By PAUL GOTHAM
This much is for sure: George Washington is locked into fifth place. After that? There is still some jockeying that could occur during the Atlantic 10’s final regular season games. For VCU, it’s win and stay at the top. But Dayton, locked in a three-way tie for second with St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph’s, could climb the mountain. The Flyers could also fall to fourth. Here’s the rundown…
George Washington (22-8/11-6) at Davidson (17-11/9-8) Saturday 3:30 p.m. NBCSN
Patricio Garino and Tyler Cavanaugh combined for 33 points when GW took the earlier matchup this season, 79-69. Davidson’s Jack Gibbs, the A-10 leading scorer with 24.5 points a game, is coming off an 18-point performance in a loss to VCU. The junior guard hit just 4-of-19 shots from the floor in the setback. The Colonials lead the A-10 with an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2. Davidson’s 9.8 3-pointers a game pace the conference.
Duquesne (15-15/5-12) at Saint Joseph’s (24-6/13-4) 4 p.m. Saturday Live Video
DeAndre Bembry and Isaiah Miles together score 35 a game for Saint Joseph’s, but the Hawks defense, which leads the A-10 in field goal percentage defense (40.9) and 3-point field goal defense percentage (30.2) will be in recovery mode after surrendering 98 points on Wednesday to St. Bonaventure including 47 to Marcus Posley. Duquesne’s Micah Mason is averaging 17 points and 7.5 assists in the Dukes’ last two games. The senior guard leads the conference 3.4 3-pointers a game.
VCU (22-8/14-3) at Dayton (23-6/13-4) 8 p.m. Saturday CBS Sports Network
Strange to think Dayton carries a two-game home losing streak into the regular season finale. UD’s junior forward Kendall Pollard is trying play himself back into shape. Melvin Johnson leads VCU scoring 18.1 a game. The senior guard is second in the conference hitting 3.3 triples a game. VCU tops the conference and is 12th in the nation forcing more than 16 turnovers a game. UD averages 13 mishandles a contest.
St. Bonaventure (21-7/13-4) at Saint Louis (10-19/5-12) 8 p.m. Saturday FS Midwest
The Bonnies look to make it five in a row (longest streak in the conference) when they visit Chaifetz Arena. Boosted by Jaylen Adams (44.5 percent) and Marcus Posley (36 percent), SBU leads the A-10 hitting 37.6 percent from long range. Ash Yacoubou scores 11.3 a game for Saint Louis. Bona has won nine of 10 and is 28th in the RPI on NCAA.com.
Other Games
Rhode Island (17-13/9-8) at Fordham (16-12/7-10) 2 p.m. Saturday OSN
Richmond (15-14/7-10) at George Mason (10-20/4-13) 6 p.m. Saturday ASN
La Salle (8-20/4-13) at UMass (12-17/5-12) 8 p.m. Saturday Live Video
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