Coming out Clean
November 14, 2009 | Mr. Blackburn 
You're a goddamn dreamweaverI had a hard time defining today's game against Creighton. Was it a look ahead? Perhaps a trap game? Maybe it was simply a tough home opener? I think "a must have" is the most appropriate label. UD had to win this game going into Puerto Rico. The possibility of going 0-2 would have led us all down a road we don't want to take. Dreams dashed, plans of domination put on hold. Our warlords to the south would have won gold medals in taunting. Swampy Meadows would have started drinking again, which ironically makes him even more charming and engaging. Any way you slice it, the first half of today's game looked like the beginning of what could still be a frustrating season.
I'll admit it, I was trying to cancel my reservations at the San Juan Intercontinental at halftime. I couldn't refund my plane tickets, so I was stuck, no turning back. Luckily, the second half saw the Flyers put the ball in the hands of Chris Wright and Johnson, and UD was able to wear out Creighton for a ten point victory. Dayton was a different team in the second half, outscoring the Bluejays 49-34 over the last twenty minutes. I don't know what Brian Gregory said at halftime, but it probably had something to do with castration. Give BG credit, he saw his goal of coaching in a BCS conference slipping away and was able to rally the troops in order to keep his dreams alive. For all of you youngsters out there, that's called passion.
Matt, a longtime BR superstar, said it before I could.
Thankfully, no one in the media actually watched the game and will think the 10 point win means that UD cruised to victory.
I have to agree with that assessment. Dayton struggled to put away a Creighton team that was without some of its major pieces. Most of the media will just glance at the final scoreline and assume UD was up by 15-20 points before Gregory pulled the starters. That'll just be our littler secret.
Have to admit, ESPN kind of summed up UD's conflicting image in this excerpt:
The Flyers held impromptu dunk competition among themselves during their pregame shoot-around -- bouncing balls off the floor and backboard before slamming them into the hoop. On other side of the floor, Creighton was running through traditional pass-and-shoot drills.
It's such an odd diremption. On one hand, UD projects itself as this hard-nosed defensively oriented team. Yet, I have never seen a team go so far out of its way to market itself as a group of high flying Dr. Dunkensteins. That being said, I am not shocked that UD spends its shoot-around on dunks and alley-oops instead of foul shots and midrange jumpers.
Now then, let's fire off some bullets.
- First basket of the season? A Searcy dunk off a Huelsman feed, as if you would expect anything else.
- Creighton came out in a zone, the same game plan they used to beat the Flyers by 18 last year. Not a surprise, it's likely something we will see off and on for the rest of the year.
- I was a bit shocked to see the Jays break out the press with such a depleted roster. Although Dana Altman does drive a Kia Sportage and has over 300 career wins, so I assume that he knows what he is doing. Needless to say, so I'll say it, Altman is a great coach. He came into a tough environment with an undermanned team and stuck to his guns.
- London Warren’s inability to hit from the outside allows the opponents zone to sag like a wet sponge and cheat on the edges. Mickey Perry keeps 'em in check but doesn't run the offense as well. That's a catch-22, friends.
- Cavel Witter is a handsome man, there I said it. Put some skinny jeans and a neon t-shirt on him and he could be an R&B star.
He's doing itFor those of you who don’t think Brian Gregory will jump for money—the Logan’s Refrigeration, Ross Motor Cars, and Uhl Agency commercials kinda put that fire out, huh? Gregory would sell a home abortion kit if it padded his pockets. Not judging, I once tried to sell a cure for homosexuality over the Internet. It was a picture of Nick Nolte attached to a Fleshlight. - Josh Benson was absolutely exposed defensively today, just looked like a 6’10” child out there against Wayne Runnels and Kenny Lawson. He needs to take a few courses at the Ryan Perryman Institute of Intimidation.
- London Warren staying healthy and out of foul trouble is going to be the key to our success this season. The ability to push the ball down court before our opponent can set up defensively is the only thing offsetting our weakness on the perimeter.
- I think it’s safe to say that we can write off Matt Kavanaugh this year, right?
- Speaking of useless white men...Kurt Huelsman played, didn't he?
- Yes, Mickey Perry played like dogshit, shooting 1-7 from the field and turning the ball over three times. Let's just remember that Mickey is playing out of position until Lowery gets back. It's like being upset with Megan Fox for being too hot, or complaining that I'm too informed and insightful. It's just the way it is.
- Line of the day is from Mr. Dukes: “Dayton is going to need more than a five point lead to win this game.” Well put. This guy would fit in perfectly on our podcasts.
- Can’t ask more from the Big Three today. Kountry Chris and Johnson & Johnson combined for 56 points. Wright led the way with 25, CJ put up 18 and 15. I'm hopeful we won't need that type of production night in, night out. Still, couldn't hoped for anything less coming out of the gate.
- This was the most complete game I can remember Wright playing in a while. He just took over the game in the second half and put the team on his shoulders. CJ also hit a couple of key threes during the second frame, none bigger than the one he hit with about two minutes to go, putting UD up 82-75.
