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Atlantic 10 Basketball power rankings: Dayton dominates, Rhode Island rallies

By Cody Gerena

DAYTON, OH - JANUARY 22: Ryan Mikesell #33 of the Dayton Flyers celebrates with Obi Toppin #1 and Jalen Crutcher #10 in the first half of the game against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at UD Arena on January 22, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - JANUARY 22: Ryan Mikesell #33 of the Dayton Flyers celebrates with Obi Toppin #1 and Jalen Crutcher #10 in the first half of the game against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at UD Arena on January 22, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA – DECEMBER 07: Marcus Evans #2 laughs with Corey Douglas #4 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – DECEMBER 07: Marcus Evans #2 laughs with Corey Douglas #4 of the VCU Rams (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

6. Duquesne Dukes

Record: 17-6 (7-4)

The Dukes were another one of those teams in the tie for third place. They started off the conference with five straight wins, only to lose their next three games. From there they beat La Salle in a close game to put them into the tie. While they did pick up a huge win at Saint Louis they didn’t escape the week unscathed as they then lost at home to Saint Bonaventure, another team that was apart of the 5-way tie. So overall it has been a bittersweet week as they were able to finish the season sweep of the Billikens to stay ahead of them in the standings only to then lose their spot to the Bonnies.

Duquesne’s top player is the junior forward Marcus Weathers. Weathers leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 16 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in conference play. The Dukes will be looking to break their 40+ year drought of NCAA Tournament appearances and this is one of their best teams in that time period. Due to their weak non-conference schedule, Duquesne will only be able to make the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament and that all starts by getting the best seed you can in the standings. Duquesne’s next game will be at Fordham and it is the only game they will have this week.

5: VCU Rams

Record: 17-6 (7-3)

The preseason Atlantic 10 favorites and now a current participant in the battle for the double-bye. VCU is a good team but they have just been outshone by Dayton. The Rams have played well all year round even getting ranked at some points of the season but the A10 this year is just too tough. VCU will still be seen as an at-large contender thanks to their win against LSU and strong performances against Tennessee and Purdue.

The Rams are led by Marcus Santos-Silva who leads the team in points and rebounds in conference games with 13.1 points and 9 rebounds per game. Marcus Evans is also back this season and is leading the team in assists with 4.2 per conference game but is shooting a .387 field goal percentage in those games as well. The VCU defense is still as good as ever as it ranks in the top three in the conference in points allowed, opponent field goal percentage, opponent made threes, blocks, and turnovers produced.

VCU will face first La Salle at home this week and will then travel from Richmond to the suburbs to face the Richmond Spiders in a game that will be a must-win for standings purposes.

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