It was a crazy awesome week here in Pittsburgh full of upsets, clutch performances, and downright high-level basketball. Here’s how it all went down, as told through the tweets of A10Talk and Atlantic 10 fans everywhere.
Wednesday – Round 1
We arrived in beautiful PGH to get our first glimpse of the host venue, PPG Paints Arena!
Hello, Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/lDMPNxrysW
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 8, 2017
First look at PPG Paints Arena. Looks like it’s gonna be one heck of a host for this year’s tournament. pic.twitter.com/jPQMPvVejX
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 8, 2017
Duquesne’s Mike Lewis II came to play…
Mike Lewis II with the up and under circus shot for @DuqMBB, he’s got 18 points on the day. Tune in for the finish @LiveOnAsn! pic.twitter.com/MvqBsQWH7K
— Atlantic 10 MBB (@A10MBB) March 9, 2017
but the Dukes fans didn’t seem too excited about the future.
Thursday – Round 2
Better check that hardware…
We feel like you’re going to set off the metal detector with that trophy, sir. #A10MBB pic.twitter.com/THtBi8Ec9W
— NBCSN (@NBCSN) March 9, 2017
Our meme game >>> (insert fire emoji)
What in exploration? pic.twitter.com/vbbbaHQcSS
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 9, 2017
Cats are wild…?
This Davidson fan is ANIMATED. It’s early ladies and gentlemen. If you think you’re a fan, you need to get on his level. Dude’s feein it. pic.twitter.com/kRF7EVfXdy
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 9, 2017
Peyton Aldridge set a PPG Paints Arena record with 33 points!
Aldridge with the slam! pic.twitter.com/JHaHxMS31N
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 9, 2017
Bona was as hype as ever…
Can you count the cans?? pic.twitter.com/jFC45sHFzZ
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 9, 2017
and major news broke about a leadership change within UMass.
BREAKING: UMass has fired Derek Kellogg, per a source.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 9, 2017
Meanwhile, GMU sent their game to OT on this sweet dish…
JENKINS AT THE BUZZER. OVERTIME!!!! pic.twitter.com/qErJrQVOxb
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
…and Yuta Watanabe capped off a GW come from behind win.
Yuta Watanabe with the EXCLAMATION point dunk. Colonials comeback and take the win. pic.twitter.com/ewbdx2KsWU
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
Plus, made it on TV!
@A10Talk Look at you two working hard pic.twitter.com/PjZmPNFdR5
— Mat Shelton-Eide (@MatSheltonEide) March 10, 2017
Friday – Quarterfinals
The Flyer Faithful showed out big,
Lots of red. pic.twitter.com/Qmw6ITr6sJ
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) March 10, 2017
but Jack Gibbs showed out even bigger!
OH MY GOD THIS KID pic.twitter.com/oMTmONqCqQ
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
Gibbs on breaking Aldridge’s arena points record set yesterday: “I couldn’t let him have that for too long”
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
ALL BALL
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
The senior enjoyed his last A-10 tourney…
JeQuan Lewis is ready. pic.twitter.com/Kv8e2f70iM
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 10, 2017
…as VCU rolled to victory.
Doug Brooks walking right in front of the Mason cheerleaders to get the VCU fans pumped up. Love it 😂pic.twitter.com/NpoPJLXXuq
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
JeQuan also had some fun after the game!
When the freshman scores 15 points, the veteran has a little fun. #LetsGoVCU #BlackandGoldUnite pic.twitter.com/EYtViZgdiH
— VCU Basketball (@VCU_Hoops) March 11, 2017
Richmond barely outlasted George Washington on the final possession.
Here’s the final play pic.twitter.com/pPDS6Axi2p
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
Rhody was ready out of the gates…
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
especially Coach Hurley!
“COME ON!!!!! LET’S GOOO!!!!!!!!!” – Coach Hurley pic.twitter.com/zQe115Y7sz
— Rhody MBB (@RhodyMBB) March 10, 2017
Saturday – Semifinals
Davidson and their fans prepped to take on Rhode Island…
A-10 fans, GET ON THIS WOMAN’S LEVEL. She is doing the warmups with the Davidson team as they run the court. If that’s not fandom, what is? pic.twitter.com/QJPuvdUzUt
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
but the Rams were RED-HOT from deep.
8-of-11 from beyond the arc… that’s pretty good, right? pic.twitter.com/ndKMgiZlDf
— Rhody MBB (@RhodyMBB) March 11, 2017
How about this pass from @JaredTerrell32 to @HassTheGreat who absolutely punishes the rim. Rams trying to stay in control. pic.twitter.com/poJ7ek9E7Q
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
We said goodbye to an A-10 legend,
What a career by @JackGibbs_12 at Davidson. Was tons of fun to watch these last 4 years. Going to be remembered by the Cats for a long time. pic.twitter.com/EBfvg9j3kn
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
“I know I might never wear Davidson on my chest again, but I know it’ll be in my heart forever” – @JackGibbs_12
— Davidson Basketball (@DavidsonMBB) March 11, 2017
and said hello to a star in the making.
There’s a reason @RackedUp_Polo of @SpiderMBB won A-10 Rookie of the year… pic.twitter.com/Xrx9XACftP
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
Buck going dumb https://t.co/zNRcEa0F3G
— Isaiah Miller™ (@I_Miller24) March 11, 2017
Richmond almost had this game…
Huge 3 by Sherod @SpiderMBBpic.twitter.com/4MiC8RteBF
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
but VCU closed it out in OT.
For the seventh straight year, we will play for a conference title. See you tomorrow. #LetsGoVCU
— VCU Basketball (@VCU_Hoops) March 11, 2017
The A-10 POY will be missed.
Hats off @tjcline6 for one heck of a career in the @atlantic10. We’re going to miss watching you play. Incredible season. Incredible player. pic.twitter.com/RnTOHXscUK
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 11, 2017
Sunday – A-10 Championship
The final game tipped off on Selection Sunday…
The A-10 championship game is underway from @PPGPaintsArena! #VCUvsURI pic.twitter.com/9UArbE6rpP
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 12, 2017
…and Rhode Island was playing no games.
Rhode Island has been SCORCHING the nets here in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/IS9EDEEbny
— A10 Talk URI (@A10TalkURI) March 12, 2017
Neither was Hassan Martin!
OH MY LORD pic.twitter.com/pe76ATAqlw
— A10 Talk URI (@A10TalkURI) March 12, 2017
Live look at Rhode Island vs VCU. pic.twitter.com/ZpmueamgdD
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 12, 2017
After a hard-fought battle, Rhody came out on top!
Rhode Island wins the A-10 tournament and punches its ticket to the Big Dance. Congrats Rams!
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 12, 2017
Your 2017 #A10MBB CHAMPIONS @RhodyMBB pic.twitter.com/ReLX3rbwmw
— Atlantic 10 MBB (@A10MBB) March 12, 2017
CRAZY CRAZY GAME! Don’t think we could’ve asked for a much better A-10 Tournament. The best part? 3 A-10 teams are going dancing this year.
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 12, 2017
Coach Hurley took in the moment.
.@RhodyMBB‘s Dan Hurley enjoying the moment! pic.twitter.com/7esyJD1Y5W
— A10Talk.com (@A10Talk) March 12, 2017
And the best part, we’re not done yet!!
Hey #A10Family – LET’S DANCE!
🕺🏽 3 #A10MBB teams ready: https://t.co/0yD1EMBaO4 pic.twitter.com/vy9VFkBben— Atlantic10Conference (@atlantic10) March 12, 2017
Here’s to another couple weeks of A-10 basketball! Next stop, Phoenix, for the Final Four!