Every time I suggest that the best basketball for the money in Dayton is the UD women’s team- snickers erupt. And I’ll say it again- it’s great bball. The women’s game is a game- where you run plays, pass, find the opponents weakness- and capitalize, and for the last 12 years- Jim Jabir’s team has been doing it better than probably 97% of the rest of the country. And- tonight- the game is free. Most nights, parking is free and adult tickets are $5, kids are $3. They routinely pull about 2,500 fans- who get it. This is basketball- played with solid fundamentals by an entire team.

Here’s the deal on tonight’s game- and note- you can sit courtside for these games without signing your life away like the boys.

DAYTON, Ohio – In its only exhibition of the 2014-15 season, the University of Dayton women’s basketball team is set to play host to Eckerd College Friday night at UD Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free. All who bring two non-perishable food items to be donated to St. Vincent de Paul will receive a $2 ticket voucher for a future women’s game. Limit one per person.

Flyer Facts

» Undefeated at home the past two seasons, Dayton’s 26-straight home victories is the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Flyers went 12-0 at home during 2013-14.

» Head coach Jim Jabir is in his 12th season at the helm of the Dayton women’s team in 2014-15. He was named the eighth head coach, and first male, in the history of the program on April 8, 2003. Jabir holds a career record of 430-356 over 28 seasons.

» Dayton has been ranked or receiving votes in at least one major poll Associated Press Top 25 or USA Today Coaches’ for 40 consecutive weeks. The Flyers open the 2014-15 season ranked No. 22 in both major polls.

» UD lost just one player to graduation, Cassie Sant. The Flyers return 2014 A-10 Player of the Year Andrea Hoover Sr., 2014 A-10 First Team and All-Academic Team selection Ally Malott Sr. and 2014 A-10 All-Rookie and All-Defensive Team honoree Celeste Edwards So..

» Dayton advanced to its fifth-consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2014 with the highest seed in program history at No. 6.» This is the Flyers’ 47th season as an intercollegiate sport at Dayton. UD’s all-time record sits at 713-546 .566.» The Flyers are 152-137 in Atlantic 10 regular season play 19 years.

via University of Dayton Flyers – #UDWBB TO HOST ECKERD COLLEGE IN EXHIBITION FRIDAY.

Players to watch- locals Andrea Hoover and Kelley Austria are my two favorites- Hoover for her awesome bravery-  setting picks, drawing charges, and unbelievable accuracy shooting. Austria for her ability to have her body going in two different directions while slowing the opposition down to a standstill- coming back on defense, there isn’t anyone who slows things down more. She also has crazy long arms- which make her steal more balls before the other team ever knew it. One thing about Kelley- she’s got the most intense game face you’ll ever see- almost never smiles- as opposed to Hoover who is all grins and funky faces- especially after putting the smack down on the opposition.

This year, look to Jenna Burdette, the freshman from “Coolville, Ohio” (population 496) to bring excitement on the floor. Don’t let the deer in the headlights expression fool you- when she’s got the ball, she makes things happen. The other frosh, Javonna Layfield, looks like she’s been in the lineup forever- meshing like magic.

This team self-imploded in 2 big games last year, maybe getting a bit too cocky for their britches when it counted. After watching an early practice, it’s clear that they learned their lesson. Uptempo all the time- great communication on the floor and a solid foundation of trust among each other sets the foundation for a season that should give fans something to talk about for years.

I’ll be there tonight- hope to see you there.