65 Teams in 65 Days: No. 24 Dayton

Location: Dayton, OH
Nickname: Flyers

Conference: Atlantic 10
Last Year’s Record: 27-8

 

Dayton Forward Chris Wright

Key Returners: Chris Wright (13.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Marcus Johnson (11.8 ppg), and Chris Johnson (5.2 rpg)

Top Newcomer: Matt Kavanaugh

Strengths:

With 14 players returning from last year’s team, the Flyers are far and away the favorites in the A-10. While not explosive, they’ve bought into Coach Brian Gregory’s system. Their style of play would suit them well in the Big East or Big Ten as they prefer to grind out games. Their opponents shot less than 40 percent and were held to just 61 points-per-game last season. The way the Flyers guard translates to any conference in America and it will pay huge dividends for them this season.

Weakness:

The Flyers were almost as dreadful offensively as their opponents were last season. Shooting only 42 percent as a team, the Flyers let a lot teams hang around in games which should have been easy victories. Their ineptness was put on full blast in the second-round NCAA tournament match-up with Kansas. The Flyers scored just 43 points on their way to a loss in a game they were never really in. Repeating the same offensive performance this season won’t get them any further.

Outlook:

The Flyers will be the top team in the A-10 this season and will challenge Ohio State for the top spot in the state. With the guys they have returning and the way they defend, this team can make a legitimate run at the second weekend of the Big Dance.