Game of the Night
Dayton Flyers vs Davidson Wildcats – 8:00 pm ET (CBS Sports Network)
The Essentials:
| Category | Dayton | Davidson |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 12-3 | 10-4 |
| Conference Record | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Home Record | 8-1 | – |
| Away Record | – | 1-4 |
| Kenpom Ranking | 48 | 105 |
| RPI Ranking | 19 | 32 |
| Points Leader | Cooke 15.7 | Gibbs 23.9 |
| Rebounds Leader | McElvene 7.1 | Aldridge 5.5 |
| Assists Leader | Smith 4.5 | Gibbs 5.0 |
| Spread | -9 | +9 |
The game of the night pits a pair of teams that have 2-1 conference records against each other. Davidson comes into this game after winning two straight at home, and Dayton is looking to rebound from a loss on the road against La Salle.
The Davidson Wildcats have been less than stellar so far this year when playing away from home, with their only road victory coming against a dreadful Charlotte squad (albeit, that was a rivalry game). Davidson will look to replicate last year’s success against Dayton, and they will have to do that through Jack Gibbs. The junior sensation is averaging almost 24 points per game, and will have to turn in a masterful performance against Dayton if the Wildcats want to stay in this game. A major key last year for Davidson was Peyton Aldridge, who scored 22 points en route to a 17 point stomping of Dayton. It will be crucial for Davidson that Aldridge has a great night on the glass and stays out of foul trouble.
The good news for the Wildcats is that key players Brian Sullivan and Jordan Barham played and contributed in their last game, a home win against George Mason. For Dayton, on the other hand, the injury front doesn’t look as good. Star forward Kendall Pollard is questionable for the Flyers, as he has missed their last two games.
Even if Pollard (11.5 ppg) is unable to go, the Flyers should have a decided advantage on the glass. Davidson has not been a good rebounding team thus far this season, and that is where Dayton has excelled. The key to success for Dayton is to drive and attack the paint, and not to get caught in a three point shooting contest with Davidson, which is exactly what the Wildcats want.
Elsewhere in A10 Action
Massachusetts Minutemen vs George Washington Colonials – 7:00 pm ET
This is a key game for George Washington if they want to continue their hopes at a possible NCAA at large bid in March. After dropping their first A10 road game against Saint Louis, it will be key for George Washington to get on the right track here, and push their conference record to 3-1. Massachusetts, meanwhile, is coming off of two losses and needs this win to vault them back into the conversation for the title race.
