Dayton got their first real test of the season today. Guess what? They passed.

You probably didn't see the game. I know I didn't. For whatever reason, our friends at ESPN decided to go with Colin Cowherd on ESPNU, and none of the Full Court packages were carrying the game, either. Which means that No. 18 Dayton played No. 21 Georgia Tech in Puerto Rico, and nary a person saw it. Is this like the rule people make about cheating on their significant others when they're on vacation? If the game happens on an island, does it really count?

To the eventual NCAA selection committee, yes, and certainly to Flyers fans, whose team just topped a very talented Georgia Tech squad in rather impressive fashion. The Flyers lead for almost the entire game, and despite a second-half push from Tech mustered a 63-59 win. Sophomore guard Chris Johnson led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets' Derrick Favors was slightly disappointing, at least according to my handy box score; Favors had 10 points and seven rebounds, but only attempted six field goals and four free throws in 40 minutes of basketball. If Favors plans to be a star worthy of his hype -- and his top NBA draft status -- he'll need many more looks than that. And if Georgia Tech plans on saving Paul Hewitt's job this season, it'll need to do a better job getting Favors those looks. 

But the real hype-fulfillment scenario here is Dayton, who are ranked in the top 25 for the first time in ages. Today, the Flyers their first step toward justifying it.

Related: Mid-Majors and Below, ACC Basketball