Busting Brackets
Fansided

Dayton Basketball: Analyzing Flyers depth chart for 2020-21 season

By Carter Chapley

DAYTON, OH - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Anthony Grant of the Dayton Flyers is seen during the game against the Saint Louis Billikens at UD Arena on February 8, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Anthony Grant of the Dayton Flyers is seen during the game against the Saint Louis Billikens at UD Arena on February 8, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OHIO – FEBRUARY 22: Jalen Crutcher #10 of the Dayton Flyers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO – FEBRUARY 22: Jalen Crutcher #10 of the Dayton Flyers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Guards

The conversation about “who’s team is this?” starts and ends with 6’1” senior guard Jalen Crutcher. After being named first-team all-conference last season and exploring the NBA draft scene, the star guard will be returning to UD as the central piece of the Flyers hopes to take the A-10 crown this season.

At many times last season, it wasn’t entirely clear who was the straw that stirred the Flyers drink. Toppin or Crutcher? While most would put their chips in on Toppin being the answer, it speaks a lot to just how great Crutcher is.

Crutcher will be joined in the backcourt with the only other returning starter from the dream team in defensive specialist Rodney Chatman. Averaging 7.7 points a game last season, Chatman played a critical role in a group with plenty of offensive weapons, as he was often charged with guarding the opposing team’s top threat.

Behind those returning starters are a collection of guys looking to take the next step in terms of solidifying their essential role on the 2020-21 Flyers. Redshirt Senior Ibi Watson was an offensive weapon last season, shooting 39% from behind the arc, but was primarily functioning in the 6th man role. At 6’5, he will be likely poised to play starting minutes. The other returning guard, junior Dwayne Cohill, will look to contribute more after averaging 2.2 points per game on just over 13 minutes a game.

A group of four newcomers will round out the guard core, with three freshmen and one transfer. Elijah Weaver, the 6’6” transfer from USC, will have to sit a season. Incoming freshmen Koby Brea and Lukas Frazier will likely start the season on the bottom of the rotation.

Prep recruit R.J Blakeney will have the opportunity to contribute immediately, having been a year removed from high school, though ultimately, it may be difficult for any of the younger Flyers to find court time as they will be asking so much of those who sit at the top of the depth chart.