»NEW TRADITION: Grant brings new ritual to UD basketball
When Dayton coach Anthony Grant talks about teaching situations for a young team, that was one of them. None of the defenders involved in that play are newcomers, but they are learning a new system and new roles.
“We’ve just got to be in a position to help so he wouldn’t get the basket so easy,” Cunningham said. “Hopefully in that situation, he has to drive and kick and then we can close on the shooter if they were able to shoot the ball. It’s a learning lesson.”
By Tuesday, the Flyers had already seen that play a few times on film, and they knew they were fortunate to win the game 78-77 on a last-second shot by Cunningham. The most exciting game in college basketball on the first night of the season — according to a new stat on KenPom.com — gave Grant numerous things to point out to his team.
“We had some special situations at the end of the game,” Grant said. “Really in the last two or three minutes of the game, there was a lot in there for us to learn from and grow from.”
»A-10 HONOR: Cunningham wins weekly award
Dayton will now get a crash course in all those lessons and more. It plays three games in four days at the Charleston Classic in South Carolina, starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Hofstra at TD Bank Arena.
Hofstra features one of the nation’s best rebounders, 6-foot-9 forward Rokas Gustys. He ranks 10th in Colonial Athletic Association history with 958. Hofstra’s top scorer, junior guard Justin Wright-Foreman, has led the team in scoring in 14 straight games. He averaged 18.1 points per game last season.
The Pride improved to 2-0 with a 75-57 victory at home Monday over Kennesaw State.
"The goal going into Charleston was to be 2-0, and we are," Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich told Newsday.com after the game. "We feel real good about that. There's probably a little of that second-game hangover. I don't think we were real sharp. I don't think we played our best basketball. … But it's a positive problem when you feel like you didn't play well and you took care of business."
»PREVIEW: A look at Charleston Classic field
Dayton left for South Carolina on Tuesday, bringing the UD pep band along for the ride to provide extra support. The Flyers expect a big turnout from the Flyer Faithful as usual. It will help a group that includes five players who have never traveled with the team.
“We’ll get a chance to see a lot of different styles of play in a different environment just in terms of not being at home,” Grant said. “We’re going on the road for the first time as a young team.”
THURSDAY’S GAME
Dayton vs. Hofstra in Charleston Classic, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU, FM 95.7, AM 1290
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