Fansided

College basketball: 5 dark horse contenders for the national championship

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Ducks won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Dayton Flyers head coach Archie Miller works from the sidelines against Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of a men
Mar 20, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Dayton Flyers head coach Archie Miller works from the sidelines against Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of a men /

Dayton Flyers

The Flyers have been the kings of the upset in the NCAA Tournament over the past couple of seasons. Dayton followed up its magical 2014 Elite Eight run with an upset of the sixth-seeded Providence Friars last season before playing a good Oklahoma Sooners team tough in the round of 32.

This year’s Dayton team is a little better than those two, both of which were 11 seeds. Dayton rose up to No. 19 in the latest AP Poll, and has a legitimate shot at earning at least a top four seed on Selection Sunday.

Given the wide-open nature of this college basketball season, this looks like the year Dayton could take it to the next level. With a mix of talent, experience, and good coaching, the Flyers are absolutely in the national title picture, even if they don’t carry quite the same level of name recognition as other contenders.

Key contributors from previous squads are still around for the Flyers, including Dyshawn Pierre and Scoochie Smith. The difference this season is James Madison transfer Charles Cooke, who leads Dayton in scoring and records over a block per game.

Dayton has breezed through conference play against solid competition, apart from a strange loss to La Salle. The Flyers have also proven themselves capable of beating at least one title contender after taking down Iowa on a neutral court back in November.

Archie Miller is about as proven as a young coach can be in March, and looks ready to lead a very underrated squad on a long NCAA Tournament run.

Next: Texas Longhorns