Since losing four games in a row and falling below .500 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, Dayton moved back into the top half of the standings and into contention for one of the first-round tournament byes.
At the worst, it would appear that the Flyers have positioned themselves to at least host one of the first-round games.
However, that would put them in a position of having to win four games to emerge with the tourney title and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth, but at least it would not be four games in four days as it is in many tourneys.
There is a three-day gap between the first round and the quarterfinals in Atlantic City.
"It's a unique setup," coach Archie Miller said. "It's not like you're sitting at the same place. You play a game and go back to your hotel and you wake up the next day and play another game.
"So it is a little bit unique to play that game. Obviously, there would be a lot riding on it to advance.
"Then once you advance, it would be a great feeling, a day in between to prepare."
NOTES, QUOTES
Defense did job against UMass
--Dayton's defense dominated Massachusetts, holding the Minutemen to just 25.0 percent shooting (13-of-52) from the field.
G Chaz Williams, who has been responsible for the UMass renaissance, led his team with 11 points but was only 2-for-12 from the field and had only three assists to go with his two turnovers. He fouled out after playing 27 minutes.
No other Minuteman starter was in double figures.
It was only the second time this season the Minutemen have been held to fewer than 60 points in a game.
--Dayton was particularly effective defensively on the perimeter, holding the Minutemen to just 4-for-17 shooting from 3-point range
Since allowing Duquesne to go 12-of-23 on 3s on Feb. 1, the Flyers held their next six opponents to go just 24-of-111 (21.6 percent) from long range.
--Senior F Luke Fabrizius was only 3-for-11 from 3-point range in his previous five games, but he hit three in a row to ignite a Flyers' surge in the win over UMass.
He was 3-for-5 on 3-pointers for the game and hit his only 2-point attempt to finish with 11 points, his first time in double figures since a 17-point effort against Rhode Island on Jan. 28.
BY THE NUMBERS: 75.1 -- Dayton was second in the A-10 in scoring in conference games with its 75.1 average through Feb. 26. Temple was No. 1 with a 76.3 average.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's not a one-sided affair with offense and defense, but I will say that we have been consumed with defense since we hit rock bottom against Duquesne at home." -- Coach Archie Miller, on whether defense has spurred the Flyers' resurgence.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAMES
--at Richmond, Feb. 29
KEY MATCHUPS: The Spiders have been an up-and-down club but have one of the league's top shot-blockers in F/C Darrius Garrett (2.7 per game in conference play). G Darien Brothers has struggled with his shooting, but if he is on his game as he was at Xavier in the Spiders' last outing, he is a major threat from the perimeter.
--vs. George Washington, March 3
KEY MATCHUPS: G Tony Taylor leads the Colonials in scoring with his 13.4 average, but F David Pellom can make a real difference inside. F/C Matt Kavanaugh will have to keep him in check to clear the way for the Flyers to take advantage of their overall personnel edge.
FUTURES MARKET: Senior Luke Fabrizius seems to be sliding into a role off the bench after starting 12 games. He played only six minutes against Duquesne but was on the floor for 10 against Massachusetts and scored 11 points in that brief span.
PLAYER NOTES
--Senior F Chris Johnson led Dayton with 20 points against UMass on Feb. 25, and he picked up 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.
--Junior G Kevin Dillard had seven assists against only one turnover against UMass and added three steals. With 14 points, he was in double figures for the ninth time in 10 games.
