Dayton Flyers

The Dayton Flyers play at UD Arena, one of the largest on-campus arenas in college basketball, creating an intimidating environment in Ohio. Dayton competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference under head coach Anthony Grant, maintaining the program's status as one of the nation's premier mid-majors. The Flyers' red and blue colors and passionate fanbase fill the 13,000-seat arena for every home game. Dayton emphasizes team basketball and defensive intensity, producing NCAA Tournament teams year after year. The program's consistent success has made the Flyers a destination for recruits seeking a major college experience at a non-power conference school.

Dayton reached the 1967 NCAA championship game under Don Donoher, falling to UCLA in Lew Alcindor's first title. The Flyers have made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and regularly advance past the first round. Obi Toppin's 2020 National Player of the Year season highlighted Dayton's ability to develop stars, with the Flyers earning a 1-seed before the pandemic cancelled the tournament. The program's 1950s and 1960s success under Tom Blackburn and Donoher established Dayton as a basketball school. The Flyers' rivalry with Xavier defined the Cincinnati-Dayton sports landscape before Xavier joined the Big East.