NCAA Basketball: UConn, North Carolina, Wisconsin rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
21. Dayton (13-2)
This season has been disappointing in the A-10, but that’s not true about everyone. Anthony Grant is still looking for his first trip to the Big Dance with these Flyers and may have that team this year. Early losses to Northwestern and Houston were put in the rearview on this current stretch of winning that’s included wins away from home over Cincinnati and SMU.
The Flyers continued their hot start into conference play, surviving for a 64-60 home win over UMass back on Sunday. Daron Holmes II led the charge with 18 points and 6 rebounds, keying the Flyers as they held on for the win. Friday night was even sweeter as Dayton won 72-62 at Duquesne for their third road win of the season. Holmes put on an absolute clinic with 33 point and 12 rebounds as the Flyers flew to 3-0 in A-10 play.
Dayton has flown where their conference rivals have sunk this season and look like the unquestionable favorite in this league. The offense has been great during this recent trend of winning though the defense is certainly performing well too. The bottom line is that Holland is simply on another level right now and can lead these Flyers to postseason success. They’re at home against Saint Louis and Rhode Island next week with a 5-0 start extremely realistic.