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View Full Version : The A-10 This Year



rhyno2110
01-01-2011, 08:57 PM
With the A-10 season about to go underway I thought this was appropriate. I really love this conference, minus a few teams, and would love to see how you folks rank each team and how you feel about the conference this year. I hate polls, so thats out of the question.
I also want to tell whether I think Xavier wins or loses against each team.

Here is how I feel the standings will look by the end of the A-10 season:
1.Temple What can I say, other than they are deep, play great defense, have 2 potential all-conference players in Fernandez and Allen, and know how to win. They are the class of the league this year. Xavier will beat either Temple or Richmond, so I picked Temple, because its at home.
2.Richmond 2 more potential all-conference players in Anderson and Harper. Beat Purdue, so they can beat anyone in the league. Xavier loses at their place
3.XavierWe already know whats going on here
4.Dayton They have great depth this year, and could finish higher. I know they have a history of under-achieving, but even with a freshman pg, I don't see it happening this year. Xavier wins at home Xavier loses at thier place
5.St. BonaventureMuch improved this year, and have some good athletes on the team. They are my "surprise team" much like SLU was last year. Xavier edges out a close one at Olean Welding, as MOR says
6.Rhode IslandSo much talent, so little excecution. Same story every year. Their offense is so annoying to watch, because everyone just stands their, much like another team we know. Xavier loses away
7.DuquesneOnce again, another improved team, but they are small. Gave WV and George Mason really tough games.Xavier wins
8.UmassHave fallen apart, kind of like Tennessee. They wil start out poorly in the A-10, but come on towards the end with a younger team. Xavier wins
9.La SalleThis team scares me. They almost beat Missouri and G-town. They could surprise everyone if they figure it out. Its quite obvious that hasn't happened yet. Xavier would lose if it was at La Salle, but its home, so we win.
10.Saint LouisMitchell will return, and I don't know whats going on with Reed, but it will be too late, and they will struggle to find consistency.Xavier wins at home.However, they lose a close one at Chaifetz, or however you spell it.
11.CharlotteThey seem to be better off without Spears, but I can't really find this team's trademark. Derrio Green hasn't done much of note, and I expected him to be a major contributor. I like their fresman PG Briscoe, very quick.Xavier wins both home and away games.
12.Saint Joseph'sJust a disgrace this year. Who the hell knows whats going on up there.Easy win for Xavier
13.FordhamBeat St. Johns in a rivalry game, but they still are Fordham, and it pains me to put them any higher than 13, thats why I didn't. X with the W.
14.George WashingtonWhat has happened to GW. I saw them beat Oregon St on the tube, and they have a player who drains threes. They also have some hoppers. They just don't seem to play well together all the time, and that will cause them to be the worst team this year, and cost Hobbs his job. For some reason, I think this game will be close, but Xavier wins.

I put Dayton ahead of Xavier at first, but it hurt my insides to much, so I had to switch it. I'm optomistic about the A-10 season as far as Xavier goes, and think it will be a very interesting year. Can't wait to see how we show against RI on ESPNU for our opener.

AdamtheFlyer
01-01-2011, 09:09 PM
I think Temple is the clear favorite. I think they'll go 14-2 with losses at Dayton and Xavier.

2-3-4 are a complete toss up between Richmond, Dayton and Xavier, but Xavier needs a 3rd scoring option to step up out of Lyons, Jackson and McLean. Depth is an issue. Any more injuries and they could be up a creek without a paddle. Dayton gets a good schedule this year with Richmond and Temple at home, plus the SLU road game before Mitchell and Reed come back. Staten is legit, and Paul Williams has emerged. Defense is getting better. Seems like they get better by the game. Richmond is just good, experienced and deep. Mooney is the best coach in the league right now, IMO.

5th place probably goes to URI. Not as good as the top 4, better than the others.

6-13 could go in a number of ways. A bunch of jumbled up teams. Would put Duquesne at 6 if pressed.

