2022 Record: 22-12 (12-6)

Head Coach: Anthony Grant (Career Record 317-174) (Dayton Record 124-64)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Malachi Smith (7.7 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 5.6 Ast)

SG: Enoch Cheeks (Robert Morris 15.4 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 3.5 Ast)

SF: Koby Brea (6.8 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

PF: Nate Santos (Pitt 1.6 Pts, 1.2 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

C: DaRon Holmes (18.4 Pts, 8.1 Reb, 1.7 Ast)

6: SG Kobe Elvis (8.5 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 2.9 Ast)

7: C Isaac Jack (Buffalo 5.6 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

8: SG Marvel Allen

9: PG Javon Bennett (Merrimack 9.6 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 3.4 Ast)

10: PF Zimi Nwokeji (1.5 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 0.4 Ast)

11: SF Jaiun Simon

12: SF Petras Padegimas

Dayton’s biggest win of the offseason was getting star big man DaRon Holmes to return and not go pro or enter the transfer portal. Holmes averaged over 18PPG and started all 34 games. Holmes is a very efficient player on the interior and shot 59% from the floor last season. Holmes has a chance to average over 20PPG in addition to double double this upcoming season. On the defensive end, Holmes excels as well. He averaged 2 blocks per game this past season and protects the rim very well. Malachi Smith is another returner for the Flyers this season. Smith is a very efficient passer. He averaged nearly 6 APG this past season. Smith has the capabilities to be a reliable scorer as well. He shot 40% from the floor and 38% from three this past season.

The remaining returners for the Flyers next season are SF Zimi Nwokeji, SG Kobe Elvis, and SF Koby Brea. Elvis averaged 9PPG this past season, but his shooting splits dipped a bit from the past season. Elvis is going to be a player that could make a significant jump this upcoming season going into his senior year. Elvis is also a great defender who impacts both sides of the ball. Brea is a reliable shooter and his skills from the outside could lead to him being a full time starter next season. He shot 37% from three this past season and 42% from three in the 2021-22 season. Brea is another player that could make a jump this upcoming season going into his 4th year of CBB. Zimi Nwokeji saw his play time decrease dramatically over the course of his career. He saw action in 20 minutes per game his freshman season and 8 minutes per game this past season. His averages went from 6PPG his freshman year to 1PPG this past season.

Dayton also utilized the transfer portal to add 4 additional players this offseason. The Flyers added PG Javon Bennett from Merrimack and SG Enoch Cheeks from Robert Morris. Bennett had a decent freshman season this past year at Merrimack. He proved to be a great passer and also took care of the ball well. He has areas to improve though, his shooting splits could be a bit higher. Bennett is an elite defender at the point guard position, but there is a dramatic rise in competition from the NEC to the A10. Enoch Cheeks could be the primary scoring guard for the Flyers this upcoming season. Cheeks averaged over 15PPG this past season. He also averaged over 4RPG and proved to share the ball with his teammates well averaging nearly 4APG.

Dayton also signed transfers Nate Santos from Pitt and Isaac Jack from Buffalo. Santos is a former 3 star recruit who had a plethora of high major offers coming out of HS. He didn’t get much of a chance at Pitt but he has the length and athleticism to be a high level player in the A10 conference. If he plays to his potential, there is a high chance that he could start for the Flyers next year. Isaac Jack provides great depth at the center position. The Buffalo transfer averaged 6PPG and 4RPG as a freshman this past season. He’s very efficient around the rim and he shot 66% from the field this past season. Dayton also brought in 4 freshman this offseason. The most notable of the recruits is Marvel Allen from Florida ranked in the Top 150. Allen could make an immediate impact this season in the rotation. SF Jaiun Simon from Georgia is the #280 ranked player in the 247 sports standings. Dayton also signed SF Petras Padegimas a recent UCF decommit and Lithuania native who spent this past season at prep school in Florida.

Dayton should be the favorite to win the A10 this season. The Flyers lost a bit this offseason, but they replaced their losses with decent additions in the transfer portal as well as HS ranks. It won’t be a runaway win this year for the Flyers as they will have in conference competition from the likes of VCU, St. Bonaventure, Duquesne, George Mason, and Loyola Chicago. Dayton has the most talented roster in the conference which gives them the nod, but there could be a few in league surprise teams.