UC Bearcats face 1st hostile atmosphere with Dayton Flyers at UD Arena

The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team's first road test took on more importance this week when they blew a late seven-point lead with 2:37 to go against Minnesota and lost on a 3-point shot, 63-61. They were outrebounded by 12 and outside of Tylen Riley's 6-for-9 night on 3-pointers, the rest of the team was 1-for-20.

Instead of confidently driving up Interstate 75, Coach Jerrod Calhoun's squad has a few things to resolve before walking into UD Arena to play the Dayton Flyers.

Count the Flyers in the same boat after a 99-89 loss to Siena Nov. 10, three days after an overtime loss to Northern Illinois.

UC Bearcats center Jayden Hastings could make difference if healthy

Hastings, at 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds, was limited to less than three minutes in UC's opener vs. American. He has twice had his shoulder fall out of its socket and has since been a spectator. Without him, UC was outrebounded 40-28 in the last-second Minnesota loss.

UC's top rebounders were guards Myles Colvin and Tylen Riley with five each.

"You're trying to figure it out with our forward production," Calhoun said. "Whoever plays the hardest with the most production will probably play in there 'til Jayden gets back."

Turnovers were also an issue with the guards, leading Calhoun to make a reference to Bowling Green transfer Javontae Campbell, who has been sidelined since he arrived in September. Campbell averaged 18.7 points per game at Bowling Green last season.

"It's by committee until Javontae Campbell gets back," Calhoun said. "He's inching closer and closer."

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3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Dayton Flyers

Mahaffey knifing to the rim! https://t.co/ONOLIWhSm7

— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) November 10, 2026

1. UC must prepare for road heat at UD Arena

There's a reason the First Four is in Dayton as the fans love their basketball in the Gem City. The only game Dayton has not played in front of a sellout crowd was their exhibition in Mason against Xavier. They even sold out an exhibition vs. Morehead State and UD Arena will be packed Saturday, Nov. 14.

UC hasn't played a game there since 2004, when the Bob Huggins Bearcats won 65-55 after trailing the Flyers 33-31 at halftime. It should be good preparation for Big 12 crowds to come, as both fans and the Flyers should be on edge.

2. If UC has late lead, they must finish

Sadly, Eric Mahaffey's lay-up with 2:37 left would be UC's last points vs. Minnesota. Several fans had hit the exits at that point, with a comfortable seven-point lead. While it's early, the ending looked like numerous meltdowns the Bearcats experienced under the past regime. It's been about eight months since the Wes Miller Bearcats blew an eight-point lead in the Big 12 tournament against UCF with 2:17 to go and lost in overtime. Miller was fired days later.

3. UC Bearcats must consistently knock down 3s if not scoring inside

Calhoun's team was comprised of 3-point shooters in the 30-40% range and several players that shot 80% or better from the free-throw line. In three games, they're at 28.7% from deep and 69.2% from the charity stripe.

They were actually 8-for-10 from the line vs. Minnesota until the final seconds when both Colvin and Collins missed the front end of one-and-ones. That opened the door for Bobby Durkin's "dagger," which was the only 3-pointer he made out of six tries.

From the perimeter, anyone not named Tylen Riley was off mark, with Minnesota focusing on Colvin and Collins. Riley made six, Colvin one.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Dayton Flyers tip time

Tip: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, UD Arena (13,407)

TV/Radio: ESPN+/700WLW

Series: UC leads 62-32 (UC won last year at Fifth Third Arena, 74-62)

Dayton Flyers scouting report

Record: 1-2

Coach: Anthony Grant,1-2, 10th year, 198-97 (391-206 overall)

Offense: 84.7 ppg

Defense: 79.3 ppg

Dayton Flyers projected starters

(Position, Height, Stats)

Aiden Derkack (G, 6'6", 22.0 ppg)

Amaël L'Etang (F, 7'1", 15.0 ppg)

Grant Randall (F, 6'9", 7.0 ppg)

Tristian Ford (G, 6'3", 13.0 ppg)

Landen Joseph (G, 6'2", 10.7 ppg)

Cincinnati Bearcats scouting report

Record: 2-1

Coach: Jerrod Calhoun, first year, 2-1 (299-160 overall with five seasons in Division II and nine in Division I)

Offense: 73.7 ppg

Defense: 60 ppg

Cincinnati Bearcats projected starters

(Position, Height, Stats)

Tylen Riley (G, 6'3",12.0 ppg)

Myles Colvin (G, 6'6", 13.0 ppg)

David Iweze (F, 6'9", 4.7 ppg)

MJ Collins (G, 6'2", 10.0 ppg)

Tyler Tejada (F, 6'9", 7.7 ppg)

Cincinnati Bearcats, Dayton Flyers players to watch

Who will be on and who will be off for UC? Tylen Riley had just two points against Green Bay, then hit for 25 in the loss to Minnesota. Myles Colvin has had three points vs. American, 31 vs. Green Bay, then just five against Minnesota.

Dayton's Amaël L'Etang can be an issue and last year had 14 points and eight rebounds against the Bearcats. Dayton also has 6-foot-8, 245-pound Jalen Haynes, who was injured last year for the Bearcats, but has played for the Flyers. UC also recruited Travis Perry, who is at his third school, having played at Ole Miss, Kentucky, and now the Flyers.

Cincinnati Bearcats, Dayton Flyers rankings

KenPom.com: UC is No. 39, Dayton No. 115

2025-26 final NCAA NET: UC was No. 49, Dayton No. 66

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats face 1st hostile atmosphere with Dayton Flyers at UD Arena

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