This new series will be taking a weekly look at which teams in the A10 have the potential to be selected into the NCAA tournament. Updated every Tuesday morning, these projections are based off of non-conference and conference performances, as well as projections from the experts.
KEY: NR (not ranked), N/A (not updated)
All projections based on if the season ended today.
Locks
George Washington Colonials (12-2, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: 7 seed | CBS Sports: 6 seed | NBC Sports: 7 seed
The Colonials put together a fine week with wins over UCF and Fordham. Be it not for the anomaly of their loss to DePaul, there’s a good chance GW is the clear favorite in the A10. However even still, all experts still have this team as a lock in the tournament. Winnable games this week against Saint Louis and Duquesne should only boost their bracket status.
Dayton Flyers (11-2, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: 5 seed | CBS Sports: 4 seed | NBC Sports: 6 seed
After an odd loss to Chattanooga, the Flyers have gotten right back on track and in many experts’ minds remain the best team in the Atlantic 10. Charles Cooke has continued to lead this team and it appears that Archie Miller has his guys headed for another NCAA tournament appearance. Their mission this week? Don’t trip up against La Salle or UMass.
On the Bubble
St. Joseph’s Hawks (11-2, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: First Four Out | CBS Sports: 9 seed | NBC Sports: NR
St. Joe’s has elevated their status as of late, especially with their win over Richmond to open A10 play. They are currently riding a seven-game win streak, their only losses on the season coming to Florida and #8 Villanova. They get the opportunity to raise their stock this week when they take on VCU and Rhode Island. With two wins there, the Hawks could be in a very good place.
VCU Rams (9-5, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
VCU may be the best five-loss team in the nation right now. Despite faltering at times in the non-conference, the Rams have yet to experience a true “bad loss”. With a strong A10 season, this team has a good shot at the tourney. The first step now will be taking care of business against St. Joe’s and Saint Louis.
Outside Looking In
St. Bonaventure Bonnies (9-3, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
The Bonnies owe all of their status right now to a win over Davidson this past week. With two bad losses, St. Bona shouldn’t necessarily be jumping up and down. However, if Jaylen Adams keeps playing like he’s playing, this team will start to rise. George Mason and UMass should be wins this week, but it’s hard to say if either will be great resume boosters. The Bonnies will need to chip away at their bracket status in the long run.
Richmond Spiders (8-5, 0-1 A10)
ESPN: Next Four Out | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: First Four Out
A win over #14 California earlier this season was nice, but the Spiders are trending down. They are coming off back-t0-back losses to Texas Tech and St. Joe’s, and will need to make a serious turnaround if they want to vault themselves back into consideration. While we have yet to enter the “must win” games, Rhode Island and Fordham this week could do a wonder for keeping Richmond in this conversation.
Davidson Wildcats (8-4, 0-1 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
After a rough week that featured a blowout loss to California and a disappointing A10 opener, the Wildcats find themselves falling in the bracketology rankings. Davidson has yet to grab a quality win, and until they get fully healthy, their status as an off-the-fringe team will remain the same.
Duquesne Dukes (10-4, 0-1 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
Oh, Duquesne. It’s difficult to find a more neutral team in the A10. I find it hard to imagine them making the tournament without a serious push in conference play. While their record keeps them in the conversation, nothing about the Dukes’ resume impresses. Davidson and George Washington would be good wins this week if they want to show they’re for real.
Fordham Rams (9-3, 0-1 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
Fordham’s weak non-conference SOS hurts them in the eyes of the committee. Losses to UTA and Boston are not terrible, but still significantly hurt this team. After a conference season opener loss to George Washington, Fordham will have to seriously regroup to make a run at the tourney.
Rhode Island Rams (9-5, 1-0 A10)
ESPN: NR | CBS Sports: NR | NBC Sports: NR
URI is one of the teams that could seriously benefit from wins these next three games. Matchups against Richmond, St. Joe’s and St. Bonaventure offer the opportunity to boost the Rams resume, which could use some help after losses to Valparaiso and Old Dominion. Four McGlynn has been firing on all cylinders, and will need to continue to lead this team in the absence of injured star E.C. Matthews.
