If this game was being played 15-20 years ago, it would be an all-out flame war, replete with MB hot takes from both sides fanning the fire. Win or lose, back then “FTS” did more than our fair share of incendiary posting. For example:

If UD won:  Xavier Game Afterglow – UD Pride

When the Flyers took it in the shorts: End of Days – UD Pride

Much as “FTS” doesn’t have any use for Archie’s big brother Sean or the Xavier program as a whole, the Musketeers are to be thoroughly commended for quickly agreeing to play this game.  Jablo in The DDN says that Sean expects it to be business as usual for the UD Arena crowd:

Miller knows what to expect Sunday, even if the game won’t count in the record book. On his podcast earlier this week, he said the most difficult and vicious crowds he has ever experienced have been at UD Arena during the Dayton-Xavier game.

Dayton basketball: Sean Miller expects typical hostile atmosphere for Xavier at UD Arena even though it’s an exhibition game Sunday

That was then; this is now.  First of all, it’s just an exhibition game, kids. Secondly, this tilt is about a lot more than just basketball.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are well aware it is a benefit for “Jay’s Light” (https://jayslight.org/) the mental health and suicide prevention initiative founded by Coach Grant and his wife Chris in memory of their daughter Jayda.

Arch had the details in The DDN:

Archdeacon: ‘Painful, but necessary’ — Grants lead second Town Hall Spotlight on mental health (daytondailynews.com)

While Jablo covered The Spotlight Town Hall on mental health:

Anthony Grant spreads message about mental health awareness at second annual Spotlight Town Hall (daytondailynews.com)

So let’s try to put aside our differences from the past, have some fun and watch the fellas play ball for a good cause, shall we? 

Dang, it’s good to be back in “The Epicenter of College Basketball” again!

Being as it is a charity exhibition tilt, doing a running play-by-play would be kinda pointless, agreed? So let’s just post reviews of how each scholarship guy who played looked (Jablo says that Marvel Allen and Brady Uhl are hurt, so we won’t see them. A * indicates starters) “FTS” should preface these remarks by acknowledging that I know absolutely nothing about the Xavier roster, so we’ll stick to the Red and Chapel Blue :

Javon Bennett*

Took it to the rack for a layup. Had several threes just rim out. Finally nailed one. Then another! Hit two FTs. And two more. Finished with 11 markers.

Nate Santos*

Hit a nice backdoor cut off a feed from Mali. Hit another with a dime from Enoch. Buried a triple.  Also bricked one. Split a pair. Made a pair. Hit a triple. Tried to take a charge but it resulted in a hoop and harm for X. As expected, led UD with 13 points.

Jaiun Simon

Hit a lefty layup and had an assist in 11 minutes.

Posh Alexander

Made two freebies and had three assists.

Enoch Cheeks

Hit a triple to open the second stanza. Made a pair of FTs. Steal and a layup. 

Hamad Mousa

Scored on a breakaway dunk off of a steal by Javon. Dunked a feed from Isaac. Hit a three. Made 1-2.

Malachi Smith*

Got an O rebound and putback. Split a pair of freebies. Made a driving layup. Made a pair. Hit a runner.

Isaac Jack

Totaled four points on 2 FTS, a jam, two rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes. Also forced a 24 second clock violation.

Zed Key* 

Got the party started with the first of many baby hooks to come. Split a pair of FTs. Tipped in a Mali miss. Had a nice dunk. Looked smooth making a pair from the line. Nice block but then he interfered on a Nate miss.

Jacob Conner

Had 2 boards, 4 PF and an assist in 12 minutes.

Amael L’Etang

Got a putback dunk. And another jam on a fastbreak. Hit a corner office three pointer. Got another dunk thanks to Mali. Nicely took a charge. Missed a pair. Finished with 9 points and 4 caroms.

The Flyers are sporting “Untuckit” b-ball jerseys which I don’t recall seeing before. A lot of nerves on both sides which is totally understandable. UD shooting 8% from three at the half is suboptimal. The Flyer team offense might not have shown up but the student section sure did!

Meanwhile the 2nd half trap resulted in open looks for X and they made their threes on their way to a 98-74 win.

The highlight of the game? Dr. Willie’s soulful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner on alto sax.

Bring on the regular season!