There are quite a few NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball programs celebrating their 120th year in competition. There’s your list of blue bloods: Duke, K-State, Georgia, Illinois, Northwestern, Oregon and Virginia. Smaller schools like Idaho, Utah State, William and Mary and Wyoming.
But two of the schools celebrating this anniversary are only 42 miles away and reside here in the great state of Ohio. And they have a storied past, more one than the other!
University of Dayton and Miami University at 120 years!
The University of Dayton and Miami University both started their basketball odyssey in 1903. Miami and UD have played each other a whopping 132 times, with UD owning a 71-61 advantage. Both programs have seen lean times and amazing ones. Recently, Dayton has had a fantastic run under former player and now coach, Anthony Grant. Covid ruined a national #3 ranking and sure fire #1 seed for the Flyers. But they have continued their excellence in the face of injuries and even a sad death to an active player.
Miami’s past few years have been dark. Since the death of long-time player and coach, Charlie Coles, the Redhawks have not had a winning season since 2009-2010. Two coaches later (who should have both been fired before their third years!) Travis Steele, former Xavier head coach, was hired to rebuild the program. Steele is in his third year, hoping to get Miami back to winning ways.
UD and Miami in the Big Dance!
UD has a much richer heritage than Miami. They own 19 NCAA appearances and had an amazing run in the mid 1960’s as they lost to the powerhouse UCLA team in the NCAA tournament final. Their recent runs through the tournament have been epic. The Archie Miller lead Flyers in 2014 made it to the Elite Eight as a #11 seed dressing basically six players! That was an unbelievable three weeks!
Miami’s NCAA run has seen them enter 17 times, most recently in 2007 with a buzzer beating three by Doug Penno over LeBron James’ high school buddies and Akron in the MAC tournament final. But whereas UD made it beyond the first round in many of these 19 shows, Miami has suffered a myriad of first round losses.
UD Flyers and 2024-25
Recently, UD is hoping to go further down the NCAA Tourney road than last year. After a come-from-behind win over Nevada in the opening round, UD ran into a strong Arizona team that ended the Flyers season. They open tonight against St Francis. On their schedule they also will battle fellow 120 years celebrant, Northwestern. And for Thanksgiving, UD will head to Hawaii to play in the Maui Invitational. Hello, North Carolina! Pass the turkey and cranberry sauce.
VCU was chosen to be the A-10 conference favorites this year. Dayton, losing DaRon Holmes II to the NBA draft, hopes to reload and challenge the Rams for the title. The A-10 has a superior conference record with so many excellent squads. UD could find themselves back in the top tier again in February.
Miami University Redhawks 2024-25
Miami, on the other hand, is struggling. The Mid American Conference, Miami’s home since 1953, has seen Akron, Ohio, Kent, Toledo and just about everyone else dominate the past twelve seasons. Miami’s 6th place finish helped them get to the conference tournament last year only to lose to eventual winner, Akron.
Miami will play Indiana and Michigan this year, but their non-conference schedule is not nearly as stacked as Dayton’s. Akron, Kent, Toledo are again favored this year. Miami does get to play in the “prestigious” Fort Myers Classic! Siena or Jacksonville or Mercer? Whoa! Get me those tickets! (NOT!)
Hello? Millett Hall? Please…UD Arena is top tier!
Image from Alchetron.com of Millett Hall (From Miami archives)
Miami’s losing past has caused their attendance to plummet. In 2023, the Redhawks averaged 1,847 per game (as per ncaa.org). Context? Youngstown State averages over 3,000 per contest! Dayton? #21 in the country bringing in 13,407 fans, more than Ohio State, Michigan and Louisville. The Red Scare is alive and strong!
Chris Hachey, Ticketmaster blog. Recently renovated UD Arena
Miami has begun discussions on a new arena. Millett Hall is probably the worst place to watch a basketball game in the entire US. I’d say it’s WAY overdue. Bet it will have red bricks and be amazingly bland! (See pic above!)
Two storied programs heading in decidedly different directions as they embark on their 120th seasons. We will keep you up to speed on their progress this year. It’s quite sad that the two programs stopped playing each other in 2015. But with UD’s dominance over their southern Ohio peer (12-3 since 1999), it’s no wonder UD figured it was time to venture into more challenging opponents. And if Miami fans want to complain, then start winning! I’m an ‘88 grad from Oxford, and I’m frustrated at their mediocrity!
I’m also a UD Master’s grad, so both programs are dear to my heart! But I’d go to the NCAA tourney if Miami EVER gets there again! And right now, the Browns have a better chance at a playoff spot this year than Miami heading to the Dance! Yep, I said it!
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