The University of Dayton men's basketball team is set to challenge the Chattanooga Mocs in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) this Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. ET. With a record of 23-10, Dayton, having secured the third spot in the Atlantic 10 with a 12-6 mark, aims to add to their storied NIT history against Chattanooga, which boasts an overall record of 25-9 and was crowned the Southern Conference regular-season champion with a 15-3 record.
The Flyers advanced to the second round after a thrilling 86-79 victory over Florida Atlantic, where junior guard Javon Bennett erupted for a career-high 30 points. His performance included an impressive 8-for-12 shooting from three-point range, marking one of the best shooting nights in Dayton's history. In this matchup, Nate Santos and Enoch Cheeks supported with 15 points and 12 points respectively, helping propel their team into the next round.
On the flip side, Chattanooga also showcased its prowess by edging Middle Tennessee in a high-scoring contest that ended 109-103 after three overtimes. The Mocs are not only strong contenders in this tournament but have been in excellent form, holding a 9-1 record in their last ten games, averaging 84 points while shooting 50.1% from the field. Dayton, too, is performing well with a 7-3 record in their last ten games, indicating a fierce competition ahead.
Among the notable statistics, Chattanooga leads with an average of 9.6 made three-pointers per game, which may pose a challenge for Dayton, who allows 7.9. In contrast, the Flyers manage 8.2 made three-pointers and have shown resilience with a 4-1 record in close games decided by less than four points.
Dayton's success in this year's NIT is further complemented by individual accolades. Nate Santos was recently recognized as a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and also received A-10 All-Academic honors. Enoch Cheeks earned a spot on the Third Team All-Atlantic 10 and was recognized in the A-10 All-Defensive Team. Additionally, first-year player Amaël L'Etang shone brightly, being named on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.
Remarkably, this season marks the 28th appearance for Dayton in the NIT. Historically, the Flyers have made a significant impact in the tournament, boasting an overall record of 42-25, including three championships in the years 1962, 1968, and 2010.
The game will be broadcast on WHIO Radio, with live video coverage on ESPN2 and audio streaming available on ESPN+ and DaytonFlyers.com, allowing fans to catch all the action.
This matchup not only highlights the competitive spirit of college basketball but also honors the memory of coaching legend Don Donoher, who passed away last April at the age of 92. The Flyers will wear "DJD" on their left shoulder strap as a tribute to their former coach, who remains a pivotal figure in Dayton’s basketball heritage.
Finally, the winner of the Dayton versus Chattanooga game will advance to face the victor between Bradley and George Mason, likely on either March 24 or 26, 2025. As anticipation builds for this showdown, both teams are poised to leave it all on the court in the quest for NIT glory.
