Throughout the season we'll look at bubble teams and assess whether they have a better chance of ending up in the NIT or NCAA Tournament.Team: Dayton Flyers
Record: 18-9 (6-8 A-10)
Good Wins: at Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, Akron
Bad Losses: at Richmond, at George Washington, Duquesne, at La Salle
Comments: The Dayton of 2007 was a national darling. Slayer of Big East dragons, possessor of a top 25 ranking and destined for a battle with Xavier for the top of the conference. The Dayton of 2008 has been injury-riddled, prone to bad losses and can't finish above .500 in the league. How much consideration do you give the former and how much do you excuse the latter because of injury?
Other Views: They rank 35th in RPI, 146th on Basketball State, 71st in Pomeroy Ratings and 72nd in Sagarin Ratings.
Outlook: Below .500 in the A-10 isn't going to impress anyone on the selection committee, even if you take into account time missed by Chris Wright. It doesn't look like they'll get him back, either, which makes it harder to credit them for the time he missed. That means winning their last two games, at St. Bonaventure and home for St. Joe's, to have any chance and, probably, one more to assure themselves of a spot at the table.




