Flyers split their first two games. In their opener, they beat a veteran Eastern Illinois team in a hard-fought game. Yesterday, they lost to SMU on a last second shot.
The loss to SMU ended a 21-game-winniing streak, the longest in the country, and was a rough reminder that this will be a very different season for Dayton. Ibi Watson has looked like a star thus far, averaging 19.5 on .725 TS%. While Watson was expected to step his game up, Jalen Crutcher, thought to be one of the better plays in the A-10, has looked pedestrian. He's playing primarily off-the-ball and has looked frustrated.
The reality though is Jordy Tshimanga and Chase Johnson are not Obi Toppin, Ryan Mikesell and Trey Landers. Toppin was, of course, a star and Mikesell and Landers were tremendous role players, something the 20-21 squad is desperately lacking. They have zero depth and are relying on a walk-on to spell both Chatman and Crutcher. Grant appears to have exactly no confidence in his bench, giving scant minutes to Sissoko and Nwokeji. Over two games, the bench has produced six points.
Nobody expected a repeat of last season, and there were undoubtedly going to be growing pains. Here's hoping the teams grows and evolves from here. Northern Kentucky and Ben Howland's Mississippi State ahead this week.