With an RPI of 26, Dayton’s chances look good at this point, but its shortage of top-50 wins could hurt it if it stumbles in the A-10 too many times or loses to any of the lower-ranked teams. Its opponent on Sunday, Saint Louis, ranks 249th. Fordham, which just upset VCU, ranks 235th.
Dayton has one top-50 win against No. 49 Rhode Island, but is 7-2 against teams ranked 51-100. Dayton’s next chance of picking up a strong victory comes Jan. 27 at No. 46 VCU.
Jerry Palm, CBS Sports: No. 9 Dayton vs. No. 8 Southern California in Tulsa.
Joe Lunardi, ESPN: No. 9 Dayton vs. No. 8 Tulsa in Indianapolis.
Stewart Mandel, Fox Sports: No. 9 Dayton vs. No. 8 Michigan State in Tulsa.
131Sports.com: No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Clemson in Indianapolis.
Bracketologist: No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Kansas State in Milwaukee.
BracketMatrix.com: Dayton has an average seed of 8.65. It ranks as high as a No. 6 seed and as low as a No. 11 seed and is in the tournament on 75 of the 76 brackets.
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