Sports Today: Buy or sell a fifth-place finish for the Dayton Flyers?

Today is media day in the Atlantic 10, and the Dayton Flyers have been picked to finish fifth in the league's men's basketball standings.

Rhode Island is the preseason favorite as the Rams return two of their top three scorers from last season, when they won 25 games.

As far as expectations go, fifth might be a pretty good place for Anthony Grant’s first team to start given the unknown and potential of this Flyers roster.

That shows a believe they can still win 20 games but acknowledges there are some challenges.

Obviously, the defending A-1o champions lost a lot, but there are some intriguing things about this team.

That starts of course with Kostas Antetokounmpo, a four-star talent whom we have not seen on the floor yet.

RELATED: What Anthony Grant’s NBA experience means for UD

Then we’ll see what a healthy Josh Cunningham can do over a full season.

How about Darrell Davis and Xeyrius Williams in larger roles?

Will John Crosby have a new lease on life with more experience, playing time and a new coach?

There are all those questions plus just the fact Dayton can give teams a unique look with so much size (seven players 6-foot-5 or taller).

JABLONSKI’S TAKE: Predicting the A-10 standings

Last season, the fifth-, sixth- and seventh-place A-10 teams all won 20 games.

Given who walked out the door at the end of last season, would you sign up for that right now, Dayton fans?...

Is there any better way for the Cincinnati Bengals to start Steelers week than giving the long snapper a contract extension? 

Yeah, probably, but that's what we've got to work with.

According to the team, Clark Harris has never had an unplayable snap since joining the team in 2009. Even though he is obviously jinxed now, that’s pretty amazing!

Hey, there's also this: John Ross returned to practice Monday.

The Bengals’ first-round pick has barely played thanks to a knee injury, which makes it extra fortunate the team didn’t need help at receiver going into the draft.

Nonetheless, with Tyler Boyd ailing, they could use another young gun Sunday in Pittsburgh.

RELATED›› 5 things the Bengals need to fix after the bye

“If they give me the green light, I’m not going to say no,” Ross said. “I’m ready to do whatever they say. I’m just waiting on that call. It’s not what I have to say. I would have been out there two to three weeks ago. They know what they’re doing and I trust them.”

One of these days, the Washington speedster will have his first big play in the NFL. Sunday would be a good time for it because it’s hard to see the running game coming around anytime soon.

RELATED›› How have the Bengals fared after bye weeks?

Of course, winning the turnover battle could go a long way toward getting a victory Sunday.

Jay Morrison points out that's not been a strong point for the Bengals so far this season…

Locally, we've had a big few days on the high school football recruiting front as two GWOC standouts announced their decisions.

Xenia receiver Meechi Harris is going to Kentucky, where his blue and white Buccaneers clothes should blend in well with Wildcats apparel.

Meanwhile, a former UK commit didn’t need much time to find a new home.

Wayne defensive end Alex Reigelsperger is going Big Ten instead of the SEC, choosing Minnesota and first-year coach P.J. Fleck (plus former Ohio State assistant Ed Warinner).

Here's a full look at who has committed so far from the loaded 2018 recruiting class in the area.

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