Oliver Purnell remembers the last time his team played the UC Bearcats. In his first year as head coach at Dayton in 1994-95, a talentless Flyer team took a 116-63 beating at the Shoemaker Center — the worst defeat in the history of the program. Four years later UD gets another chance as well as an opportunity for payback at the Rock n’ Roll Shootout at Gund Arena in Cleveland on Sunday. Unfortunately, while this year’s Flyer team is 500% better than the 1994-95 squad, the Cincinnati Bearcats may have their best team of the 1990s. Off to a 10-0 start and a #3 ranking, Bob Huggins’ cast of characters could put yet another whitewashing on the scoreboard after this one is over. Dayton’s one advantage is motivation. If a 53-point loss can’t get you ready to play the rematch of your life, nothing can.

The UC Bearcats have a lot of talent, so much in fact that Michael Horton, a starter a year ago, is now relegated to the bench as a substitute. The only holdover from last year’s starting five that still retains his job is 6-8 Kenyon Martin, a chiseled block of granite who plays physical basketball and is an excellent athlete and shot blocker. Martin could be the best center Dayton will face all season. Unless Mark Ashman plays the game of his life and stays out of foul trouble, the outlook in the low post isn’t promising.
Ryan Fletcher joins Martin as a capable frontcourt player who earned a starting job from his hustle and work ethic. While Fletcher won’t carry the team, he does add inside bulk, physical play, and relentless aggressiveness to compliment Martin. A new arrival to Huggins’ arsenal is Jermaine Tate, a transfer from Ohio State who now has four games under his belt after sitting out a year due to the transfer. All told, Tate is a backup at the center and power forward positions and would start immediately at Dayton.
Pete Mickael, a former JUCO Player of the Year, is the team’s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder and reminds many fans of a stronger Malik Sealy. Mickael is quick, can handle the basketball, and usually only takes a shot he can make. Assuming Mickael matches up against Coby Turner, the QF spot could be an Achilles’ heel for the Flyers.

Eugene Land, a freshman from nearby Roger Bacon HS, Aaron McGhee, and Donald Little come off the bench to give Huggins’ one of his deepest teams ever. Again, even these bench players would have little trouble finding a starting position at Dayton, but they choose to play smaller roles in exchange for a chance at the Final-4 in their early years of college ball.

As good as the frontcourt is, the Bearcat backcourt may be one of the most underrated in the country. Freshman Steve Logan, a player whom UD recruited very hard, runs the team, shoots the ball with authority, and is a deft passer. Logan has 27 assists against only 6 turnovers on the season. Alvin Mitchell, a one-time Oklahoma Sooner, is just as capable and shares time with Logan at the point. Mitchell has similar numbers and is a virtual even-swap when Logan takes a seat.

Melvin “The Helicopter” Levett starts at shooting guard and has developed a lethal long-range jumper he didn’t have just a couple seasons ago. Moreover, Levett’s freak-like athletic ability leaves lesser opponents out to dry when trying to contain him on the wing or on the fast break. Levett is the leading scorer but is not a go-to guy when UC needs a basket. Martin, Mickael, or the Mitchell/Logan guard tandem are the likeliest of game winners.

Michael Horton and Shawn Myrick are two more players at Huggins’ disposal and give the Bearcats a two-deep rotation in the backcourt.

The Flyers have their work cut out for them. Dayton’s toughest challenge will be to play physical and lose the timidness that has sorely hurt the ballclub throughout the year. Every UC player outclasses every Dayton player with the possible exception of Tony Stanley and Mark Ashman. If Ashman and Stanley must score 30 points apiece for Dayton to win however, a victory is out of the question.

Coby Turner, Cain Doliboa, and Edwin Young each must score in double figures for the Flyers to have a real chance. Second, Young, Morris, and Metzler must effectively attack the Bearcat press or risk getting blown out in the first 10 minutes. Finally, Dayton must gang-rebound the basketball with a passion. Cincinnati’s players are bigger, stronger, faster, and more physical. Unless the Flyers overachieve in nearly every phase of the game, it could be a difficult afternoon.

While UD is playing the role of severe underdog, they do have a chance to prove to sportswriters and critics that they can play a solid game against a solid team away from the friendly confines of the UD Arena. Dayton has its chance and should offer no excuses at whatever happens. Purnell’s team will be most effective if they just go out and play the game. Forget the road woes, forget the Las Vegas betting line, forget the hype. Do what you do best and do it better.