Dayton Flyers
Atlantic 10 (23-10, 10-6)
Dayton’s overall record may not be all that impressive, but the Flyers got some huge wins in non-conference play. They knocked off Georgia Tech, Gonzaga, California, Iona and Ole Miss. The A-10 slowed down their momentum, but it is also worth noting that the A-10 schedule makers were not kind to Dayton. The Flyers played Saint Louis, Richmond and Saint Joseph’s twice.
Big Wins: 11/25 vs Gonzaga (84-79), 3/1 Massachusetts (86-79), 3/5 at Saint Louis (72-67)
Bad Losses: 12/7 at Illinois State (75-81), 12/22 USC (76-79), 1/25 at Rhode Island (76-88)
Coach: Archie Miller (3 seasons at Dayton)
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Archie Miller has a big and talented frontcourt to work with and that is a huge reason why this team made it into the postseason. Devin Oliver, a 6-7 senior, leads the way. He leads the team in rebounds and assists and ranks second in points. The Flyers offense is much more efficient when it runs through Oliver. Matt Kavanaugh is the big body under the basket. He has not come back from his suspension in 2012-2013 and played as well as he did two years ago, but he is a big body who can crash the glass and push people around. Jalen Robinson, at 6-9 and 243 pounds, and Devon Scott, at 6-9 and 215 pounds, are a couple promising sophomores. Robinson is deceptively quick and can have good outings despite his sophomore slump. Dyshawn Pierre bridges the gap between the frontcourt and backcourt. The 6-6 sophomore is a superb athlete who helps out the big men on the glass and can attack the basket with ease.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Despite all of the size and talent in the frontcourt, Dayton lacks a shot blocking presence. As a result, the Flyers give up some easy buckets. The backcourt is not bad by any means, but the unit does lack that go-to-scorer that Dayton has had throughout the years. Junior Jordan Sibert, a transfer from Ohio State, is a great outside shooter and Khari Price is having a superb season. Last year Price was nothing but a perimeter defender. He is still a great defender, but now Price can score as well. Much of the disappointment comes from the play of Vee Sanford. After averaging 12.3 points per game as a junior, Sanford has had an inconsistent senior season. Sanford is capable of putting together some quality outings, and Dayton needs him to string some of those games together if they want to make a postseason run.
Probable Starters:
Khari Price, Sophomore, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 1.8 apg
Jordan Sibert, Junior, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 1.5 apg
Dyshawn Pierre, Sophomore, Forward, 11.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Devin Oliver, Senior, Forward, 12.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg
Matt Kavanaugh, Senior, Center, 5.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jalen Robinson, Sophomore, Center, 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Vee Sanford, Senior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 1.8 apg
Devon Scott, Sophomore, Center, 3.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Scoochie Smith, Freshman, Guard, 3.5 ppg, 2.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.2 (107th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.4 (103, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.2 (76, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.3 (207, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (134, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.5 (55, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.9 (204, 6)
Rebound Margin: 4.3 (48, 1)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (146, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.2 (158, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NIT First Round loss to Iowa
2011 NIT First Round loss to College of Charleston
2010 NIT First Round win over Illinois State
2010 NIT Second Round win over Cincinnati
2010 NIT Quarterfinal win over Illinois
2010 NIT Semifinal win over Mississippi
2010 NIT Final win over North Carolina
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over West Virginia
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kansas
2008 NIT First Round win over Cleveland State
2008 NIT Second Round win over Illinois State
2008 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Ohio State
2004 NCAA Round of 64 loss to DePaul
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
