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Through eight home games this year, UD’s defense has forced 19.5 turnovers per game. |
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Streaming Audio | Live Stats | Free Live Video
FLYERS CLOSE NON-CONFERENCE SLATE VERSUS UAB ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Looking to close the non-conference slate on a high note, the University of Dayton Flyers host the UAB Blazers on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on WHIO, carried by WHIO Radio and available with live video, stats and streaming audio at www.DaytonFlyers.com.
Dayton enters the game 9-4, but has lost two of its last three. The Flyers are 6-2 at home this season, while averaging 71.9 points per game and forcing 19.5 turnovers. On the year, four Flyers are scoring in double figures. Kevin Dillard, a Cousy Award Watch List selection, leads Dayton in scoring (15.1), assists (4.5), three-pointers made (21), free throws made (57) and steals (18). Vee Sanford is second on the Flyers averaging 12.4 points per game, while Josh Benson averages 11.0 points. Devin Oliver (10.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg) leads the Atlantic 10 in rebounding and has scored in double figures in the eight of the last 11 games.
ABOUT UAB
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, 8-6 overall, come to Dayton having won three straight. However, UAB is 1-6 away from home this season. UAB is averaging 77.1 points per game, which ranks second in Conference USA and 43rd nationally. Jordan Swing leads UAB averaging 14.9 points, while shooting .471 from three. Rod Rucker has been a solid post presence averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
SERIES STUFF
UAB leads the all-time series 5-0. The last time the two programs met was back on March 2, 1995 with Dayton losing 57-55.
NON-CONFERENCE NOTORIETY
Dayton finished with 10 or more non-conference victories in the last six seasons.
NOT HORSESHOES. NOT HAND GRENADES
In the last three of UD’s four losses, the Flyers took a shot at the buzzer that would have won the game.
OTHER NOTES
• With a win, Dayton will make it seven consecutive seasons with 10 or more non-conference victories.
• In Dayton’s nine wins, the Flyers are shooting .501 from the field. In the four losses, the field goal percentage drops to .380.
• Through eight home games this year, UD’s defense has forced 19.5 turnovers per game.
• The Flyers are 19-9 against BCS opponents in the last six seasons. Dayton is 7-4 in coach Archie Miller’s tenure against the power conferences with wins against Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Minnesota, Ole Miss and Wake Forest.
• UD is 3-2 this season against BCS programs with a win at Alabama and a 2-1 mark at the Charleston Classic. The Flyers beat Boston College and Auburn, but lost to the eventual champion Colorado Buffaloes.
• Dayton is 11-0 the last two years shooting 40 percent or better in a game from 3-point range.
• UD is 2-0 this year and 9-0 during Miller’s tenure when five players score in double figures.
• Dayton ranks third in defensive rebounding (30.6) and fourth in field goal percentage (.461) in the Atlantic 10 this season.
• Kevin Dillard, a First Team Pre-Season All-Atlantic 10 selection, leads UD in scoring (15.1), assists (4.5), three-pointers made (21), free throws made (57), minutes (32.1) and steals (18).
• The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named Dillard to the national watch list for the 2013 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award.
• Dillard is 10th in the A-10 in scoring and ranks fifth in assists and free throw percentage. He has scored in double figures in all but one game this year.
• Devin Oliver leads the Atlantic 10 and leads the Flyers in overall rebounding (8.8 rpg). In his last four games, Oliver is averaging 9.8 points and 9.0 rebounds.
• Oliver recorded his fourth career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds at USC. The four double-doubles came in his last nine contests.
• Oliver has scored in double figures in the eight of the last 11 games.
• Josh Benson is producing at a similar clip as he did last season before his torn ACL. In 2012-13, Benson is averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and shooting .527 from the floor.
• Benson ranks 14th in the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage and blocks.
• Vee Sanford leads the Flyers with an .886 free throw percentage and ranks third in the A-10.
• Sanford scored a season-high 23 points versus Murray State. He has scored in double figures in five of his last seven contests.
• Jalen Robinson has been a force off the bench, averaging 6.5 points while shooting .588 (30-51) from the field. The Flyers are 8-2 when Robinson comes off the bench.
• Matt Derenbecker is 13-of-23 (.565) from three-point range over the last five games.
• Khari Price has a 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio (9 assists, 2 turnovers) in his last four games.
