Last year, Dayton made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017, and the Flyers remain a viable contender to return to the Big Dance.
The Flyers have the best odds to win the Atlantic 10, according to BetMGM, and will look to gain some momentum when the Flyers visit Massachusetts in a game featuring teams at the different ends of the A-10 spectrum.
While Dayton (11-4, 1-1) is a major contender, UMass (5-10, 0-2) is expected to struggle in its final Atlantic 10 season. The Minutemen is joining the Mid-American Conference as a full member beginning in July.
Dayton looks to rebound after suffering its first A-10 loss in its last outing, an 82-62 loss at George Washington. That 20-point margin of defeat was more than the combined total of Dayton’s three previous losses (14 points).
The difference against George Washington was three-point shooting. Dayton shot 4-for-15 (26.7%) while George Washington was 15-for-31 (48.4%).
UMass has been competitive in its two Atlantic 10 losses, falling 81-72 at St. Joseph and 72-64 at home to Richmond. The Minutemen have been more competitive than the record suggests, with six of the 10 losses by nine or fewer points.
One interesting sidenote of the game, UMass coach Frank Martin and Dayton coach Anthony Grant were teammates at Miami Senior High School.
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Dayton at UMass Betting Odds
Dayton is a 10.5-point college basketball odds favorite against UMass with the Over/Under being 147.5 on BetMGM.
The moneyline for Dayton is -600, while it is +425 for UMass.
Dayton at UMass on TV
The matchup featuring Dayton at Massachusetts will be televised on Peacock.
Tonight’s game at the Mullins Center will begin at 7 p.m. ET.
Dayton at UMass Prediction
I like Dayton laying the points. The Flyers are coming off their worst performance of the season in the loss to George Washington and will likely be very motivated in facing UMass. Plus, the Flyers are facing a UMass team that has struggled defensively.
The Minutemen are 14th in the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense, allowing 75 points per game. In the two Atlantic 10 losses, they have allowed an average of 76.6 points. Offensively, the Minutemen are 12th in the Atlantic 10, averaging 73.5 points.
Dayton averages 76.6 points and allows 68.3 points.
One of Dayton’s biggest strengths is its balance. The Flyers have four double-figure scorers – 6-foot-7 senior Nate Santos (14.3 PPG), 6-foot-3 senior Enoch Cheeks (12.9), 6-foot-8 graduate Zed Key (11.6), and 6-foot-0 redshirt junior Malachi Smith (11.6).
UMass has three double-figure scorers – 6-foot-2 senior Rahsool Diggins (13.6 ppg.), 6-foot-0 sophomore Jaylen Curry (12.9), and 6-foot-6 senior Daniel Rivera (11.5).
One thing to look for is three-point shooting. UMass is the worst three-point shooting team in the conference (.269) while Dayton is fourth (.348).
Another is free throw shooting. UMass is 13th in the conference (.647) while Dayton is seventh at .720.
Other than the Flyers will be on the road, everything else favors them to rebound in a big way.
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