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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2008 > March > 27 > Entry
Who Will Replace Brian Roberts?
COLUMBUS — For all the promise that next basketball season may have for the Dayton Flyers — a healthy Chris Wright, the continuing emergence of Marcus Johnson, who’s edge and athleticism, I think, will make him a real star, hopefully a bulked up Devin Searcy that could give more of a much-needed inside presence, and maybe even some help with the addition of Dunbar’s Josh Benson — one huge question looms:
How do the Flyers replace senior guard Brian Roberts?
Who’s going to be that steadying force? The guy to hit the big shot when the game’s on the line? The guy most other teams can’t stop unless they throw two or three players at a time at him?
Wednesday night — when the Flyers season ended with a 74-63 loss to Ohio State in an NIT quarter-final game at sold-out Value City Arena — Roberts was UD’s only game-long counter puncher.
“He did a hell of a job all game long,” Flyers coach Brian Gregory said. “He played 36 minutes and never had a turnover.”
Roberts finished with 20 points, including 4 for 9 shooting from three-point range. Those treys made him the school’s all-time leader with 293 three-pointers, two more than Tony Stanley.
Roberts also passed Jim Paxson Jr. and moved into fourth place among Dayton’s all-time scorers with 1,962 points, just six behind third-place Henry Finkel.
When Wright was hurt this year, Roberts often carried the team. Sure there were spans of a few games — especially late in the season — where he seemed to zone out for a little bit, but you try carrying a team an entire year. There had to be some weariness, physically and mentally. And when he was double and triple teamed, he needed other Flyers to step up. Sometimes they did, many times they did not.
So with Roberts gone — and guard Andres Sandoval graduating, too — the Flyers have error-apparent London Warren, back-up transfer Mickey Perry, rarely-used freshman Stephen Thomas and the incoming Paul Williams from Detroit.
There’s also been talk that the Flyers have been looking at a junior college guard in Kansas. They have no available scholarships left, but it seems as if they’re trying to get rid of Brazilian transfer Thiago Cordeiro.
Wednesday night was the sixth game in a row he didn’t get off the bench. And in the past two months — except for 19 minutes against Duquesne — he’s averaged less than three minutes a game when he did play.
Last year — for different reasons — Desmond Adedeji got the same freeze out until he moved on. I’m not sure that’s what’s happening here — if it is, and it happens everywhere, this is one side of the game I don’t like — but Cordeiro’s departure would open a spot for a more seasoned guard.
Still it’s hard to imagine any of these guys replacing Roberts.
After Wednesday’s game, UD coach Brian Gregory sang the praises of his senior:
“Those will be some pretty big shoes to fill…. (Without him) we’ll be a different team next year. …There’s not gonna be a lot of Brian Robertses coming down the pike. You don’t just take someone and plug him into Brian’s position.
“In a coach’s career, if you get three or four special guys. you’ve got to consider yourself lucky. I worked (as a Michigan State assistant) with Mateen Cleaves, Eric Snow, Jason Richardson and Andre Hutson. They’re special guys, as well as special people.
“Now I’ve gotten to coach Brian Roberts and he’s the same. He’ll go down as one of the greatest players of all time in the program’s rich basketball history…He’s a unique player because of his ability to score off the dribble and off the pass. He doesn’t have to dominate the ball in order to dominate the game. Not many players can do that.”
For all that promise to pay off next season, the Flyers need to find a guard who can do that at least some of the time.
