Tag: Dayton

Wisconsin basketball transfer portal target commits to Dayton

Wisconsin basketball transfer portal target commits to Dayton

Wisconsin basketball transfer portal target Zed Key committed to Dayton on Monday.

Key entered the portal this month after four years at Ohio State. Wisconsin reportedly reached out as it tries to fill the vacant forward spot after Tyler Wahl’s departure. The connection between Key and the Badgers already existed: Wisconsin offered the experienced forward coming out of high school and was in strong pursuit throughout the entire process.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets

Key joins a Dayton program that went 25-8 in 2023-24 and made the NCAA Tournament. It was the program’s first appearance since Archie Miller led the Flyers to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2014-2017.

Key was an ascending talent in the Big Ten entering this past season. His numbers improved every season at Ohio State until 2023-24. His breakout 2022-23 season included averages of 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.0 blocks on 55% shooting. But the veteran averaged just 15.4 minutes per game in 2023-24, with averages of 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.6 blocks on 50% shooting from the floor.

Wisconsin’s focus turns to top transfer forward Frankie Fidler, who was originally scheduled to announce his commitment on Monday morning but has since delayed that announcement.

For more on Wisconsin’s roster and transfer portal activity, check out Badgers Wire’s ongoing 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=74195,74165,74765,74798,73207]

Where in the World is Marcus Freeman: Indiana Pacers edition

The coach gets the VIP treatment in Indy.

[autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] grew up in Dayton, Ohio. That means the NBA geographically closest to him was the Indiana Pacers. Now as an adult, he is the coach of Notre Dame inside the Pacers’ home state. Even though it still is a good drive between South Bend and Indianapolis, Freeman probably feels a stronger connection to his favorite team than ever.

To that end, Freeman was a special guest of the Pacers before their 131-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors. You name it, he did it. He talked to the Pacers before the game, hung with their mascot, took part in a pregame ritual and even took a photo with Stephen Curry, who surely was inspired to enough by Freeman to drop 42 points, including 11 3-pointers.

You probably are bored by everything that’s being written about this and want to actually see some of it. Fortunately, social media has all of that covered:

Catching up with the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA draft workouts Part IV

Let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.

Even with the offseason here in earnest, the Boston Celtics have plenty on their plate regarding their future as they continue to work out prospects projected to go in the second round of the ’23 NBA draft.

With the Celtics likely to need cheap depth in the future, look for prospects who are either polished enough to get some real minutes in their rookie campaign or who might be okay with a season or two stashed abroad while the team makes decisions about how it will use the new two way player slot added to rosters in the latest collective bargaining agreement recently adopted by the league.

Adding to our previous reporting of the team’s known workouts comes a new wave of prospects Boston has been working out — let’s dive into who the Celtics might be targeting at No. 35.

Dayton center DaRon Holmes quietly declared for NBA draft while maintaining NCAA eligibility

DaRon Holmes II is one of the most intriguing big men in this draft class.

Dayton Flyers big man DaRon Holmes II submitted paperwork as an early entry candidate for the 2023 NBA Draft.

As a sophomore, Holmes averaged 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. The former Atlantic-10 Conference Rookie of the Year made All-A-10, All-A-10 Defense, and A-10 Conference Tournament MVP.

Holmes is officially testing the waters of the 2023 NBA Draft with the option to return to college. The big man will retain his NCAA eligibility, someone with knowledge of the situation told For The Win.

Underclassmen had until April 23 to submit their paperwork. The early entry withdrawal deadline for underclassmen that wish to maintain their collegiate eligibility is May 31.

That means Holmes will have until the end of next month to decide whether he wishes to stay in the draft or return to college.

NBA draft prospects will have a more clear picture of their potential trajectory after the G League Elite Camp (May 13-14) and the NBA Draft Combine (May 15-21) in Chicago.

Holmes could potentially join New York’s Obi Toppin to become just the second player from Dayton to hear his name called in the first round of the NBA Draft since 1979.

Holmes had the second-most dunks (89) of all Division 1 prospects last season, per Bart Torvik. He was also one of the most efficient players in college basketball when rolling to the rim after ball screens and he was one of the leaders in shooting fouls and floor fouls drawn.

[lawrence-related id=2036270]

Dayton’s pep band stepped up to support Fairleigh Dickinson during its March Madness run and went all out

March Madness pep band solidarity!

Marching bands and college sports go hand and in hand like chocolate and peanut butter. But when a school doesn’t have a marching band and makes it to March Madness, what do you do?

Well, if you’re Fairleigh Dickinson, who made it to the second round of the 2023 men’s NCAA tournament, you borrow a pep band from someone else! Headed into the tournament, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson seemed unlikely to make a lot of noise. Then, the Knights upset No. 1 Purdue on Friday to become the second No. 16 team to upset the top seed in men’s NCAA tournament history.

