This time, the system worked for Flyers

Defensive pressure achieves desired result against Redbirds, who wilt down the stretch.

The University of Dayton’s Rob Lowery waves to the crowd at UD Arena after the game. The Flyers beat Illinois State 63-42 in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 17.

Staff photo by Lisa Powell The University of Dayton’s Rob Lowery waves to the crowd at UD Arena after the game. The Flyers beat Illinois State 63-42 in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 17.

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UD’s London Warren puts up a shot while guarded by Illinois State’s Alex Rubin. Warren had two points and five rebounds in the Flyers’ victory.

Staff photo by Lisa Powell UD’s London Warren puts up a shot while guarded by Illinois State’s Alex Rubin. Warren had two points and five rebounds in the Flyers’ victory.

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 1:35 AM Thursday, March 18, 2010

DAYTON — Illinois State’s Osiris Eldridge has modified his hairstyle from a Mohawk to a more conventional look since the last time he faced Dayton.

The change, though, didn’t produce any better results for the All-Missouri Valley Conference player.

The 6-foot-3 senior guard was 4-for-15 from the field while finishing with 12 points, about four below his average, in UD’s 63-42 victory Wednesday, March 17. A three-time first-team all-league pick, he struggled against the Flyers in an NIT second-round game two years ago, going 2-for-9 from the field and finishing with 10 points in a 55-48 home loss.

“They’re a great defensive team,” Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich said. “I’ve been saying all year, the best defensive team we’ve faced in the last 100 games or so is Northern Iowa ... But Dayton, in a different way, is in the same category — especially at home. And we were the lucky benefactors of playing in their building.

“They put a great deal of pressure on you. They’re very athletic. They’re bigger than us at most spots. They’re very deep. And that’s a good recipe.”

Flyers’ extra subs work this time

One of the reasons UD coach Brian Gregory rotates players is to be able to have a fresh unit on the floor at the end of the game.

He hoped that depth would be a factor against the Redbirds, who did seem to fade down the stretch as UD finished the game on a 21-5 run.

“I thought we had a chance — a CHANCE — of wearing them down,” Gregory said. “That’s Dayton basketball, where we turn an 8- to 10-point game into 16 or 18, and the game’s over. That’s how we’ve done it in the past, and we weren’t able to do that as much this year.”

Jankovich admitted his team wilted.

“We did look like we didn’t have a lot of gas left in the tank. Why that is, I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe it was because we hadn’t had a game in 10 days. Or maybe it was the pace of the game.”

Season attendance record still intact

The Flyers were on course to set a program attendance record this season until drawing meager crowds for the Atlantic 10 tourney game (6,930) and the NIT first-rounder (5,127)

Dismal back-to-back turnouts dropped the average from 13,038 to 12,259. The record is 12,982 set in 1969-70, the first year at UD Arena.

UD makes money despite small crowd

Despite the modest crowd, UD still stood to make a small profit from the NIT game, according to Athletic Director Tim Wabler.

Host schools get their operating expenses covered, keep all money from parking and concessions and receive 15 percent of the net gate revenues.

The NIT hasn’t been much of a draw anywhere else. Average attendance for Tuesday’s seven games was 4,029.

Figures ranged from 1,829 at Seton Hall to 6,822 at North Carolina, which didn’t even play in its normal building. The Tar Heels went back to tiny Carmichael Arena, which suggests they weren’t expecting much of a crowd.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2125 or at dharris @DaytonDailyNews.com

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