No. 21 Purdue | No. 23 West Virginia | Full list
No. 22: DAYTON FLYERS
Last season: 25-8, 14-4 Atlantic 10
Most people are picking Rhode Island to win the A-10, but don't count out the Flyers. Why? Archie Miller's program is 27-9 in the league the past two seasons and made an Elite Eight appearance three years ago. Miller still has Scoochie Smith, Kendall Pollard, Charles Cooke and Kyle Davis. And remember: All four are seniors. -- Jeff Goodman
Best case: NCAA tournament second round. Dayton has won 78 games the past three seasons, and Archie Miller has masterfully built upon what Brian Gregory started with the Flyers. Yet nothing could prepare Miller or any in the Flyer family for the sudden and unpredictable death of Steve McElvene. That left a void far beyond basketball, and there is no playbook for pushing forward while honoring his memory. Even so, Dayton returns four starters from an NCAA tournament team. Charles Cooke, Scoochie Smith and Kendall Pollard will be the top producers, while Kostas Antetokounmpo is subject to an academic redshirt and will not be available this season.
Worst case: NCAA first round. Dayton finished last season 4-5 and got blitzed by Syracuse in the NCAA tournament. There are those who see Dayton as the best team in the A-10, but a good case can be made for Rhode Island, VCU or even Davidson. If nobody joins Cooke as an All-A10 performer, Dayton could be out early.
