Hit the Lights

Well, it had to end at some point. This tournament experience was like going to a black fraternity party by yourself (something I insist everyone do once). Eventually its 2 a.m., the crowd disperses, and you're standing by yourself in the corner watching 30 black guys doing bench-presses. One guy turns to another, motions towards you and says something like, "Hey, who the fuck let Casper in?" That's your signal that it's time to go home and count your blessings. So, that's what we are going to do.

Regardless of what you think about Sunday's performance, keep in mind that there were around 300 programs that would have loved to have traded places with "us"--before, during and even after our beat down in Minneapolis. I am hopeful that this season is the one we all look back on as the point where this program finally turned the corner. Although I thought the same thing in 2004, the pulse of the program feels stronger this time around. Obviously with the bulk of this year's team coming back, sans Chaz Little, next year figures to carry with it expectations of another NCAA tournament appearance.

I woke up Monday morning and already had an email with a copy of Jason Whitlock's article from the Kansas City Star in my inbox. The piece discusses Kansas' dismantling of our Flyers. Here is the passage that has ruffled more than a few feathers in the Ham n' Egg Army:

"Honestly, I played on and coached better-shooting intramural teams in college than the 2008-09 Dayton Flyers. Dayton, the runner-up in the Atlantic 10, might be on par with Colorado, the last-place team in the Big 12. Yes, in November Dayton beat Auburn and Marquette on back-to-back nights. November is college basketball’s exhibition season. The results shouldn't count.

I’ve never seen anything as pathetic as Dayton’s offense. On Saturday, I spent much of the afternoon wondering how Chris Wright, a big-time recruit, landed at Dayton. Sunday he provided an answer. He can’t finish at the rim, in the paint or on the perimeter. He’s Kansas State’s Dominique Sutton without the defensive intensity.

Wright is so raw that a vegan would put him in the microwave."

First things first, Whitlock coached an intramural team? Secondly, UD fans cannot take this as a personal slam against the Flyers. Although Whitlock is certainly belittling Dayton's offense, the article was intended to merely derail the hopes of KU fans who think the Jayhawks suddenly have a shot at making it to Detroit in a couple of weeks. The premise of Whitlock's article is that the Jayhawks are a two-man team who beat North Dakota State and Dayton to get to the Sweet 16--not exactly stiff competition from Whitlock's point of view. I'm not even sure how Flyer fans are justified in being offended by Whitlock's comments. UD did shoot a staggering 22% from the floor, correct? They struggled to score 40 points in the game, right? Someone explain where the outrage is coming from. Would anyone who watched Sunday's game consider Dayton to be a decent offensive team?

As far as the criticism of Wright goes, it's really nothing we didn't already know. Although Whitlock's words may come off as malicious, he is merely stating his opinion after seeing Kountry Chris' limitations first hand. Dayton fans know that Wright isn't capable of doing much outside of two feet from the rim. Kansas certainly knew this as well, as they practically dared Wright to shoot jumpers. Instead, KC continually drove into the lane, only to have Aldrich swat everything he threw up with the ease only a seven-foot mongloid could muster. Which makes Wright's recent comments regarding his future completely mind-boggling:

"I'm not worried about anything but our team getting better and getting my education in school," Wright said. "As far as the NBA — whether it's next year or my senior year, you never know — when the opportunity comes calling, we'll cross that road."

But wait, it gets better...

"Wright and his family haven't ruled out exploring the NBA this spring, though. Underclassmen can participate in pre-draft events and can retain their eligibility as long as they don't hire an agent. Wright said he'll rely on UD coach Brian Gregory for direction in that matter."

I would pay good money to hear Gregory's reaction. "Chris, say that you are fucking with me and I'll pretend this conversation never took place."

Back to the Kansas game:

• The AP was able to elicit Mickey Perry's thoughts about Cole Aldrich after the game: "He's just so big down there," Perry said. Well put, Mr. Perry. I am sure Aldrich, though confused, appreciates the endorsement. When asked to comment on Perry's statement, Sherron Collins was quoted as saying, "Who?"

