Florida Atlantic Owls vs Dayton Flyers Pick – 3/19/2025

The Florida Atlantic Owls are set to host the Dayton Flyers in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in Boca Raton, Florida. This matchup features two teams eager to extend their postseason journeys after contrasting finishes to their regular seasons.

Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Dayton Flyers Game Preview

The Dayton Flyers concluded their season with a 22-10 overall record, including a 12-6 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Despite a strong finish, winning six of their last eight games, the Flyers were upset by Saint Joseph's in the first round of the A-10 tournament. Offensively, Dayton averages 75.2 points per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. They are led by senior forward Nate Santos, who contributes 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and senior guard Enoch Cheeks, adding 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest. Defensively, the Flyers allow 70.1 points per game, with opponents shooting 43.2% from the field against them.

On the other hand, the Florida Atlantic Owls finished their season at 18-15, with a 10-8 record in the American Athletic Conference. The Owls struggled down the stretch, losing five of their final eight games, including a quarterfinal loss to Tulane in the AAC tournament. FAU's offense averages 78.7 points per game, shooting 46.2% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc. Sophomore forward Kaleb Glenn leads the team with 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while junior forward Tre Carroll adds 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Defensively, the Owls surrender 75.2 points per game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, the betting line for this game is set with Florida Atlantic as a slight favorite at -1, and the total points over/under is set at 151.5.

• Dayton Flyers: The Flyers have a 15-16 record against the spread (ATS) this season. They have been favored by 1 point or more 24 times, holding a 10-14 ATS record in those games. Dayton's games have gone over the total 20 times in 32 opportunities (62.5%).
• Florida Atlantic Owls: The Owls have a 12-20 ATS record this season. As underdogs of 1 point or more, they have just one ATS win in eight games. FAU's games have gone over the total in 16 of 32 opportunities (50%).

Notably, Florida Atlantic has won each of its last nine Wednesday night games at home, while Dayton has lost three of its last four road games following an overtime loss.

Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Dayton Flyers Prediction

Considering the current form and statistical profiles of both teams, this matchup appears to be closely contested. Dayton's balanced scoring and slightly better defensive metrics provide them with a slight edge. However, Florida Atlantic's home-court advantage and offensive capabilities cannot be overlooked.

Given the betting line of Florida Atlantic -1 and the over/under set at 151.5, bettors might find value in considering the following:

• Spread: Given the tight line, this game could go either way. However, Florida Atlantic's strong home performance on Wednesday nights suggests they might cover the spread.
• Total Points: Both teams have shown tendencies to participate in high-scoring games, with Dayton's games going over the total 62.5% of the time this season. The over on 151.5 points could be a favorable bet.

In conclusion, while the game is expected to be competitive, Florida Atlantic's home-court advantage and offensive prowess might give them the slight edge needed to secure a victory and cover the spread. Bettors should also consider the over on total points, given both teams' scoring capabilities and recent trends.

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