Atlantic 10 Sunday Preview and Predictions

Game of the Day: La Salle vs. Temple

La Salle may have its best opportunity yet as the Owls come to Tom Gola Arena for a crosstown classic. The Explorers will look to snap a 3 game losing streak, though their opponents haven’t been easy. La Salle has dropped games to Northwestern, Boston College, and most recently, Miami FL, and they hung with the #11 ranked Hurricanes for a good while. B.J. Johnson has 4 double-doubles this season and will look to continue that trend at home against an undefeated Temple team.

The Owls haven’t been the cream of the crop in the past few seasons; that being said, they’re off to a great start this year. Taking down Auburn and Clemson is no fluke; Fran Dunphy’s squad may be a sleeper in the American Athletic Conference. This one is going to come down to three point shooting. The Owls are firing 41.1% as a team, which ranks 38th nationally. Meanwhile, the Explorers are shooting 24.4% and failed to hit a single long range shot against Miami FL. Unless a couple deep balls drop, La Salle will get run out of its own building.

Prediction: Temple 78, La Salle 67

Fordham vs. Manhattan

After a week away from basketball, Fordham returns home to host Manhattan. The Jaspers are off to a poor start to the season, but they’re in good company; Fordham is just 1-3 thus far. Neither team shoots the ball very well from the floor, but the Jaspers have an effective field goal percentage almost 10 points higher than the Rams. I’m thinking this one will be close, but Neubauer’s team should grab their second win of the season.

Prediction: Fordham 72, Manhattan 67

Saint Joseph’s vs. Sacramento St.

Unfortunately for Saint Joseph’s, it has to duke it out with Sacramento St. today for 7th place in the Wooden Legacy. A heartbreaking loss to Washington St. killed, but losing to Harvard in the 2nd round may have been more disappointing. I don’t envision Sacramento St. posing too much of a threat, even to an injured Hawks team, but Saint Joseph’s has to lock down on defense. The Hawks have given up 23 threes in their last 2 games.

Prediction: Saint Joseph’s 81, Sacramento St. 70