College Basketball Preview: Dayton at St. Bonaventure

The Dayton Flyers before a game vs. La Salle on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Contributed photo/Erik Schelkun

The Dayton Flyers before a game vs. La Salle on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Contributed photo/Erik Schelkun

Who: Dayton (10-3) at St. Bonaventure (9-4)

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: Reilly Center in Olean, N.Y.

TV/Radio: MyTV 45.2 and Time Warner Channel 995; FM 95.7, AM 1290 WHIO

Probable Dayton starters

Scoochie Smith, 6-2, Sr., G, 13.2

Kyle Davis, 6-0, Sr., G, 8.2

Charles Cooke, 6-5, Sr., G, 18.7

Ryan Mikesell, 6-7, So., F, 6.7

Kendall Pollard, 6-6, Sr., F, 12.3

Probable St. Bonaventure starters

Jaylen Adams, 6-2, Jr., G, 23.5

Matt Mobley, 6-3, Jr., G, 20.5

Idris Taqqee, 6-4, Jr., G, 7.0

Denzel Gregg, 6-7, Sr., F, 12.8

Josh Ayeni, 6-8, Fr., F, 6.1

Series history: Dayton leads 21-10. The teams split games last year, each winning on the other's home court. The Flyers won 85-79 in Olean, N.Y., but the Bonnies' win at UD in February snapped Dayton's six-game win streak in the series.

Coaches: Dayton's Archie Miller is 125-58 in his sixth season. St. Bonaventure's Mark Schmidt is 155-136 in his 10th season with the Bonnies. The 2016 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year has led the Bonnies to two 20-win seasons in the last five years.

About Dayton: Dayton knocked off La Salle 66-55 on Friday, holding the Explorers almost 30 points below their season average as they came in averaging 84.2 points per game. The Flyers struggled from 3-point range and at the foul line, but dominated in the paint. … Leading scorer Charles Cooke suffered a back injury late in the game Friday and is day-to-day. Miller said after the game he suspected Cooke could miss a little time. Cooke already was playing through a sore wrist. If Cooke is out, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard John Crosby could get his first start. … The team also was without guard Darrell Davis, who suffered a hamstring injury last week in practice, but his status is uncertain. … With his first of five assists Friday, Smith became the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 400 assists. He has played in every game since joining the Flyers as a freshman. … Dayton ranks second in the Atlantic 10 for scoring defense, allowing opponents just 64.6 points per game.

About St. Bonaventure: Adams and Mobley are the third highest-scoring guard tandem in the country, averaging 44 points combined to pace the league's most productive offense (85.2 ppg). … Adams' last game against Dayton was a memorable one, as he racked up 31 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to lead the Bonnies to their first-ever road win against a ranked opponent. He also had 27 points in a loss to Dayton at home…. The Bonnies are coming off an 89-77 win over UMass on Friday. They've won eight of their last 10 with two close losses in that stretch. They fell to UNC-Wilmington by one and fell short of Canisius 106-101 in overtime.

Looking ahead: Dayton hosts Rhode Island on Friday before heading on the road for two games next week.

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