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FLYERS & REDHAWKS SET TO RENEW RIVALRY ON SATURDAY
One of the oldest rivalries in UD basketball history continues as the University of Dayton Flyers host the Miami RedHawks on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on WHIO, carried by WHIO Radio and available with live streaming video, stats on Gametracker and streaming audio at www.DaytonFlyers.com.
Dayton will be starting a four-game homestand on Saturday. At home this season the Flyers average 65.2 points per game. The defense has been stellar at the Arena allowing just 56.0 points and forcing 20.5 turnovers per contest. On the season, four different players are averaging double figures in scoring. Kevin Dillard leads the charge, averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 assists per game. Vee Sanford (11.9 ppg), Josh Benson (11.6 ppg) and Devin Oliver (10.1 ppg) have diversified the UD offense. Dayton ranks second in the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage (.465), 3-point shooting (.385) and tied for third in defensive rebounding (29.6).
ABOUT MIAMI
The Miami RedHawks, 3-4 overall, have lost two straight. Junior Quinten Rollins boasts a 3.2 assist/turnover ratio (32 assists, 10 turnovers), which leads the Mid-American Conference. Junior Allen Roberts leads Miami averaging 12.7 points per game, while freshman Reggie Johnson averages 11. Inside, the duo of juniors Jon Harris (8.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Will Felder (8.3 ppg & 5.3 rpg) present problems for any opponent. The Miami defense is allowing opponents to convert almost half of its field goal attempts (.497).
SERIES STUFF
Dayton leads the all-time series 68-61 and have won five of the previous six meetings. Last year UD lost at Miami in overtime 72-67. The series with Miami dates back to 1909. The Flyers have met the RedHawks the second-most times in the UD program’s history.
CONQUERING GOLIATH
The Flyers have been powerful against the power conferences. Dayton is 19-8 in the last six years against BCS programs. Dayton’s 19 victories have come against Ole Miss (thrice), Alabama and Auburn (twice), Boston College, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Louisville, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Marquette, Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh.
BCS BUSTERS
UD has won its last seven versus the SEC and the last four against the ACC. The Flyers have won 10 of the last 13 overall and five of the last eight games against BIG EAST opponents. UD is 3-1 this season with wins over Alabama, Boston College and Auburn. The only loss was to the eventual 2012 Charleston Classic champion, Colorado.
SEASON’S GREETINGS
The month of December has been kind to the Flyers in recent years. Dayton has had a winning record in the month of December in the last 10 seasons, which includes the 2012-13 season. Dayton is 54-16 (.771) during the previous nine campaigns. UD has won 33 of its last 38 dating back to the 2007-08 campaign.
OTHER NOTES
• The 81 points scored by Dayton are the most against the Crimson Tide at home since Feb. 21, 2009 when Alabama beat Mississippi State 87-85 in double-overtime.
• The Flyer defense set a program record by allowing five points in the first half against Northern Illinois. NIU shot 11 percent from the field and committed 12 turnovers.
• UD has out-rebounded every opponent in all but one game this season.
• Dayton also has led at halftime in all eight contests this year.
• Dayton ranks second in the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage (.465), 3-point shooting (.385) and tied for third in defensive rebounding (29.6).
• In Archie Miller’s two seasons as head coach, Dayton is 11-0 when the Flyers shoot 40 percent or better from beyond the arc.
• Dayton went 2-1 at the 2012 Charleston Classic. The Flyers defeated the Boston College Eagles and Auburn Tigers and lost to the eventual champion Colorado Buffaloes.
• Kevin Dillard, a First Team Pre-Season All-Atlantic 10 selection, leads Dayton in scoring (15.3 ppg), assists (4.3 apg) and steals (11).
• Dillard is coming off a career-high 25-point performance at Alabama on Wednesday. He was 8-for-8 at the free throw line, 7-of-14 from the field and had six assists.
• In his Flyer career against BCS opponents, Dillard averages 16.3 points, shooting 50-of-103 (.485) from the field and .849 (45-of-53) at the free throw line.
• Josh Benson is producing at a similar clip as he did last season before his torn ACL. In 2012-13, Benson is averaging 11.6 points. Last year, he scored 10.9 ppg in non-conference action.
• Benson is also coming off a strong performance at Alabama. He scored a season-high 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field.
• Benson has scored in double figures in three straight games. During that span, he is averaging 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and shooting 16-of-26 (.615) from the field.
• Vee Sanford averaging 12.3 points and is shooting .467 from the field in his last four games.
• Devin Oliver continues to produce at an efficient level on the glass. He leads the Flyers in overall rebounding (7.9 rpg) and offensive rebounds (19).
• Oliver has scored in double figures in the five of the last six games. He ranks fourth in the A-10 in rebounding (7.9).