Once the backslaps, endless texts and lauding end, the coaching kicks in. That can be a wake-up call for any player and coach, any program, any sport.
How players affect team chemistry is just as important as minutes, points and assists.
Unlike those go-to stats, chemistry is the undocumented intangible that can make the difference between a good or great season. And a coach never knows what he has until all the parts are in place and working together.
You couldn’t help but wonder what was going on with the University of Dayton men’s basketball team this season. Snippets of discontent would emerge every so often, then fade away after a win. That was the revealing signature of this Flyers team.
Which is too bad, especially after all the hoopla that was heaped on the Flyers prior to the season.
This isn’t the first time UD has endured such a loss. It reminds me of Jack Kill, the speedy 6-foot-1 guard with the white hair from Delphos St. John’s. He seemed to be a solid fixture in the Flyers’ lineup. Instead, he was gone in 1972 after one season.
As UD found out then and now, sometimes promising recruits inject instant team success. They can provide the bonus qualities that make a marked difference in a program.
Other times, it’s best to start over.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author