- What number should we be more shocked at, the fact that Dayton scored 90 or that the Flyers gave up 80?
Let’s not get too carried away with the negatives. If last season taught us anything, it's that the year is long, unforgiving and essentially a game of survival. It's simple: win the ones you should, protect the home court, get a few lucky breaks, and you are dancing come March. Creighton is a very good program and today's W will likely be looked upon very favorably by the men who speak in whispers. Bigger fish await.
LINKS: Dougie gettin' fresh, Release from the State, The AP
| S | MIN | PTS | FGM | FGA | FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | OR | DR | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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K. Korver | * | 28 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
P. Stinnett | * | 28 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 100 | 3 | 7 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
|
C. Witter | * | 26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 36 | 3 | 4 | 75 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
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D. Ashford | * | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 62 | 2 | 3 | 66 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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K. Lawson Jr. | * | 18 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 100 | 2 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
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W. Runnels | 21 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 85 | 4 | 6 | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
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A. Young | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
J. Jones | 16 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
|
E. Wragge | 13 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 75 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
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A. Bock | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| S | MIN | PTS | FGM | FGA | FG% | FTM | FTA | FT% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | OR | DR | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | ||
 |
C. Wright | * | 30 | 25 | 9 | 12 | 75 | 5 | 7 | 71 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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M. Johnson | * | 29 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 46 | 1 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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D. Searcy | * | 23 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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L. Warren | * | 21 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
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K. Huelsman | * | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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C. Johnson | 27 | 18 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 3 | 9 | 33 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
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M. Perry | 20 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
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P. Williams | 20 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
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L. Fabrizius | 15 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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J. Benson | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Reader Comments (29)
I was freaking shocked by the way Chris Wright played today, he actually played basketball, not just running and jumping. He avoided charges, used pump fakes in the lane to get his defenders off his feet and went coast to coast three times ... his handles are greatly improved and played very good defense without fouling. Not to mention his shot looked pretty good hit a couple three's and was 5-7 from the line.
I think this summer paid dividends for Wright ... all he needed to learn was pump fakes, dribbling and being able to shoot somewhat from outside. No foul trouble because there were no charges and look what happens. Looks like this could be his last year.
Other than that, CJ was great ... shot too many three's for my taste but it seemed like out whole team did because of that zone. I really believe our three point shooting will be better this year, I think that first half was just a "shake the rust off, new season begins now" half.
Luke shot the ball, we knew in a zone he would get open looks, nearly 50 percent, I will take it. I nearly shit my pants when he boxed out and got a guy to get an over the back call and then boxed out again and got a rebound. He had a decent game.
Paul looked real good, he will be solid. If he gets 18-20 min a night I could see him scoring 7-10 a game.
Searcy did well, Benson looked raw, London had a very solid game and MJ was great on the defensive end.
Nothing to say about Kurt.
90 fucking points, without Lowery, that is really encouraging. Hopefully they bring that offense to Puerto Rico and get the win on Thursday, then the rest of the tournament is just rolling the dice.
Get drunk.
@John, agree with everything you said except about Luke. My calculations say he shot 38% from three (same as last year) and 30% from the floor. Realize what you're saying, but I still think Luke needs to take better shots. Some of those were rushed and way too early in the possession.
Wright played very well, if that outside shot is dropping, he is going to be dangerous. MJ was kinda quiet, but if we can get 20 points a game between him and Paul Willie all will be well.
UD lucked out with Kurt getting four fouls so quickly. he only played 11 minutes, right where he should be .
The offense is there, but that defensive effort won't beat Tech.
@Blackburn ... I agree at least two of those shots were rushed, and the percent is right but I mean he was 3-8 from three, he makes one more he is at 50 percent, that is what was going through my head, sorry.
Good assessment overall by you. Tighten up that D a little and we could have some fun in Puerto Rico.
Also, quick question ... is it possible Kavanuagh gets redshirted? He didn't play a minute, so he is still eleigible, it could be by design or just because of circumstance. Thoughts?
@John: I got ya, that's what I mean by "I know what you are saying." If Fab can use the type of discretion that Paul Willie has he will be a +40% from three.
no way they redshirt Kav. A redshirt still counts as a scholarship and that means they'll be bringing in 6 freshman next season. (Which isn't to say they couldn't redshirt Ralph HIll or Devin Oliver or one of the shooting guards--Gregory has a lot of options at his disposal.)
I gotta hand it to Donoher, he told me all summer that Kav wouldn't contribute to this team this year, and he looks like he was right. But, I guarantee he will get some PT against some of the shitty non-conference teams.
To add to what you guys are saying, Luke shot 10 times in 15 minutes of play. Your All-A10 performer, Wooden and Naismith Award candidate, and projected to leave early and be an NBA draft pick guy shot 12 times in twice as many minutes (30). See something wrong with that? With Kurt and Devin both in foul trouble and Benson looking totally lost out there, Luke Fab was forced into a little more action than I think the coaches had expected/planned. I know he's in there to shoot 3's especially if he's open, but taking a shot for every 90 seconds he's on the floor is waaaaay too much.