And perhaps Fairleigh Dickinson’s biggest fans this year were Dayton’s pep band, who the Knights borrowed for the tournament since the school doesn’t have one! In the ultimate show of band solidarity, local school Dayton and its pep band has been cheering on and supporting Fairleigh Dickinson from the sidelines with the school’s fight song and more.

And hey, it seems as if even props have been involved as well!

Oh and just for fun, Dayton’s band director turned up the style with his outfit for the team’s Sunday matchup against Florida Atlantic.

Seriously, props to Dayton’s pep band for going all out for Fairleigh Dickinson. How cool is that?

[mm-video type=video id=01gvg7bzg7svyx6k780t playlist_id=none player_id=01gp1x90emjt3n6txc image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gvg7bzg7svyx6k780t/01gvg7bzg7svyx6k780t-143ef70937fb904d4d8a08617737ea08.jpg]

Josh Elander recaps Vols’ series sweep versus Dayton

Tennessee acting head coach Josh Elander recaps the Vols’ series sweep versus Dayton.

No. 2 Tennessee (6-2) completed a three-game sweep against Dayton (0-6) Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols were victorious, 6-0. Sunday’s win is Tennessee’s sixth consecutive after losing its first two contests.

Tennessee defeated Dayton, 4-1, Saturday.

Tennessee defeated the Flyers, 12-2, in the series-opener on Friday.

Tennessee sixth-year head coach Tony Vitello was suspended for the Dayton series. Assistant coach Josh Elander served as the Vols’ acting head coach for the Dayton series.

Tennessee releases statement regarding Tony Vitello’s suspension

PHOTOS: Tennessee wins series versus Dayton

Following Tennessee’s win versus Dayton on Sunday, Elander met with media. Elander’s media availability can be watched below.

Vols sweep Dayton with sixth consecutive win

Tennessee baseball sweeps Dayton with sixth consecutive win.

No. 2 Tennessee (6-2) completed a three-game sweep against Dayton (0-6) Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols were victorious, 6-0. Sunday’s win is Tennessee’s sixth consecutive.

Sophomore first baseman Blake Burke went 2-for-4, recording two solo home runs against the Flyers.

Burke gave Tennessee a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The Vols scored two runs in the second inning. Griffin Merritt scored after Austen Jaslove reached on an error. Jared Dickey’s RBI single extended Tennessee’s advantage to, 3-0.

Burke hit his second solo home run in the fifth inning.

Drew Beam (2-0) pitched 5.1 innings for the Vols. He surrendered one hit and three walks, while recording four strikeouts.

Chase Burns records 12 strikeouts versus Dayton

Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns records 12 strikeouts versus Dayton.

No. 2 Tennessee (5-2) defeated Dayton (0-5), 4-1, Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee recorded its fifth consecutive victory and will play for a series sweep Sunday versus the Flyers. First pitch between Tennessee and Dayton is slated for 1 p.m. EST (SEC Network+) Sunday.

Chase Burns pitched 6.2 innings, recording 12 strikeouts, while surrendering one run, two hits and three walks for the Vols.

Tennessee led, 1-0, in the first inning on an RBI double by Griffin Merritt.

The Vols scored two runs in the second inning on a double by Austin Jaslove. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Christian Moore.

Dayton scored its lone run of the contest in the third inning.

The Vols scored one run in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Moore, who went 1-for-3, recording two RBIs and one run.

Seth Halvorsen recorded his first save of the season. He pitched 2.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Chase Burns discusses 12-strikeout performance versus Dayton

Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns discusses 12-strikeout performance versus Dayton.

No. 2 Tennessee (5-2) defeated Dayton (0-5), 4-1, Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The victory clinches Tennessee’s series win versus the Flyers.

Tennessee defeated the Flyers, 12-2, in the series-opener on Friday. The Vols have won five consecutive games following an 0-2 start to the 2023 season.

The series finale between Tennessee and Dayton is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. EST (SEC Network+).

Pitcher Chase Burns started for Tennessee on Saturday and earned a victory in 6.1 innings. He recorded 12 strikeouts, while surrendering two hits, one earned run and three walks against 22 batters.

Following Tennessee’s series win versus Dayton, Burns discussed his pitching performance. Burns’ media availability can be watched below.

Josh Elander recaps Vols’ game No. 2 win versus Dayton

Josh Elander recaps Tennessee’s game No. 2 win versus Dayton.

No. 2 Tennessee (5-2) defeated Dayton (0-5), 4-1, Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The victory clinches Tennessee’s series win versus the Flyers.

Tennessee defeated the Flyers, 12-2, in the series-opener on Friday. The Vols have won five consecutive games following an 0-2 start to the 2023 season.

The series finale between Tennessee and Dayton is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. EST (SEC Network+).

Tennessee sixth-year head coach Tony Vitello is suspended for the Dayton series. Assistant coach Josh Elander is serving as the Vols’ acting head coach for the Dayton series.

Tennessee releases statement regarding Tony Vitello’s suspension

PHOTOS: Tennessee wins series versus Dayton

Following Tennessee’s win versus Dayton Saturday, Elander met with media. Elander’s media availability can be watched below.