The biggest part of talking about the A10 standings is who’s going to finish in the top 4 of the league and get the coveted double-bye.  Right now, there seems to be two locked in teams in Dayton and Rhode Island, as each team has 9 wins in conference play with Rhody having the only loss early on to Richmond at home.  Now that we are at the halfway point of the season, it’s time to see who is in the hunt for what is presumed the final two spots in the top 4 of the conference.

VCU

VCU seems to always be in this position and look to be on their way to another top 4 spot this year.  After losing to Dayton on the road and Rhode Island twice, the Rams sit outside the top 4 right now with a 6-3 record in conference play.  However, they have dismantled everyone else in the A10, including fellow city foe Richmond.  VCU still has to visit The Robins Center, host Dayton, and host Duquesne.  They also host Davidson twice, who is surging as of late.  Still, there’s a good chance the Rams make it into the top 4 by the end of the season.

Duquesne

The Dukes looked down and out after a loss at UMass and at home against Dayton, but Duquesne bounced back with a big win at Saint Louis.  Just like that, Duquesne is still 7-3 and in the front seat toward the double-bye.  Duquesne does have a tough schedule down the stretch, having to visit Dayton, VCU, and Bona. The also host Richmond and Bona.  That’s rough.

St. Bonaventure

The Bonnies are quietly 7-3, somehow, someway, even with losing Osun for a couple of games.  St. Bona does have an ideal schedule down the stretch with their tough games being Duquesne twice, Richmond, and at Saint Louis.  They host Davidson as well.  Good news is that they do not have to play Dayton, Rhode Island, or VCU anymore, all who Bona lost to already.  With Osun, this team can seriously grab a top 4 spot yet again.  Mark Schmitt is a wizard.

Richmond

Early on in the conference season, Richmond looked like the second best team in the A10 by starting out beating Rhode Island on the road.  They would drop a stinker to SLU at home, but then found their way to be 5-1.  Then Dayton came to town and shut them down.  VCU then did the same at the Siegel Center.  Out of all the schedules, Richmond might be the most ideal.  They host VCU, host Davidson, but also go to Bona and Duquesne.  If the Spiders can go 2-2 or ideally 3-1 on that stretch, they could be in a good spot to finish 4th.

Darkhorses

Saint Louis

SLU dropped an important home game against Duquesne and now sit 6-4.  Now they have to go to Dayton on Saturday for an Arch-Baron Cup rematch in a tough place to play.  They also have to host VCU and St. Bona, and also have to go to Rhode Island.  The Billikens need to rack up a lot of wins down the stretch and maybe steal one from VCU, Rhody, or Bona.  A win at Dayton isn’t out of the question either.

Davidson

Bob McKillop’s crew is 5-4 after the easiest part of their schedule.  They look the part some games, like against UMass last week, but they are very inconsistent.  They beat the lower-end teams of the A10; now it’s time to really rack up wins to get back in the race.  Looking at Davidson’s schedule, it is very difficult to imagine them getting to the top 4.  They still have to go to Dayton, VCU, Bona, and Richmond.  They also host VCU and Rhode Island.  That has got to be the toughest remaining schedule in the league.  At least they look to be in the clear from the Wednesday games.

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