Game Preview: vs. Dayton 11/27/11 [Old Spice Classic]

Dayton has many scoring options, with 4 players averaging double-digit scoring and another 3 averaging 8.8, 7.4 and 6.4, respectively. Of those 7 players (see also player comments below), 5 are capable behind the arc.

Two starters from last year’s 22-14 NIT team are gone (athletic stud Chris Wright is now playing professionally and Juwan Staten transferred to West Virginia), but transfer Kevin Dillard is eligble to play this year and a couple of lesser used players have shown they may be able to take strong steps forward this season.

On balance, however, this is a mediocre team that Minnesota should beat. Of course, as has been evidenced in the first half of the games against Indiana State and DePaul, if a team is hitting three-point shots and turning the Gophers over, Minnesota is very beatable. A year ago, Dayton’s shooting was bad news, but they’ve started off well in 2011-12. With the quickness and skills of some of the Dayton guards, the U needs to come ready to play from the outset Sunday night.

#1 Kevin Dillard
6’0″, 170 lbs JR

At Southern Illinois, Dillard was the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008-09. He spent two years in Carbondale, averaging 12 points in each. Dillard can get a bit cutesy with his dribbling, though he is very skilled. He’s not a sharpshooter by any stretch, but that doesn’t mean he’s shy. Kevin will pull the trigger out to 25 feet if he’s feeling it.

Where Dillard is most dangerous is off the dribble, where he can find the open man or put the shot up himself, often getting to the line. It won’t be a surprise if Dillard is able to draw some early fouls from Gopher freshman Andre Hollins.

#22 Paul Williams
6’4″, 212 lbs SR

This lefty has decent size, but stays mostly on the perimeter. Williams is a streaky shooter that is dangerous when he’s in a groove. He’s continued to improve his three point shooting over the years (26.3%, 35.1%, 41.8% and 51.9% so far this year), but has struggled with two point shooting, connecting on just 39.0% of his attempts as a junior. Last year, Williams averaged 8.4 ppg and 2.6 rpg in 26.4 mpg, but figures to add a few points to his average in his senior year. He’s got a pretty shot and could come up with an impressive performance in this match up.

#4 Chris Johnson
6’6″, 201 lbs SR

Johnson was a preseason Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection coming off a junior year in which he averaged 11.9 ppg and 6.0 rpg in 29.7 mpg. The experienced wing prefers to shoot from deep and was successful 37.9% of the time last season (37.9%).

He’s a very good shooter with enough size and length to perform well on the boards. Overall, a very efficient and good looking player.

#35 Matt Kavanaugh
6’9″, 250 lbs JR

Not a guy Gopher fans will take a liking to. Kavanaugh played sparingly until this season (averaged 1.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 9.2 mpg in 2010-11), but has a starting job this year and comes into Sunday’s game averaging almost 9 points and 9 rebounds in about 27 minutes per game.

He’ll miss some easy shots and turn the ball over too often, but he’s aggressive and has a strong upper body. Posted his first career double-double in the quarterfinals of the Old Spice Classic when he put 15 and 13 on Wake Forest. Minnesota needs to limit Kavanaugh on the offensive boards.

#2 Josh Benson
6’9″, 223 lbs JR

Averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in approximately 18 mpg as a sophomore. He’s was fairly efficient on offense last season in limited usage and started off this year with a 21 point outing against Western Illinois. Not a three point threat and prone to commit fouls.

#12 Josh Parker
6’0″, 186 lbs SR

Chicagoland product who played two years at Drake; Parker is another outside threat, but quite streaky. Last year, averaged 7.0 ppg off the bench, but shot just 33.8% 3FG (52/154) and a horrid 28.2% 2FG (20/71). In 2008-09, his last year at Drake, he shot 43.2% 3FG (57/132) and 47.5 2FG (57/120). Parker will look to keep a good thing going Sunday night after coming off the bench to lead Dayton with 15 points on 5/10 shooting (3/8 3FG) in the semifinal victory over Fairfield.

#22 Luke Fabrizius
6’9″, 228 lbs SR

Tall shooter comes off the bench to provide outside scoring. Has averaged less than 5 points in each of his three years at Dayton, but can add a few buckets in short order if he’s on. Not a physical guy for his size, but a good shooter (38% 3FG over his career). He doesn’t have any sort of inside game and never gets to the free throw line, but his height can cause matchup issues on the perimeter.