BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The University of Dayton Flyers were picked to finish in eighth in the 2012 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll.
The Flyers will be led by preseason first-team selection Kevin Dillard.
Dillard, an All-Atlantic 10 and NABC All-District selection, finished second in the A-10 and tied for 16th in the NCAA in assists per game with 6.0. Dillard also led the Flyers in scoring (13.3), assists (6.0), steals (47) and minutes (32.7).
Against Atlantic 10 opponents, Dillard led in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4) ranked second in the conference in assists per game (6.7) and third in free throw percentage (.880). His scoring was also up from non-conference action, averaging 13.8 points versus conference opponents (14th in the A-10).
Head Coach
Archie Miller and the Flyers return three starters from that team that went 20-13 and advanced to the NIT in 2011-12.
Other key returnees for Dayton include Josh Benson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Dec. 30, returns after he averaged 10.9 points and 5.2 boards during non-conference play. Matt Kavanaugh averaged 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 2011-12, while Devin Oliver averaged 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in a seven-game stint as a starter at the end of the season.
The Flyers open the regular season at home on Saturday, Nov. 10 against Arkansas State.
Poll (first place votes)
1. Saint Joseph’s (11)
2. Saint Louis (10)
3. VCU (3)
4. Temple (2)
5. Massachusetts (2)
6. Butler (2)
7. La Salle
8. Dayton
9. Xavier
10. Richmond
11. St. Bonaventure
12. Charlotte
13. George Washington
14. Fordham
15. Rhode Island
16. Duquesne
First Team
Kevin Dillard, Dayton
Chris Gaston, Fordham
Chaz Williams, Massachusetts
Kwamain Mitchell, Saint Louis
Khalif Wyatt, Temple
Second Team
Rotnei Clarke, Butler
Chris Braswell, Charlotte
Ramon Galloway, La Salle
Langston Galloway, Saint Joseph’s
Carl Jones, Saint Joseph’s
Third Team
Darien Brothers, Richmond
C.J. Aiken, Saint Joseph’s
Halil Kanacevic, Saint Joseph’s
Scootie Randall, Temple
Juvonte Reddic, VCU
All-Defensive
Roosevelt Jones, Butler
Pierria Henry, Charlotte
C.J. Aiken, Saint Joseph’s
Jordair Jett, Saint Louis
Briante Weber, VCU
All-Rookie
Kellen Dunham, Butler
Jordan Hare, Rhode Island
Jordan Burgess, VCU
Melvin Johnson, VCU
Semaj Christon, Xavier
