Flyers look to finish strong at Garden
March 30, 2010
John Bedell - Assistant Sports Editor Photos by Ryan Kozelka
There are still some big challenges ahead for the UD's men's basketball team.
The University of Mississippi's nickname is the Runnin Rebels. And Ole Miss' men's basketball team lives up to that moniker. These boys love to get up and down the floor. Dayton Flyers head coach Brian Gregory knows this will be one of the many challenges the Rebels will give the Flyers in their matchup Tuesday night in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden.
Dayton saw Ole Miss play at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in November as both teams were in the tournament.
"I was so impressed with them then," Gregory said. "And now watching film the last few days even more so. It's going to be a great game."
Gregory said there are only a few teams the Flyers have faced this year that compare to Ole Miss' propensity for pushing the ball - a familiar conference foe and two opponents from Puerto Rico.
"Xavier is probably the closest to [Mississippi] in terms of their transition," Gregory said. "The only other teams that are similar are Kansas State and Villanova with their guard play and their ability to push the ball."
Gregory and his staff know that if they do not contain Ole Miss' guard play Tuesday, they will be in for a long night. Junior guard Chris Warren is similar to London Warren not only because of the last name they share (no relation) but because of the speed at which he plays.
"This is the first time that [Rob Lowery and London] have faced a guy that's as quick as they are," Gregory said. "And the one thing that [Chris Warren] can do is he can score."
It's Warren's ability to score the basketball that differentiates him from London and Rob. He's a second team all-SEC selection this season and averaged just over 17 ppg this season. Warren has upped his scoring of late averaging 20.5 points in the Rebels' last six contests.
"He can really score," Gregory said. "And they do a lot of things to create space for him to drive." Containing Warren along with sophomore guard Terrico White, who is averaging 21.7 ppg in the NIT, will be crucial for the Flyers. Dayton will have to defend the ball screen and the dribble drive well as they are two things the Rebels will be sure to use early and often to create space for their pure scoring backcourt.
Another thing Dayton will have to deal with is Old Miss' athleticism.
"They are the first team that we've played in this tournament that is as athletic as we are," Gregory said. "They're quick, athletic and strong, and they are tremendous on the glass. I hate to say it, but they have a lot of 'Dayton players' on that roster. They're 6'6", 6'7", 225 [pounds] and strong, tough and kind of junkyard dogs on the glass."
The Flyers will be making their second trip to Madison Square Garden this season; Dayton played Fordham at MSG in January. Lowery said that staying composed playing in an arena that's dubbed by many as "the Mecca of basketball" and "the most famous arena in the world" is key.
"It's the best feeling playing there," Lowery said. "Knowing all the greats that have played there. You just get really excited but you got to know how to control your emotions. It's an exciting opportunity."
Gregory said that having played at MSG before this season will reduce some of the wide-eyed effect that The Garden can have on a young basketball player.
"I think playing there [against Fordham] will help us, I really do," Gregory said. "You have to get used to it - it's a unique place. But I think being there the time before this year will help us."
The winner of Tuesday night's game between Dayton and Ole Miss will play the winner of Rhode Island and North Carolina Thursday night at 7 p.m. for the NIT Championship.
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