It’s A10 tourney time! We could go into excessive detail about teams chances and whatnot, but some of us don’t have time for that. Luckily for you, I do have time because I watch this conference more than any person should. Nonetheless, here’s one small blurb about each team coming into the A10 Tournament.
Davidson
Davidson comes into this game against a La Salle team that they drubbed by over 30 a few weeks ago. This time around should be no different. Gudmundsson, Grady, and the Wildcats are humming as of late, but are inconsistent away from their home court. They should be a tough out as a 7 seed.
Dayton
Dayton is the heavy favorite to win the whole thing. However, a loss in the semifinals against Saint Louis could result in the Flyers losing a one seed in the NCAA Tournament. This will be no cupcake for Dayton.
Duquesne
The Dukes are opening up as the 6 seed against either GW or Fordham. However, their earlier loss to GW at home was the reason they did not get a 4 seed and a double bye. The Dukes probably want to play it safe and see Fordham.
Fordham
Fordham is last again, but is going up against a George Washington team that they beat twice, most recently by 11. Could Fordham win a third time against the Colonials? Also, their president announced that a Fordham student now has coronavirus, so that’s nice.
George Mason
The Patriots are the 12th seed and open up against St. Joseph’s. They beat the Hawks earlier this season and should again. This team is also really streaky and can play with almost anyone. They could be a sneaky pick to upset St. Bonaventure on Thursday.
George Washington
They have lost 5 in a row and just got drubbed by Dayton on the road. You just don’t want to lose to Fordham for the third time this season. That should be the biggest goal for GW in this tournament.
La Salle
The Explorers looked horrid for much of the season, but big wins against St. Bonaventure, George Washington and St. Joseph’s propelled them into 10th place and out of the Wednesday games. Still, Davidson is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad matchup for them. Thanks for coming out, La Salle.
Massachusetts
Look out, here comes Matt McCall and the Minutemen. They improved greatly in the back half of the conference season and locked up an 8 seed, which is huge for this program. Better yet, they play a reeling VCU team that they beat just a few weeks ago. Tre Mitchell has turned into must-see TV. Could we see Mitchell vs. Toppin, Part II?
Rhode Island
Rhody is also reeling into the tournament and lucked out a win in Amherst to secure the 3 seed. Fatts doesn’t look good right now, and the Rams are out of sorts. They need to find their mojo quickly or they could see an early exit on Friday night.
Richmond
The Spiders are probably the third most popular pick among fans, but they have a really good draw as the 2 seed. They could potentially play Davidson and Rhode Island on their way to Sunday, both teams that they handled easily.
St. Bonaventure
The Bonnies have recent losses to La Salle and Saint Louis. The 5 seed does not look like a good draw for them. Enjoy Brooklyn while it lasts. Although, Mark Schmidt is a wizard and could all of a sudden put the Bonnies in the final. Whoever knows with Bona.
St. Joseph’s
The Hawks did not completely die this season and got out of last place. Ryan Daly should be a lot of fun to watch, at least for one game. The season to forget is almost over, Joe’s fans.
Saint Louis
The Billikens look like the hottest team in the league not named Dayton. SLU has a favorable draw being on Dayton’s side of the bracket. They are really the only team capable of beating the Flyers in the conference.
VCU
Man, what a tough season for the Rams. They have a lot of injuries right now. Bones Hyland, Issac Vann, and Marcus Santos-Silva are the only big offesnive threats right now, which is still not enough. They have a bad matchup in the first round against UMass, too. If they somehow put together a win, they get Dayton. A season to forget for Ram fans.