The University of Dayton Flyers capped the 2011-12 season with another successful campaign after reaching the 20-win plateau, advancing to the NIT and winning the 2011 Old Spice Classic.
Dayton finished the season 20-13 overall and earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament for the third straight season. Numerous Flyers enjoyed great seasons for UD as well.
Chris Johnson, a 2012 Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention selection, became the only college basketball player in the last 20 years to have 1,400 points, 800 rebounds, 300 offensive rebounds and 200 three-pointers while shooting at least 80 percent from the free throw line.
Kevin Dillard, a Second Team, All A-10 member and NABC selection, finished second in the A-10 and tied for 16th in the NCAA in assists per game with 6.0. Dillard also led the Flyers in scoring (13.3), assists (6.0), steals (47) and minutes (32.7).
Matt Kavanaugh had a breakout junior season. He averaged 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds (after averaging 1.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg as a sophomore).
Devin Oliver averaged 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in a seven-game stint as a starter at the end of the season.
Josh Benson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Dec. 30, averaged 10.9 points and 5.2 boards before being sidelined with a torn ACL. And coach
Archie Miller’s 20 victories were also the fourth-most by a first year coach at Dayton.
Here are additional notes from the 2011-12 campaign.
• Dayton earned a postseason bid for the fifth straight year. The Flyers went to the NIT for the third straight season.
• Dayton made its 24th appearance in the National Invitation Tournament, the second-most behind St. John’s. Dayton possesses an all-time NIT record of 40-22.
• The Flyers are on a stretch of five consecutive seasons of 20 or more victories. That is the first time that has happened since the 1999-2000 thru 2003-04 seasons.
• The Class of 2012 (
Luke Fabrizius,
Chris Johnson,
Josh Parker and
Paul Williams) accounted for 94 victories, the second-winningest class in UD basketball history. The top group is the Class of 2011 with 95 wins. All four will receive their diplomas during UD’s Commencement Exercises on May 6.
• The Flyers are 16-7 against BCS opponents in the last five seasons. Dayton finished this season 4-2 against BCS opponents with victories against Alabama, Ole Miss, Minnesota and Wake Forest.
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Kevin Dillard was named second team All-Atlantic 10,
Chris Johnson was selected honorable mention and
Luke Fabrizius made it to the A-10 All-Academic team.
• Dayton finished 7-0 this season when five Flyers scored in double figures.
• Dayton played six schools that advanced to the NCAA Tournament (Alabama, Murray State, Saint Louis, St. Bonaventure, Temple and Xavier).
• The Flyers set a program record and ranked second in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.778). The prior program record was set back during the 1982-83 campaign (.773).
• This year’s squad also made the second-most 3-pointers in a season (257) and attempted the most shots from beyond the arc (750).
• Dayton closed the year shooting 70 percent or better at the free throw line in the final 16 games.
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Chris Johnson is the only college basketball player in the last 20 years to have 1,400 points, 800 rebounds, 300 offensive rebounds and 200 three-pointers while shooting at least 80% from the line.
• Johnson played in 138 games, the most in Flyer Basketball history.
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Kevin Dillard was recognized as a member of the 2012 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-District Second Team. He ranked second in the A-10 and tied for 16th in the NCAA in assists per game with 6.0.
• Dillard finished the year leading the Flyers in scoring (13.3), assists per game (6.0), steals (47) and minutes (32.7). He closed the season scoring in double figures in 14 of his last 15 games.
• With 198 assists, Dillard had for the second-most in a single-season at UD. The all-time leader is Negele Knight with 216 assists during his senior season.
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Paul Williams completed his Flyer career with the second-most games played (137). He is tied with former teammates London Warren and Kurt Huelsman.
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Matt Kavanaugh closed the year third in the A-10 in offensive rebounding (2.9 rpg) and seventh in field goal percentage (.546). The 97 offensive rebounds were the fifth-most in a single season at UD.
• The Flyers went 18-3 the past two seasons when
Josh Parker scored in double figures.
• UD won the 2011 Old Spice Classic after defeating Wake Forest, Fairfield and Minnesota.
Kevin Dillard won the tournament Most Valuable Player award after averaging a team-best 15.3 points.
