A10 Talk’s weekly power rankings is a subjective list that ranks every Atlantic 10 team based on how good they are overall. This is not a direct reflection of conference standings or NCAA Tournament potential. Be sure to check out last week’s power rankings post. Here are this week’s power rankings.
1. Dayton Flyers, Previously #1
Following a big win over VCU to finish the regular season, Dayton remains in the top spot and grabs the 1 seed heading into Pittsburgh. Though the Flyers fell on the road to George Washington, their body of work has been good enough to keep them in the top spot the entire season. VCU is not very far behind, but the Flyers have a slightly better overall resume, and I think they could end up with a slightly higher NCAA Tournament seeding.
2. VCU Rams, Previously #2
VCU fought hard on the road but lost to Dayton and followed that up with a home win over George Mason. The Rams grab the 2 seed in the A-10 Tournament and will be hungry for an A-10 championship title. This team has been proving itself all season, and there’s no reason why it can’t make a deep run during March Madness. The Rams definitely need to get some 3 pointers to fall in Pittsburgh, though.
3. Rhode Island Rams, Previously #3
There may not be a hotter team heading into Pittsburgh. The Rams have won 5 straight and came back to beat Davidson in Kingston last Saturday. This team’s path to a tournament title will by no means be easy, though. They’ll have a likely first round meeting with a very good St. Bonaventure team, and if they win that, they’ll have to face the Dayton Flyers who have beaten them twice. This team is right on the bubble and playing with plenty of urgency though, so don’t count them out just yet. Just look at the way Hassan Martin played on Saturday.
4. Richmond Spiders, Previously #4
Richmond stays in the 4 spot this week as they grab the 3 seed heading into the Atlantic 10 Tournament. T.J. Cline had one heck of a senior night, going for a triple double and likely locking up A-10 Player of the Year honors. If things go Richmond’s way in Pittsburgh, this team could be a sleeper to win the tournament title. They’ll probably have to get past rival VCU in order to do that, though. The Rams will have other plans.
5. St. Bonaventure Bonnies, Previously #5
St. Bonaventure feels like the clear 5 at this point, as they’ve proven to be a team that can catch fire in a hurry. Though the Bonnies had a tough time finishing the job against Massachusetts, they finish the regular season with a win and will be hungry for a title in Pittsburgh. Jaylen Adams and Matt Mobley will be playing at a high level like we’ve seen all season, and I think St. Bonaventure will have the biggest fanbase representation in Pittsburgh.
6. George Washington Colonials, Previously #8
George Washington is quickly on the rise. In a manner of two weeks, this team has climbed from the 10 spot all the way up to the 6. The Colonials are my dark horse team to watch in the A-10 Tournament. Tyler Cavanaugh was on fire on Saturday against Dayton, and he’ll be looking to stay hot when he travels to Pittsburgh. Watch out for a team that has a dominant senior and a great supporting cast. I would love to see GW play Richmond.
7. Davidson Wildcats, Previously #7
Davidson almost did what seemed impossible in Kingston: ending Rhode Island’s chances at an at-large bid. The Wildcats had a stellar showing on the road against the Rams, and Jack Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge continue to show why they’re one of the best duos in the nation. A team that has scoring stars is one to be feared in the conference tournament. The way Davidson shoots the three, it could do some serious damage if it heats up.
8. George Mason Patriots, Previously #6
George Mason has lost 4 of its last 5, has lost to Saint Louis twice this season, and it still has the 7 seed going into Pittsburgh. This team doesn’t exactly have momentum working in its favor, but you have to keep in mind the teams it’s been playing down the stretch. Rhode Island, Dayton, George Washington, and VCU haven’t been the easiest opponents by any means. With Marquise Moore on your roster, just about anything is possible. I love this team as a possible spoiler in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, and I think a rematch against VCU is imminent.
9. La Salle Explorers, Previously #9
La Salle hasn’t been playing great basketball in the last few weeks. The Explorers have lost 9 of their last 13, and their only wins have come against Fordham, Saint Joseph’s, and Massachusetts. While this team beat Davidson earlier this season, the Wildcats have been playing better basketball as of late and seem like a tough draw for La Salle. Still, this La Salle team has been much-improved since last season, and B.J. Johnson and Jordan Price will try to bring it in Pittsburgh. This is a very intriguing first round matchup in my opinion.
10. Fordham Rams, Previously #10
Fordham snags the 10 seed in Pittsburgh, and honestly, 7 conference wins isn’t something that I’d be complaining about as a Fordham fan. Sure, the Rams didn’t have a great finish to the regular season, but they’ve managed to take down VCU and Rhode Island this year. They have the chance to upset anyone.
11. Saint Louis Billikens, Previously #12
Saint Louis will play Duquesne in the first round of the A-10 Tournament, and given the relative amount of success the Billikens have had this year (I didn’t have them winning 6 games), they should make it to Thursday. Regardless, these two teams split in the regular season and will probably play a close game on Wednesday.
12. Massachusetts Minutemen Previously #11
Massachusetts played St. Bonaventure very tight, which has to be somewhat promising for a team that hasn’t had anything to celebrate in Atlantic 10 play this season. I still think this is a talented team that hasn’t found its stride this season due to a number of factors. Maybe this team manages to pull a surprise or two in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, but I really don’t see the Minutemen winning more than 1 game in Pittsburgh.
13. Saint Joseph’s Hawks, Previously #13
The good news for Saint Joseph’s? They took down Duquesne on the road to avoid the 14 seed and snap a 9 game losing streak. The bad news? The Hawks have to face Massachusetts who they’ve already lost to twice.
14. Duquesne Dukes, Previously #14
It’s hard to think a team that has lost 13 of its last 14 is going to make any noise in Pittsburgh, but I’ve been wrong before. At least for the Dukes, they’ll have somewhat of a home court advantage. Unfortunately, I think most A-10 fanbases are going to be better represented than Duquesne will be in its own city.
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