NCAA Basketball: Butler, SDSU headline National Coach of the Year rankings

Dayton has been one of the nation’s biggest surprises so far this season. Although many expected that the Flyers would be capable of competing for an at-large bid out of the Atlantic 10, few would have predicted a launch into the nation’s Top 20. Yet, that is exactly where this team stands thanks to the leadership of head coach Anthony Grant. Through the opening two months of the season, Dayton has emerged as the clear-cut favorite in the A10 and a dark-horse national title contender by virtue of boasting an elite offense.

Obi Toppin, as expected, has taken another big leap in his development to become a National Player of the Year contender. In addition to being a superb athlete and finisher, the 6-foot-9 sophomore is creating for himself with more consistency on the perimeter and shooting 35.9% from three. It is also important to mention that Coach Grant has placed a bunch of excellent supporting cast members around him. Ibi Watson and Jalen Crutcher are perhaps the most notable as elite shooters and playmakers to space the floor.

If opponents ever look to simply shut down Toppin, the Flyers can make it rain from 3-point range. They are exceptionally dangerous at all three levels as a unit and Coach Grant has molded this roster in his image. It is essentially impossible to write a Coach of the Year rankings article right now and leave Dayton’s leader off. Coach Grant has a very legitimate shot at this award if the Flyers are able to dismantle the A10 (which they easily could) and remain in the Top 20 throughout the latter-half of the season.