By PAUL GOTHAM
COLUMBUS, OH — In the final analysis it was about a 6-0 guard, and how he helped neutralize an opposing front court.
Kyle Davis took the slightest detail and turned it into a significant impact as the No. 11-seed Dayton Flyers defeated the No. 6-seed Providence Friars 66-53 in Friday’s night second round NCAA Tournament matchup.
It wasn’t just that the 6-0 sophomore collected five steals. It was from where those thefts came, and the effect they had on opponent’s offensive attack.
“The scouting report showed us that none of their bigs had ever passed out of the post,” Davis explained. “It kind of gave me a chance to test it out to see if I can get my hands on the ball and get a steal.”
Test he did with two thefts and a deflection leading to another swipe in the game’s first seven minutes. All three turnovers occurred when the Friars’ big men put the ball to the floor. Executing the double down in the post came easy for Davis.
“We practice that every day,” Davis said “Digging out the ball, digging out the ball.”
And the pesky guard did just that. Taking advantage of every chance the Friars’ big men gave him.
Providence’s front court of Ben Bentil (6-8), Carson Desrosiers (7-0) and Tyler Harris (6-9) came in averaging a collective 23 points per game. The three contributed seven Friday night hitting a combined 3-of-8 from the floor while committing five turnovers.
“He’s the starter on defense and he leads the way,” teammate Jordan Sibert said. “Without him, I don’t know that we would have got that win tonight.”
Davis spent most of his 34 minutes on the floor, though, hawking Big East Co-Player of the Year Kris Dunn, who came in averaging 15.8 and 7.6 assists (third in the nation). The Friars’ sophomore point guard finished the night with 11 points and four assists while committing seven turnovers – his single highest total in the last 17 games.
“Kris Dunn is probably the best point guard in all of college basketball,” Dayton’s head coach Archie Miller said. “He is so fast, delivers the ball so fast. Kyle was able to at least contain and keep him in front and be tough, especially when they were setting ball screens.”
Coming out of the locker room for the second half Davis set the tone with a pair of steals. Providence had a chance to take their first lead since 5-3 when Dunn inbounded the ball. Davis swiped the pass and went the length of the floor for two. Next possession he forced a tie up, and UD converted at the other end for three.
“It’s one thing to shoot well and make free throws,” Miller said. “It’s another thing to have just a total attention to detail and locked in on defense against the other team’s best guys. And it’s not easy to do. But on this type of stage and this type of environment, he’s ready to go.”
His stat line fit his effort. Davis finished with more steals than field goal attempts (4). He grabbed nine rebounds, handed out four assists and got to the free throw line twice converting four of four from the charity stripe.
“Kyle is the driving force on defense for us,” Sibert said. “His toughness is something that’s unmatched.”
The performance came on the heels of Davis taming Derrick Marks in Wednesday’s 56-55 win.
“You gotta win tough games with tough people,” Miller commented after the victory in the NCAA’s First Four. “Make no mistake about it, they don’t make them any tougher than him.”
Marks scored 23 in the game. But when it mattered most, Davis held the Mountain West Player of the Year without a point in the game’s final six minutes including three crucial stops with the game on the line.
“Kyle is a warrior,” Miller said afterward. “We’re not where we’re at right now without him. And in particular if he’s not on it or on the floor, our team changes specifically because of our style of defense.”
Sunday Dayton takes on No. 3-seed Oklahoma with Big 12 Player of the Year, Buddy Hield. The 6-4 junior guard averages more than 17 points a game.
“We got to do what we do every night,” Davis said. “Lock down on defense and execute on offense.”
A 6:10 pm tip off is scheduled.
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