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August 7th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Dayton
Flyers
Overall Rank:
#97
Conference
Rank: #7 Atlantic 10
2005-06:
14-17, 6-10, 11th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Big things were
expected after Coach Brian Gregory brought an impressive
recruiting class to Dayton in 2004. With what remains of that
class now being upperclassmen, it is time they start winning
more consistently.
Who’s Out:
The
big loss is point guard Warren Williams, who averaged 5.5 points
and 4.4 assists as a senior. That leaves the Flyers without a
proven point guard on the squad. The backcourt also loses
little used Marques Bennett and Jeff Penno. Big men Chris
Alvarez and James Cripe have opted to transfer. Alvarez was the
more productive of the two, earning 13 starts and averaging 3.6
points and 4.3 rebounds as a sophomore last season.
Who’s In:
Andres
Sandoval is a lightning quick combo guard who will have a lot of
pressure on him from the get go. After stints at Richmond and
Santa Fe Community College, Sandoval will be asked to run the
point for Dayton. The 6-4 Milford, Massachusetts native is
relatively new to running the show, but has the talent to thrive
at that position. Incoming freshman London Warren will be his
backup. Warren can equal Sandoval in his quickness and will
bring some intensity off of the bench. Shooting guard Marcus
Johnson has tremendous athletic ability and can create for
himself quite well. Power forward Kurt Huelsman can fill in
some minutes at the four and five spots when necessary.
Who to Watch:
Brian
Roberts led the squad with 16.0 points per game last year and
tacked on 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds. He’s a long range
threat, draining 41% of his shots from beyond the arc. However,
Roberts won’t have to carry the team, especially since Monty
Scott will be on the other wing. Scott averaged 11.2 points and
4.3 rebounds last season and can do a little bit of everything.
Final
Projection:
The frontcourt
might not be the most talented group in the A-10, but there are
plenty of options with this versatile unit. Norman Plummer
averaged 10.0 points and a team high 6.5 rebounds last year.
While he isn’t a true center, the 6-7, 238 pound junior should
see most of his minutes at the five. Charles Little impressed
as a freshman and it will be hard to keep him out of the
starting lineup. Jimmie Binnie and Desmond Adedeji have
starting experience as well and will provide some minutes off of
the bench. The A-10 will be tough this year, but an NIT bid
isn’t out of the question. However, a 7th place
finish in the conference won’t quite be enough to warrant a
postseason berth.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Andres Sandoval,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Brian Roberts,
Junior, Guard, 16.0 points per game
Monty Scott,
Senior, Forward, 11.2 points per game
Charles Little,
Sophomore, Forward, 4.6 points per game
Norman Plummer,
Junior, Forward, 10.0 points per game
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