CHICAGO – The University of Dayton men's basketball team will make a rare trip to Chicago on Dec. 17 when the Flyers take part in the inaugural State Farms Chicago Legends, a doubleheader that will be played at the famed United Center.
UD will take on Northwestern in one game, while Illinois and BYU will square off in the other game.
This will be Dayton's first game in the Chicago area since UD defeated 15th-ranked Marquette in the finals of the 2008 Chicago Invitational Challenge that was played in Hoffman Estates, Ill. It will also be Flyers' first game in the city of Chicago since they played Loyola in the International Amphitheater on Jan. 7, 1989. In the last 30 years Dayton has also played games at the Rosemont Horizon and in Evanston on the campus of Northwestern University.
The University of Dayton has more than 5,000 alumni living in the Chicago area, and the Flyer roster includes three future Chicago alums. Two are members of the class that is on pace to become UD's all-time winningest class. Seniors Kyle Davis (Morgan Park) and Kendall Pollard (Simeon) were both members of state championship teams while in high school. Redshirt sophomore Josh Cunningham also won state titles at Morgan Park.
"We couldn't be happier to bring our Chicago kids home to play in front of their friends and family," Dayton coach Archie Miller said. "Chicago has been so good to us in many ways. I personally think it will be really exciting for our fans. We have such a strong presence of alums and Flyer fans in the Chicago area who will show up in a big way.
"For us it's a chance to challenge ourselves and do it on one of the biggest stages. We are very excited to be a part of this great event."
Some of the top moments and performers in Dayton Basketball history have Chicago ties:
• UD defeated Tennessee and Virginia Tech in Evanston to advance to the 1967 NCAA Final Four.
• Donald Smith scored a Dayton single-game record 52 points in the Chicago Stadium vs. Loyola on Feb. 3, 1973.
• Flyer Hall of Famers Ted Sharpenter, George Janky and Kevin Conrad were Chicago-area products.
• UD's career steal record holder Alex Robertson is from Chicago.
• A total of 32 Chicago-area prep products have worn the Dayton red and blue in basketball.
• Last year, UD's three Chicago-area players – Davis, Pollard and Bobby Wehrli – matched the most of any team in the 2016 NCAA tournament.
The University of Dayton Arena ProSource Ticket Office is now taking orders for the doubleheader. Prices range from $150 for 100 Level Sideline seats to $40 for 300 Level corner and baseline seats. Courtside & floor seating information will be made available at a later date & time. Call the Arena Ticket Office at 937-229-4433 to place an order or for more details.
Information on the event, and to sign up for email notifications regarding ticket news and team updates, can be found at www.chicagolegends.com. Also be sure to follow the State Farm Chicago Legends on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @ChiLegends.
Game times and any television coverage will be announced at a later date.
Dayton finished the regular season co-champions in the Atlantic 10, with a 14-4 conference record. Dayton was 25-8 overall, and reached the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive season. The Flyers' 78 wins over the last three seasons match the best three-year record in school history.
Dayton returns four starters and nine letterwinners in 2016-17.