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Dan
March 29, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
I really do love the comments on here…98% of them ignore the article. I agree with the poster that said we will be far more team centered next year. But I think MJ can step-up if need be…he has filled bigger shoes before. Chris Wright needs to work on his dribbling and a 15’ jumper. Charles Little needs to shoot at the square on the backboard, not the base of the rim. Searcy needs to gain 20 lbs. That should be a start.By j
March 28, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
every one who wants bg out dont by ticets ever again you guys are bad fans and dont post thanksBy Walt
March 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Well here we go again!! Same old people with the same old ?>#$@, Get a life or learn about basketball. those of you who think Gregory should go are the same ones who would have wanted to fire Donoher. Please apply for the coaching job so we can GRIPE about your coaching. Back seat drivers, don’t you love em.By Chris
March 28, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
It’s been stated with many different reasons that BG needs to be replaced. I, too, could state such reasons. Afterall, how many years has BG been here and how many times has UD gotten to the NCAA? The NIT? Won the A10 tourney? It will probably take a few more years, however, before most will realize that nothing much is going to change regardless of the recruits. We will still end up with the same results. Perhaps, however, most are satisfied with being a middle of the pack team in a middle of the pack league with only one consistenly successful program in the league. Perhaps most dont want an ‘X’ type successful program. That’s a decision fans need to make. But changing the coach won’t matter anyway. Its the AD that needs to be replaced; otherwise, UD just gets more of the same.By Binnie & the Jet
March 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Right Lisa….don’t exposure any of the issues about this team…let’s all act like complacent Daytonians. Actually half of the UD fans leave before the end of the game so they don’t know how badly Coach Hot Seat gets “out-coached” every game.By jack
March 28, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Is every player who leaves a program “driven off”? Was Mickey Perry driven away from Wisconsin? Was Andres Sandoval driven away from Richmond? Were these distasteful episodes in college basketball? It’s something to think about.By jeffl
March 28, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
When was the last time UD was rated 14 in the polls? When was the last time we won 23 games? BG can’t coach? get real people, we got the most out of what we had. Excellent season all things considered, if you think different, you do not know basketball. That said what worries me is we have 3 guys who could start next year, all of which can NOT shoot past 2-3 feet. Think about when was the last time Little hit a 15ft jumper? Kurt shoots an elbow shot, London, hits a jumper? Never, how can you be a D-1 player with no shot outside of a layup? I would make them shoot jumpers and free throws untill their arms fell off.By jeffl
March 28, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
When was the last time UD was rated 14 in the polls? When was the last time we won 23 games? BG can’t coach? get real people, we got the most out of what we had. Excellent season all things considered, if you think different, you do not know basketball. That said what worries me is we have 3 guys who could start next year, all of which can NOT shoot past 2-3 feet. Think about when was the last time Little hit a 15ft jumper? Kurt shoots an elbow shot, London, hits a jumper? Never, how can you be a D-1 player with no shot outside of a layup? I would make them shoot jumpers and free throws untill their arms fell off.By michigan
March 27, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
When you look at Ohio State’s season record, you see the games they won were the home games. They didn’t win that much away from their arena. So it was a big advantage for OSU to play at home. I do think in the second half Dayton should have gone to 4 quick players like OSU did.By Dirty
March 27, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
The last time everyone said we needed a point guard with experience, we went out and got Sandoval. Sandoval never even played PG for us. We better very sure if we take a chance on another JUCO PG.By Dave
March 27, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Can anyone replace Brian Roberts? I had similar thoughts after Donald Smith graduated, and a good friend of mine thought the same thing when Don May graduated. But young players continue to mature and grow into their roles. We have a smart coach with great recruits. We have up years and down years, but UD is always a class act and never seems to have the scandals that have plagued so many other schools.By Ron
March 27, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Get real people! Velvet Chapman, the leading scorer in UD history played in Europe for a few seasons after collage. OSU cranks out NBA recruits constantly. It’s apples and oranges. I love UD basketball. If OSU comes out flat in the second half, UD might go to the Garden, they didn’t. Congrats to BG, BR and the UD program for a solid 23 win season and some really big victories.By Lisa
March 27, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
I get so tired of all of the negative comments. Yes, UD should have had a better year but let’s be proud of what they did accomplish this season…they were so close to getting to Final 4 of NIT. Sorry people, but that deserves some credit to be given. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!By jack
March 27, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Paul Williams will replace Roberts at the 2 spot. The real question is who will be playing our pg position?By Faithful
March 27, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
