Dayton Flyers
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #51
Conference Rank: #3 Atlantic 10
Dayton took a big step forward in Coach Anthony Grant’s second season leading the program. After a 14-17 debut campaign, the Flyers went 21-12 last season. That was not enough for Dayton to return to the NCAA Tournament, but they did reach the NIT. They lost in the first round at Colorado, but it was a nice stepping stone towards potentially bigger and better things to come. This is suddenly an experienced team and the Flyers should again be on the cusp of an NCAA Tournament berth.
2018-19 Record: 21-12, 13-5
2018-19 Postseason: None
Coach: Anthony Grant
Coach Record: 35-29 at Dayton, 228-139 overall
Key Departed Players:
Josh Cunningham, Forward, 13.3 ppg
Jordan Davis, Guard, 9.8 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Jalen Crutcher, Junior, Guard, 13.2 ppg
Ryan Mikesell, Senior, Forward, 10.1 ppg
Trey Landers, Senior, Guard, 8.2 ppg
Obi Toppin, Sophomore, Forward, 14.4 ppg
Jhery Matos, Junior, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Dwayne Cohill, Sophomore, Guard, 3.5 ppg
Key New Players:
Rodney Chatman, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Chattanooga
Chase Johnson, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Florida
Moulaye Sissoko, Freshman, Center
Jordy Tshimanga, Junior, Center, Transfer from Nebraska
Ibi Watson, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Michigan
Projection:
Obi Toppin, Jalen Crutcher and Ryan Mikesell were all double-digit scorers last season. Toppin was the conference’s rookie of the year after tallying 14.4 points per game and shooting 66.6 percent from the floor. The 6-9 forward should be even better with that year of experience under his belt. Crutcher was the team’s most prolific outside shooter last season, while Mikesell is the forward who can stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability. Trey Landers is a tough wing who averaged 8.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Those four are a great core to build around. Jhery Matos and Dwayne Cohill are also back, but Dayton will go to the next level thanks to four transfers. Ibi Watson, from Michigan, and Rodney Chatman, from Chattanooga, will add options on the perimeter. Watson was used sparingly with the Wolverines, but is a big, tough guard. Chatman averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 assists with the Mocs two years ago. The frontcourt adds 6-11 center Jordy Tshimanga and 6-9 sophomore Chase Johnson. Tshimanga spent two years at Nebraska and averaged 4.0 points and 4.6 rebounds two years ago. Johnson spent most of his time at Florida injured, but he is a very talented player who can make a huge impact if he can stay healthy. Dayton has the talent to reach the NCAA Tournament and win the Atlantic 10, but all of those pieces need to come together quickly if that is going to happen.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.9 (158th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.2 (46, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.4 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.4 (52, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.2 (308, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.2 (236, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (235, 8)
Rebound Margin: 2.7 (92, 2)
Assists Per Game: 16.4 (16, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.5 (140, 8)
