A10 Games this Week (2/16)

[jdm2000]

2/18/09:

Fordham @ Temple
URI @ UMass
Richmond @ LaSalle
St. Joe's @ SLU

2/19/09:

X @ Charlotte
St. Bona @ GW

2/21/09:

URI @ Fordham
Charlotte @ Richmond
Dayton @ SLU

2/22/09:

GW @ X
Duquesne @ LaSalle
UMass @ St. Joe's
St. Bona @ Temple



Just looking at the schedule, Temple is set up pretty well right now to make a move. They are currently at 7-3 with two very winnable games at home this week. With their RPI in the low 30s, they could make a play for an at-large.

I hope the SLU/UD game on Saturday is not as ugly as the last one, for the sake of all who have to watch it.

I guess, for the absolute good of the league, the best thing would be for X, UD, and Temple to continue winning. If X won out, Temple won out, and UD lost only to X and Temple, you'd be looking at a top 3 with records of 14-2, 13-3, and 12-4. You'd also have the benefit of a team likely to get a top-4 seed in X and the possibility of a four-bid league, if some fourth team beat Temple or UD in the tourney final.

I don't think that's a likely scenario, but things could come together to make the league get 3+ bids.

[Frank D.]

That SLU-UD game a few weeks ago was brutal. I turned it on with about 7 minutes left and I swear no one scored until there was less than a minute to go - missed shots and turnovers galore.

As far as the A-10 and bids to the tournament, I may be in the minority here, but I really don't care if anyone else makes the tournament from the A-10. If they do, they will get low seeds and probably lose in the first round anyway. I understand that there are some monetary benefits from teams making the NCAA's, but as far as exposure and momentum for the conference (and subsequently, Xavier), I don't see how it makes any difference. We had 2 teams make the Elite Eight 5 years ago, and it certainly has not translated into anything positive long-term (or short term, for that matter) for the conference.

Do I like the A-10 being lumped into the rest of the one-bid conferences if it so happens? I guess not, but I don't see how it really affects us in any way. Feel free to disagree.

[gladdenguy]

I would love for Temple or Dayton to take a bid away from the Cincinnati Bearkittens and that little muskrat.

[Frank D.]

I would love for Temple or Dayton to take a bid away from the Cincinnati Bearkittens and that little muskrat.

Good point.

[jdm2000]

Tonight's scores:

Temple 72
Fordham 45

Richmond 62
LaSalle 53

URI 71
UMass 59

[kyxu]

URI was down double-digits early on. Credit to them for coming back on the road.

That game in Richmond is going to be a doozy for us.

[jdm2000]

Yep. Two days after the UD game, against a difficult style. I hope we have everything wrapped up by then.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Watch out for the Bills upset tonight over St. Joes. Its Billiken Blizzard at Chaifetz tonight. Unfortuanetly I cant go because I am a studying but thats nothing new. I have had a big test the next day the last 3 home games. I hate PT.

[jdm2000]

How do you think the SLU/UD game will play out on Saturday?

[kyxu]

How do you think the SLU/UD game will play out on Saturday?

I know you probably weren't asking me, but SLU could definitely take that one. Then again, they can be pretty unpredictable.

UD currently is in first place, and plays better the bigger the game is. They have a brutal schedule here on out, though. @SLU, @URI, Temple, @Xavier and Duquesne. Those teams are a combined 37-19 in conference play (SLU and DU both at 6-5).

[D-West & PO-Z]

How do you think the SLU/UD game will play out on Saturday?

Thats tough to say. SLU plays a lot better at home and they already gave UD a close game at UD but Dayton is definitely a better team than SLU. I think it will be a close game but would anticipate UD winning. Its a big game up here though. I would expect good attendance. Although it is the same day as mardi gras which is huge up here (2nd largest after New Orleans) and I know I will not be in attendance because of it.

[jdm2000]

I know you probably weren't asking me, but SLU could definitely take that one. Then again, they can be pretty unpredictable.

UD currently is in first place, and plays better the bigger the game is. They have a brutal schedule here on out, though. @SLU, @URI, Temple, @Xavier and Duquesne. Those teams are a combined 37-19 in conference play (SLU and DU both at 6-5).

Your input is always appreciated, kyxu.

I agree that UD has an absolutely brutal stretch to end it. Given that schedule, I think 3-2 would be quite a finish. Schedule is a big reason I think that X has a real advantage down the stretch.

[jdm2000]

SLU up 19-13 with 7:44 left in the 1st half. I'd almost say that's a high scoring affair. ;)

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nivns fadeaway jumper to end the half. SLU up 32-29

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm watching the SLU game on channelsurfing and its on cstv and there is a halftime piece with BJ and Derrick about how they play chess against each other a lot. Kind of different but cool.

[D-West & PO-Z]

SLU beats St. Joes. Student section looked great and really hoppin, wish I could have gone. Mitchell with another great game. He is the reining A10 rookie of the week and may well get another one. Good win for the Bills.

[kyxu]

Wasn't even a week ago that St. Joe's was atop the A-10 standings.

That's three-straight losses for the Hawks.

[Masterofreality]

Talk about someplace that didn't leverage a great few years- St. Joes. A number #1 ranking, top seed in 2004 and where are they now. I mean they're not a Fordham, but you would have thought that with all the hype and a likeable guy like Martelli, they could have kept it going.

Just makes you appreciate what X has been able to sustain for so long- and still building.

[jcubspoe]

Your input is always appreciated, kyxu.

I agree that UD has an absolutely brutal stretch to end it. Given that schedule, I think 3-2 would be quite a finish. Schedule is a big reason I think that X has a real advantage down the stretch.

I would take 3-2 right now and love it. That would give us a 12-4 season (won't win the A10 but I'd still take it). SLU is going to be tough. Obviously to go 3-2 we have to "steal" one on the road and win out at home, no easy task. SLU is probably the "easiest" of the 3 to win but that's looking slimmer and slimmer with the way SLU is playing right now. This UD team could suprise us and go 4-1 but unfortunately 2-3 or god forbid 1-4 could be a reality.

[jdm2000]

Yeah, it's not going to be easy for UD. SLU appears to be playing better, and with that style, they could beat anyone on any given night anyway. URI is now 8-4 in the league, and that is a tough place to play.

3-2 would be more than respectable, would get UD to 12-4, and would safely have UD in the tourney.

[muskiegirl9]

UMASS just beat St. Joe's 70 - 69. Does that make 4 losses in a row for the hawks?

[jdm2000]

Ouch. They're going to be angry when X heads in there this week...

[X-band '01]

Ouch. They're going to be angry when X heads in there this week...

They should have been angry after losses to Temple and La Salle and Saint Louis, but will UMass finally put them over the edge?

[jdm2000]

Exactly!

Temple is right in the thick of it, and URI is on a nice run back to the top of the league.

I'm going to say right now that SLU will be a dark horse to watch out for in the A10 tourney.