UMass Minutemen vs. Dayton Flyers Prediction & Game Preview - 2/23/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: UD Arena, Dayton, OH

Where to watch: ESPN+

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UMass: 12-13 (5-8 A-10)

Dayton: 19-8 (11-3 A-10)

The Massachusetts Minutemen come into this game against the Dayton Flyers on Wednesday in a bit of a conundrum. UMass has alternated wins and losses in their last nine games, and prior to that they had lost four straight.

So in a bit of an attempt for the Minutemen too find some consistency in their game and win some games that they need to win, UMass has not been able to do that. And because of that there is a growing possibility that the Minutemen will not be a formidable opponent in the Atlantic 10 tournament.

But UMass is coming off a 80 to 74 victory against La Salle on Saturday With CJ Kelly leading the way with 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench in just 27 minutes. Five players scored in double figures in that game, and when you get that amount of players contributing that much offensively, you're probably doing something right.

It also helps to shoot 45% from the floor and seven of 19 from 3 point range. The difference in this game however was the free throws. UMass made 23 of 27 free throw attempts, while LaSalle had 12 of 18 from the charity stripe. In short period not a banner day for those who believe that free throws are, in fact, free.

It is a good sign that UMass has been able to win at least a few games here and there, but right now things do not look promising for the Minutemen. At best they're a middle of the pack team in the conference tournament that could possibly steal the game here and there. But I would not hold my breath if I were you.

It almost seems like an annual tradition when the Dayton Flyers actually find themselves in position to make the NCAA tournament, though things might be a little tight this year given the fact that Davidson and VCU are also in the hunt in the Atlantic 10.

But Dayton can put a stamp on a 20 win season on Wednesday with a victory against UMass, with the Flyers coming into this game on a four game winning streak most recently in a 74 to 62 victory over St josephs on Saturday.

DaRon Holmes scored 18 points to go along with five rebounds on 6 of 10 shooting, a rather efficient night for the big man. and quite honestly, given my height, they are all taller than me So what in the world would be the point in even saying that they're just the big man?

Dayton shot 54% from the floor in this game and clearly that's all that's needed to beat the likes of Saint joes. Remember the days when the Hawks had jameer Nelson and Josh Childress? That was a fun time wasn't it? Funny enough now that I think about it Josh Childress was in Stanford not St joes. So what happens when you get old like me and forget stupid things like that.

Dayton made waves earlier in the season when it knocked off Kansas by one point in late November, and since then they have been able to put together a string of wins that makes them seem like they have bolstered their resume enough to make the NCAA tournament. Whether or not that string of luck can be continued into this late stretch, that remains to be seen.

All of that being said, do not overthink this one period. Dayton is a much better team and Dayton is a much better program that is more well equipped to not go on a string of wins and losses consistently. There aren't many weaknesses with Dayton, especially since they got into conference play, but we'll find out how the good they are in a couple of weeks against the likes of Davidson and VCU. Right now, the Flyers are flying high, higher than they've ever been and all that enjoyable stuff. Dayton by 14

UMass is 37-32 ATS in their last game.

Dayton is 1-7 ATS as long as the home favorite is between 12.5 and 15 points

PG: Noah Fernandes

SG: Rick Kelly

SF: T.J. Weekes

PF: Michael Stedman 

C: Trent Buttrick

PG: Malachi Smith

SG: Kobe Elvis

SF: R.J. Blankney

PF: DaRon Holmes II

C: Toumani Camara

Points: Noah Fernandes -- 14.5

Rebounds: Trent Buttrick -- 6.0

Assists: Noah Fernandes -- 5.7

Dayton:

Points: DaRon Holmes -- 11.6

Rebounds: Toumani Camara -- 6.3

Assists: Malachi Smith -- 5.1