Preview: Dayton vs. Rhode Island

Credit: FILE PHOTO

Credit: FILE PHOTO

Who: Dayton (13-10, 3-6 Atlantic 10) at Rhode Island (6-16, 1-8)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Ryan Center

TV/Radio: None/WHIO 95.7, 1290

Dayton starters

Kevin Dillard, 6-0, Sr., G, 15.0 ppg.

Vee Sanford, 6-3, Jr., G, 12.6

Devon Scott, 6-9, Fr., F, 1.7

Devin Oliver, 6-7, Jr., F, 9.3

Dyshawn Pierre, 6-6, Fr., F, 7.8

Rhode Island starters

Xavier Munford, 6-2, Sr., G, 17.5

Andre Malone, 6-6, Sr., G, 10.3

Mike Powell, 5-11, So., G, 9.9

Nikola Malesevic, 6-7, Sr., F, 10.4

Jordan Hare, 6-10, Fr., F, 5.4

About Dayton: The Flyers have a five-game losing streak to Rhode Island, their longest skid against any A-10 team. … They'll be without back-up center Alex Gavrilovic (knee) and guard sub Khari Price (thigh). That means they'll have just two true scholarship guards available. … The Flyers are shooting 46.0 percent from the field. Since 1990, only the 2007-08 team (46.9) shot 46 percent or better. They're also hitting 38.4 percent on 3-pointers. Only the 1989-90 team (39.2) has finished a season with a better clip.

About Rhode Island: The Rams were picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the A-10 preseason poll. … Their offense has been the biggest factor in the rough season. They're averaging 61.7 points and shooting 40.1 percent, last in the league in both categories. Their rebound margin is minus-4.9 per game, which is 15th. … They're averaging 4,071 fans at the Ryan Center.

Miller time: Vee Sanford scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting Saturday against Temple after going 2-for-13 in his previous outing against St. Joe's.

“What I’m looking for from Vee is, how can he improve over the next seven games? It would be in his consistency in handling the ball and not turning it over. Khari is out. I don’t know when he’ll come back. That means Vee will slide over to the 1 (at times). He’s going to have to study more film. He’s got to understand some of the packages when he’s in that we’re using. And he’ll need to have a little more confidence when Kevin’s not on the floor, being more solid with the ball,” UD coach Archie Miller said.

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