21. Dayton (7-2)
Two months from now, Dayton will be in the midst of A-10 play and they’ll be significantly challenge by their league foes. They won’t be playing the same level of competition as the Big 12 or SEC but they’ll have to trek to tough road environments and likely drop a game or two. Regardless, this team is certainly proving that they can hang with those elite-type programs nonetheless.
The Flyers won big over UConn in Maui after close calls against North Carolina and Iowa State and finally got another fantastic win this week. They hosted a Top 10 Marquette team on Saturday night and came back from a 10-point halftime deficit for a 71-63 victory. Javon Bennett and Zed Key had 15 points apiece, Nate Santos had a double-double, and the Flyers won despite shooting 21% from outside the arc.
With what they just accomplished against Marquette, the Flyers send a statement that they can play against anyone this season. As we mentioned, they’ll likely slip up a time or two in league play and get punished in the polls and ratings, but this is a bona fide Top 25 team right now, with a fantastic offense and great potential. Next week provides more opportunity, namely against a ranked Cincinnati squad on Friday.