GETTING INSIDE
Outstanding depth is one of the reasons the Flyers are favored to win the Atlantic 10 this season. However, with the beginning of conference play on the horizon, Dayton’s depth has taken a serious hit.
Dayton lost two starters, sophomore guard Chris Johnson and senior guard Marcus Johnson, in a 71-58 victory over Presbyterian on Dec. 19.
Chris Johnson suffered a concussion and Marcus Johnson sprained his left ankle.
That came after sophomore reserve forward Luke Fabrizius sustained a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery during a 58-50 victory over Old Dominion on Dec. 11.
Marucs Johnson is expected to return Dec. 29 when Dayton hosts Boston University. However, Chris Johnson and Fabrizius might not be back until Jan. 9, when the Flyers host Duquesne in their Atlantic 10 opener.
Chris Johnson is averaging 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, figures that rank second on the team. Marcus Johnson is averaging 8.8 points and 3.1 rebounds, and Fabrizius has a 7.2 scoring average.
The injuries have left junior forward Chris Wright as the only player among Dayton’s top four scorers available to play. He has a team-leading 14.4 scoring average.
Dayton hasn’t been worse for the wear so far, with a 9-2 record and a seven-game winning streak.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Injuries have also cut Dayton’s rotation from 11 men to eight, with senior guard Mickey Perry and sophomore guard Paul Williams moving into the starting lineup to replace Chris Johnson and Marcus Johnson.
January At A Glance: Dayton, picked to win the conference in the preseason, can wade into Atlantic 10 waters without facing too much danger early. The Flyers’ only extremely difficult road game in the conference is at Xavier on Jan. 16 and they have Duquesne and Rhode Island at home.
Quote To Note: “I felt like my legs were bricks running down the court.”—G Paul Williams after being forced to a play a season-high 33 minutes in a 65-49 victory over Appalachian State on Dec. 21, as three Dayton players missed the game because of injuries.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: The Flyers were picked as the Atlantic 10 favorites in the preseason and have lived up to that billing since losing back-to-back games to Villanova and Kansas State on Nov. 20 and 22. Dayton has won seven games in a row despite a string of injuries and getting a little less production than expected for its best player, junior forward Chris Wright.
Player Rotation: Usual starters—F Chris Wright, C Kurt Huelsman, G Paul Williams, G Mickey Perry, G London Warren. Key subs—F Josh Benson, G Rob Lowery, F Devin Searcy.
Game Review:
Dayton 58, Old Dominion 50
Dayton 71, Presbyterian 58
Dayton 65, Appalachian State 49
Game Preview:
vs. Boston University, Tuesday, Dec. 29
at New Mexico, Friday, Jan. 1
vs. Ball State, Tuesday, Jan. 5
vs. Duquesne, Saturday, Jan. 9
at Fordham, Wednesday, Jan. 13
In Foucs: Dayton hasn’t really been tested since suffering its two losses this season in back-to-back games against Villanova and Kansas State on Nov. 20 and 22. However, the game at New Mexico on New Year’s Day should be a challenge as the Lobos cracked the top 25 earlier this month are always tough to beat The Pit in Albuquerque.
Roster Report:
• G Chris Johnson suffered a concussion on Dec. 19 in the 71-58 victory over Presbyterian and is out indefinitely. He is averaging 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.
• F Marcus Johnson is expected to return to the lineup Dec. 29 when Dayton hosts Boston University after sitting out the 65-49 victory over Appalachian State on Dec. 21 with a sprained left ankle. Johnson is averaging 8.8 points and 3.1 rebounds.
• F Luke Fabrizius, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, could be back in time for Dayton’s Atlantic 10 opener against Duquesne on Jan. 9. He is averaging 7.2 points.
