Even though the Ftyers had a 20-6 recllrd under their belts going into the !l~nty路 fifth NIT, onl)" a daring few predicted they eould win. They were not seeded and most observers felt that Dayton would be lucky to get beyond the semifinals. Even Coach Blaekburn predicted many-times NIT champ St. John to win again. With Chmielewski out-duelling opposing center Len Wiley, 24-ll, and G. Hatton potting 19 points, the Flyers chopped the Wheatschoekers of Wichita 79-71, in the Hope was not bustin' out all over after the victory over Wichita, though, bt:cause Houston, a seeded entry, and the best team in the Southwest during the season, loomed as hi~ obstacles in the Flyers' victory path. Sophomores Chmielewski and G. H... ton had little trouble in scoring 24. and 19 points respectively while leadin~ th~ir Ohio buddies to a 9~l-77 victory over the Cougars from Texas. By this time :\ew Yorkers began to take Dayton as a serious contender and they viewed the Flyers' semifinal game with Loyola of Chicago as a to~sup. Chmielewski and Hatton should have been wearing professional uniforms for their performam:es against the Ramblers from Chicago were truly magnificent. Scoring 60 points between them, the two guided the Fly~rs into the finals with a 98-82 win.
"Ge.e-thi~ i~ like taking t:andy from a Laby," Chn1ielcw~ki, all alone unde( a basket during
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~;ame, ~ays.
"Take it easy, boys, you'll crush me i{ you don't watch out," Roggenbuck says as The Moose, wyola foe, twists toward him.
200
Tournament's most valuahlc player si:&cs up :>iluation break down court.
3.~
tcummalc Tom Hatton gels set for