But UD coach Archie Miller believes stressful encounters will be the norm this season — even when playing unheralded foes.
The Spartans were ranked 190th in the RPI out of 344 D-I teams going into the game (UD was 30th). But they stayed competitive by playing a deliberate style and turning up the heat on defense with their athleticism and hindering UD’s passing game.
The Flyers have to rely on crisp execution on both ends of the floor, and they don’t have the ability to just pummel opponents with superior talent.
“I’ll be very, very surprised, as the season goes, if every game doesn’t come down to the last eight to four minutes,” Miller said. “That’s what we tell our team every day. Good teams are going to make you earn it, and we’re going to have to ‘earn’ every possession like we’ve done in the past.
“Some games will be prettier than others. But with the way we have to do it — by committee, with our (lack of) depth, with our rotation and how we have to be smart ... make no mistake about it, this team is going to have to learn how to win games. And it’s not always going to be with the ball rolling in the basket, particularly from the 3.”
SCU coach Eddie Payne believes the Flyers are vulnerable because they don’t have a go-to player. Chris Johnson, a preseason second-team All-Atlantic 10 pick, went 0-for-2 from the field and had just two points after getting 20 against Alabama.
Kevin Dillard has emerged as a potent force, but Payne, a former Oregon State coach, said defenses will figure out how to get the ball out of his hands in tight games.
“It’s hard for a team if the (go-to) guy is a point guard,” Payne said. “It’s hard for a point guard to carry a team. They’re going to continue to have to tweak it and search for that guy who can be a late-game, big-time scorer for them.”
Short stint: Senior forward Luke Fabrizius made three 3-pointers in four attempts in the first half but didn't get off the bench after halftime.
“In the second half, we were going all defense,” Miller said. “Every decision we made was defensive-concentrated. We knew defense was going to break the game open for us, if we were going to have a chance to win.
“I think Luke did a good job. He banged some shots. We have to keep working with Luke defensively on his position and where he needs to be.”
Fabrizius shot 37.5 percent on 3-pointers as a freshman and 40.7 as a sophomore, but he dipped to 34.5 as a junior while battling injuries. He appears to have regained his old form, though. He’s 12-for-26 this season.
Extra flair: Trailing 45-42 with 14:10 to go, Dillard went coast-to-coast for a layup, made a steal near halfcourt and drove to a three-point play. After making the second bucket, he leaned against the basket support and wiggled his hips in a little dance.
“We want to have fun out there,” Dillard said with a smile when asked about his gyrations. “Of course, you come here to win. But at the end of the day, we love playing with each other and just want to have fun.”
Cleaning it up: Dillard went to the bench with his second foul with 8:20 to go in the first half and sat until the second half. The Flyers had nine turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, but just five after that.
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