Fordham last. Getting better, but not good enough to win more than 3 league games. Hey, a 3 game jump over last year would show marked improvement for them.

rhyno2110
01-01-2011, 09:20 PM
Flyer, I think you are spot on with everything. It's very possible that Xavier loses to Dayton twice this year, but the thought of that isn't good for my health.

I really want to see St. Bonnies, Duqeusne, UMASS, and St. Joes do well.

La Salle pisses me off soo much, becuase they have good talent, and their fast-pace style is very exciting to watch. But I just don't think they are well coached. If you watch Dr. Giaweeny, he looks like he is having a heart-atttack, turrets, and parkinsons at the same, while transforming into the devil with steam blowing out of his ears. Its quite a sight.

kyxu
01-01-2011, 10:23 PM
If UD doesn't break the streak in Cincinnati against Xavier this year, I'm not sure they ever will.

AdamtheFlyer
01-01-2011, 10:32 PM
If UD doesn't break the streak in Cincinnati against Xavier this year, I'm not sure they ever will.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

And I'd still give it a 20% chance at best.

MuskiePimp23
01-01-2011, 11:21 PM
Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

And I'd still give it a 20% chance at best.

20%...I think ud is about 70% to win and Xavier is about 30%...With how many guys dayton plays, I just think we may get worn down. dayton is a better team this year even though they are bad, we really suck right now. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel the streak will end this year. We just lost our 30 game home winning streak and this one will probably be next to go down.

SixFig
01-02-2011, 01:39 AM
. dayton is a better team this year even though they are bad, we really suck right now.

???

We suck? We got cold for 10 minutes against a top 25 caliber, though beatable team. Dayton plays a freshman guard and, like us, has a ton of role player caliber players.

Some streaks can't die.

kyxu
01-02-2011, 07:01 PM
I really can't get a read on Richmond. Lost at home today to Bucknell.

MuskiePimp23
01-02-2011, 07:08 PM
???

We suck? We got cold for 10 minutes against a top 25 caliber, though beatable team. Dayton plays a freshman guard and, like us, has a ton of role player caliber players.

Some streaks can't die.

Good teams don't go over 10 minutes at home playing a team like Florida...They make some field goals and win the game...Florida is not a great team at all...Our team this year has absolutely no depth at this point and is a bunch of role players (besides Tu)...We would have been fairly solid with Redford and Martin to open things up by hitting some outside shots, but honestly we are just not good...dayton has shown some promise by winning games on the road (Seton Hall, Ole Miss) and we got rolled by Miami of Fricking OHIO on the road...I hope we can recover, but honestly we are not a good team and dayton is better and will wear us down with their depth. The uc game is going to get very ugly in my opinion and not for uc...I don't expect us to win a game until either UMASS or GW at home...possibly St. Bonnie on the road, but that will be a mighty struggle.

STL_XUfan
01-02-2011, 07:16 PM
Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

And I'd still give it a 20% chance at best.

Ken Pom gives you a 28% chance:

Sat Jan 15 (http://kenpom.com/fanmatch.php?d=2011-01-15) 83Dayton (http://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Dayton)W, 69-646672%Home

jonz04
01-02-2011, 08:15 PM
:confused::confused::confused::confused:

This is how i feel about the Atlantic Ten and what could happen come conference play. At this point, anything is possible given what I've seen out of the top 6-8 teams or so on initial post.

I would add more "confused" icons but I cannot.

rhyno2110
01-02-2011, 08:59 PM
Charlotte really showed something tonight against GT. They look like a much better team without Shamari. Much more movement on offensive possessions, and they rotate well in their 2-3 zone. Derrio Green look explosive tonight, and was knocking down some nice jumpers as well as dishing off to the bigs in the lane, something that would be perfect for Lyons to learn.