• You have to look at this game from two perspectives. From an offensive point of view, Dayton was atrocious. That's a given. Defensively, the Flyers did everything they could to put them in a position to win. Collins and Aldrich were going to get theirs, and they did. Collins finished with 25 and Alrich scored 13. The rest of the Jayhawks were so terrible offensively (27% shooting) that you had to wonder whether or not Gregory recruited them as well. If you told me that Kansas would have been held to 60 points I wouldn't have believed you. If Dayton's offense was just mediocre, they probably win that game.
  

• Think about this for a second: Dayton was probably a length-of-the-court Rob Lowery lay-up against Fordham from being in the NIT. Instead, they were in the second round of the tournament, playing against one of college basketball's institutions. That's how capricious this season was.

• Lastly, Dan Foxxx and Luke Hendrick--but no Brad Mac? Gregory, you heartless bastard. McEldowney finished the season with 5 minutes and a personal foul. I don't want to alarm anyone, but I think we just enjoyed Brad's first and only season with the Flyers. Long may you run, Bradley Mac.

An Open Letter to the Dayton Flyers

Dear U of D Flyers:

You did it. You so and so's fucking did it. I didn't actually get to see it because I was cleaning up a bunch of "code twos" at the human petting zoo I work at. Yes, "technically" I could have watched the game against West Virginia, the game where you rose above 20 years of misery and broke through to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In fact, I was actually watching television during the game. However, "The Sandlot" is only on so many times during the year, and while I am a fan of the Dayton Flyers, my heart really belongs to a ragtag bunch of little leaguers, a blind James Earl Jones and a pair of PF Flyers.

I have to warn you, I'm a greedy bastard. The win against West Virginia was unexpected, exciting and euphoric--like my last visit to the local VA hospital for a condition I have come to affectionately call "melancholy herpes and the infinite scratching." I want more. More bounce passes. More shots that are just like shots that count for two points, but are in fact awarded an additional point because they originated from a distance just a bit farther that the aforementioned "two point shot" (from what I can decipher, anywhere from 1.6 to 34 feet). I want to see London Warren's dreds in full Lil' Wayne crunkvision. I want London Warren to drive the team to the game in a diamond encrusted utility van only to be arrested for crunk driving five miles from the arena. I want London Warren and Brian Gregory to attend a camp where the instructors solely teach them two skills: how to make bird feeders out of coconuts, and how to beat Kansas. I want them to both room together. I want London Warren on top of their crunk bed.

I admit it--I don't just want this, I need this. I have never seen a sight so gorgeous (other than Brett Michaels' hair) than the victory against West Virginia. I need you guys to beat Kansas. I wish I could give you some pointers, but the truth of the matter is--I don't really know much about them. I think they are just like West Virginia, only a little less rednecky. I also think if you score more points than them at the end of the game, we have a decent shot at winning this thing. Let's keep that on the DL though, I wouldn't want let the media know about that last part before the game.

You have to admit it--it felt good to win the West Virginia game. Why not do it again? You know what happens if you lose? You go back to class. You have to remember, we still think of you are "student-athletes." In other words, lose to the Jayhawks, and on Monday you will be sitting in Statistics wondering what the hell happened and why you're not wearing any pants. Even worse, the depression that comes from a loss could be too much for me to handle. At this point, the excitement has reached such a crescendo that anything less that a victory could forever damage my psyche. Remember that game in Cincinnati a few weeks ago? I know we told each other that we would never bring it up--like that time we accidentally fell asleep on the couch together watching "Because I Said So" and woke up in each other's arms. You remember it; we ate a whole box of Oreos and accidentally killed that hitchhiker we picked up on the way back from Blockbuster. Anyway, spiritually that loss will seem like a picnic if you lose on Sunday.

There are not many times in life where you can have the opportunity to achieve greatness. Alexander was great. The depression was great. Jonathan Brandis' performance in "Ladybugs" was great (sure, when Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank dress up like dudes, they get Oscars; when Brandis asks us to reconsider our most basic of assumptions regarding gender roles his performance was less critically acclaimed than the clearly inferior performance of Jackee'). If you win on Sunday, you take one more step towards greatness. You're in the same no lose situation Ray Combs was in when he was given the Family Feud gig, the same no lose situation as Sammy Hagar when he joined Van Halen--so no pressure.

