By Paul Gotham
Plenty of jockeying can occur in the final games of the regular season as the Atlantic 10 prepares for next weekend’s conference tournament at the Barclays Center.Davidson has won eight straight, but that means nothing when they head to Pittsburgh. Dayton can grab the top spot but needs to win on the road. Rhode Island has a bye to next Friday while Richmond and VCU go looking for the fourth seed.
Saint Joseph’s (13-16/-10) at Rhode Island (20-8/12-5) 2 pm Ocean States Network
Rhode Island can finish no higher than third and has secured a bye to next Friday’s Atlantic 10 quarter-finals in Brooklyn. Saint Joseph’s needs a win to stay out of Wednesday’s play-in game. SJU won the first meeting by a point. DeAndre’ Bembry leads the Hawks in points (17.8), rebounds (7.9), assists (3.5) and steals (2) per game. Hassan Martin scores 11.8 per game with a field goal percentage of 63.4 (130 of 205).
Dayton (23-6/13-4) at La Salle (15-15-7-10) 4 pm CBSSN
Dayton, winners of three straight and six of seven, needs a win and a Davidson loss to secure the top seed next week. The Flyers can finish no lower than second. La Salle has secured a spot in next week’s second round. UD won the first meeting 61-50. All four of Dayton’s conference setbacks have come on the road. The Flyers’ Jordan Sibert is averaging more than 21 a game over his last three hitting 67.8 percent from the floor. Jerrell Wright score 12 a game and grabs 6.5 rebounds for the Explorers.
Davidson (22-6/13-4) at Duquesne (11-17/6-11) 7 pm American Sports Network
Davidson secures the top seed with a win, but it won’t come easily. The A-10’s hottest team (winners of eight straight) will need to make a quick turnaround from Thursday night’s 82-55 victory over VCU. The last time Duquesne had a similar scenario, the Dukes knocked off Dayton, 83-73. Duquesne has won four straight at home. Brian Sullivan hit five three-pointers as Davidson won the first meeting, 95-69. The Wildcats now have Jack Gibbs back in the lineup. Duquesne’s Micah Mason is averaging 15 over the last five games. If you haven’t already, listen to what Steph Curry has to say about his alma mater.
George Mason (9-20/4-13) at VCU (21-9/11-6) 5:30 pm NBCSN
VCU will be looking to end a three-game skid (Davidson, Dayton and Richmond). The Rams need a win and a Richmond loss to grab a four seed next week. VCU took the first meeting 72-60. Treveon Graham leads the Rams with 16 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Shevon Thompson (12.7 points/11.4 rebounds) paces the Patriots.
Saint Louis (11-19/3-14) at Richmond (18-12/11-6) 8 pm FSMW/SNY/MASN
Winners of five straight, Richmond’s Spiders enter the weekend as the A-10’s second hottest team. With a victory UR can clinch a four seed and bye to next Friday’s quarter-finals. Strange to think considering the Spiders were 6-6 on Valentine’s Day. Richmond’s last five losses have been by a combined total of 15 points. Kendall Anthony (16.3 ppg) leads Richmond. Davell Roby scores 6.5 and hands out 1.9 assists per game for the Billikens.
Other Games:
UMass (17-13/10-7) at George Washington (19-11/9-8) 3:30 pm NBCSN
Fordham (9-19/4-13) at St. Bonaventure (16-12/9-8) 4 pm TWNY
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