Indiana State vs. Dayton: Flyers look to extend season-opening win streak

Flyers set to face Sycamores for first time
Dayton stands for the national anthem before an exhibition game against Cedarville on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Dayton stands for the national anthem before an exhibition game against Cedarville on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Who: Indiana State at Dayton

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: UD Arena

What: First game of the 2019-20 season.

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TV/Radio: Spectrum News 1; ESPN+; 1290 and 95.7 WHIO

Ticket info: The game is sold out. Gates open at 5 p.m. for fans with tickets.

Probable Dayton starters

Obi Toppin, 6-9, R-So., F

Ryan Mikesell, 6-7, R-Sr., F

Jalen Crutcher, 6-1, Jr., G

Rodney Chatman, 6-1, R-Jr., G

Chase Johnson, 6-9, R-So., F

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Probable Indiana State starters

Jordan Barnes, 5-10, Sr., G

Tyreke Key, 6-2, Jr., G

Christian Williams, 6-6, Sr., G

Tre Williams, 6-7, Fr., C

Bronson Kessinger, 6-7, Sr., C

Series history: This is the first meeting. Dayton is 49-40 against the Missouri Valley Conference. It plays another MVC team, Drake, on Dec. 14, at UD Arena.

Coaches: Anthony Grant is 35-29 entering his third season at Dayton. Greg Lansing begins his 10th season at Indiana State with a record of 148-142. He guided the Sycamores to the MVC tournament championship and a NCAA tournament berth in his first season in 2010-11.

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About Dayton: The Flyers have won 14 straight season openers. They last lost their first game in 2004, 73-66 to Eastern Kentucky at UD Arena. … This is Dayton's third season opener in the last seven seasons against a team from Indiana, and the first two were decided in the final seconds. Dayton beat Purdue Fort Wayne 81-80 in 2013 on a last-second shot by Jordan Sibert and beat Ball State 78-77 in 2017 on a buzzer-beater by Josh Cunningham. … Dayton has an 88 percent chance to win the game, according to KenPom.com, which predicts a 79-66 score. Dayton ranks 56th in the Ken Pomeroy ratings, and Indiana State ranks 159th. … Dayton and Indiana State both played in the Charleston Classic in 2017. Dayton went 1-2 at the tournament. The Sycamores lost all three games.

About Indiana State: Key led the MVC in scoring last season (17.4 points per game) and was named to the preseason first team. … Barnes made the second team. He's tied for third in Indiana State history with 215 career made 3-pointers. He shot 30.7 percent from long range last season. … Indiana State was picked to finish sixth in the MVC. … Tre Williams is from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and attended Woodstock Academy in Vermont. He visited Dayton in June 2018. … Christian Williams is a transfer from Iowa. He started six games for the Hawkeyes as a sophomore.

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Pregame ceremonies: Dayton will hold ceremonies celebrating the completion of the UD Arena renovation project starting at 6:45 p.m. There will be a brief blessing of the arena followed by "a celebration linking the past to the present with members of the Arena's first team in 1969-70." Another presentation will take place just before player introductions. "Red Panda" will perform at halftime.

Looking ahead: Dayton plays its first three games at home before traveling to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. The Flyers play Charleston Southern at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and Nebraska Omaha at 7 p.m. Nov. 19.

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