NCAA Basketball: 2021 ESPN Events Invitational preview and predictions

Dayton Flyers

Record: 1-3

Much like a good number of teams in the Atlantic 10, the Dayton Flyers have had their share of issues to begin the year. Sitting at 1-3 entering this tournament, Anthony Grant’s squad has suffered losses to Lipscomb, Austin Peay, and UMass-Lowell. While it was to be expected that Dayton would suffer some growing pains especially early on with a roster with just one junior and senior, the losses, in particular to the Riverhawks turned some heads.

After the loss to UMass-Lowell, Dayton had a tough time with Lipscomb losing 78-59 and just before this tournament suffered another tough loss by falling to Austin Peay 87-81. So far this season the Flyers freshmen Toumani Camara and Elijah Weaver have led the way offensively with 20.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

But the young Flyers have some kinks to work out early in the year, the defense has been a positive for Dayton, allowing just 69.5 points per game and despite the record are holding opponents to 44% from the field.

The issues come at the offensive end where they have struggled from the field (43%), the three-point line (28%), and even the free-throw line where they have shot just 71%. Playing in Orlando will give the Flyers a chance to get their young roster some vital game experience against high-level competition.