DAYTON -- The University of Dayton Flyers head west for the second time in two weeks, traveling to Phoenix to play a strong Saint Mary's team in the Air Force Reserve Jerry Colangelo Classic at the home of the Phoenix Suns, Talking Stick Resort Arena. Game time is 4 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 6-1 Flyers are now 19th in the Associate Press poll, and 17th in the USA Today Coaches poll. Dayton defeated Houston Baptist 99-68 on Tuesday.
The game will be carried by WHIO Radio, televised on ESPNU 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 when the Flyers were first ranked) as the Flyer head coach. UD was last ranked in February of 2016, when the Flyers were 15th.
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Obi Toppin added another national player of the year watch list to his credit on Thursday when he was named to the USBWA's Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List. He had already been named to both the James Naismith Trophy and Lute Olson Award Watch Lists. The Preseason First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection is also on the Karl Malone Award Watch List, which goes to the top power forward. Jay Bilas also listed him as his top breakout candidate this year.
• 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.
• 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 106.
• Toppin is currently first in the A-10 in scoring (22.1) and FG% (.674, 60-89).
• Against Houston Baptist,
Ryan Mikesell led UD with 19 points, followed by Toppin (18, with 10 boards),
Ibi Watson (16) and
Jalen Crutcher (12).
Rodney Chatman had seven assists.
• The Flyers are first nationally in FG% (.547, 233-426) and in assists as a team (21.0), second in scoring (88.7) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.58).
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Jalen Crutcher leads the A-10 in assists (6.3).
Rodney Chatman is ninth (4.3).
UP NEXT
• After a week break from competition for exams, Dayton will return home to play Drake on Saturday, Dec. 14. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.
