Game of the Night:
Rhode Island vs. Dayton | 1:00 ET | CBS Sports Network
Undefeated in conference play and winners of nine in a row, Rhode Island goes into Dayton looking to pick up its 10th straight win. Playing consistent and determined basketball throughout this season, Rhode Island is hungry for not only an Atlantic 10 title, but a second straight trip to the NCAA tournament. In order to return to the Big Dance, though, the Rams can not afford many slip-ups in a down A-10. With five of their first six A-10 games resulting in double-digit wins, Rhode Island has done a great job separating itself from the weaker competition so far this year. If the Rams want to make the NCAA tournament once again, they will need to keep it up and a win at Dayton would always be a plus.
At 9-9 overall, Dayton comes into this one still riding the roller coaster its been on all season. The Flyers fell 81-65 on the road to St. Joseph’s their last time out despite putting up 66 points in the first half against VCU en route to a 106-79 win. Earlier this month, Dayton managed to dominate and knock off St. Bonaventure 82-72. Nevertheless, the Flyers turned around and dropped their next contest to UMass 62-60. All in all, no one really knows what to expect from this young Dayton team game in and game out. If the Flyers fight hard on Saturday they certainly have a shot to upset Rhode Island. In the end, though, I think the Rams will prove to be too much.
