DAYTON -- As thousands of basketball fans arrive in Dayton for the NCAA tournament, Xavier drops a bomb.
Xavier and Butler decided to leave the Atlantic-10 Conference, and head to the the Big East.
And for University of Dayton fans, that means one of the biggest rivalries in Ohio, could be over.
"I've been a fan since 1965 when I first went to school here," said Alan Mefferd, UD fan, "I've been following them every where I can. Even when I worked in the pipeline in Alaska."
So Mefferd knows the importance and history of the big rivalry with Xavier.
"It is the rivalry," he said, "It's the toughest ticket in Dayton."
So the news that these two teams might not play against one another again, is upsetting to fans.
"It's always a sell out and we've got to keep that rivalry going," said Mefferd.
"They want to keep it together, because the fan base cares so much about it and and the players care so much about it," said Chris Moorman, UD student.
The university cares a lot about it as well, and hopes Xavier and UD will continue to play one another in the future.
Xavier isn't the only team leaving the A-10, Butler is as well, but Flyer fans aren't worried it'll keep them from the big dance.
"We will survive, the A-10 will survive, we will always be a feared conference among the power 6 conferences," said Mefferd.
The university released a statement saying, "The University of Dayton is committed to competing in a conference that provides a platform for success for all of our sports programs and, specifically, men's basketball."
And for basketball fans, they're hoping the rivalry will stay as well.
"It's a love hate relationship, we love to hate each other and hate to love each other but its got to keep going," said Mefferd.
University leaders tell us they won't know if Xavier and UD will continue to play one another until they talk about scheduling.
There was speculation that UD would join the Big East, but there was no talk of that by the university on Wednesday.
Xavier and Butler decided to leave the Atlantic-10 Conference, and head to the the Big East.
And for University of Dayton fans, that means one of the biggest rivalries in Ohio, could be over.
"I've been a fan since 1965 when I first went to school here," said Alan Mefferd, UD fan, "I've been following them every where I can. Even when I worked in the pipeline in Alaska."
So Mefferd knows the importance and history of the big rivalry with Xavier.
"It is the rivalry," he said, "It's the toughest ticket in Dayton."
So the news that these two teams might not play against one another again, is upsetting to fans.
"It's always a sell out and we've got to keep that rivalry going," said Mefferd.
"They want to keep it together, because the fan base cares so much about it and and the players care so much about it," said Chris Moorman, UD student.
The university cares a lot about it as well, and hopes Xavier and UD will continue to play one another in the future.
Xavier isn't the only team leaving the A-10, Butler is as well, but Flyer fans aren't worried it'll keep them from the big dance.
"We will survive, the A-10 will survive, we will always be a feared conference among the power 6 conferences," said Mefferd.
The university released a statement saying, "The University of Dayton is committed to competing in a conference that provides a platform for success for all of our sports programs and, specifically, men's basketball."
And for basketball fans, they're hoping the rivalry will stay as well.
"It's a love hate relationship, we love to hate each other and hate to love each other but its got to keep going," said Mefferd.
University leaders tell us they won't know if Xavier and UD will continue to play one another until they talk about scheduling.
There was speculation that UD would join the Big East, but there was no talk of that by the university on Wednesday.