After beating Dayton, Xavier’s Mack: ‘It was our day today’

All that stood between Dayton and a perfect November was Xavier, a team so reviled on UD’s campus, even though most of the students have never seen the Flyers and Musketeers play, fans on Twitter started a “ThingsILikeMoreThanXavier” hashtag.

Sean Ferguson, the UD student struck by lightning in April, wrote, “Getting struck by lightning. #ThingsILikeMoreThanXavier.”

The first Dayton vs. Xavier game since 2013 didn’t live up to that hype. The Flyers lost 90-61 Sunday in the AdvoCare Invitational championship game at the HP Field House. It’s the most lopsided game in the series since Dayton beat Xavier 86-55 on Feb. 23, 1974, at UD Arena and the most lopsided Dayton loss since a 46-12 loss at Xavier in 1931-32.

“I have great respect for Archie (Miller) and his coaching staff and the kids they have on their team,” Xavier coach Chris Mack said. “But it was our day today, and it was good.”

Here are three points to take from the game:

1. More fouls: Officials continue to put their stamp on games early this season. The push to clean up the game and create more offense has resulted in ugly games dominated by whistles.

Dayton committed 28 fouls. Xavier committed 27. Dayton made 21 of 32 free throws. Xavier made 16 of 28.

Dayton has averaged 23.3 fouls through six games. Last season, it averaged 15.9 in 36 games.

2. Dayton's defense: The Flyers' three opponents in Orlando combined to make 29 of 62 3-pointers (46.8 percent). The Musketeers built a 43-35 halftime lead by making 5 of 12 3-pointers. They hit three 3-pointers during a 21-0 run that sealed the victory in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

“The biggest thing with us right now is we’ve got to get our defensive identity back,” Miller said.

3. Big picture: Dayton's first opponent, Southeast Missouri State, is 0-5, but the other teams it has beaten are off to strong starts.

Dayton beat Alabama 80-48, and Alabama beat Wichita State and Notre Dame in Orlando to improve to 4-2. William & Mary is 4-2. Iowa lost to Dayton and Notre Dame in Orlando but beat Wichita State on Sunday to improve to 4-2.

Monmouth bounced back from its loss to Dayton on Friday to beat Southern California on Sunday. It is also 4-2.

The success of Dayton’s opponents make the Flyers look better. They play North Florida (5-2) on Saturday and then play their only true road game on the non-conference schedule Dec. 9 at No. 19 Vanderbilt.