Dayton Basketball: Why Posh Alexander is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

Last season was very prosperous for a Dayton squad that hadn’t sniffed the Big Dance since 2017. Regularly a contender in the A-10, the Flyers put together an elite unit whose season was shortened by the pandemic four years ago. This time around they made the second round of the NCAA Tournament during a 25-win campaign, clearly the highlight of Anthony Grant’s time at his alma mater.

Unfortunately the road back to postseason glory won’t be easy, as the Flyers lost quite the plethora of talent after the season. Mid-major superstar DaRon Holmes and his 20 points a game are gone while both Koby Brea and Kobe Elvis transferred. Dayton does return talent in Enoch Cheeks and Nate Santos, who entered the Transfer Portal but opted to stay in the end. Getting Malachi Smith back from injury could be important as well.

As for offseason additions, the Flyers had three significant additions from the Transfer Portal, each of whom should see plenty of court time next season. First up is Jacob Conner, a forward from Marshall who emerged as a starter this past year during his sophomore season. Another nice frontcourt addition comes in the way of Zed Key, who was at Ohio State for four years but struggled and played far less as a senior.

The clear winner of this portal haul is Posh Alexander, a fantastic point guard coming from four seasons in the Big East. He showed plenty of promise in three years at St. John’s and was even named Big East Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year. While he didn’t quite take the step forward that some envisioned, Alexander was great for the Red Storm for three years before a solid senior year at Butler. That season with the Bulldogs saw him average 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

The Flyers know what they’re getting in Alexander. He’s been a double-digit scorer in all four seasons, with that success coming against a strong Big East. While the level of competition is no slouch in the A-10, Alexander has the opportunity to really shine as an important playmaker for the Flyers. As if that wasn’t enough, he actually led the Big East in steals in all four seasons and will shine defensively in his new league.

Alexander clearly is not a direct replacement for Holland, who was a menace in the frontcourt. However, Alexander will provide much of that production on both sides of the court. Barring a real emergence from this team, Dayton will take a slight step back this season, but it won’t be because of Alexander. He instantly becomes one of the best players in the A-10 and perhaps its best point guard.

There’s talent here in Dayton for another chance at March Madness; adding Alexander ensured that possibility. A veteran point guard who can score, distribute, and force steals is an incredible weapon for any team, let alone for this Flyers program. What exactly will Alexander’s role be for this team in his final collegiate season? Does Dayton have enough talent to be one of the favorites to claim another A-10 crown?