You can feel the buzz the second you step anywhere near South Patterson Boulevard. Honestly, if you haven't been to UD Arena lately, you're missing the loudest 13,000 people in the Midwest. People talk about "mid-majors" like they’re some kind of second-tier product, but UD Flyers men’s basketball basically laughs at that label.
They’ve sold out the entire season. Again. That’s five straight years of every single seat being spoken for before the first tip-off. It’s a 94-game sellout streak that stretches back to 2019. This isn't just a college team; it's the beating heart of Dayton, Ohio.
The defensive identity shifting the Atlantic 10
Most people expected the Flyers to take a massive hit after losing DaRon Holmes II. He was the anchor. He was the star. But Anthony Grant—now in his ninth season at his alma mater—didn't try to find another DaRon. Instead, he built a turnover machine.
Basically, the 2025-26 Flyers decided that if you can’t have a lottery pick shot-blocker, you just take the ball away before the shot even happens. As of mid-January 2026, Dayton is forcing a staggering 16.6 turnovers per game. That’s top-ten in the entire country.
They aren't just playing defense; they're playing "pest" defense.
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Why the backcourt is terrifying
Javon Bennett is the engine here. At 5'11", he’s usually the smallest guy on the court, but he’s currently leading the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game. He’s also a nightmare for opposing point guards, having been named to the A-10 Preseason All-Defensive Team.
Then you have De’Shayne Montgomery. The junior guard is a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging nearly 15 points and leading the squad with 2.8 steals per night.
- The "Glue" Factor: Jordan Derkack, the transfer from Rutgers, is doing the dirty work. He’s drawing fouls at the highest rate in the country according to KenPom.
- The Size: 7'1" sophomore Amaël L'Etang is the French connection keeping the paint respectable, averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.
- The Depth: Guys like Keonte Jones and Jaiun Simon are providing the muscle that keeps the Flyers at 4-0 in conference play.
Breaking down the 13-4 start
It hasn't been a perfect road. The Flyers dropped a tough one to Cincinnati early and got tripped up by a very good BYU team in November. But look at what they've done lately. They just handled Duquesne on the road, winning 71-65 in a game that was way more physical than the score suggests.
Jaiun Simon came off the bench in that Duquesne game and hit back-to-back threes when things got tight. That's the difference this year. It’s not one guy. It’s a rotation where anyone can be "the man" for a five-minute stretch.
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The "True" Impact of UD Arena:
While most teams have a home-court advantage, Dayton has a home-court eviction notice for opponents. The average attendance of 13,407 is better than most Power 4 schools. It’s why the NCAA keeps the First Four here through at least 2026. The atmosphere is just different.
What the "Experts" are missing
A lot of national bracketologists are still sleeping on this group because they don't have that one "NBA name." That’s a mistake. They’re 13-4 (4-0 A-10) and currently sitting near the top of the conference standings alongside George Mason and Saint Louis.
The schedule gets brutal soon. Road trips to Saint Louis and VCU in February will decide if this team is a lock for the Big Dance or if they'll be sweating on Selection Sunday.
Sorta feels like 2020 again, doesn't it? Not the pandemic part—the part where the Flyers feel like they can beat anyone on a neutral floor because they simply refuse to let you dribble the ball comfortably.
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How to follow the Flyers through March
If you're looking to track their progress, focus on the turnover margin. When Dayton wins that battle by five or more, they are nearly unbeatable.
Keep an eye on the free-throw line, too. Jordan Derkack is a master at getting to the stripe. In close games, those "boring" points are exactly how Anthony Grant's squad closes the door.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the upcoming schedule for the February 24th rematch against Saint Louis at UD Arena. That game will likely have massive implications for the A-10 regular-season title. If you're looking for tickets, you’ll need to hit the secondary markets like StubHub or SeatGeek since the box office has been clean out of seats since October. Also, watch the NET rankings on Mondays; Dayton needs to keep their SOS (Strength of Schedule) high by rooting for Marquette and Cincinnati to keep winning their respective conferences.