For Dayton offense, improved ball movement a good sign

Crutcher drew two defenders and passed to Jordy Tshimanga in the paint. Tshimanga had a mismatch against a smaller defender but chose to pass to Zimi Nwokeji in the corner. Nwokeji passed to Ibi Watson, who took one dribble toward the basket and then threw a bounce pass to Tshimanga in the paint.

Tshimanga quickly threw a pass to Elijah Weaver in the opposite corner. Just as fast, as two defenders ran toward him, Weaver swung the ball to Crutcher, who made a 3-pointer to give Dayton a 52-38 lead against Rhode Island.

The Flyers made six passes in five seconds.

“It’s great when you see the ball move like that,” said Dayton coach Anthony Grant after the 67-56 victory at UD Arena. “They were, I think, at that point trapping a little bit. To see the ball movement and extra passing was great — and to get the final result, the shot going in. There was actually a second possession later in the half that was very similar, and we didn’t make the shot. But it was impressive outside of the final result. It was great to see the understanding and the contagious attitude. When you move the ball like that, guys can benefit from the unselfishness of their teammates.”

Dayton excelled at ball movement last season. Obi Toppin, the star of the 29-2 season a year ago, could whip the ball from one side of the court to the other with precision.

Dayton ranked 14th in the country last season with assists on 60.3 percent of its made field goals. This season, it ranks 73rd (56.6).

In its three A-10 losses, Dayton has 30 assists on 58 made field goals (51.7 percent). In its six victories, it has 87 assists on 152 made field goals (57.2).

The Flyers (10-4, 6-3) will need more success in that regard in their next game. They play Duquesne (6-6,. 5-5) for the second time this season at 9 p.m. Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Pa. It will be the first game played the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse this season.

Formerly known as the A.J. Palumbo Center, the arena underwent a 22-month renovation. Duquesne hasn’t played at the arena since March 9, 2019, when it lost 78-67 to Dayton in the final game of the regular season. The last two seasons, Duquesne has rotated home games between Division III La Roche University’s Kerr Fitness Center, the UPMC Events Center at Robert Morris and PPG Paints Arena, the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The renovated arena includes six new suites, 55 club-level seats and four fan corner seating areas, similar to the ones that overlook the court at UD Arena. There are other similarities to the UD Arena renovations: wider concourses; two new video boards; and a new sound system.

“The new arena allows us to enhance our recruiting,” said Duquesne Athletic Director Dave Harper, a Bellbrook native who worked at Dayton as vice president for advancement in his previous job. “It’ll be great for player development. We are seeking to develop higher-caliber athletes at Duquesne. We were behind the times on facilities. Now we are catching up.”