BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- University of Dayton redshirt sophomore forward
Obi Toppin and junior point guard
Jalen Crutcher have been selected Preseason All-Atlantic 10, according to a poll of the conference's head men's basketball coaches and selected media. The news was released during the A-10's Men's Basketball Media Day in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center.
Toppin, who was the first player to be selected A-10 Rookie of the Year and named first team all-conference in 20 years, was named Preseason First Team All-Atlantic 10. Crutcher moved up from the third team last season to be named Preseason Second Team All-Atlantic 10.
In the same announcement, the Flyers were picked third in the league's preseason poll. Last year, UD was predicted sixth in the same poll, before finishing third in the regular season.
The Flyers received 341 voting points, and one first-place vote. VCU had 381 votes (19 first-place votes), and Davidson was second (359/8). Rhode Island was fourth (283) and St. Bonaventure fifth (280).
Richmond, Saint Louis, Duquesne, George Mason, La Salle, Massachusetts, George Washington, Saint Joseph's and Fordham rounded out the preseason predictions.
Last year, Toppin was the first freshman in 20 years named First Team All-Atlantic 10. He was also the A-10 Rookie of the Year. He led UD in scoring (14.4), FG% (.666, 201-302), 3-pt., FG% (.524, 11-21) and blocked shots (28). He was the first UD player named the A-10 Rookie of the Year. He was fourth in the nation in FG%, and his 83 dunks were second in Division I.
Toppin set Dayton freshman records for total points (475), scoring average, FG% and dunks. His field goal percentage was also the third-best overall single season mark at Dayton.
Last week, he was one of 20 players named to the Karl Malone Award (top power forward in the nation) Watch List.
The redshirt sophomore is the 10th Dayton player named to the preseason first team in the last 16 years. The others are
Josh Cunningham (2018), Charles Cooke (2016),
Jordan Sibert (2014), Kevin Dillard (2012), Chris Wright (2010 and 2009), Brian Roberts (2007), Monty Scott (2005) and Keith Waleskowski (2003).
Crutcher is the quarterback of one of last year's top-scoring offenses in the A-10 (72.9 ppg.). A two-year starter at point guard, he was Dayton's 2018-19 MVP and Third Team All-Atlantic 10. He averaged 13.2 ppg. and was second in the league in assists (5.7) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1). Crutcher is third at UD in career assists per game (5.0) and career assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1).
Dayton's first public competition will be an exhibition game with Cedarville Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5:00 p.m. ET at UD Arena. Doors open at 3 p.m. ET. The Flyers open the season a week later at home against Indiana State on Saturday, Nov. 9. Doors open on Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. ET.
