MEN'S BASKETBALL: Dayton Expecting A 'Stress-Free' Game Going Against Ferris?

DAYTON, Ohio - Dayton Daily News writer Doug Harris does not seem to be expecting Ferris State University to put up too much of a fight in tonight's exhibition game that pits the Division II Bulldogs against the Division I University of Dayton Flyers.

Here is part of what Harris wrote in an online article about the Flyers, a nationally-ranked team, going against visiting Ferris:

Exhibition games are normally a time for fans to kick back and enjoy a stress-free night while their team splatters an opponent, but that wasn’t the case when Dayton faced Findlay two years ago.

The Flyers survived, 81-78, against the Division II school and needed a questionable foul on Findlay and subsequent technical on the visitors’ coach to avoid a shocking
defeat.

Of course, Findlay showed just how good it was by beating Ohio State, 70-68, a few days later.

The Flyers will play their first exhibition of the 2009-10 season at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Ferris State, and fans probably won’t have to worry about sweating this one out.

Although the D-II Bulldogs return four starters, they finished just 14-14 last season and didn’t start anyone taller than 6-foot-6 a year ago.

The 6-6 guy he is referring to (that is returning), of course, Division II All-America candidate Justin Keenan, who is back and expected to be a key component of Ferris' lineup.

I can certainly see where he would draw that conclusion based on what he has been able to research about Ferris. And, in all honesty, that is likely the way it will play out. Frankly, that is how the vast majority of these types of games go down (excluding the rare exceptions such as a few years ago when Grand Valley State University stunned Michigan State University and the University of Findlay upset Ohio State University).

Even though Ferris is a heavy underdog, games like this are good for both teams. Dayton can work on some things with a home game against an opponent and the Bulldogs play a Division I opponent to find out where they are getting ready for what will be a tough Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule.

Dayton Daily News:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/daytonflyers/entries/2009/11/02/ud_looking_for_improvement_in.html

UPDATE: Here is the media coverage from the Dayton Web site, including the live (apparently free) video feed: http://www.daytonflyers.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110209aab.html. Also, don't forget: tonight's game is being carried live locally by WBRN (1460 AM & 107.7 FM) with Rob Bentley calling the action. Live Internet stats and live game audio will be provided by Dayton and links will be available at http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/.