Dayton suspends starting center Matt Kavanaugh for season

Matt Kavanaugh, Dayton's starting center, was suspended for the season by the university. (US Presswire)

Dayton center Matt Kavanaugh was one of the biggest surprises in the Atlantic 10 last season, going from nothing more than a role player to a key inside factor for the Dayton Flyers.

We'll never find out if Kavanaugh could continue his solid production during his senior season, as the school announced Wednesday that he was suspended for the year.

“Matt Kavanaugh is suspended for the remainder of the academic year as a result of violations of the University of Dayton Standards of Behavior and Code of Conduct,” the statement read. “Therefore, he will not play on the basketball team this season.”

Because of student privacy requirements, no further details were given.

Kavanaugh, a 6-foot-9 center, averaged 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. During his first two seasons with the Flyers he scored a total of 73 points. He reached double figures 12 times last season, including a 23-point, nine-rebound effort against La Salle in January.

Heading into the season, Kavanaugh was expected to combine with Josh Benson to form one of the better inside duos in the conference. Benson is recovered from a torn ACL he suffered on Dec. 30 of last year. Without Kavanaugh, coach Archie Miller will have to rely on returnees Devin Oliver and Alex Gavrilovic, as well as freshman forwards Jalen Robinson and Devon Scott.

Kevin Dillard and transfers Vee Sanford (Georgetown) and Matt Derenbecker (LSU) will form a potent perimeter trio.