Actually, Gregory was quick to agree with that writer’s perception. And the Flyer coaches are much higher on Kavanaugh than his minutes this season may have suggested.
“Defensively, he’s still got a ways to go. He fouled (Tu) Holloway on the drive on the baseline (late in the game) and gave up a dunk on the lob,” Gregory said. “Sometimes that’s just experience, not knowing exactly what the coverage is.
“But you can live with mistakes when it comes from a guy that really cares and believes in what you’re doing, and Matt is one of those guys. He’s going to get his butt chewed when he makes those mistakes, but he’ll come back and want more. That’s why ... he’s going to help us win a lot of games.”
More from the A-10 tourney:
• When Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli was asked if Dayton making the title game as a nine seed shows the overall strength of the league, he replied: “I think the biggest number that says something about the league is the fact that they lost four games in the Dayton arena, which I think is a marvelous home court.
“This is a terrific, terrific league. I don’t have to sell it to anybody, but I will gladly sell it to anybody.”
Martelli's point was valid. The Flyers did lose four home games to Xavier, Richmond, Temple and Saint Louis.
“It’s Dayton. I mean, think about that,” Martelli said. “Plus, Chris Wright was third-team all-league. Chris Wright, a kid of that caliber? That does speak volumes. But I think the fact that four teams could go into the Dayton arena and beat that team, that speaks really about the quality of the league.”
• Kevin Anderson, Richmond’s star guard, was asked about the NCAA tournament after capturing the A-10 crown.
“We’re glad to win the league, but we’re not satisfied. We want more,” he said.
I thought the Spiders got hosed by the NCAA selection committee by being only a 12 seed, giving them a tough draw against Vanderbilt. But every A-10 school has the potential to advance.
Seven of the 14 league teams made postseason tournaments. Duquesne (18-12), Rhode Island (19-13) and St. Bonaventure (16-14) played Wednesday night in the College Basketball Invitational.
C
ontact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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