It is going to be here before you know it. The college basketball season is right around the corner and Phenom Hoops wants to take their shot at previewing teams around the country for this upcoming season. All throughout the upcoming weeks, we will be previewing teams for this upcoming season, so be sure to check out all the latest talk.
Dayton Flyers
2020-21 Season:
Record: 14-10 (9-7 A-10)
Points per game: 69.8
Rebounds per game: 33.0
Assists per game: 13.5
Points allowed: 67.8
Top Performers 2020-21:
Points per game: Jalen Crutcher (17.6)
Assists per game: Jalen Crutcher (4.8)
Field goal percentage: Mustapha Amzil (49.6)
Losing a ton of production from last year
The Flyers will have some work to do in replacing some key players from last year, especially with the production they brought. First off, Dayton lost their top three scorers as Jalen Crutcher (17.6ppg) and Ibi Watson (15.7) both are gone, as these two guards led the charge. Forward Chase Johnson also had to leave after only playing five games. Add on top the losses of another guard in Rodney Chatman and center Jordy Tshimanga, the Flyers will have their work cut out for them in replacing the production they had last season.
Ready for a big year
The first player that many may think will have a big season, especially with the production that was lost, will be forward Mustapha Amzil, a 6’10 prospect that averaged 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He started off his career in a big way and ultimately finished the season scoring double-figures in 13 of 19 games last year. With another year under his belt, Amzil is one to really watch. But I’m also looking at senior guard Elijah Weaver, who was a big recruit that transferred from USC and played in 18 games last season. He played well in several games in February and ended his season with a 16-point performance vs. Memphis. Weaver has the talent to make a big presence for the Flyers.
Transfers coming in
Dayton will be bringing in a few transfers as well to help as well. Forward Toumani Camara is a 6’8 forward that came from Georgia and brings good athleticism and experience to the table and should help with production after averaging 12.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks last year. Richard Amaefule comes into the program from East Tennessee State and Kobe Elvis is coming from DePaul and should help at the guard position.
Big-time recruiting class coming in
Dayton brought in one of their best recruiting classes they have ever had as a program, ranked as the No. 1 class in the A-10 and 22nd nationally according to 247Sports. It included forward DaRon Holmes, a big-time national prospect that brings size, skill, and plays tough on both ends with a tremendous motor. Then they added a 6’7 prospect in Kaleb Washington, a player with skill, length, and can impact the game in an array of ways. They also added guards Malachi Smith and Lynn Greer, both of which provide intriguing talent to the court. Smith is a creative scorer and playmaker, while Greer plays with such poise and understands how to run the show as a point guard.