The Flyers ranked 100th in the preseason rankings last year and finished 62nd. Dayton ranked 103rd in the preseason Pomeroy ratings two years ago and finished 172nd.
Dayton hasn't finished close to its preseason ranking since the 2016-17 season when it began the season ranked No. 37 and ended the season at No. 39.
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This season, Dayton is the second-ranked A-10 team. Virginia Commonwealth, the defending regular-season champion, ranks 23rd. Davidson ranks 61st. Rhode Island is 83rd. No. 92 Richmond is the only other team in the top 100.
Dayton’s non-conference schedule will feature at least three top 60 teams: No. 26 Saint Mary’s; No. 37 Colorado; and No. 55 Georgia. Dayton will also play No. 1 Michigan State or No. 54 Virginia Tech in the second round of the Maui Invitational.
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The highest-ranked non-conference opponent coming to UD Arena is No. 158 Indiana State, which Dayton plays in the season opener Nov. 9.
Here’s how other area teams rank: No. 11 Ohio State; No. 18 Xavier; No. 27 Cincinnati; and No. 103 Wright State.
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