As for Richmond, they just didn't look like they wanted to be out there. Not sure how they beat some of the teams they do, and then lose to some of the teams they do. Thats probably not a good sign for us, as we would be a major game on their schedule, and it seems like they show up for major games.

In the limited time I watched the Bonnies in the first half, they couldn't rebound for shit. Nicholson wasn't getting off the floor, and Marshall sent everyone to the boards. Plus they weren't hitting their shots, but off nights like that happen.

Titanxman04
01-02-2011, 10:00 PM
Negative reps for anyone who says that we could lose to Dayton at home this year. SHAME ON YOU!

We may not be playing the caliber of basketball that Xavier Nation is used to..but Dayton aren't world beaters either. To hell with them. And to hell with anyone who says that we may lose to them at home. We'll win, like we always will, and the world will be right once again.

CinciX12
01-02-2011, 10:42 PM
Negative reps for anyone who says that we could lose to Dayton at home this year. SHAME ON YOU!

We may not be playing the caliber of basketball that Xavier Nation is used to..but Dayton aren't world beaters either. To hell with them. And to hell with anyone who says that we may lose to them at home. We'll win, like we always will, and the world will be right once again.

Amen. Minus the negative reps though. I am in a fairly good mood tonight and couldn't do it to them.

Titanxman04
01-02-2011, 10:50 PM
I think I hit Rhyno up with some neg reps. Love you though, buddy. :D Its just on the sake of principle.

rhyno2110
01-02-2011, 11:04 PM
It hasn't been a good Christmas break for me on Xhoops. First a ban, then neg reps from Titan. What's going on?!?!?

Seriously though, I deserved both of those.

On another note, today's a10 games through me for a loop. Richmond loses to Bucknell, Charlotte beats GT, Bonnies get embarressed at home. Can I adjust my previous A10 standings?

Can't wait for Wed, the start of the conference season, and Thurs of course.

xsteve1
01-02-2011, 11:07 PM
Really no teams separating themselves right now. IMO the A10 is very weak this year with no really good teams, which is good news for X.

Titanxman04
01-02-2011, 11:14 PM
It hasn't been a good Christmas break for me on Xhoops. First a ban, then neg reps from Titan. What's going on?!?!?

Seriously though, I deserved both of those.

On another note, today's a10 games through me for a loop. Richmond loses to Bucknell, Charlotte beats GT, Bonnies get embarressed at home. Can I adjust my previous A10 standings?

Can't wait for Wed, the start of the conference season, and Thurs of course.

It's out of love, buddy. I'd do it to anyone. There are certain protocols on this board.

xavierj
01-03-2011, 08:41 AM
10.Saint LouisMitchell will return, and I don't know whats going on with Reed, but it will be too late, and they will struggle to find consistency.Xavier wins at home.However, they lose a close one at Chaifetz, or however you spell it.

If Xavier loses to St. Louis they should just quit. That team is horrible and won't be much better with Mitchell back. They just lost at home to Bowling Green which is one of the worst teams in all of college basketball this year.

freedomunique
01-03-2011, 12:46 PM
I'm not sure how Charlotte will favor in A-10 play this season. I think we will learn more on Wednesday, as they start on the road with the Spiders. Three weeks ago I would have used a permanent marker to check the lost column for the Niners. I have used white out and replaced it with a question mark. Charlotte could have easily folded after it was determined that their leading scorer Spears would not be back with the team, but they didn't. Every game in the current 4-game winning streak has been come from behind wins. At Richmond will be tough, especially if they show up like they should. Either way, credit Major for getting these guys to believe and not throw away the season...

Masterofreality
01-03-2011, 01:00 PM
Boy, nice win by Charlotte at Georgia Tech. Although, the ACC, other than Duke is very pedestrian this year.

Major made a gutty move by getting rid of Spears. That marked his spot. It seems to be working out.

The_Mack_Pack
01-03-2011, 01:22 PM
Duke may go undefeated in the ACC this season, that league is weak.