Dayton now has 26 victories over top-10 teams in its history. Eighteen of them came before 1980. Three took place in the 1980s. There were none in the 1990s. There was one in 2000 (No. 6 Maryland) and another in 2007 (No. 6 Pittsburgh). There were none in the 2010s and then one in 2021 (No. 4 Kansas).
The 2024-25 Flyers have beaten the top-two teams in the Big East — Marquette is No. 6 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool and UConn is No. 20 — in their first 11 games.
There was joy on social media and plenty of praise from the media. Here’s a glance at some of the reactions.
Dominant final five minutes for Dayton as the Flyers knock off Marquette at home. Trailed by 13 in the first half. I spy a Top 25 team!
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 15, 2024
This is basketball nirvana #LOWD pic.twitter.com/cVNyRQ2DxH
— paco (@AllaireMatt) December 15, 2024
Dayton was just so much tougher than Marquette.
— Big East Golden Eagle (@BE_GoldenEagle) December 15, 2024
It is that simple. That wasn't Marquette Basketball, and Dayton had a lot to do with that.
Marquette looked like the walking wounded with Stevie and Chase limping around. Not good. Not good.
Onto the next!
Huge result for the Atlantic 10: Dayton beats No. 6 Marquette 71-63 to improve to 9-2 and land its first win over a top-10 team since ... they did it to UConn in Maui.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 15, 2024
Also the first home win for Dayton at home vs. a Big East top-10 team since 2007. Flyers are legit again.
Why Dayton won:
— Andrew Ranaudo (@AndrewRanaudo) December 15, 2024
No one with more than 2 fouls
Offensive rebounding especially late
Only 4 bench points allowed from Marquette
Defensive pressure late
Great win on all fronts for my Flyers
Final: Dayton 71, Marquette 63.
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) December 15, 2024
Dayton is the most exciting mid-major in the country, no question. Malachi Smith had an absolute masterclass on the ball: 10 assists and 1 turnover, with 9 of those dimes coming in the 2nd half. https://t.co/z16wbrifqc
The Flyers win their BIGGEST game of the season! #6 Marquette goes DOWN at UD Arena showing the reason why Top 25 teams don’t want to play Dayton at home. Playing at home is a huge advantage, but so is having a lot of talent and experience. What a Time to be Alive! Go Flyers!! https://t.co/AYO3wdueV2
— FELIX ALVAREZ (@FelixMAlvarez) December 15, 2024
Dayton was down by 13 points at one point in the first half, but they are about to land the upset over No. 6 Marquette. Helluva win for the Flyers, who were a couple possessions away from beating both Iowa State and North Carolina.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) December 15, 2024
The Flyers are a damn good team this year.
Important not to underestimate how the value of past wins/ losses change over time...
— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) December 15, 2024
Dayton's resume had one of the best days of anyone in college basketball today with UConn's big win over Gonzaga, along with the Flyers own needle moving win over projected Top 2 seed… https://t.co/beEvohoJzu
We love it when the fellas tune in and turn up 🫨 pic.twitter.com/YoMQeSJMVd
— Professionally LOWD (@ProLOWD) December 15, 2024
Y’all going to start putting Baby boy in those Top Point Guard Conversation’s. #MalizWorld🌎 #Call📞📞 pic.twitter.com/GCkO56vW34
— Elliot Rosado (@Opitino) December 15, 2024
Dayton had 10 more possessions than Marquette & that was the difference. 4 more offensive rebounds (15 to11) & 6 fewer turnovers (7 to 13). Each extra possession is worth ~ 1 point. pic.twitter.com/1I0uVUY4ER
— DaytonBC (@DaytonBC) December 15, 2024
Dayton now owns wins over both Marquette and UConn --- the two best teams in the Big East. Flyers will also play Cincinnati on Friday. An inside track to an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 15, 2024
This is what makes being a Dayton fan all worth it. These wins just mean so much more.
— BHflyer5🎗️ (@BHflyer5) December 15, 2024
Hats off to Marquette and Shaka for having the balls to come into the Dayton Decibel Dungeon. They’re a hell of a team.
DAYTON TAKES DOWN #6 MARQUETTE 71-63 😱
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) December 15, 2024
FLYERS ERASE 13-POINT DEFICIT ✈️@A10MBB vs BIG EAST 😎
2-0 TODAY
7-4 SEASON pic.twitter.com/vb6AtUtmtq
What a comeback for the Dayton Flyers!
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 15, 2024
UD rallies from 13 down to take down #6 Marquette, 71-63. That's a massive win for Anthony Grant, who also has a victory over UConn. Javon Bennett and Zed Key had 15 apiece, Nate Santos with 12 and 13. Another great W for the Atlantic 10!
FINAL: Dayton 71, No. 6 Marquette 63
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 15, 2024
Dayton trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, scored 45 points in the second half -- took care of the ball, limited Marquette fast-break points and Nate Santos (12 pts) hit a bunch of big shots late.
Massive win for the Flyers.
About the Author
