Welcome to A10Talk’s series of Atlantic 10 Bracketology. Throughout the year we’ll be providing updates on where teams stand in regards to making the NCAA Tournament. Lets take a look at this week’s edition.
On The Bubble
Davidson (16-5, 7-1), VCU (15-6, 6-2)
Although Davidson and VCU are on the outside of the bubble looking in right now, they appear to be the only two A-10 teams left with a shot at an at-large NCAA tournament bid. Winning on the road at Saint Bonaventure last week, Davidson continued its dominant start to conference play. Now 7-1 in the A-10, the Wildcats have one of the league’s easier remaining schedules. Already defeating George Mason, VCU, and Saint Louis, Davidson’s toughest remaining games will come against Dayton (at-home) and Rhode Island (on the road). If the Wildcats end up running away with the A-10 regular season title they should be right on the bubble for an at-large bid.
As for VCU, the Rams pulled away from George Mason to grab a nice conference win last Saturday. With road games against George Washington and Saint Bonaventure on tap this week VCU needs to stay focused and take care of business. The Rams can not afford to step on any landmines if they want to snag an at-large berth. VCU’s toughest remaining games will come against Dayton, Rhode Island, Saint Louis, and George Mason over the next few weeks.
Better Luck Next Year
Saint Louis (14-8, 5-4), Dayton (15-7, 5-2), George Mason (13-9, 7-2), Duquesne (15-7, 6-3), Rhode Island (12-9, 5-4), Saint Bonaventure (8-13, 4-4), La Salle (6-14, 4-4), George Washington (7-14, 3-5), Saint Joseph’s (10-12, 3-6), Richmond (8-14, 2-7), UMass (8-14, 1-8), Fordham (9-12, 0-8)
Losers of four straight games, Saint Louis has gone from being the A-10’s top at-large hopeful to the “better luck next year” list. Things won’t get any easier for Saint Louis this week as Dayton come to town on Tuesday night. If the injury ridden Billikens want to turn their ship around they desperately needs to find a way to beat the Flyers. I still think Saint Louis is one of the most talented teams in the A-10, but its NCAA tournament at-large chances have come and gone. If the Billikens want to go dancing this year they need to finish conference play strong and head into the A-10 tournament with confidence.
As for the rest of the league, they’re all jockeying for conference tournament position at this point. Dayton and George Mason look like the two clear favorites (outside of Davidson, VCU, and SLU) to win the A-10 championship right now. That said, in a wide open league, any team has a shot this year. Don’t be surprised if a team like Duquesne, Rhode Island, or Saint Bonaventure gets hot and makes run in Brooklyn.
