Dayton @ George Mason preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 23, 2019 ) George Mason 67, Dayton 63

Third-ranked Dayton continues its March toward Madness when it visits George Mason on Tuesday in an Atlantic 10 game. The Flyers, who are projected to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament by ESPN's Joe Lunardi, have won 16 straight after national player of the year candidate Obi Toppin scored 28 points to go over 1,000 for his career in an 80-70 victory over Duquesne on Saturday.

Dayton's success, which includes the first 25-2 start in school history, begins off the court according to senior guard Trey Landers. “We love each other,” Landers told the media. “It’s not even about us on the court. Obviously, we do what we do on the court, but off the court, this is the best team I’ve been around. That helps us more when we get on the floor together. We know to our strengths and know what everyone does.” The Flyers - 14-0 in the A-10 for the first time in school history - lead second-place Rhode Island by three games with a showdown looming in the Ocean State on March 4. George Mason defeated Saint Joseph's 62-55 on Saturday for only its second victory in eight games behind 20 points and eight rebounds from leading scorer Javon Greene.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: FSN, MASN

ABOUT DAYTON (25-2, 14-0 Atlantic 10): Toppin averages team highs of 19.7 points and 7.7 rebounds, and leads the conference in field-goal percentage at 62.7 - largely because of 89 dunks - and was quick to deflect praise. “A thousand points means a lot, but all the credit goes to my teammates,'' the sophomore forward told reporters. "Without them I wouldn’t be getting any points.'' Junior guard Jalen Crutcher averages 15 points - 18 over his last five games - and a club-high 4.9 assists after recording 17 points and five helpers Saturday, and shoots 42 percent from 3-point range.

ABOUT GEORGE MASON (15-12, 4-10): Greene, a junior guard, played 39 minutes Saturday and averages a team-best 14 points and contributes 5.6 rebounds. Junior forward AJ Wilson leads the conference and was fourth nationally entering Monday with 3.2 blocks per game and also averages 11.8 points and a club-most 7.8 rebounds after going for 13 points, six boards and four blocks against Saint Joseph's. Sophomore guard Jordan Miller averages 12 points and has scored between 10 and 15 in the last seven games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Dayton will be the highest-ranked team to ever play in Fairfax, Va.

2. The Flyers share the longest active winning streak in the nation with New Mexico State.

3. George Mason won the last two meetings, including 67-63 at Dayton last season.

PREDICTION: Dayton 80, George Mason 65