I have no idea what some of you are thinking. We win 23 games this year, 23, all that with our second best player hurt for the majority of the year. Not to mentio a stint where our 6th man was injured as well and people want to run BG out of Dayton? Unbelievable. The past three years UD has had a better record than the year before. This year’s recruits are probably the best UD has seen in a loooong time. But yet you want BG gone? Some people have no clue what they are talking about. If we win 24 games next year and only graduate one player some people will be going crazy all over again saying that he should go. Open your eyes, look at this objectively. Arch, decent article, not one of your best. I can tell you who the go to man is next year already though, he was wearing #23 last night.By The Duke
March 27, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
I think Rudy makes an incredibly important point that people tend to miss. Yes Dayton is not front and center in the NCAAs every year, but it’s an honest program that puts genuine student athletes with good character on the court every year. UD isn’t located in a town that can attract recruits because it’s a vacation spot. UD has not been willing to have boosters providing its players with cars and cash. UD is not in one of the power conferences that elite high school players use as stepping stones to the NBA. And yet the fans are rabidly loyal, and I’d guess that has a lot to do with the fact that UD’s team is made up of young men this community can be proud of. And I’d say this is exactly what Brian Roberts is. Thank you, Brian, for sharing your gifts with us for four years. And we know you’ll do well in the future whether you end up in the NBA or not.By Counterpoint
March 27, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Darrell, Huelsman’s man got lose because of he was helping with ball screens; more than I like, but that’s the way he’s been coached. If BG wants the big men to help that much on the screens then he has to have the rest of the team playing help defense as well. It was another case of the Flyers not playing team basketball. Which brings me to the first point I wanted to make: WE DON’T HAVE TO REPLACE ROBERTS. Don’t get me wrong I love B-Rob and he is a great player, but we need to play as a team. As much as I hate to say it, we need to play more like Xavier. 6 players averaging double figures is better than 1 averaging near 20. Until we have players more willing to get open looks for others than get a shot themselves we will remain the same inconsistent team. The second step is learning how to take care of the basketball. Assists are the most overlooked stat when talking about UD basketball (maybe due to the lack of a true point guard); and our assist to turnover ratio is horrendous. The last 3 games’ assist to TO ratios: UD-7:16 OSU-18:9, UD-6:17 ISU-16:10, UD-15:13 CSU-14:9.By US Needs a point guard bad
March 27, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Go Grab the William McGuire kid from Stiver’s High School. He is unsigned and can play the point better than anyone around.By US Needs a point guard bad
March 27, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Go Grab the William McGuire kid from Stiver’s High School. He is unsigned and can play the point better than anyone around.By ALAN
March 27, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
WE’RE 20 MIN FROM NY AND ALL THAT NATIONAL EXPOSURE AND OUR WONDERFUL COACH HAS CW SITTING ON THE BENCH WATCHING US GET OUR BUTT KICKED. WHAT THE HELL. AND THEN WERE DOWN 14 AND OUR LINEUP HAS BINNIE-0 WARREN-0 AND KH-4 PTS. JUST WHAT WE NEED —OFFENSE AND 3 STIFFS ON THE COURT AT ONCE, BG MUST GO.ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASKETBALL KNOWS ROBERTS, LITTLE, JOHNSON, CW SHOULD OF ALL PLAYED AT LEAST 35 MIN A GAME. TIRED THESE ARE KIDS BG NOT 50 YR OLD MEN, I FEEL SORRY FOR BR.By Bob540
March 27, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
I predicted an OSU victory because I thought the Buckeyes would get the better of it inside. U.D. played very well in the first half, but the play of Diebler and Turner made the difference in start of the second half. U.D.’s biggest challenge is they don’t get quality big men and must rely too much on outside shooting.By joe grossi
March 27, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Another dissappointing year.Dayton was totally outclassed. OSU executed with precision, while UD’s offense had no direction. Lack of perimeter shooting was a factor. Warren, Huelsman, Binnie, Searcy. Sandoval… good ridance!!! Wright needs to develop his game, while Bryan Roberts tried his best to make up for last night’s ineptness. This program needs a makeover!By rudy
March 27, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Flyers just do not have the talent to compete with an OSU. Want to? Then recruit a different type of player. Like Huggins use to have at UC. Wouldn’t know where there classes were held on campus. For me, I would rather have a class program with class individuals playing college basketball, not semi-pro and occasionally make the post season. Lets see where BG recruits take us the next few years.By darrell
March 27, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
It was evident in the game that Dayton needs a point guard and a center, Warren and Huelsman are at best third stringers. London is no threat on offense and a terrible passser & Kurt has no court presence, how many times did his man get lose for a score? Brian Roberts carried this team all year, what a player!By suki
March 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Roberts was great especially in light of his size and physique. Wonder why Gregory did not realize until now that he might need a replacement for Roberts after 4 years? Gregory better hope he finds a point guard if that gets him to the Dance. He has about run out of his excuses about failing that he offers us each year.By Artrellvertis
March 27, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
