By Paul Gotham
The Atlantic 10 sent a conference record six teams to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. A strong showing in the non-conference portion of the schedule laid the groundwork. This year is no different. Here is a look at the prime A-10 match-ups of the weekend.
Friday
#17/17 UConn (2-0) vs. Dayton (2-0) 2:30 p.m. ESPN2
Semi-final action from the Puerto Rico Tip-Off pits the reigning national champion versus an Elite Eight participant. Both squads advanced from Buffalo last year. Dayton struggled on the boards (outrebounded by 19) in their win over Texas A&M on Thursday. UConn traditionally controls the glass, but 6-0 (generous) guard Ryan Boatright led the Huskies with six bounds in their win over College of Charleston. Boatright hoisted 14 shots in the 65-57 win. No other Husky took more than eight. Look for UConn to try an establish 7-0 center Amida Brimah early. UD’s perimeter defense will be tested by Boatright and Daniel Hamilton (went 3-3 behind the arc). Travel complications contributed Dayton’s shooting woes (2-17 behind arc) yesterday. Expect an improvement in this category. Jordan Sibert will have a big day.
Dayton by four.
George Washington (2-0) at #9/9 Virginia (3-0) 7:00 p.m.
Stern first test for both clubs. UVA has won all three games by at least 20. GW beat Rutgers on the road by 17 combined with a 48-point triumph in their opener. Despite graduating their two best players in Isaiah Armwood and Maurice Creek, the Colonials boast a deeper lineup headed by gritty point Joe McDonald. Joe Harris now wears a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, but reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion Virginia has their eyes set on return to the NCAA Tournament. Malcolm Brogdon orchestrates the Cavalier offense. GW rode a strong non-conference schedule (12-2 with wins over Miami (FL), Creighton and Maryland) to an at-large bid in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Sharp-shooter Patricio Garino will spark the Colonials this November.
GW by six.
Saturday
#6/6 North Carolina (2-0) at Davidson (2-0) 2:00 p.m. TWC Sports
UNC needed overtime to defeat Davidson 97-85 at Chapel Hill last year. That was in the middle of a non-conference slate which saw the Tar Heels fall to Belmont and UAB. They also dropped four of five to start ACC play. That was last year. Player of the Year candidate Marcus Paige (11.5 ppg/ 2.5 apg) makes UNC a national contender. Tyler Kalinoski (13.5 ppg) will hope to keep it close for the Wildcats.
UNC by double digits.
#21/21 Nebraska (2-0) at Rhode Island (2-0) 7:00 p.m.
The Ryan Center will be rocking. URI hasn’t knocked off a ranked opponent since 1998. Danny Hurley has his team primed for the opportunity. E.C. Matthews (11.5 ppg) gets plenty of attention as he should. But Hassan Martin (19.5 ppg/ 8 rpg) and Gilvydas Biruta (11.5 ppg/ 9 rpg) will prove too much for Nebraska’s interior. URI will need to slow the Cornhuskers Terran Petteway (24 ppg/ 9-18 3.pt).
URI by seven.
Sunday
UMass (3-0) vs. Florida State (1-1) Noon ESPNU
Second day action in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament brings together contrasting styles. UMass likes to press and get up and down the court (nearly 74 possessions a game last year) while FSU makes opponents grind it out in the half-court. Can the Minutemen score consistently enough, so that their press will wear down the Seminoles? Both teams will be coming off challenging first round games: UMass plays Notre Dame, Saturday. FSU takes on Providence. Montay Brandon (14 ppg/ 6 rpg) leads FSU. UMass has a three-headed monster in Maxie Esho (18.7 ppg/ 6.7 rpg), Cady Lalanne (16.3 ppg/ 12 rpg) and Trey Davis (15.7 ppg/ 3 apg). The Minutemen will tip the scales and the floor.
UMass by two.
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