Miller’s discontent drives Dayton

By PAUL GOTHAM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Fans had a better chance of witnessing Ruth Bader-Ginsburg exchanging warm pleasantries and embraces with Donald Trump than seeing Archie Miller on Saturday lounging poolside or taking in the sights at one of the nearby Walt Disney theme parks.

Trump, with his repeated sexist comments, has done nothing to ingratiate himself with the Supreme Court’s champion for equal rights. Miller, on the other hand, has little interest in idle time. At least during the college basketball season.

Miller’s Dayton Flyers improved to 5-0 on the season Friday night and advanced to the finals of the 2015 Advocare Invitational with a 73-70 victory over Monmouth. His post-game comments gave little indication that he is content with his team’s efforts.

“It’s just disappointing really to watch our team the last two games,” Miller said after his team nearly surrendered a 16-point second half  advantage. “Teams making the amount of threes that they make against us. If that happens on Sunday, the championship game will be a lot more boring than the last two games because we’ll get blown out.

“We had some moments I thought during the second half where we had a chance to really blow it open or break it open or hold a lead. We’re so poor in terms of our communication and running back and identifying shooters.”

Miller’s edge is exactly why Dayton has won five NCAA Tournament games over the past two seasons and will be in contention for more four months from now.  These Flyers, like so many teams this time of year, are trying to finding their identity. Minus last year’s leading scorer Jordan Sibert and the off-the-court issues of Dyshawn Pierre have made a work in progress of UD’s half-court offense.

“From an offensive perspective we’re nowhere near where we’re gonna have to be to play against the best teams on our schedule,” Miller stated.  “And that includes Sunday’s game.”

John Crosby, Steve McElvene, Ryan Mikesell, Sam Miller and Xeryius Williams are all in their first month of play at the collegiate level. Junior transfer Charles Cooke is getting his first game action with the Flyers.

“It’s hard sometimes because you’re subbing freshmen in there,” Miller said after Thursday’s win over Iowa. “You don’t necessarily realize that there’s two or three of them or three or four of them on the floor at the same time. But those are the guys you’re putting in…Our bench is developing.”

Dayton will meet the No. 23 Xavier Musketeers in the finals. The long-time rivals haven’t met since Xavier’s days in the Atlantic 10.

“We got to get after it on defense here on Sunday,” Miller said. “Xavier can really score the ball.”

Xavier led by Trevon Bluiett and Jalen Reynolds have knocked off Alabama, 64-45 and previously undefeated USC, 87-77 to advance.

Dayton leads the all-time series 85-75. The Flyers are looking for their fourth early-season title since 2003. UD won the 2003 EA Maui Invitational,  2008 Chicago Invitational and 2011 Old Spice Classic.

Xavier has made nine of the last ten NCAA Tournaments. Xavier won the 2008 Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

A 4:30 pm tip time is slated.