Sullivan

continued from C1 tremendous amount of confidence in him and the staff. We have a very experienced coaching staff. Really, nothing’s changed in regard to our program expectations. We understand, and Coach understands the standards of excellence necessary to meet those expectations, which is to compete for conference championships and advance in the NCAA tournament. That’s really our daily focus. Clearly, in certain seasons, meeting those expectations can be more difficult than others, ... but that’s what we focus on, and I think the future of Dayton basketball is very bright under coach Grant.

How hard do you think the 14-17 season was on Grant personally?

He was given a tough task, but he’s never wavered. He understands what we’re after. Transitions are tough. Then you mix that with graduating the winningest class in Dayton basketball history, which has a very storied tradition. But he’s up to the challenge. He runs to expectations, not from them. He embraces that. He has a maniacal focus on developing our current players and just relentlessly recruiting new talent to the program. He aims high. He doesn’t put any perceived limits on our recruiting. He doesn’t chase people just to chase them, but if he and the staff see an opening, they run toward it. I think that will serve us really well into the future.

Some of Grant’s decisions last year and this year seem focused on long-term goals. Do you see that?

We believe, at the university and in athletics, long term trumps short term. At the same time, we understand in sports results are what matter. You’ve got to balance all those things out. It’s very difficult to forecast how quick or how far a young player can develop. So we’re trying to build a roster one good decision at a time. Hopefully, enough good decisions accelerate where we want to be and what we want to do. Coach is very deliberate, very intentional. We won’t sacrifice the short term for the big picture because in the long run, that typically doesn’t work.

The A-10 looked like a one-bid league at times last year but advanced three teams into the NCAA tournament. How happy are you with the state of the A-10 and Dayton’s place in it?

The A-10’s a great league with great teams and great coaches and a lot of tradition. At the same time, we have to be focused on constant improvement. We have to fight very aggressively for national space and national-level basketball. I think the Atlantic 10 and its members have to have their foot on the accelerator at all times.

If you really think about the last 20-plus years, if you’re not in the top 50, you’re not going to the NCAA tournament if you’re from the Atlantic 10. We need schools to commit to the pursuit of top50 caliber programs. In any given year, clearly we’re not all going to be in the top 50, but I believe four to six of us should be fighting to be top50 programs. That’s really what my focus is when I work with the league,.

I think the bottom core of our league has to get better. It’s really hard to win on the road. That road loss, while never desired, can’t be viewed as a fatal flaw. You’ve got to be able to lose on the road and it not derail you.

How close are you to finishing the nonconference schedule?

We’re really close. We’re just dotting some I’s and crossing some T’s.

With construction at UD Arena, do you know if there will be a Red and Blue Game this year?

I think it’s too early (to say). There’s a high probability it’ll be similar to last year ... and we do something different like a meet-and-greet at a football game. It’s too early to know for sure, but there’s a lot of activity going on over there almost around the clock, and I anticipate according to our schedule, that’ll be well into October. Contact this reporter at 937244-7400 or email David. Jablonski@coxinc.com.