Dayton Flyers
Atlantic 10 (27-2, 14-0)
Dayton started the season winning 12 straight games. And it was not the easiest of schedules either as the Flyers knocked off DePaul, Toledo, Vanderbilt and Michigan State. They finished up the 2012-2013 campaign on a 14 game winning streak heading into the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. In-between was the extremely rare offensive struggle against Bowling Green.
Big Wins: 11/10 at DePaul (92-80), 11/18 Vanderbilt (71-66), 12/8 Michigan State (60-53)
Bad Losses: 12/30 at Bowling Green (40-65), 3/10 vs St. Joseph’s (54-61)
Coach: Jim Jabir
Why They Can Surprise:
Unlike some other so-called mid-majors, Dayton does not rely heavily on one great player. Coach Jim Jabir has plenty of great players at his disposal. The Flyers do an adequate job of sharing the ball and the balanced scoring attack can be very tough to defend. Guards Andrea Hoover, Amber Deane and Samantha MacKay all average at least ten points per contest. Hoover is the best shooter of the bunch and will take a majority of the clutch shots for the Flyers. Deane is more of a driver, but she can be extremely dangerous when her shot is falling. MacKay runs the point and dishes out 5.0 assists per game. However, she is also a capable outside shooter and that has really opened up the Dayton offense. Ally Malott and Cassie Sant are the usual starters in the frontcourt, but Olivia Applewhite and Jodie Cornelie-Sigmundova will make an impact as well. Malott is the most dynamic frontcourt scorer. The 6-4 sophomore can shoot over most defenders or back down smaller opponents in the paint. Sant has emerged as a quality interior scorer while Applewhite’s work on the glass is why UD is so strong in the rebounding department.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Rarely does the offense struggle, but it does happen. More likely Dayton will have trouble on the other end of the floor. Cornelie-Sigmundova is the only significant shot blocking threat on the team. While Dayton does have size, the opposition can still get some easy buckets in the paint. Some may question whether or not this squad has been tested enough this season. The A-10 has given the Flyers a few quality opponents, but those tough non-conference games seem like a long, long time ago. Are the Flyers ready to compete with the best women’s basketball has to offer during the 2013 NCAA Tournament? It is a legitimate question for a team that has spent most of the season in cruise control.
Probable Starters:
Samantha MacKay, Senior, Guard, 10.3 ppg, 5.0 apg
Amber Deane, Freshman, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 2.4 apg, 4.9 rpg
Andrea Hoover, Sophomore, Guard, 12.2 ppg, 2.2 apg, 5.4 rpg
Ally Malott, Sophomore, Forward, 10.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg
Cassie Sant, Junior, Center, 7.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Olivia Applewhite, Senior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Kelley Austria, Freshman, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 2.0 apg
Jodie Cornelie-Sigmundova, Freshman, Center, 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.3 (8th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 57.4 (83, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (17, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 35.4 (36, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.7 (38, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.0 (43, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.7 (86, 5)
Rebound Margin: 7.7 (21, 2)
Assists Per Game: 17.2 (8, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.1 (109, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Arkansas
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Penn State
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over TCU
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Tennessee
2009 NIT First Round win over Oakland
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Indiana
2008 NIT First Round loss to Bowling Green
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
