For the next three days the University of Dayton basketball team will hear the word “bubble” more than it cares to. And I’m here to tell you the Flyers NCAA Tournament bubble hasn’t burst yet – despite another disappointing and narrow road loss Sunday at Duquesne.
Dropping a 73-71 decision to the Dukes, Dayton fell to 18-8 overall and 7-5 in the Atlantic 10. Dayton’s eight losses have come by a combined 27 points.
The Flyers are now 2-4 in the A-10 on the road with wins at doormats St. Bonaventure and Fordham.
Last year Dayton was 11-1 in games decided by five points or less but this season has dropped six straight under those same circumstances.
Regardless, there are tickets to the dance out there and Dayton can still grab one by winning one of its two remaining road games (at Temple and at Richmond), sweeping its final two home games (UMass and St. Louis) and by making the semifinals of the A-10 Tournament.
Here’s what else we know heading into the week:
1. Wednesday is even bigger now, if that’s even possible: Heading into the Duquesne game the looming meeting with nationally ranked Temple was big. Now it’s huge.
2. Chris Johnson is the team’s MVP: Even though his last second shot against the Dukes was off the mark, Johnson kept the Flyers within striking distance. Twice he tied the game in the second half on 3s and hit six all together en route to 21 points. He has been Dayton’s most complete, consistent and effective player – by far.
3. Chris Wright can score: The standout junior became the 42nd Flyer to score over 1,000 points with 15 against the Dukes.
4. Dayton needs better play from its point guards down the stretch: Although they each dished out six assists, London Warren and Rob Lowery have got to perform better in the second half of games. Warren fouled out late on a questionable foul call, while Lowery again made a turnover in the final seconds.
5. It’s likely Flyer fans will get another home game: The first round of the A-10 Tournament will be held on campus sites with the first four seeds getting byes. Dayton is still alive for a bye, but it’s probably unlikely now with five conference losses. I don’t want to say it, but Flyer fans might also get another home game – in the first round of the NIT – should Dayton not perform better away from home.
Next: At Temple, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. (CBS Regional)
