Fabrizius regains 3-point form after battling injuries

Sophomore sharpshooter has missed 11 games this season with knee and back problems.

Xavier’s Jason Love (31) drives against Dayton’s Chris Wright in Cincinnati on Jan. 16. The two teams meet for the third time this year today in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

Associated Press photo by Al Behrman Xavier’s Jason Love (31) drives against Dayton’s Chris Wright in Cincinnati on Jan. 16. The two teams meet for the third time this year today in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

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Staff photo by Jim Noelker University of Dayton’s Chris Wright (33) blocks a Xavier University shot Feb. 6 at UD Arena.

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 2:09 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — All University of Dayton basketball players go through stretching exercises before each game, but Luke Fabrizius has to work at staying limber even after the action begins.

The 3-point ace has had an exasperating year dealing with knee and back injuries, and has played in just 20 of 31 games. But after making only one trey in 12 attempts over the previous seven games, the 6-foot-9 sophomore swished his first attempt against George Washington on Tuesday, March 9, drawing a cheer from the crowd.

“It definitely felt good (to be playing),” Fabrizius said before UD’s practice at Stockton College of New Jersey on Thursday. “Getting more reps in practice definitely helps.”

Fabrizius — who has to sit on the court near the UD bench during games and stretch his back muscles — has been a mighty weapon when healthy. He started the season making 26-of-53 3-pointers.

UD on Crawford alert

Dayton’s defense will zero in on Jordan Crawford, the Atlantic 10’s leading scorer at nearly 20 points per game, but UD coach Brian Gregory is concerned with more than just the sophomore shooting guard.

Xavier leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring (79.9 points per game), field-goal percentage (47.0) and 3-point percentage (37.7).

“They’re so explosive in transition. You have to do a great job in your transition defense,” Gregory said. “And they have multiple weapons offensively. They can score from the point-guard position, they can score from the wings and they can score from the post.”

Crawford, though, has caused the most problems for UD, scoring 16 and 24 points in the two games. What sets him apart is his ability to create his own shot. The Flyers don’t really have a player with that skill, something that’s hurt them in crunch time during close games.

“He’s unique because he can make plays for himself and finish, and he’s unselfish enough where he can make plays for other guys,” Gregory said.

Soph’s minutes down

UD sophomore Chris Johnson’s playing time has dipped of late. He’s played an average of just 21.2 minutes in the past five games after averaging 26.1 in the previous 14.

The sophomore star is part of a wing rotation with senior Marcus Johnson and sophomore Paul Williams, and Gregory said those two have earned a bump in playing time because they’ve been more effective on both ends of the court.

Marcus Johnson logged 27 minutes, Williams 21 and Chris Johnson 18 in the 70-60 win over GW.

“George Washington went to a lot of dribble-drive stuff, and both Paul and M.J. are better defending the ball and, at times, their ball-handling skills are better,” Gregory said. “(Williams and Johnson are better options) when you’re playing a team that’s kind of pressing and trapping and driving it hard. But we need C.J. to have a really good weekend.”

Searcy honored

UD junior center Devin Searcy was recognized for his service and leadership by winning the Uhl family endowed scholarship earlier this week. The Michigan native took a basketball-related missionary trip to New Zealand with Athletes in Action last summer.

UD works out twice

The Flyers had about an hour-long practice at Stockton College, then another light session Thursday evening at Boardwalk Hall, the tourney site.

The renovated 10,000-seat arena was home to the Miss America pageant for years and has hosted the A-10 event the past three seasons.

“I like it here a lot,” UD’s Chris Wright said. “We’re on the boardwalk (next to the Atlantic Ocean). We’re staying at the same hotel as all the teams. And I like the court. It’s got a few dead spots, but to put a floor in a venue like this, it’s nice.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125

dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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