after Cunningham's commitment.


Gaston picked Xavier! Okay, I have no idea if the guy can actually play, but I had to give you some grief.

[BillDoran]

Gaston picked Xavier! Okay, I have no idea if the guy can actually play, but I had to give you some grief.

The choice of Xavier demonstrates a fundamental lack of critical thinking skills, a guy we certainly don't want in Dayton. :mooner:

In all honesty, he's a load and I think you can mark him down for 10 and 7, at minimum. It'll be fun to see how his skills transfer from the MEAC to the NBE. The year off should help.