Tale of the Tape: Virginia Faces Dayton In The Battle 4 Atlantis

Virginia takes on Dayton in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis today at 4 p.m. on ESPN, with a chance to play for a sixth straight holiday tournament title Friday on the line. The Cavaliers (4-0) handled Middle Tennessee in the opening round Wednesday night, while the underdog Flyers (4-0) got past Butler by five points.

Dayton, led by former VCU and Alabama coach Anthony Grant, is not necessarily a threat from 3-point land, making just 21 so far (330th in the nation in made 3’s), but the Flyers are ranked 22nd nationally in overall field-goal percentage (.516), slightly behind the Wahoos (12th, .525).

Only seven players for Dayton have seen action in all four games, and eight average double figures in minutes played. Senior forward Josh Cunningham (6-foot-8) missed the first two games with a wrist injury but has averaged team highs of 19 points and 8 rebounds in the last two, including 18 points (7 for 11 FG) and 8 boards against the Bulldogs Wednesday night. Jalen Crutcher (14.0 ppg), Ryan Mikesell (12.3), Obadiah Toppin (12.3) and Trey Landers (11.8) also each average double figures scoring for the Flyers.

Sophomore forward De’Andre Hunter will look to stay hot for the ‘Hoos, who with a win would face the Oklahoma/Wisconsin winner for the tournament championship Friday at 2 p.m. ET.