More Than Half Way There

BEVERLY HILLS (MI) -- Now that the Flyers are more than half way (53.3%, actually) thru the 2015-2016 hoops campaign, “FTS” thought it might be a good time to take another look at how the Red and Blue are progressing individually. Rather than letter grades, this time let’s see how each guy is currently trending.

Players

Scoochie Smith: Up

After hitting a 4-5 game slump, Scoochie came out firing vs. Davidson and got his squad off on the right foot. Needs to bring it every game.

Kendall Pollard: Steady

Injured for the LaSalle mess and he was missed. Needs to learn how to play with Big Steve and to defend without fouling.

Kyle Davis: Up

His D is always his calling card, but the three pointers he nailed vs. Davidson were key. He isn’t just the Flyers ‘glue guy’…he’s the super glue guy.

Darrell Davis: Down

He hit some big shots in the 2nd half vs. Davidson but was 0-fer in the first twenty minutes. Needs to shoot with his shoulders squared up and not leaning or falling away.

Dyshawn Pierre: Up

DP’s game is only going to get better as he works his way back into game shape. His passing alone makes this squad so much better.

Steve McElvene: Down

The big fella is MIA in too many games. Has to find offensive consistency and of course, avoid foul trouble. Is coming off the bench the answer?

Sam Miller: Up

Still missing too many threes, but you can’t make ‘em if you don’t take ‘em. Like Steve, has to stay out of foul trouble to be effective.

Charles Cooke: Steady

Hopefully, the oblique strain was a one game thing. UD’s most consistent offensive performer still gets his shot blocked too often when going to the rack.

Ryan Mikesell: Steady

You know the offensive skills are there, but can Ryan play D well enuf to continue to garner meaningful minutes?

John Crosby: Up

Playing more under control and giving Scooch some much-needed rest. The 0-3 on threes in the waning minutes of the LaSalle game were not a highlight.

Xeyrius Williams: Down

His minutes are down now that DP is back, but X needs to stay ready as his skill set will match up well with some A-10 opponents.

Bobby Wehrli: Down

See above.

Coaching

Archie Miller: Steady

Archie sensed that the LaSalle game would not go well and he was right. How do you coach around that feeling of doom going forward, Coach?

Crowd

UD Arena: Up

Can we expect sell-outs the rest of the way?

Road: Steady

I was at the Duquesne roadie and the Flyer Faithful continue to travel as well as any team in the country. SBU will be a test of their ability to do so.

Elsewhere in Flyerland:

-- Hoop Ten Harbor takes a couple of looks at the Flyers:

Will Dayton be able to handle the expectations of March?

http://hooptenharbor.com/2016/01/07/...ions-of-march/

Free throw woes, and Dayton’s new unlucky number:

http://hooptenharbor.com/2016/01/10/...nlucky-number/

-- Rush the Court checks in on the A-10:

http://rushthecourt.net/2016/01/13/c...source=twitter

-- Hey everybody, let’s play “Jay Bilas Bingo!”

http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasket...t_on_espn.html

-- The 14th annual Flyin’ to the Hoop tournament starts tonight:

https://twitter.com/FlyinToTheHoop

That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at: swampy@udpride.com

	Flyer Faithful FLYER FAITHFUL Best college basketball fans in the country. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and loyal. Help to create one of the toughest home courts in the nation at UD Arena. Over 12,000 fans a game put the Flyers in the Top-30 nationally in attendance. Fan spirit and support growing to other UD sports and athletic programs as well.

	St Bonaventure SAINT BONAVENTURE Founded in 1858, St. Bonaventure University is a liberal arts college located on 500 acres in southwestern New York state. SBU offers 43 undergraduate majors, the most popular of which are elementary education, journalism, psychology, accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Total undergraduate enrollment is 2,000. Virtually all freshmen and most undergraduates live on campus. A founding member of the A10 Conference. Famous athletes include Bob Lanier. Historical nickname was the Brown Indians, but later changed to the Bonnies. Their mascot is a wolf.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.