NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early preseason mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: The Utah State Aggies celebrate their victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 15: Obadiah Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers handles the ball in the second half against D.J. Foreman #1 of the Saint Louis Billikens during the quarterfinals of the 2019 Atlantic 10 men’s basketball tournament at Barclays Center on March 15, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

7. Dayton Flyers

2018-19 season record: 21-12 (13-5 in A-10)

Dayton overachieved this past season due to a pair of underclassmen whose production was not predicted. 6’9 freshman Obi Toppin led the team in scoring at 14.4 ppg, eclipsing the 20-point mark seven times. Sophomore guard Jalen Crutcher filled up the stat sheets at 13.2 ppg and 5.7 apg.

It was a better-than-expected season for the Flyers and with them losing just Josh Cunningham (no small departure), 2019-20 expectations will have the excitement level at the same level as the Archie Miller days.

Along with the return of upperclassmen role players such as Ryan Mikesell, Jordan Davis, and Trey Landers, head coach Anthony Grant also went to the transfer market to bring additional talent in. Nebraska transfer Jordy Tshimanga brings the kind of size at 6’11 and 280 pounds that the A-10 isn’t used to, while 6’5 junior guard Ibi Watson brings high-level experience from the Big Dance. Chattanooga transfer Rodney Chatman could be the x-factor next season. The 6’1 guard averaged 13.3 ppg before leaving and he can help improve the Flyers struggles from beyond the arc.

Not only does Dayton boasts a good amount of depth, but they also have a potential NBA Draft pick on the roster in Toppin. If he keeps developing and has a big sophomore campaign, the Flyers will be back to the NCAA Tournament – with or without the A-10 autobid.

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