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That experience won’t help Cunningham much at 7:10 p.m. Friday when No. 7 seed Dayton plays No. 10 seed Wichita State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“The team is totally different,” Cunningham said. “They had a lot of juniors and seniors my freshman year.”
Cunningham will be one of two or three Flyers who makes his NCAA Tournament debut against the Shockers. Sophomore forward Ryan Mikesell, who didn’t play in the first round against Syracuse last season, will be another. Sophomore forward Sam Miller could be another. Freshman guard Trey Landers is the only other scholarship player who has not played in the tournament.
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For Cunningham, it will be a well-deserved reward. He survived a grueling rehabilitation process after tearing a ligament in his ankle in November to get back on the court.
“It means a lot,” Cunningham said. “It’s the first time being here, and I’m here with my brothers, my teammates, people I’ve been to war with this whole season. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than this.”
Last practices: Dayton held two practices Thursday, one behind closed doors at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and one in front of the public at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Archie Miller went hard on the Flyers in practices before the Atlantic 10 tournament. It has been similar this week.
“Monday we didn’t go as hard,” Pollard said. “Every day since then it’s been on.”
PHOTOS: Flyers during Thursday’s practice
Wichita State hasn’t played since March 5 when it beat Illinois State 71-51 to win the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Dayton hasn’t played since March 10 when it lost 73-67 to Davidson in the A-10 quarterfinals.
“I’ve been ready to play since Sunday,” Dayton senior point guard Scoochie Smith said. “I definitely feel rested.”
Shoe choice: Pollard has debuted his most colorful shoes in the NCAA Tournament over the years. This year, he's going with a blue pair of Paul George shoes.
George is the Indiana Pacers’ leading scorer. The Pacers were playing a home game Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at the same time the Flyers arrived in town.
PREVIEW: Dayton Flyers vs. Wichita State Shockers
“It’s only right for me to wear these in this arena,” Pollard said. “He’s my second favorite player. Derrick Rose is my first.”
Tough question: Hours after Indiana fired Tom Crean, Miller faced a question about Indiana's possible interest in him.
“Growing up as a player, we were taught to eliminate noise and distractions and bring your best to the floor every day,” Miller said. “It wouldn’t be right as a coach if you were thinking about anything other than them. That’s all I really concern myself with.”
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