DAYTON -- The University of Dayton Flyers, fresh off an attention-grabbing performance at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, return to UD Arena Tuesday to play Houston Baptist. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.
Dayton fell in overtime 90-84 to now-No. 2 Kansas in the Maui finals, after getting double-digit wins over Georgia (80-61) and Virginia Tech (89-62). Dayton's tournament run propelled them into this week's national rankings. The 5-1 Flyers are now 19th in the Associate Press poll, and 17th in the USA Today Coaches poll.
The game will be carried by WHIO Radio, televised on Spectrum News 1 and streamed on ESPN+. Streaming audio, streaming video and stats will be available at DaytonFlyers.com.
THE TRANSFORMED UD ARENA
The University of Dayton has completed a three-year, $76.2 million transformation project of UD Arena in time for the Arena's 50th anniversary season. The project transformed the 50-year-old facility into a state-of-the-art venue. The upgrade, the largest construction project in University history, modernizes the Arena without losing the "soul of the bowl" – the atmosphere that has made UD Arena one of the best places to watch college basketball.
#TRENDING
• This is Dayton's first national ranking in head coach
Anthony Grant's short tenure (two years and six games) as the Flyer head coach. UD was last ranked in February of 2016, when the Flyers were 15th.
•
Obi Toppin was named to the Maui All-Tournament Team, A-10 Player of the Week for the second time this season and NBCSports.com's National Player of the Week.
• Against Kansas,
Ryan Mikesell led UD with 19 points, followed by
Obi Toppin (18),
Ibi Watson (16) and
Jalen Crutcher (12). Crutcher also eight assists.
• Toppin had his 100th career dunk during the Virginia Tech game in Maui, which was just his 20th start and 38th career game. He now has 102. (Full disclosure he scored 25 against Georgia and 18 vs. Kansas with no dunks, so he is far from a one-pitch pitcher.)
• Toppin is currently first in the A-10 in scoring (23.0) and FG% (.697, 53-76).
• He has been named to both the James Naismith Trophy and Lute Olson Award Watch Lists for national player of the year. The Preseason First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection is also on the Karl Malone Award Watch List, which goes to the top collegiate power forward. Jay Bilas also listed him as his top breakout candidate this year (a fairly good call).
• The Flyers are first nationally in FG% (.538, 192-357), second in assists as a team (19.5), and fifth in scoring (87.0).
•
Jalen Crutcher leads the A-10 in assists (6.7).
UP NEXT
• Dayton will play Saint Mary's in Phoenix, Ariz. at the Basketball Hall of Fame's Colangelo Classic on Sunday, Dec. 8. Game time is 4 p.m. ET.
• After a week break for exams, the UD is back home to face Drake on Saturday, Dec. 14.
