By PAUL GOTHAM
Four weekends remain in regular season conference action. Two games separate the top six teams with the top four getting a bye into the quarter-finals when everyone gathers in Pittsburgh next month for the Atlantic 10 tournament. Four nationally televised games on tap this weekend. Here’s the rundown…
Dayton (18-5/9-2) at Rhode Island (16-7/8-3) Friday 7 pm ESPN2
With Charles Cooke sidelined because of injury, Scoochie Smith netted 21 when Dayton knocked off Rhode Island last month, 67-64. Dayton has won five of six in the series with URI taking the matchup at UD Arena late last February. Rhode Island’s Jeff Dowtin is the reigning conference Rookie of the Week. Dayton leads the way in conference games holding opponents 7.8 points under their scoring average at 62.2 points per game. URI ranks second nationally with a block percentage of 16.5 percent.
Richmond (14-9/8-3) at La Salle (13-9/7-4) Saturday 2 pm
Only regular season meeting with one game separating these two. Richmond has won three of four. La Salle has dropped four of six. La Salle tops the A-10 scoring 79.3 points per game. Richmond’s 16.5 assists is the best among the conference. UR’s T.J. Cline ranks fifth in the conference scoring 19.1 per game. La Salle’s B.J. Johnson is sixth at 18.2.
UMass (12-12/2-9) at Saint Joseph’s (10-13/3-8) Saturday 2:30 pm NBC Sports Network
Saint Joseph’s, the reigning conference champion, has spent the season trying to fill gaps in their lineup. After graduating their top scorers a year ago in DeAndre Bembry and Isaiah Miles, the Hawks had to rework their lineup when Shavar Newkirk went down with a season-ending injury. Then James Demery and Chris Clover were sidelined earlier in the week with an illness. SJU will take on a young UMass team led by Rashaan Holloway (11.5 ppg/6.3 rpg).
St. Bonaventure (15-8/7-4) at George Washington (12-12/4-7) Saturday 4:30 pm NBC Sports Network
Two teams bitten by VCU’s last-second heroics meet. George Washington looks to snap a three-game skid. Bona has won two of three. GW lost to VCU when JeQuan Lewis drew a foul with 0.4 remaining in regulation and calmly sunk two free throws for a 54-53 win. St. Bonaventure’s plight over the past few days is too complicated for this column, so we’ll let J.P. Butler of the Olean Times Herald explain. SBU’s Jaylen Adams less the A-10 scoring 21.4 per game.
Fordham (10-14/4-7) at George Mason (16-8/6-5) Saturday 6 pm American Sports Network
George Mason looks to win its third straight to keep pace with the conference’s top half. The Patriots won just five games a year ago in Dave Paulsen’s first as head coach. Marquise Moore leads the conference with 10.5 rebounds per game and averages a double-double on the season. Fordham’s Antwoine Anderson has hit two buzzer beaters this season.
Davidson (12-10/5-6) at VCU (19-5/9-2) 8 pm CBS Sports Network
Last time these two met, Davidson had lost three of four and looked desperate. The Wildcats pulled off the upset at home. Don’t expect VCU to overlook Davidson this time. The Rams will have taken advantage of good fortune of late (just ask St. Bonaventure and George Washington) to win six straight. VCU’s Justin Tillman averages 15 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in conference play.
Duquesne (9-15/2-9) at Saint Louis (8-16/3-8) 8 pm. Fox Sports Midwest
Duquesne has lost seven straight. Freshmen Mike Lewis II and Isiaha Mike combine to average 23 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the Dukes. The Billikens had won three of four prior to Wednesday’s setback. A loss punctuated by the now well-known rogue bus driver episode. Davell Roby has scored in double figures in six of the Bills’ last seven games.
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