Welcome to my team preview series for 2024-25. Each day between now and the start of the college basketball season, I will preview one team or conference, both on Instagram (@collegehoopsoutlet) and through an article here. The preview will go in-depth on the roster build of the team, my expectations for their upcoming season, and the state of the program under their current head coach.
Dayton (Projected: 1st in A10)
Anthony Grant has had Dayton as one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10 the past six seasons. Heading into 2024-25, the expectations should be the same for the Flyers, one of the clear-cut top five teams in the conference. Grant’s consistency mixed with a bunch of returning talent for the Flyers could end up making this team the favorites to win the conference.
Senior forward Nate Santos headlines the returns for the Flyers, a solid rebounder and elite floor spacer (41.8% 3P). Santos originally entered the transfer portal but ended up returning to the program, giving a huge boost of experience and consistency. The two other returners in the Flyers’ frontcourt are junior forward Isaac Jack (3 ppg) and redshirt freshman forward Marvel Allen). Allen could carve out a decent role this season as the Flyers look to replace a large amount of outgoing production in the frontcourt.
The Flyers return a trio of key guards along with a couple of deep bench pieces in the backcourt. Junior guard Malachi Smith (8 ppg, 6 apg in 2023) returns after missing all of last season due to injury. Smith gives the Flyers a natural starting point guard, something they missed at times last season. Enoch Cheeks (8 ppg, 5 rpg) returns to the backcourt after starting all 33 games for the Flyers last season, a two-way veteran guard. Javon Bennett (8 ppg) returns for his second season at Dayton, a great defender for the Flyers as a sophomore. Brady Uhl (2 ppg) and Jaiun Simon (Redshirt) round out the Flyers’ returners, both possible options in the backcourt in a deeper rotation.
Even with a solid amount of returning pieces, the Flyers have plenty of production to replace. Most notably, Daron Holmes II (20 ppg, 9 rpg) who jumped to the NBA after a tremendous junior year at Dayton. Two crucial members of the backcourt last year, Koby Brea (11 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kobe Elvis (9 ppg, 4 apg), both left following their junior seasons as well, transferring into the SEC. Forwards Zimi Nwokeji (2 ppg) and Petras Padegimas (1 ppg) round out the list of departures for Dayton.
Anthony Grant dabbled in the transfer portal to replace some of the production, landing three transfers. Butler transfer Posh Alexander (11 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg) is the only guard entering the backcourt, a good defender and physical guard who brings four years of high-major experience with him. Alexander gives the Flyers another ball-handler alongside Bennett and Smith and levels up the defensive side of things.
Two transfers enter the ranks in the frontcourt for the Flyers, Ohio State transfer Zed Key (7 ppg, 4 rpg) being the more recognizable name. Key’s production fell off in his senior year at Ohio State after averaging 11 ppg and 8 rpg as a junior, but transferring into the Atlantic 10 could allow his numbers to jump back up. Key brings a physical presence to the paint and is an elite rebounder at just 6-8. Marshall transfer Jacob Conner (6 ppg, 5 rpg) will be another option in the frontcourt, joining Dayton after two solid seasons at Marshall.
Coach Grant searched the globe to complete his roster, finding two international recruits. Forwards Hamad Mousa (Qatar) and Amael L’Etang (France) add skill to the Flyers squad, more athletic options than their alternatives. In today’s era of the transfer portal and NIL, I like the way Grant opted to go without any traditional high school recruits for the class of 2024.
Anthony Grant knows how to run a program and has done a phenomenal job at Dayton. Last season saw the Flyers reach their first NCAA Tournament since Archie Miller left and I think Grant can cultivate a run similar to the one Miller had before he left. The Flyers have brought back plenty of talent from last year’s squad and can build off the back of its success.
Nate Santos coming back for Dayton was huge and now he needs to become a leader for this Flyers team with Daron Holmes gone. Behind Santos, I think guards Malachi Smith and Javon Bennett will be important players and are my X-factors for this team. Smith and Bennett are both okay shooters, but need to be able to knock down open shots when they’re called on with Koby Brea out of the program. They both can have a big impact on this team’s success if they can improve their shooting efficiencies.
There’s no reason for Dayton to finish outside the top 3-4 teams in the A10 each season. The expectations for the team this year should be to win the conference regular season title and win an NCAA Tournament game. I have the Flyers finishing 1st in the Atlantic 10, just ahead of Saint Louis and VCU because of the returning production and intriguing newcomers they bring in.