By PAUL GOTHAM
When Davidson’s Wildcats visit the University of Dayton Arena, Tuesday night they bring with them the Atlantic 10’s leading offense. Their strength may turn into a weakness when meeting the host Dayton Flyers.
Bob McKillop’s Wildcats score 82 points per game while UD nets 73. On the surface, it appears Davidson will want a wide-open affair. McKillop knows better.
“Their offensive efficiency is very, very impressive,” McKillop during the weekly Atlantic 10 tele-conference. “You look at their shooting percentage and you see that’s the result of the number of assists they have. The ability to pass the ball the way they do. The unselfish nature of their players doing that.”
Per BBState, Dayton scores 1.o37 points for 70.8 possessions per game while Davidson gets 1.077 for 75.6. UD’s defense, though, holds opponents to 0.933 while Davidson allows 1.061.
“You can never, ever overlook their defense as well,” McKillop added. “Individually as well as collectively, they’re a team of defenders. That’s reflected in the statistics where they’re one of the best, not just in the A-10 but the best in the country.”
Dayton is a team which can play at a variety of paces but not to extremes. Their first loss of the season, a 90-61 loss to Xavier in the finals of the Advocare Invitational, had 78 possessions – the Flyers most trips up and down the floor for the season. Their second loss, a 61-59 setback to Chattanooga, had 62 possessions – the second fewest trips of the season.
Dayton can get up and down the floor on the break, but would rather not make a habit of it. The same goes for their grinding it out in the half court. Six of UD’s victories have consisted of 74 possessions or more.
“Every possession is going to be a battle,” McKillop explained. “For us defensively we’ll have to slow down the transition game. We’re going to have to defend their ability to move pieces. We’re really going to have to be vigilant with the ball.”
For Archie Miller, Tuesday’s game is not so much about numbers as it is team chemistry. After winning five straight and entering the national rankings, the Flyers (12-3/2-1) fell to La Salle (5-8/1-2) over the weekend.
“We have to decide what level we want to be consistent,” said Miller whose team is coming off a 61-57 loss at La Salle. “In general our team togetherness and our commitment to one another and trust in one another it all comes into question when you play up and down.”
At 23.9 points per game, Davidson’s Jack Gibbs leads the A-10. Charles Cooke scores 15.7 for UD.
An 8 p.m. tip off is scheduled. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
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