For four years fans of the University of Dayton Flyers have been yearning for their opportunity in March Madness. When the tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, the Flyers were set to receive a number one seed and had the National Player of the Year in Obi Toppin. Anthony Grant, head coach of the Flyers Men’s Basketball team was also named National Coach of the Year in 2020.

The flyers narrowly missed out on the madness last year, as the team lost to VCU in the Atlantic-10 championship game 68-56. However, expectations were set high for the 2023-2024 season.

This year’s Dayton Men’s basketball team did not disappoint. The 2024 campaign saw wins over St. John’s, LSU, and Cincinnati. The culmination of a 24-7 record earned Dayton an at-large bid, and a seven seed in the NCAA tournament.

Led by stars Daron Holmes II, and Koby Brea the Flyers were able to battle back from a 17-point deficit with 7:24 remaining in their first-round matchup against Nevada to deliver Dayton’s first tournament win since 2017. Unfortunately, Dayton’s season would end this past Saturday as they fell to two-seeded Arizona 78-68.

Holmes led the Flyers this season with 20.4 points per game (PPG), 2.1 blocks per game (BPG), and 8.5 rebounds per game (RPG). Brea on the other hand was the nation’s best three-point shooter, at 49.8% from deep.

Dayton just had its most successful season since that dreaded 2020 season and will surely look to be even better next year. However, with Holmes likely leaving for the NBA, Dayton will be forced to turn to the ever-evolving transfer portal to replace his role.

Dayton’s guard play will be elite once again next year, with Nate Santos, Kobe Elvis, Javon Bennett, Enoch Cheeks, and Brea all likely returning. In addition to this, Dayton should get Malachi Smith back as well. Smith was injured before the 2023-2024 season even started and didn’t see any action this year. Smith averaged 7.7 points the year prior.

With that being said, Dayton will be active in the transfer portal, as they look to replace Holmes, and add more depth. Let’s take a look at five potential transfers the Flyers could target.

1: Ra’Heim Moss, G, Toledo

Moss averaged 15.5 PPG with the Toledo Rockets this past season and shot 50.2% from the field. Moss is a Springfield, Ohio native, and would fit in well with his hometown team. This year’s Flyers team didn’t have much guard depth, and relied on Santos, Cheeks, Elvis, and Brea to play most of the game. Moss gives Dayton another shooter off the bench and would allow the team to stay fresh in big games.

2: George Washington III, G, Michigan

Washington spent this past season with the Michigan Wolverines, where he didn’t see much action. Washington averaged 6.6 minutes per game, and 1.2 PPG. Washington was the Gatorade Ohio Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2023. Washington attended Dayton Chaminade Julienne Catholic, where he averaged 24.1 PPG, 4 RPG, and shot 47.3% from three-point range. Washington should be an obvious target for Dayton and would help their guard play immensely.

3: Cliff Omoruyi, C, Rutgers

Omoruyi averaged 10.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and shot 51.2% from the field this season for the Scarlet Knights. Omoruyi would fill a huge hole left in the roster if Holmes does indeed declare for the NBA draft. Not only would his presence be great for the Flyers, but it would also help them compete for another at-large bid next year.

4: JJ Traynor, F, Louisville

Traynor averaged 10.1 PPG, and 4.6 RPG for Louisville this past season. Similar to Omoruyi, Traynor would fill a hole in the Flyers roster, and provide some scoring opportunities. Traynor shot 48 % from the field, and 34.3% from deep this year. Traynor is the more likely solution in the middle, as Omoruyi has already heard from blue bloods, like Kansas, Kentucky, and Baylor.

5: Alex Williams, F, Furman

Williams averaged 13.2 PPG, and 4.8 RPG in 26.9 minutes per game for the Furman Paladins this year. Williams is from Xenia, Ohio, and went to high school at Archbishop Moeller, in Cincinnati. There has been a strong connection between Moeller and Dayton, as they are both Marianist schools. Making the move closer to home to help the Flyers would be ideal for everyone in Flyer nation.

Many Flyer fans may think it’s impossible to replace Holmes, and that may be true, due to his impact on this program. However, when it comes to competing for championships, there are a plethora of players waiting their turn in the transfer portal.

Dayton will start their 2024-2025 season in a loaded Maui invitational field. This tournament will include the Auburn Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Iowa State Cyclones, Memphis Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, North Carolina Tar Heels, and the UCONN Huskies, along with the Dayton Flyers.

According to this year’s NET rankings, Memphis lines up as the worst team, sitting at 75th. Regardless, this tournament will provide another opportunity for Dayton to make the NCAA tournament as an at-large bid once again next year, as they take on the blue bloods of college basketball.