MIAMISBURG — The successes so far of the 2019-2020 Dayton Flyers have sprung memories across the entire fan base of achievements obtained by teams in years past.
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The Flyers, currently 25-2 overall and 14-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, are off to the best start in program history. And the 16 game win streak the team currently enjoys is not only the tied for the longest current streak in the country, but is also one of the longest in the program’s storied history.
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Dayton’s last 16-game win streak came during the 1957-58 season, when the Flyers rattled off 16 straight victories en route to finishing as runner-up in the National Invitational Tournament.
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Frank Case, a member of that historic team, still lives in Miamisburg 60 years after his college basketball career ended and shared his college basketball scrapbook with News Center 7.
The scrapbook, which Dayton Daily News Flyers beat writer David Jablonski said "belongs in a museum," still sits in Case's Miamisburg home, in tact, and full of history. Part of the scrapbook is dedicated to the Flyers' last 16-game win streak during that 57-58 season.
“(The 1957-58 season) was terrific. We had so much confidence in ourselves,” Case said during an interview with News Center 7’s John Bedell.
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“The only game I was scared of was (playing Cincinnati’s) Oscar Robertson. That was the only game. It came down to the final seconds but other than that we could win them all.”
What a thrill to meet former @DaytonMBB player Frank Case today. He was on the last Flyers team that won 16 straight - Tom Blackburn’s 1957-58 team. The Flyers will try to break that streak tonight and extend the country’s longest active winning streak to 17. @whiotv @WHIORadio pic.twitter.com/NTfya7gFcP
— John Bedell (@JBedellWHIO) February 25, 2020
The Bearcats snapped the Flyers’ 16 game winning streak during Dayton’s last regular season game of the 57-58 season with a final score of 70-66.
Case played a key role as a sophomore on the 57-58 team, averaging nearly 13 points per game.
Now 83-years-old, the member of the UD Athletic Hall of Fame said he’s been following this year’s Dayton team closely and has been impressed with their style of play.
“This team is just so exciting. When the situation gets tight, close, or whatever you want to call it, someone comes through.”
“Its really a team effort,” Case said.
The Flyers have a chance Tuesday night against George Mason to surpass the 57-58 team and extend their winning streak to 17 games. If that happens, Case said he’s more than fine with seeing this team eclipsing his team’s win streak.
“I don’t want them to lose another game. I know that’s probably unrealistic, but as far as I’m concerned if you count right, getting into the A-10 conference tournament, they could be 32-2 and I’m all for it. All for it,” Case said.
