March Forecast: Dayton earns mention in Lunardi’s latest NCAA tournament prediction

Flyers picked up their biggest victory of the season Tuesday at Davidson

The Dayton Flyers earned a mention in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s latest NCAA tournament prediction.

On Twitter on Friday, Lunardi listed Dayton (17-9) in the “Next Four Out” category, along with Lipscomb, South Carolina and Georgetown, meaning he sees UD as one of the top eight teams on the wrong side of the bubble. Just ahead of those four teams were Clemson, Utah State, San Francisco and Saint Mary’s.

Davidson (19-7), which Dayton beat 74-73 on Tuesday, and Indiana (13-13), which has lost 11 of its last 12 games, were among the teams listed in the "Considered" category.

Lunardi gave one bid to the Atlantic 10 Conference in the bracket prediction. His choice was Virginia Commonwealth, which sits in first place with five games to go.

Dayton ranks 74th in the NCAA Evaluation Tool. That’s four spots behind Davidson, which Dayton beat 74-73 on Tuesday. VCU ranks 37th. No other A-10 team ranks in the top 100.

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The Flyers would seem to have a long shot at best to play in the NCAA tournament at this point unless they win the A-10's automatic bid. Only one of the 115 bracket predictions on BracketMatrix.com listed Dayton in the field as of Friday.

Dayton ranks 66th in the Ken Pomeroy ratings. It ranked 36th the last time it made the NCAA tournament in 2017, 56th when it made it in 2016, 40th in 2015 and 52nd in 2014.

Dayton’s top wins, according to the Pomeroy ratings, were against No. 51 Butler and No. 79 Davidson. Its worst loss was to No. 149 George Mason.

Dayton ranks 57th in the ESPN Basketball Power Index.

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