@Secaur: that's to be expected. I stopped documenting it at one point, so I can't be completely sure, but Luke Fab led the team in shots per minute for most of last season. Rob Lowery was a distant second if my memory serves me.
I think he figures the only thing he is out there to do is shoot the ball, so if he gets a look, by god he's taking it.
@john...SHOULD kavanaugh redshirt? yes. will he? no.
read what i've been saying since about last February. he will not contribute anything this year.
@donoher: please tell me what red-shirting Kavanaugh would accomplish...
What fag put the Cubs "W" flag next to Creighton on the schedule?
FUCK YOU GUYS! GIVE ME CREDIT FOR MY INSIGHTFUL COMMENT IN THE PREVIOUS POST! I SAID IT DAMN IT, NOT SOME COCK MUNCHER NAMED ADAM!
@Matt: apologies.
@Chips: I put it up and now Donoher is going to make me take it down. He is so anti-Cubs it makes me fear for his loved ones.
Please, Please don't make this website gay. The Cubs "W" is the gayest thing i've ever seen. This website prides itself on being original, think of something better.
I am not anti-cubs ... but if you do that, your a fag. I am anti-yankees, but thats because I am New England through and through.
SUCK A DICK, SUCK A CUB, IT SUCKS!
Has Kurt graduated yet? I'm sorry, but however much BG loves his "intangibles," it ain't cuttin' it for me right now. How could he not take even one shot? Just when I was thinking Pop-a-Shot Luke was gonna be the lemon of the team (again) this year...
I'm drurnk as shits and i coudl go off on many thigns. But I love Disab and others.
I HELD up my endd of the bargain, I celebrated thee big wiin! Hartsick can suck a sdick and Derek Dukes can suck a fuck. Give me betterr annoncers.
Ok, I'm done. Fuck Blackburn, he likes dicks in his asses.
I think your a fag if you remove the Cubs flag.
I watched the first half of the WHIO feed online. Is it the dream of the Dayton locals to be on workman's comp and then file a lawsuit for mesothelioma and/or tardive dyskinesia? And if BG is selling water heaters, am I going to get one that keeps giving me cold showers but provides the intangibles?
@John: When I was drunk and in college I would go out and tried to get laid, but we didn't have the internets back then, so god bless
Luke shoots the ball way too much. I think lost in all of this is that Paul Willie plays a very solid brand of basketball. He scored 9, same as Luke, on half as many shots. PW only takes good shots, and I love it. I don't mind Luke shooting, but he can get some of those shots with 5 seconds left on the shot clock, yet he takes them with 25 seconds left. Creighton is a very solid team.
In Re: Kurt Huelsman. Before the season, I was excited about Josh Benson. I would be lying if I didn't say half it came from his use in my NCAA Basketball 2009 game where he averaged 15 points a game. However, when some JuCo transfer to a MVC treats him as his own rag doll, he might not be the answer right now. The kid's got potential and 4 more years to live up to my virtual expectations, but defensively he's not there. Searcy was a very pleasant surprise yesterday, but I want to first see that it lasts all season, and even then we're in Chris Johnson Dreamland if we think he's playing 40 a night. Kurt couldn't score in Thailand, but his shutdown defense of Nievens from St. Joe's last year shows me he still has a place on this team. Is it a starting place on the floor with London Warren where only three UD players are a threat to actually, you know, put the ball into the net. No, but 13 minutes or whatever he played last night seems about right.
@Daddy D: Paul Willie is going to be solid this year, I think he is going to be steady and consistent.
@Matt: Yeah, was shocked how horrible Benson looked on D yesterday. Don't think he will be matching up with Favors this week.
Prediction time: when does Matty Kav see the floor?
Kav gets on at the 5:32 mark of the Towson game.
5:32 2nd Half I should say.
Derrick Dukes. Doesn't get any worse than getting insights from a former point guard that once led UD to 4 win season.
No clue what that post was, I do not even remember posting it. Don't know what it means or why I decided to come to Blackburn Review at 3:30 am, haha.
@Rosceaux ... you are right about that, I just had one of those black out nights where I was so sloppy I probably looked like an idiot to those girls I was hitting on. There was a fat one charging hard, but I fought her off and I feel like a better man for it.
@Chips ... I do agree though, the Cubs "W" flag is unoriginal and dumb.
Re: Cubs flag
I think each win should be some depiction of MJ getting a BJ from a thick white girl. The bigger the win the thicker the white girl.
Perhaps a picture of the legendary walk on Brad from last year (er...what was his last name again?) for a win?
My friend who is a reporter for flyer news and has locker room access said that Marcus Johnson's dick hangs down to his knees
@Chips: this is the type of info we live for. Sounds like DJ Stelly finally has some competition for biggest dong. This team truly is special.
@Chips ... Back in my early UD days one of my best buddies was a manager for the team ... he said Sean Finn had about a 12 inch dick flacid and shockingly Nate Green's dick was tiny.
Once again, great info!
Suddenly the Cubs flag is the least gay part of The Review
Can someone please help me pop a couple of these zits on my shoulder blade?