Atlantic 10 Basketball power rankings: Dayton, Duquesne and VCU on top
2. Duquesne Dukes
2019-20 record: 15-2 (5-0)
When the Dukes started off the season 10-0, it felt as if they could make a top-4 finish in the A-10 standings. Then when they got blasted by both UAB and Marshall in back-to-back games, it felt as if they would finish in the bottom half of the standings. Since then, Duquesne has won five straight conference games, including over Saint Louis and Davidson, as well as recently Fordham in overtime.
Marcus Weathers (13.9 ppg and 8.2 rpg) is the star of one of the most balanced teams in the country. Six different players average at least nine points a game while having a top-30 scoring defense. It also should be noted that with renovations going on at the A.J. Palumbo Center this year, the Dukes doesn’t play a true home game this season. But no matter where they play, Duquesne has proven to be a formidable threat in the A-10 and is on pace for a top-4 finish.
1. Dayton Flyers
2019-20 record: 15-2 (4-0)
If anything, the race for No. 2 in the A-10 should be fun, with VCU looking vulnerable and a host of upstart programs having better than expected seasons, the race to the top-4 will be fascinating to watch. But there’s no question who the No. 1 team in the conference is, with Dayton maintaining national attention since the overtime battle against Kansas in the Maui Invitational.
The Flyers have still not lost in regulation time, running through the A-10 in the first quarter of league play. Only St. Joe’s has kept it close in the second half, with the fifth-highest scoring offense too much for everyone else so far.
Obi Toppin (19.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg) is the runaway favorite for Conference Player of the Year and has a case for All-American consideration too. But Dayton is more than him, with four other players averaging in double figures as well. Transfers Ibi Watson and Rodney Chatman have given the team extra offensive weapons, with the team defense flying under the radar with how good they are.
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As the lone ranked team and only surefire at-large A-10 contender at the moment, Dayton will get everyone else’s best shot. That includes a few of the teams along the bubble who could really use a win over the Flyers. But with seeding in the NCAA Tournament on the line, Anthony Grant’s squad can’t afford slip-ups. This is an improved league up and down but this offensive juggernaut is more than capable of running the table as long as everyone remains healthy.