Rhode Island @ Dayton preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 1, 2019 ) Rhode Island 72, Dayton 70

Sixth-ranked Dayton's game against visiting Rhode Island on Tuesday is big enough with a pair of white-hot teams battling for first place in the Atlantic 10, but a sibling rivalry adds to the drama. The Flyers and national player of the year candidate Obi Toppin have won 12 in a row and lead the Rams - winners of 10 straight - and freshman Jacob Toppin by one-half game in the conference standings, so let the trash talking begin.

Obi told the Dayton Daily News that if Jacob is playing defense when he comes in for one of his signature dunks, "he's going on SportsCenter. I have to show him who Big Bro' is. ... It’s very competitive when it comes to me and Jacob. When we’re on the court together there’s no friend, no brother.” Jacob told USA Today: "Since the season started, we've been waiting for this game. We always talk about who's going to win, who's going to do what. It's non-stop. Every time we talk to each other, we talk about the game coming up." The Flyers have won 13 straight at home after Saturday's 71-65 victory over Saint Louis with Toppin providing three dunks, giving him 160 in 56 career games. Rhode Island has won five straight on the road after dismantling George Washington 82-51 on Saturday with Fatts Russell scoring 24 points.

TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: CBS Sports Network

ABOUT RHODE ISLAND (18-5, 10-1 Atlantic 10): Cyril Langevine, the reigning A-10 player of the week, is one of three conference players averaging a double-double at 10.1 points and 10.2 rebounds . Russell scores 20.3 points per game - tied for the A-10 lead - after recording his 15th game with 20 or more Saturday while making a season-high six 3-pointers. Jeff Dowtin (14.2 points) has averaged 16.8 over his last four games while shooting 26-for-46 from the field.

ABOUT DAYTON (21-2, 10-0): Toppin averages team highs of 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, and leads the conference in field goal percentage at 62.6. Jalen Crutcher (14.5 points, 5.2 assists) bounced back from scoring a season-low three points in a 70-56 victory over Fordham on Feb. 1 with 17 versus Saint Louis, and has scored at least that many in six of his last seven games. Ryan Mikesell recorded 11 points and eight rebounds Saturday, raising his season averages to 9.3 and 4.9.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Flyers are 10-0 in conference play for the first time in school history.

2. Jacob Toppin averages 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes.

3. Rhode Island has won three of the last four meetings, including two straight at UD Arena after a 72-70 overtime victory March 1 behind a career-high 26 points by Langevine.

PREDICTION: Dayton 81, Rhode Island 75