The primary and most fiercely contested traditional rival for the Dayton Flyers men's basketball program is Xavier University. The two schools compete annually in high-intensity matchups for the prestigious Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy, drawing massive regional and national attention. Other notable historical rivalries include regional foes such as the University of Cincinnati and Miami University, as well as classic conference battles against historic Atlantic 10 and Midwestern opponents like Butler and Saint Louis, fueling intense multi-sport animosity and packed arena environments.