Dayton focusing on Charlotte, not Xavier
February 07, 2009
Posted on Feb. 7, 2009
Flyers not looking past 49ers on schedule
By Cory Griffin
cory.griffin@gmail.com
Dayton head coach Brian Gregory has seen his fair share of close games this season. Theres a reason why he doesnt sound too concerned thus far.
"Our guys do a good job at keeping their poise at the end of games," Gregory said.
His statement couldnt be more true. The Flyers have won all nine of their games decided by five points or fewer, a pride statement for this defensive minded basketball team.
According to Gregory, this is all due to hard work.
"Their commitment to competitiveness and getting better has been as good as any team Ive been around," Gregory said.
Gregory acknowledged that fans may be distracted from Sundays game with next weeks showdown with Xavier on the horizon, but the Flyers know they will have their hands full with Charlotte (7-14, 1-6)
"It wont be hard for our guys to keep focus," Gregory said. "Theyre the best 1-6 conference team in the country, theres no doubt about it. Theyve had injuries, and this league is not kind to teams that have injuries, I can be the first to attest to that fact."
The 49ers are a team that the Flyers have never beaten on the road, which also adds to the importance of staying focused for the upcoming game.
"I know how precious road wins are, so well worry about (Xavier) Sunday night," Gregory said.
With the Flyers off to a 21-2 start, Gregory is preaching concentration to his group of guys, saying that they cant let up and be satisfied with where theyre at. However, hes also allowing the guys to enjoy the fast start.
"They enjoy it, they understand and they work extremely hard," Gregory said. "At the same time I think our guys are extremely focused."
Huelsmans defensive presence
His third year on the Dayton basketball team, junior center Kurt Huelsman has been down this path before. The Flyers started off the year 14-1 last season, only to finish the season 23-9 and with a disappointing bid to the NIT after defeating national powers Louisville and Pittsburgh last season. Huelsman knows that this is not the time to let up.
"We started off 14-1 last year and we cant relax at all," Huelsman said. "It can go just like that. It can cost you. You cant relax and you cant let up at all."
Huelsmans leadership of this years team has been mostly evident on the defensive end this season, most recently highlighted in a win over St. Josephs Jan. 25. His defense against A-10 Player of the Year candidate Ahmad Nivens was impressive, and was surely a factor in the Flyers victory.
"We just have to do what we keep doing," Huelsman said. "Its a long season, and a lot of times with success people want to relax and take a breath. We have to keep our intensity, our focus and our discipline on defense in order to get things accomplished."
With that success also comes media attention. Recently, "bracketologist" Joe Lunardi, among others have placed the Flyers in the NCAA Tournament field should the tournament start tomorrow. The past two seasons, the Flyers have appeared on the "bracketology" midseason, only to have their hopes of the tournament flushed away. Huelsman says that this years team is not getting caught up in the hype.
"We just dont talk about it. We just stick to what we do everyday," Huelsman said. "We just try not to think about it. You cant let that stuff get in your head or distract you."
Theres still eight games left on the Flyers conference schedule. Its probably best to heed to Huelsmans advice.
First conference season for Wright
For the first time in sophomore forward Chris Wrights career, he is getting to enjoy the intensity of conference play.
"Its tough," Wright said. "The teams are better and they know you better, pretty much to a tee. Im enjoying the whole process, but its different. They know what youre trying to do. Practice is more intense, you have to pay attention more."
Wright injured his ankle in last years first A-10 game against Rhode Island, a team that the Flyers defeated, but without Wright in the lineup, they struggled the remainder of the season. Now healthy, Wright said that he feels fine going through the grueling wave of conference play.
"I feel pretty good," Wright said. "As far as feeling fatigued, Im pretty good."
Thats good news for Flyer fans. With Wright in the lineup the past two seasons, the Flyers have dropped just four games. However, Wright knows that even with him, the team will need to drop its sloppy play in order to prevail in its next eight games.
"That was one of our problems against LaSalle," Wright said. "We cant turn the ball over like that down the stretch."
Should the Flyers continue their winning ways, a spot will surely be open for them in the NCAA Tournament, but that is not something that Wright and his teammates are taking for granted.
"Were not satisfied at all, we still have games to play, we cant be satisfied at 21-2 because there are more games out there, we have to be getting better every day and win," Wright said.
With Wrights hunger and the rest of the Flyers stepping up down the stretch, the Flyers will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.
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