Cooper: The saddest weekend of the year?

Dayton and Saint Louis stand for the national anthem on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Mo. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

Credit: David Jablonski

Dayton and Saint Louis stand for the national anthem on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Mo. David Jablonski/Staff

Good morning, and welcome to another Friday edition of the Dayton Daily News Sports Update!

Super Bowl weekend is always one of my least favorite times of the year.

Not because I don’t love the game — because it means there’s really no more meaningful football until August.

The six-to-eight week period between football and baseball is brutal (and this year will be no different).

I try to enjoy the Super Bowl as much as possible as its our last taste of football for what feels like forever, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed when it’s over.

Hopefully they give us a good enough game to remember just how great the NFL can be come the second week of September.

You can check out our Super Bowl picks here. I’m taking the Seahawks.

Here’s what you need to know heading into this weekend:

Dayton-VCU have split series four years in a row

Dayton's Javon Bennett makes a go-ahead layup in the final minute of the game against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

The fifth-place Flyers are heading into a ‘hostile environment’ to face the Rams on Friday night in Richmond.


📺 3 to watch

Men’s college basketball will this weekend:

  • Men’s basketball: Miami at Marshall (4 p.m., Saturday, ESPN+): The undefeated RedHawks will play the Thundering Herd (15-8) in the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge.
  • Men’s basketball: Duke at North Carolina (6:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN): One of the best rivalries in sports regardless of the records.
  • NFL: Patriots vs. Seahawks (6:30 p.m., Sunday, NBC/Peacock): It’s the last NFL game for seven months. Enjoy it.

🏀 3 to see (in person)

Here are a few high school basketball games to check out this weekend across the Miami Valley:

  • Boys basketball: Lakota West vs. Princeton at Xavier University’s Cintas Center (7:15 p.m., Friday): You know it’s a big deal when they move your game to a college gym.
  • Boys basketball: Trotwood Madison at Lima Senior (7:15 p.m., Friday): This one’s worth the drive, especially if you’ve got time to stop at Kewpee Hamburgers. The Rams also travel to Princeton at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night.
  • Boys basketball: Legacy Christian at Emmanuel Christian (7:15 p.m., Friday): The Metro Buckeye Conference title is on the line in Springfield.

Alter’s Thuney named NFL’s Protector of the Year

Chicago Bears' Joe Thuney speaks after winning inaugural 2025 Protector of the Year award during NFL Honors at Palace of Fine Arts, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

The Chicago Bears offensive lineman was named best in the NFL.


ICYMI: Luke Kennard traded to Lakers

Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard (4) shoots against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

The Franklin alum is set to join forces with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.


WHERE TO FIND OUR COVERAGE

For the latest, most up-to-date high school sports news and scores from the Dayton Daily News, visit daytondailynews.com/sports.

Want the latest news on your smartphone? Download the new and improved Dayton Daily News app from your app store.

During football season, readers can also get our coverage sent right to their inboxes each Saturday morning by subscribing to our High School Football newsletter.

We’ll also be posting prep sports content on the Dayton Daily News Sports Facebook page throughout the winter season.

I want to hear from you. Reach out to me directly at michael.cooper@coxinc.com with your questions and feedback.

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