NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

4. Dayton Flyers

2021-22 record: 24-11 (14-4 in Atlantic 10)

The Flyers were the youngest team in the country last season in terms of experience and it definitely showed early on, losing three straight home games against vastly inferior opponents. But they grew up quickly to make a claim for being the best team in the Atlantic 10. And just about all of them are back, including a pair of breakout candidates.

Da’Ron Holmes showed that he was worthy of being a former top-50 prospect, averaging 12.8 ppg and 6.1 apg as a freshman. The 6’10 center also blocked over two shots a game and is considered a favorite for A-10 Defensive Player of the Year this season. Also in the frontcourt is Toumani Camara, the team’s only other double-digit scorer, who led them with 6.9 rpg inside. At times, the fit wasn’t clean but these two looked much better in the final month of last season and should flourish together.

The key to Dayton’s postseason hopes is the continued development of the backcourt. Malachi Smith has become the clear lead guard and facilitator of the offense after averaging 5.3 apg. He’s joined by starter Kobe Elvis and 6th Man Koby Brea, both of whom averaged over 9.0 ppg. Brea was the team’s best shooter from deep at 43%. R.J. Blakney is the “glue guy” on the wing and is a solid two-way starter.

The roster is essentially the same, with Mike Sharavjamts “Mongolian Mike” the lone freshman newcomer and is a sharpshooting forward at 6’9. This is a team that has few weaknesses and if Holmes becomes a true national star, this team won’t have to worry about being the first team out again.