Dayton Flyin' Ahead for Next Season

The Dayton Flyers wrapped up an NIT championship taking down UNC in Madison Square Garden. As they wait for the start to the 2010-2011 season, the future is looking bright in the Atlantic-10 Conference, as well as Dayton.

The Flyers are losing tons of senior talent in guards London Warren, Bob Lowery, Mickey Perry, and Marcus Johnson. In the frontcourt they are losing Kurt Huelsman, Dan Fox, and Luke Hendrick.

Dayton will still look good with top incoming recruits and great players coming back for a shot at going to the NCAA Tournament.

Backcourt Outlook

Returning Guards: Junior Paul Williams, Senior Logan Nourse

Paul Williams: 20 MPG, 6 PPG, 2 RPG, 1 APG

Logan Nourse: 1.3 MPG

The Flyers will need Williams' experience to get through the Atlantic 10. He played his role this year, and did a god job, but Dayton will need even more out of him next season.

Incoming: Juwan Staten (PG), Brandon Spearman (SG), Jesse Berry(PG)

Juwan Staten: ESPNU Top 100. Staten will be expected to play right away and contribute all season long.

Spearman will have to be a deep shooter off the bench for the Flyers, as well as Berry, as a reliever for Staten.

Considering: Xavier Jones(PG), Ge'Lawn Guyn(PG), Isaiah Sykes(SG)

Projected Starters: (With or without considering recruits): Juwan Staten, Paul Williams

Frontcourt Outlook

Returning: Junior Chris Johnson, Junior Luke Fabrizius, Senior Chris Wright, Senior Devin Searcy, Sophmore Matt Kavanaugh, Senior Peter Zestermann, Sophmore Josh Benson

Chris Johnson: 24 MPG, 12 PPG, 7 RPG, 1 APG, 1 SPG

Luke Fabrizius: 9 MPG, 5 PPG, 2 RPG

Chris Wright: 29 MPG, 14 PPG, 7 RPG, 1 APG, 1 SPG, 1 BPG

Devin Searcy: 14 MPG, 4 PPG, 3 RPG

Matt Kavanaugh: 3 MPG, 1 PPG, 1 RPG

Peter Zestermann: 1 MPG, 1 PPG, 1 RPG

Josh Benson: 8 MPG, 2 PPG, 2 RPG

Chris Johnson will have to get more points as he will get even more minutes next season. The big question comes with Chris Wright, will he turn pro? If he doesn't, Dayton will be in for a huge boost. Fabrizius had the best three-point field goal percentage, and Searcy and Benson will have to assert themselves more on the offensive end with even bigger roles next season.

Incoming: Devin Oliver (SF), Ralph Hill (SF)

Oliver and Hill will both be huge contributors for the Flyers next season, and will provide even more depth in the frontcourt.

Projected Starters: Chris Johnson, Chris Wright, Devin Searcy

Predictions

The Flyers will finish the year fourth in the A-10, and get to the championship of the tournament final. Whether the NCAA expands the tournament or not, Dayton will get in as a No. 11 seed, where they will knock off No. 6 Pittsburgh, and then fall to the No. 3 seed in their region. Finishing the year with 25+ wins, and a second round exit in the NCAA Tournament.