UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FLYERS VS. No. 10 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
In one of the most highly anticipated games on the schedule, the University of Dayton women's basketball team begins the 2009-10 campaign against the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans. The game will be carried by 1610 Information Radio and available with live streaming video, stats on Gametracker and streaming audio at www.DaytonFlyers.com.
The Flyers are coming off the first postseason win in the program's modern history and went 21-14 last season. Dayton was selected to finish tied for third in the 2009-10 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. The preseason A-10 ranking is the highest ever for the Flyers, who are led by seventh-year Head Coach Jim Jabir.
EVENT INFORMATION
Arena: University of Dayton Arena
TV: None
Court: Tom Blackburn Court
Radio: 1610 Information Radio - (Barney Sentner & Jennifer Storer)
Internet: Live Stats, Audio & Video at www.DaytonFlyers.com
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
• The University of Dayton Flyers picked up an 88-56 exhibition win over Indiana (Pa.) on Friday, Nov. 6 to begin the 2009-10 campaign. Junior Kristin Daugherty scored all 15 of her team-leading 15 points in the first half for the Flyers. • Coming off the first postseason win in the program's modern history, Dayton, was selected to finish tied for third in the 2009-10 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll. The Flyers also tied a league-high with three players named to preseason teams.
• The Flyers return their five starters and top seven scorers from a team that went 21-14 last season. The 2008-09 squad advanced to the Atlantic 10 Semifinals for the third time in the program's history and made its second-straight appearance in the postseason WNIT.
• The Flyers tied Xavier for a league-high with three different players named to the 2009-10 A-10 Preseason Teams. Junior Kristin Daugherty and sophomore Justine Raterman were both named Second Team Atlantic 10 Preseason selections, while sophomore Casey Nance was tabbed to the A-10 Preseason Defensive Team.
• On Wednesday, University of Dayton women's basketball coach Jim Jabir and his staff landed one of the top local basketball products in several years when Fairmont High School star Cassie Sant signed her letter of intent to attend UD and play basketball for the Flyers.
• Home contests against NCAA National Runner-up No. 19/23 Louisville and Sweet 16 participant No. 10/10 Michigan State; along with a visit to No. 23/RV Purdue (Elite 8) are only a few of many highlights of the University of Dayton women's basketball 2009-2010 non-conference schedule that features seven postseason teams.
• Head coach Jim Jabir is fourth on the Flyers' all-time wins list with 90. He trails Sue Ramsey by five for third place.
• During the off-season, University of Dayton head women's basketball coach Jim Jabir announced Angie Russell as the new assistant coach. Russell joins the University of Dayton coaching staff from Cleveland State University where she served as an assistant for three seasons.
• The University of Dayton Arena is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State enters the 2009-10 season ranked No. 10 in the initial Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls. The Spartans, who were picked to finish second in the Big Ten by both the league's head coaches and media, finished last season 22-11 overall and 13-5 in Big Ten play.
MSU advanced to its third NCAA Sweet 16, after a 63-49 upset of No. 1-seed Duke. One of the top defensive teams in the country, Michigan State led the Big Ten and ranked among the nation's top-25 in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense, blocked shots and rebound margin.
Michigan State returns 12 of 13 letterwinners from last season, including nine student-athletes who started at least one game. In all, the Spartans welcome back 99.3% of its points, 95.0% of its rebounds, 89.3% of its assists, 97.9% of its blocks and 91.1% of its steals from a year ago.
Senior Allyssa DeHaan highlights the returning Spartans, entering her senior season in the top-10 on the MSU career points and rebounds list, in addition to ranking eighth on the NCAA career blocks list.
SERIES STUFF
Michigan State leads the all-time series 6-2, but the Flyers won the last meeting 61-57 back on Dec. 17, 2000. Dayton is 2-2 all-time against the Spartans at UD Arena.
NEXT UP
The Flyers have one day between hosting No. 10/10 Michigan State and No. 19/23 Louisville, who was the NCAA National runner-up in 2008-09. The Flyers host the Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET. Fans who purchase tickets at the Michigan State game Friday can use their stub to get in free Sunday. In addition, fans who attend the Dayton vs. Creighton men's basketball game on Saturday, can attend the Louisville game Sunday for free when they show their ticket stub.
