Bracketology 2020: Providence, UCLA and Kansas among biggest winners

Bubble teams who benefitted from A-10 losses

The Dayton Flyers continues to win, beating both Duquesne and George Mason this week and likely will rise to the top-3 in the national rankings next week. But if they win out, including the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament, there’s a possibility that this becomes a one-bid league.

That’s because the other three teams with at-large hopes all suffered losses this week. The most notable was VCU, the preseason favorite who has since lost four of five after losing to Dayton and at Saint Louis. Now at 7-7 in the conference, the Rams are going to have to win the tournament if they want to go dancing.

Rhode Island took VCU’s spot at the second-best team in the standings but fell to Davidson on the road on Saturday. The Wildcats have been a major disappointment overall this season but still has the talent and potential to be a spoiler, as the Rams saw first-hand. Richmond also lost at St.

Bonaventure on Saturday, ending a five-game win streak. The Bonnies have been a good team and likely will finish in the top-4 but a team right on the cutline (most projecting them to be out), it’s the kind of loss you can’t afford. The opportunities are becoming few to compile quality wins unless someone can beat Dayton at some point.

The winners from this scenario, of course, are all bubble teams but the ones in the power conferences still have plenty of chances for big wins. But for teams such as East Tennessee State, Saint Mary’s, Utah State and Northern Iowa who don’t the same kind of opportunities, this was a major sigh of relief for them. Now they have to take advantage of this and get wins this week.