Dayton seniors grateful for opportunity to play for Flyers

“The thing I think every coach would tell you that they really want for their seniors is to have no regrets and fond memories of what they’ve been able to do,” Grant said. “With the opportunities you have in front of you, don’t take one moment for granted. Hopefully, for Jalen and the other seniors, with whatever we have left in the season, that becomes the priority, the one central focus that they can lock in and stay with. Unfortunately, that’s been the challenge this season with everything going on with the pandemic and our team. It’s been a challenge to develop consistency. But the season’s not over yet. You’ve got opportunities in front of you. Hopefully, we can take advantage of those.”

The Flyers (11-7, 7-6) are limping down the stretch, having lost back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference games for the first time since Crutcher’s freshman year: 76-67 to Virginia Commonwealth on Feb. 9 at UD Arena and 91-89 in double overtime Tuesday at Rhode Island.

To avoid the first three-game losing streak since January of 2014, when a team that would later reach the Elite Eight lost four in a row, Dayton will have to beat one of the A-10′s best teams, Saint Louis (11-3, 4-2), at 7 p.m. Friday.

Senior Night always takes place in the final regular-season home game. It’s unlikely this will be Dayton’s last home game. It still has a home game against Virginia Commonwealth on March 3 on the schedule, though VCU already played at UD Arena, and it’s more likely another team would come to Dayton on that date.

The uncertainty caused Dayton to move Senior Night to this week. About 20 minutes before the game, five players will be honored: Crutcher; Rodney Chatman; Ibi Watson; Jordy Tshimanga; and walk-on Camron Greer.

Here’s what each of them had to say about Senior Night and their careers:

Crutcher: “I remember the first day I stepped on the campus. Now I’m a senior. lt’s just crazy. I’m one of the oldest guys on the team. I wish we could have the whole fan base there to support us, but I know they’re going to be watching.”

Tshimanga: “Looking back five years, I never thought I’d be here today. Looking at it today, you’re like, ‘Wow, where did the time go?’ It’s just about embracing every moment of life. It’s been great.”

Chatman: “It’s been great. I didn’t take one day for granted. The fans here are amazing. That’s really one of the keys to why I came here. The fans, their passion, gave me the extra motivation when you see that many people behind you. All the stuff the city has been through in my three years, it felt longer than three years, but it felt like home. I’ll always appreciate the Flyers.”

Watson: “It’s been amazing. Just the support you get being a Flyer, the staff we have here, the fans, the students on campus, it’s been great having that type of support and that community feel.”

Greer: “Being a young kid from Chicago, not too many opportunities like this come about, especially starting off my freshman year. Playing with so many different players, just being on campus, it’s honestly been a dream come true. It’s been an experience like no others. I’m blessed and extremely grateful for the opportunity that not only the coaches have provided me but my teammates and everyone on staff. It’s been a blessing.”

FRIDAY’S GAME

Saint Louis at Dayton, 7 p.m., ESPN, 1290, 95.7