Richmond-VCU highlight the A-10’s weekend matchups

By Paul Gotham

As January closes, February brings jockeying for March.

Saturday

Davidson (14-4/5-2) at Saint Joseph’s (8-11/2-5) Noon NBC Sports Network

The A-10’s most efficient offense heads to the City of Brotherly Love. Saint Joseph’s Hawks will look to slow the likes of Tyler Kalinoski (16.8 ppg/ 4 apg) and Peyton Aldridge (10.5 ppg). DeAndre Bembry leads the Hawks in points (17.6), rebounds (6.5), assists (2.9) and steals (2.1).

Richmond (11-9/4-3) at VCU (17-3/7-0) 2 pm ESPN2

VCU looks to solidify a two-game lead at the top of the standings. All the more motivation for their cross-town rivals. UR’s Spiders frustrate opposing offenses with half-court match-up zone defense. Richmond’s best defense on this day may be their offense. How the Spiders handle VCU’s defense will determine this outcome. Can Melvin Johnson (48 of 138) stretch the Richmond zone from behind the arc? Kendall Anthony averages 16 a game for Richmond.

UMass (11-9/4-3) at Saint Louis (9-11/1-6) 4 pm CBS Sports Network

The Minutemen, coming off their biggest win of the season (66-64 over Dayton), head to Saint Louis and face a young Billiken squad looking for its first signature victory of the season.  UMass extends pressure 94 feet. SLU handled pressure in a two-point setback to then No. 16 VCU. Cady Lalanne  (12.3 ppg/9.2 rpg) leads UMass.  Milik Yarbrough averages 10.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg for the Billikens.

George Washington (16-5/6-2) at Rhode Island (14-5/6-2) 4 pm OSN/CSNMA/SNY

Battle to keep pace with VCU pits GW (leads the A-10 with 493 team free throws) and Rhode Island, winners of three straight (leads the A-10 limiting opponents to 57.2 points per game). Can URI push the ball and get in position to score before the Colonials get their 1-3-1 defense set? How will GW counter the Rams’ interior defense which blocks six shots a game? Hassan Martin (11.5 ppg/7.2 rpg/ 3.2 bpg) leads URI. GW’s Kethan Savage scores 12.3 a game while dishing 2.5 assists.

La Salle (11-9/3-4) at St. Bonaventure (11-7/4-3) 7 pm TWNY/SNY

La Salle goes on the road looking to jump into the upper half of the conference standings. After winning three straight, the Bonnies fell in their most recent outing at Rhode Island. How will Bona handle La Salle’s half-court defense which occasionally looks like a zone? SBU’s Marcus Posley (17.8 ppg) leads the A-1o in scoring.  Steve Zack grabs 8.5 rebounds a game for the Explorers.

Other games:

George Mason (7-12/2-5) at Duquesne (6-13/1-7) 7 pm (Saturday)

Fordham (0-7/5-13) at Dayton (16-4/6-2) 2 pm (Sunday) FSO