By Paul Casey Gotham
It’s easy to understand if a conversation about the University of Dayton’s Matt Kavanaugh revolves around his workmanlike style of play. After all, the Flyer forward earns his keep in the confined area of a free throw lane. His wide frame is his crowbar used to create angles, position and space.
Given his recent success, one can add opportunistic to the discussion.
Nearly a third of the way through the regular season ledger the Flyers sit atop the Atlantic 10, and Kavanaugh is as much a part of the success as anyone in the Flyer uniform. Once overlooked, Kavanaugh is becoming a priority.
“He’s been given a really nice platter, so to speak,” said first-year Dayton coach Archie Miller. “Any time a player can play in a system where a coach will let him (work) through some mistakes, he’s got an opportunity. He’s just blossoming.”
Kavanaugh played a total 336 minutes during his freshman and sophomore seasons under former coach Brian Gregory. He averaged a touch more than two rebounds while not scoring even that many per game. Nineteen games into his junior campaign, he has logged 442 minutes accounting for more than nine points while grabbing a shade under six boards in each contest.
Miller attributes Kavanaugh’s success to a day-to-day commitment to the process. “I know what I’m going to get out of him. He’s not always going to be perfect, but I know what I’m going to get out of him everyday in practice.”
That daily focus is paying dividends of late. In five A-10 games, the junior forward is averaging 15 points and 6.8 rebounds. In 24 minutes of playing time, he posted a career-high 23 against La Salle hitting five-of-eight from the floor.
“Having play-makers like Kevin Dillard and shooters on the outside like (Luke) Fabrizius and (Josh) Parker and Paul (Williams) and C.J. (Chris Johnson) that open things up in the middle,” Kavanaugh explained after the victory over then first-place La Salle. “We were able to take advantage of that.”
Kavanaugh converted five offensive rebounds into eight points. Thirteen of his career high-water mark came from the free throw line.
“He’s got great hands,” Miller noted. “He’s able to get offensive rebounds. He’s able to bang. He can score in and around the basket.”
The emergence of the Centerville, Ohio native came just in time for Miller and UD. When Josh Benson went down with a season-ending knee injury on December 30th, the Flyers lost not only 10 points and five rebounds, but their best post presence.
“He’s a big reason why we can survive right now,” Miller added.
It should come as no surprise. The Flyer Faithful caught a glimpse early in the season of what Kavanaugh can do . The 6’9″, 250 pound forward notched his first career double-double scoring 15 and grabbing 13 boards as UD trimmed Wake Forest 80-76 in the opening round Old Spice Classic. He followed that with an 11 rebound outing in a victory over Fairfield and six more boards as UD defeated Minnesota in the championship.
“Going into the off-season I was real excited with the coaching change and to prove to them what I could do,” Kavanaugh said after the Fairfield victory. “The new system with all the motion it allows for inside-out play. He (Miller) preaches getting the ball inside and working from the post. It’s a good opportunity.”
Kavanaugh may have a few surprises for his coach – albeit good ones. After his recent career-high night, Miller commented: “I don’t think you’re going to expect 23 out of him.”
Kavanaugh didn’t score 23, but he did get 20 in Dayton’s next game an 87-72 win over rival Xavier.
A new coach and a new system has wiped the slate clean, and Matt Kavanaugh is taking advantage of his opportunity everyday.
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