The Dayton Flyers will take on the UNCW Seahawks in a postseason tournament game. This NIT Tournament game will be held at Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, NC. The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Dayton Flyers have had a strong season with an overall record of 23-11. In the Atlantic 10 Conference, they finished with a 14-7 record. In the 2025 postseason, Dayton had a win against Florida Atlantic but fell to Chattanooga.
The UNCW Seahawks ended their regular season with a 26-6 record. They performed well in the Coastal Athletic Association, achieving a 15-4 conference record. Last postseason, they faced Texas Tech in the West Region’s first round but did not advance further.
UNCW Preview
The UNCW Seahawks play in the Coastal Athletic Association. In the 2026 regular season, they had a strong record of 26-6. Their conference record was 15-4, showing good performance in their league.
In the 2025 postseason, the Seahawks played in the West Region. They were seeded #14 and lost to #3 Texas Tech with a score of 82-72. This game ended their postseason run.
The Seahawks scored an average of 77.0 points per game in the 2026 regular season. They had 64.4 possessions per game, which ranked them low in pace. Their field goal percentage was 44.6%, and they made 8.0 three-pointers per game.
Patrick Wessler was a key player, averaging 13.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Nolan Hodge led the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game. Christian May contributed with 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Dayton Preview
The Dayton Flyers play in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had a record of 23 wins and 11 losses. Their conference record was 14 wins and 7 losses.
In the 2025 postseason, Dayton won against Florida Atlantic with a score of 86-79. However, they lost to Chattanooga with a score of 87-72. These games showed their ability to compete at a high level.
During the 2026 regular season, Dayton scored an average of 74.4 points per game. They attempted 53.6 field goals per game with a shooting percentage of 44.6%. Their free throw shooting was strong, making 18.9 free throws per game with a percentage of 75.1%.
Javon Bennett was a key player for Dayton, playing 34 games and scoring an average of 16.2 points per game. Another important player was De’Shayne Montgomery, who scored 13.3 points per game. These players contributed significantly to the team’s performance.
Statistical Breakdown for UNCW vs Dayton
The game between the UNCW Seahawks and Dayton Flyers will likely be shaped by a few key stats. UNCW’s strong rebounding, with 40.0 rebounds per game, could give them an edge in controlling the ball. Dayton’s ability to score from the free-throw line, making 18.9 free throws per game, could be a factor. Both teams have similar field goal percentages, so the game might come down to who can capitalize on their strengths better.
- UNCW Points Per Game: 77.0
- Dayton Points Per Game: 74.4
- UNCW Rebounds Per Game: 40.0
- Dayton Free Throws Made Per Game: 18.9
- UNCW Field Goal Percentage: 44.6%
- Dayton Field Goal Percentage: 44.6%
Betting Insights
The Dayton Flyers and UNCW Seahawks are set for an exciting game. Dayton had a strong season with a solid record in straight-up games. UNCW also showed strength, especially as favorites. Bettors should note the trends against the spread and over/under for both teams. Here are the top betting trends to consider:
- Dayton is 71.4% ATS as an underdog.
- UNCW is 80.0% ATS as an underdog.
- Dayton’s O/U record is 80.0% in the last 10 games.
- UNCW’s ATS record is 58.8% in all games.
- Dayton’s O/U record is 71.0% in all games.
Free Betting Prediction for UNCW vs Dayton
In this game, the UNCW Seahawks and Dayton Flyers bring different strengths to the court. UNCW’s rebounding ability could help them control the game. With 40.0 rebounds per game, they might limit Dayton’s second-chance points. On the other hand, Dayton’s strong free-throw shooting could be important. Making 18.9 free throws per game, they can add points consistently.
Both teams have similar field goal percentages, so the game could be close. UNCW scores more points per game, averaging 77.0 compared to Dayton’s 74.4. However, Dayton is favored with a spread of -2.5. This suggests that the game might be tight, with Dayton having a slight edge.
Considering the betting trends, Dayton has a strong record against the spread as an underdog. But in this game, they are the favorite. UNCW has also performed well against the spread. Given these factors, the game might be decided by small margins. The over/under is set at 139.5, and both teams have high-scoring potential.
- Our Free Prediction: Dayton -2.5
