Seven nationally-televised games fill this weekend’s slate of Atlantic 10 men’s basketball. Here’s the rundown.
By PAUL GOTHAM
Saturday:
Dayton (12-4/3-1) at Duquesne (9-8/2-2) Noon CBS Sports Network
Jim Ferry’s Duquesne Dukes will look to make it two straight when they host Pittsburgh native Archie Miller and his Flyers. Freshmen Mike Lewis II (12.8 ppg) and Isaha Mike (11 ppg) pace the Dukes offense. UD’s Charles Cooke returned from injury last time out and committed a season-high seven turnovers. Don’t expect that to happen again.
Richmond (10-6/4-0) at Saint Joseph’s (8-7/2-2) 12:30 pm NBCSN
Richmond is 4-0 for the first time since joining the A-10 in 2001-02. UR last won four straight in conference play in 1991-92 when they belonged to the Colonial Athletic Association. The Spiders have held their last three opponents to 72 points or fewer. De’Monte Buckingham is the reigning conference rookie of the week. Lamarr Kimble scores 14.4 points and hands out 4.3 assists for a Saint Joseph’s team looking to redefine itself after losing leading scorer Shavar Newkirk for the season due to injury.
VCU (14-3/4-0) at Davidson (8-7/1-3) 2 pm CBS Sports Network
JeQuan Lewis and the Rams bring their conference-leading eight-game win streak to Belk Arena where they will face a hungry Davidson squad. Not many had the Wildcats starting the conference portion of their schedule 1-3. Fewer if any predicted 1-4. Lewis scores 15.4 per game and hands 4.5 assists for the Rams. Davidson’s Jack Gibbs (21 ppg) and Peyton Aldridge (20.8) rank second and third in the A-1o’s individual scoring.
Saint Louis (4-12/0-4) at George Mason (12-5/2-2) 2:30 pm NBCSN
George Mason guard Marquise Moore averages 10.5 rebounds to lead the A-10. The senior guard nets 18.5 per contest. Along with Otis Livingston II, Jalen Jenkins and Jaire Grayer he is one of four Patriots reaching double figures. The Billikens will be without the services of sophomore guard Jermaine Bishop who is still recovering an ankle injury.
Fordham (7-10/1-3) at St. Bonaventure (10-6/2-2) 4:30 pm NBCSN
Rochester native and Bishop Kearney alum Antwoine Anderson leads Fordham into the Flower City as the Bonnies host this contest at the Blue Cross Arena. Last time Anderson played on Les Harrison Court he led the Kings to a Section V Class AA1 title en route to a New York State Championship. Anderson’s current team looks to build off its first conference triumph. Conference leading scorer Jaylen Adams (22.3 ppg) is a game-time decision for Bona. Denzel Gregg has five double-doubles for the Bonnies this season.
Sunday:
UMass (11-6/1-3) at Rhode Island (10-6/10-6/2-2) 2:30 pm NBCSN
Two teams on the opposite sides of the A-10’s mid-week anarchy. Derek Kellogg‘s UMass Minutemen not only knocked off conference favorite Dayton, they did it by a dozen in a 67-55 shocker. URI took it on the chin, at home to La Salle. Donte Clark tops the Minutemen with 14.2 points per game. Big man Rashaan Holloway chips in with 11.5 points and six boards a game. Dan Hurley shouldered the blame for Thursday’s loss. Jared Terrell has scored in double figures in five of URI’s last six games.
George Washington (9-8/1-3) at La Salle (9-5/3-1) 4:30 pm NBCSN
Coming off a convincing victory at Rhode Island and winners of three straight, Dr. John Giannini’s squad might not have the best record in the A-10, but momentum walks….rather sprints arm and arm with the Explorers. B.J. Johnson (18.9 ppg) and Jordan Price (16.6 ppg) lead a La Salle team ranked 21st by KenPom with a steal percentage of 6.8. GW’s Tyler Cavanaugh scores 16.2 and grabs 7.5 rebounds a game. The Colonials are looking to snap a two-game skid.
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