The Flyers have dropped four consecutive conference games as they get ready to host GW on Saturday. They have struggled immensely with the top tier talent of the A-10 and also lost a road game to Rhode Island a week ago.
Their Wednesday loss to St. Joseph’s was troubling to say the least. They settled for three pointers with regularity and allowed the Hawks to get to the line with relative ease. St. Joe’s is an improved club, but they had little business getting an outright win on the road.
This game with GW is make or break in many ways for a Flyers team that started the year strong. They are 1-5 in conference play and need this game to have any hope of elevating back up the standings.
The Colonials come off a blowout revenge match with LaSalle and having been playing great ball recently despite the loss of lead guard Kethan Savage. But reserve-turned started point man Joe McDonald also had a hip issue flare up in the LaSalle win, a problem which limited him to only 13 minutes of playing time. Savage is out for this game in Ohio and, while McDonald apparently did travel with the team, he is ruled as doubtful and not expected to play at all.
Being without Savage and McDonald could really hurt them in a game like this. Dayton has a nice stable of guards who can both shoot it well and also have nice size. They also can counter the talented Isaiah Armwood with Dyshawn Pierre, a fluid 6’6 forward who can defend along the free throw area and likely prevent Armwood from getting to the basket in ways he prefers.
Archie Miller is a good coach and I tend to believe he can right the ship here so to speak. The Flyers have lost three in a row at home, and I just don’t see that continuing.
This GW team is 180 in turnover efficiency and having Miguel Cartagena as your primary point man for the better part of 40 minutes is probably not going to help that stat. Additionally, should Maurice Creek be forced to log heavy time as the primary ball handler, that will only serve to reduce his effectiveness as an offensive weapon.
Dayton opened as a two point favorite and that number was quickly elevated to 3.5. This is a 12:30 start time, and I’d probably wait to see if the line moves back toward GW at all. Roughly 65% of spread bets are coming in on the road dog, and that leaves the door open for grabbing Dayton at a better number. Still, I’m content to buy a half and play this game right now.
Dayton -3
