"Almost Saturday" For The Flyers

Yeah, that's me on the left. It's a 45-minute shower to get the paint off.

What do UD men's basketball and ABC's The Bachelor have in common?

Amazing preseason expectations, with an eventual season full of drama and inconsistency just to ultimately be let down at the end.

There is really nothing that makes sense with this season for the Flyers. I'm not sure which is more strange: Dayton losing three of four Q4 (a quadrant four, or Q4 game is against a team ranked between 151-353) games at home to start the season or the fact that they beat Kansas six days after losing to Austin Peay, who is ranked 275 according to KenPom.

Mustapha Amzil hits the game-winner against Kansas on November 26, 2021

Dayton has gone (8-2) in their last ten including a 49-50 loss at George Mason and a 30 point win at VCU a mere ten days later.

I haven't gotten any grey hairs yet, but this team gives me more stress and uncertainty than my accounting 207 exams.

The Flyers are coming off of a needed 21 point win over Duquesne a few days ago. There were two things that stuck out to me after that win.

Elijah Weaver is back after a wrist injury sidelined him for four games, and made an immediate impact playing 17 minutes with seven points.

Dayton shot 60% from the field, which happens to be their highest field goal percentage of the season. A great sign after a disappointing loss at St. Louis four days prior.

Dayton looks to continue the momentum and focus against George Washington on Saturday.

George Washington (the University, not the former President. Listed at 6'2, President Washington would definitely start on the "All President Team") has had an equally inconsistent year. Coming in at (5-5) in their last ten including an 11 point loss at St. Joseph's and a 63-61 win at Rhode Island just three days later.

GW is coming off an emphatic win against UMass, pushing to nine in a row against the Minutemen. Led by a 24-point effort by Junior guard James Bishop and a double-double by 6-10 forward Hunter Dean.

Matchups To Watch Out For:

Daron Holmes V.S. Hunter Dean

Four-time A10 freshman of the week, Daron Holmes II is ranked first among freshmen (5th overall) in dunks (60), and 17th in the country in FG% (.648, 114-176). Listed at 6'10 and 220 pounds (soaking wet), Holmes is Dayton's highest-rated prospect. Ever. Dean has made an impact for the Colonials in the paint. He had a season-high 14 boards a couple of weeks ago against Fordham, and season-high five blocks against La Salle just last week. It is going to be interesting to see how Dean can handle the alien-like length of Holmes.

Kobe Elvis V.S. Joe Bamisile

Despite having the best name in college basketball, Kobe Elvis has a good chance of being the best shooter in most gyms he walks in. A 6'2 (with three-inch heels on) transfer from DePaul, Elvis should register a CCW for his shot, because he is a certified sniper. The Canadian product has had double-digit points in eight of the last ten, including two 20 bombs in a row. Joe Bamisile has been quietly efficient for GW, averaging 15 points and .449 from the field this season. Bamisile had 25 in the 58-83 loss against the Flyers 10 games ago. If Holmes and Dean keep each other quiet down low, watch out for a three-point contest against Elvis (the basketball player not the King of Rock 'n' Roll) and Bamisile. I can see both having 20+ on Saturday.

Mali knew this was in before the release. Sniper.

The Flyer Faithful will no doubt be out in full force. Student tickets already sold out, and as the first Saturday home game for Dayton this season and March Madness at-large hopes on the line, I'm expecting all 13,407 seats in UD Arena to be filled. Saturday Games are coveted for students at the University of Dayton. With the social media frenzy of "Almost Friday" filling social media every Thursday, Dayton Students have adapted "Almost Saturday" to prepare for weekend festivities. 2 pm game and no rain in the forecast, the great migration from UD Arena to the Student Neighborhood will no doubt be accomplished. If you are a student or Alumni, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

This is gonna be fun.

This game will be the 15th sellout of the season, a UD Arena Record.

Currently listed in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology as a “Next Four Out” team every game needs to be treated like a "win or go home" situation.

How To Watch:

Tip-off: 2:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 12, 2022

Venue: Unversity of Dayton Arena, Dayton Ohio

Watch: SPECTRUM NEWS 1, ESPN+

Radio: WHIO RADIO, DAYTONFLYERS.COM