Duquesne at Dayton 1/13/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 01/12/2021 at 11:46 PM ET

The Duquense Dukes travel on the road to UD Arena to take on the Dayton Flyers in a battle of A-10 teams. Duquense is coming off of what is likely one of the lowest-scoring games we’ll see in college basketball this season when they snuck away with a 48-45 win over Fordham to improve to 3-3 on the year. Dayton split back to back road games, the first a 55-54 road-loss to Fordham and the latter an overtime win over Davidson to improve to 6-3 on the year. 

Dayton has struggled offensively this year after losing the Naismith POY last year in Obi Toppin, with Toppin on to play for the Knicks, the Flyers are averaging 69.8 points per game ranking 236th in scoring offense. Dayton is shooting an impressive 50.7% from the field, the 16th best field goal percentage in the nation. 

The absence of Toppin has been taken on by a couple of seniors in Jalen Crutcher and Ibi Watson, who both played significant roles on last years’ squad. Crutcher has started 93 games for Dayton and is a 2x All A-10 player, he’s averaging 19.3 and 4.9 assists per game. Both of which lead the team. Watson is averaging 16.2 points and 3.7 boards per game, shooting 44.7% from beyond the arc on just over 5 threes per game. 

Duquesne hasn’t been much better offensively this season and comes in averaging just 65.2 points per game ranking 302nd in scoring offense. The Dukes return 85% of their scoring from last season and are as experienced as any team in the A-10 with three seniors leading the charge. 

Senior forward Marcus Weathers leads that charge averaging 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. In the backcourt, it’s point guard Tavian Dunn-Martin, despite standing at just 5’8 is averaging 12 points on 32.5% shooting from beyond the arc on over 6.5 threes per game, In the paint, it’s senior center Michael Hughes, he’s averaging 8.3 poitns and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Dayton comes in allowing 64.7 points per game ranking 61st in the country in scoring defense, holding opponents to 42.9% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc. Dayton is 100th in KenPom adjusted defense. Duquesne comes in allowing 64.7 points per game ranking 61st in scoring defense, opposing teams are shooting 42.9% from the field. The Dukes are 76th in KenPom adjusted defense. 

Both of these teams are defensively minded and this total is too high for my liking, without a true number one scoring option Datron has really struggled offensively to get anything going. While on the other side, Duquense isn’t a good offensive team to this point in the year but is stout defensively. Dayton gets the win but I am eyeing the total in this A-10 matchup. Final score prediction, Dayton wins and the total goes UNDER 69-65.

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