I should stop. I have said too much already. The truth is--there is no pressure on you guys and I don't want to add any. It has been a pleasure following you this year. Sure, there have been some ups and downs, but that's the way this floating blue marble works. I have praised some of you, cursed others, but through it all I think we all knew that we would be there for each other. I am proud of you guys. You never stopped fighting, even though I was the one who got drunk, threw a drink in that guy's face, and grabbed his girlfriend's ass while quickly getting the hell out of there. One piece of advice--we don't want Scotty Howard out there on Sunday, we want the goddamned Teen Wolf. I don't want to jinx you guys, but I have a good feeling about this game. A really good feeling. In fact, I felt so good, that come to think of it, I do have one last favor to ask. Just a small, little nothing. Please, please, cover the spread.

Yours in Christ,

James Oglethorpe

Open Letter to Luke Fab

A Quick Look Back....and Forward

Final Standings / Blackburn Review Prediction
1. Xavier / Xavier
2. Rhode Island / Dayton
3. Dayton / Temple
4. Temple / UMass
5. St. Joseph's / Duquesne
6. Richmond / St. Joseph's
7. Duquesne / Charlotte
8. La Salle / Rhode Island
9. St. Louis / Richmond
10. UMass / St. Louis
11. St. Bonaventure / La Salle
12. Charlotte / St. Bonaventure
13. George Washington / George Washington
14. Fordham / Fordham

All-Conference Team Prediction
Ahmad Nivins, St. Joseph's (Player of Year)
Dionte Christmas, Temple
Aaron Jackson, Duquesne
Ricky Harris, Massachusetts
BJ Raymond, Xavier

Okay, so my prognostications weren't all that accurate. I greatly undervalued Rhode Island and put way too much faith in Sir Tony Gaffey's UMass squad and the smoothly shaved Bobby Lutz. Still, I am going to give myself a little credit, as most of the picks were at most a place or two off. It's easy to pick the top of the league, just simply start with Xavier and work your way down through the usual suspects (UD, St. Joe's, Rhody, Temple). It's also rather simple to pick the bottom of the barrel--Fordham, GW, Bonnies. It's that difficult nougaty middle that's hard to dig through. So much mediocrity it's like going through pictures of my old girlfriends. Wait, not my girlfriends. Yours.

I've read through the A-10 tie-breaker rule more times than I would like to admit before I just gave up. I would have a better chance of performing open heart surgery on myself than explaining the conference tie-breaker. Turns out "we" finished up in third, opening up Thursday night against the winner of St. Bonaventure/Richmond. Below I have listed what the A-10 bracket will look like come Saturday night, you're welcome. No need to watch it or follow it, as I have done all the work for you ahead of time.
You think I would have learned, but I am a stubborn little man. I think, more than likely foolishly, that UMass still has enough left in the tank to make a run in the A-10 tournament. Richmond gets by the Bonnies and faces Dayton on Thursday. The Flyers beat the Spiders in that matchup. Now, here's the thing. Dayton is usually pretty horrible in Atlantic City and away from home in general. UMass already handled UD pretty easily this season, and yes I realize that was a road game for the Flyers. My reasoning is simple: the Flyers have done just enough to survive this season. They've won the games they have absolutely had to, and the conference tournament will likely be no different. So in keeping with that trend, UD wins one game and is back in the Gem City early Saturday morning. No big deal, since I don't believe winning the conference tournament would catapult the Flyers out of the 7-10 range anyway.

Although I think that UD is probably in the NCAA Tournament even without a win in Atlantic City, given the current circumstances, an insurance win is always nice to have. With the collapse of many of the "BCS" bubble teams, I would think a UD loss on Thursday would probably still result in a 10-11 seed for the Flyers. One win in the tournament likely a 8-9 seed. Honestly, I would probably prefer a #10 over a #8/#9, but beggars cannot be choosers. IF UD does lose on Thursday night, only runs by the Providences, Northwesterns, Penn States, etc. could keep them out of the NCAA Tournament.

This was basically a throw-away post, so feel free to rip me apart in the comments.