By PAUL GOTHAM
Busy weekend on tap for Atlantic 10 teams. Davidson, Dayton and George Washington all rank among the top 20 of the NCAA RPI. RealTimeRPI.com ranks the the A-10 fifth among conferences. A-10 teams are currently 11-9 versus Power 5 schools. That mark will get tested over the next three days. Here’s the rundown.
Friday
Pittsburgh (4-1) vs. Duquesne (6-1) 7 pm CBS Sports Network
Figures to be a testy affair Friday night at the CONSOL Energy Center. Duquesne’s Derrick Colter called out Pitt’s overall speed. The Panthers Jamel Artis responded. Time to take it to the court. Duquesne averages 86.7 points per game and is off to its best start in eight years. Pitt is coming off a loss to Purdue. The Panthers have won 14 consecutive over the Dukes and lead the all-time series 52-31.
Saturday
Ole Miss (5-2) vs. UMass (5-1) 4 pm NBC Sports Network
UMass will be looking for its second straight win and second victory over a Power 5 schools when they match-up with Ole Miss in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase. Jabarie Hinds leads three in double figures for the Minutemen with 19.7 ppg. Stefan Moody scores 22 a game and hands out 4.4 assists for the Rebels. Saturday’s game will mark the first meeting between the two schools.
No. 23/24 Providence (7-1) at Rhode Island (5-2) 7 pm ESPNU
Rhode Island, which has played sluggishly of late, should have plenty of motivation when they take on their Ocean State rival. Memphis transfer Kuran Iverson recorded his first collegiate double-double last time out as the Rams defeated Holy Cross. Kris Dunn posted his second career triple-double in a Providence win over Hartford. Providence leads the all-time series 71-54 including 8-4 in the last dozen. Providence has won the last two meetings at URI’s Ryan Center.
Sunday
VCU (5-2) vs. Florida State (4-2) 2 pm ESPNU
VCU has won three straight since falling to then No. 5 Duke and Wisconsin. After winning two straight, Florida State fell at Iowa last in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. VCU forces more than 17 turnovers per game. Florida State commits almost 14 miscues every time out. Melvin Johnson scores 17.6 a game for VCU. Malik Beasley averages 20 for FSU.
Davidson (5-0) at No. 9 North Carolina (6-1) 6 pm ESPNU
North Carolina’s Marcus Paige returned to the lineup just in time to help the Tar Heels defeat No. 3 Maryland earlier in the week. UNC converted 22 Maryland turnovers into 21 points. Jack Gibbs leads a Davidson lineup which commits just eight mishandles per game. UNC leads the series 63-11.
Other games:
Friday
Saint Joseph’s (4-2) at Columbia (4-4) 7 pm
Saturday
North Florida (6-3) at Dayton (5-1) 2 pm Fox Sports Ohio
Ohio U (4-2) at St. Bonaventure (4-2) 4 pm Time Warner Cable
Northern Iowa (5-1) at Richmond (4-3) 6 pm CSN/MA CBS
Penn (4-3) at George Mason (3-5) 6 pm
Wichita State (2-4) at Saint Louis (4-2) 9 pm ESPNU
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