VCU vs. Dayton: College basketball game preview, TV schedule, prediction

While the stakes aren’t as high as normal for this game, VCU and Dayton always put on a show. Who will win the newest battle of a budding rivalry?

TV schedule: Friday, Jan. 12, 7:00 p.m. ET. ESPN2

Arena: University at Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

The A-10 basketball conference is currently having a down season, thanks to an exodus of great coaches, such as previously  Will Wade of VCU and Archie Miller of Dayton. Not only that, but a number of talented seniors have left as well, leaving Rhode Island as the only team in a position for an at-large bid, although St. Bonaventure has a case a well.

That doesn’t mean that these teams won’t make a run in the conference tournament, especially VCU 11-6 (3-1). The Rams have no truly bad losses on the season, and with the exception of a 23-point blowout at Seton Hall, have been in every game to this point.

VCU is led by a trio of seniors, with Justin Tillman the leader of the pack at 17.7 ppg and 9.5 rpg. He’s expected to be on the shortlist for Conference Player of the Year when it’s all said and done.

Dayton 8-8 (2-2) was hit harder by the loss of coaching and talent, and under former Alabama coach Anthony Grant, are rebuilding a bit. In conference play, the Flyers lost close games with UMass and Duquesne, while beating Richmond and St. Bonaventure.

As a team, Dayton has struggled to gain some momentum, alternating wins and losses in the past 10 games. Two players make this team go, with forward Josh Cunningham operating in the post with 15.8 ppg and 9.2 rpg. The leading scorer for the Flyers is also the lone senior on the team, in Darrell Davis, averaging 17.0 ppg.

While everyone is looking up at Rhode Island, teams like VCU and Dayton are jostling for position, with the Rams tied for second place with Davidson and Duquesne, while Dayton is in a logjam with a number of teams at 2-2 in league play.

Next: 5 Mid-major questions for start of conference play

This should be an entertaining and fun game, as both teams split the two meetings a year ago, winning on their home court. The  Flyers usually have a great home court advantage but have lost three games already, including to Penn and UMass. I believe that VCU will make it No. 4, thanks to a veteran-led squad that’ll be coming in there.

Prediction: VCU 74 – Dayton 71