Why the University of Dayton Does Not Play Top-25 Teams: Exposing the Myths

When the University of Dayton released its men's basketball schedule before this season, many around the city bemoaned the lack of big names or stellar matchups.  The subject was re-ignited recently on talk radio in response to demands for a Wright State-Dayton rivalry.

Flyer boosters will tell you that Wright State is UD's little brother and Dayton will gain nothing from playing a weak, non-conference opponent. UD's new athletic director said, "We really have to focus much more on a national presence for our sports programs.

"What we're really going to do is focus on those teams that are getting NCAA at-large opportunities and conferences getting at-large opportunities and games that give us an opportunity for national and regional television exposure. That is our focus."

So the schedule should be peppered with traditional powers, right? Well, it's not. The Flyers non-conference schedule is was highlighted by Marquette, George Mason, Auburn, and Creighton. At best, two of these teams will reach the Big Dance.

Another Dayton myth: Big-name schools refuse to schedule a powerful mid-major like Dayton because they might lose. It is true; Dayton did win games last season against nationally-ranked Louisville and Pittsburgh and this season at Marquette.

That said, its still a stretch to say that Auburn and Creighton are the "biggest" programs brave enough to face the University of Dayton.

Examine mid-major powers Butler, BYU, Davidson, Gonzaga, Marquette, Memphis, Utah, and fellow A-10 powerhouse Xavier. (These are teams UD would like to think are its peers.)

In 2008-'09, Butler scheduled: Xavier, OSU, Drake, Northwestern, Bradley, and UAB

BYU: Arizona State, Wake Forest, and Utah State

Davidson: Duke, Oklahoma, Winthrop, Purdue, West Virginia, and NC State

Gonzaga: Oklahoma State, Memphis, Maryland, Indiana, Arizona, UConn, Washington State, and Tennessee twice.

Marquette: Tennessee, Dayton, NC State, and Wisconsin

Memphis: Xavier, Syracuse, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Gonzaga

Utah: Mississippi, Oklahoma, California, Oregon, LSU and Gonzaga

Xavier: Butler, Missouri, Virgina Tech, Virgina, Memphis, Auburn, Duke, and Cincinnati

Those are pretty impressive schedules for mostly small, mostly private schools that lack funding from major football programs.

But this is an arbitrary eye-ball test! Two or three big games cannot reflect an entire season. If only there was an impartial number to assess every team's schedule. 

The strengths of schedule (SOS) of the respective teams: 47, 77, 62, 23, 69, 14, 7, and eight. Yes, tiny, Atlantic-10 rival Xavier has the eighth-ranked schedule in the nation.  Dayton in No. 232. (These numbers were found at CBSsports.com RPI.)

Dayton's brass and fans may call the perennial powers cowards, but it's obvious who the true scheduling coward is.

UD's neighbor, Wright State, has an RPI of 137 and a SOS 173rd.  Wright State's last NCAA tournament appearance was in 2007.  The Flyers reached March Madness most recently in 2004.

UD's schedule isn't all bad.  It can be a fun, rainy day activity called "find the school."  Grab a map. Your teams are Wofford, Bethune-Cookman, Mercer, Coppin State, and George Mason. Remember to time yourself!