UD was completely outmanned inside with the exception of when Chris Wright was in the game. Plus the fact that OSU’s defense held them to single digit points in the first 10 minutes of the second half.That was the difference in the game. It was good to see 2 teams from Ohio playing so late in the season even though it was NIT. And I feel both teams have an opportunity to be factors in their conferences and even nationally with the recruits they have coming in next year.By Phil
March 27, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Although the Buckeyes averaged six inched in height per man over UD, the Flyers hung in there almost for the entire game. With exception of a 10 point out-of-their-mind unanswered Buckey run in the second half, it was a fairly even game. The game came down to the athlethic OSU big guys blocking shots and clogging up the middle. With a few less Flyer mistakes, it would have been closer.By Sid
March 27, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
UD was outcoached and outplayed. Like Chris stated, if UD didn’t have B. Roberts, my goodness, this would have been ugly. UD has not inside game at all and were totally schooled. As for bad calls, heck they benefited UD and not OSU, even the time UD got a fresh 35 when they shouldn’t have. UD always gets the players but when you can’t mold them into a team, then you have a major problem and that is what we saw last night. Great athletes on UDs team but no cohesiveness at all.By Dwight
March 27, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
The UD Basketball Team could generally match-up with the OSU Team, but unfortunately Thad Matta, totally out-coached and out classed “BG”. In the final analysis, nothing will ever change as long as Gregory remains at UD. The bottom-line is, he is, and always will be nothing more than a second rate coach. The fact he spent 10 years at the elbow of Tom Izzzo, does not make him a Tim Izzo clone. UD has to be honest with itself and acknowledge he remains the ultimate “limiting factor” in your long term efforts to improve the program. Get Rid of Him. He’s a stiff.By no second half
March 27, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Why does the team always come out flat in the second half? Doesn’t Gregory give them a good pep talk?If he does, it apparently is not very effective. Look for better next year. Great recruiting!!By Chris
March 27, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad U.D.’s trainer cannot help the Flyers get in better shape so they can sustain 40 min. of play and keep up with other NIT teams such as OSU and not get winded. Why is Huelsman suffering from shin splints due to a weight problem at the end of his sophomore year as reported ? And now its said that Chris’ ankle injury apparently came as a result of how he land which is just now being worked on and altered. Why was this not noticed and worked on by the coaches early on to prevent the injury? First, a sprain, then a deep bone bruise, then a very serious break. To be successful next year, the Flyers need to be in much better physical shape and the trainer is paid to assist them in this area. They need to also put in extra practice time shooting free throws. If they want to be an NCAA team, they need to practice and train like NCAA teams.But at least they won two games in the NIT. Congrats Flyers.By JT
March 27, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Well, if you consider what a UD v. OSU football matchup would look like, I think the boys did fine. There were some bad calls at critical moments, and with the shooting percentage in the 2nd half, OSU would have beaten just about anyone, and UD with theirs, would have lost to just about anyone. Not making excuses—UD was outplayed for 20 minutes of the game. The first half, however, was impressive, and it belonged to Dayton. Dayton just didn’t have an alternate strategy, or the players to match them in the second half. Dayton’s recruiting is getting better. Let’s hope the offensive coaching evolves to match it!By Binnie & the Jet
March 27, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Dayton, Ohio UD Coach….Back on the Hot Seat “I wish I could coach this team again, but Ohio State really came to play,” said Dayton coach Brian Gregory, Are you kidding me, if you would have coached them the second half you would get to coach this team again. Just another microcosm of the season, a coach without adjustments…or should we say a former coach without adjustments.By jay
March 27, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
I am a Buckeye fan tride and true but I live in Dayton. Compared the 2 teams are very diff. OSU plays in a diffrent leage compared to UD, but I say way to go UD you did give it your all.By Chris
March 27, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Go Buckeyes!!! Dayton was just outmanned by a much younger and talented team. If it wasn’t for Roberts, this would have been very very ugly…what a class player and a major loss for UD going into next season. Play the game wherever you please, OSU is the better team and still would have won. Even the NIT took notice giving them the #1 seed and their record being worse than UD.By Kyle
March 27, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
I’d like to see OSU man up and come to UD Arena or the Cintas Center and play….or for that matter, it would have been interesting to see if OSU would have had the same second half if they were at a neutral court site. The crowd was a huge factor in OSU’s play in the second half….no team shoots 65%+ from the field without a little extra “6th man”. As for Roberts, it was a true pleasure to watch him play the last four years…he deserved better this season….hopefully he will have a successfull career after UD.By UD?=WhoD?
March 27, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
This was a no-brainer, and thats probably why the UD fans posting yesterday thought UD could win. I know the first thing I’m going to hear is that the game was close until the last 10 minutes and they made it closer than it actually was at the end, but the Bucks put it to a less-talented team, period.