Busting Brackets
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Bracketology 2020: Possible high-major bid thieves in conference tournaments

By Joe Weidenburner

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after cutting down a net following the team's 68-48 victory over the Washington Huskies to win the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after cutting down a net following the team's 68-48 victory over the Washington Huskies to win the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 29: Jon Axel Gudmundsson #3 of the Davidson Wildcats (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 29: Jon Axel Gudmundsson #3 of the Davidson Wildcats (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Davidson and VCU

Coming into this season, hopes were high for both Davidson and VCU to build off last year’s successes and make respective deep runs into March. Neither story has unfolded quite that way, as each of these teams has underperformed relative to preseason expectations. Each has been passed by Bubble teams Richmond and Rhode Island in terms of consideration for the NCAA Tournament, not to mention the runaway freight train that is Dayton.

Still, these are experienced teams with the pedigree to do damage in the A-10 tournament. VCU had a good-not-great season up until its poor form of late, having lost eight of ten and having played itself squarely out of contention for even the Bubble, let alone the at-large field. The Rams open with a winnable game against Massachusetts, and a win there invites a third go-round with mighty Dayton.

Davidson’s season went off the rails early on when one of its starters left school and another dealt with recurring injuries. Two returning all-conference players, including the reigning conference player of the year in Jon Axel Gudmundsson, hasn’t been enough to fulfill the significant promise that existed before the season.

Still, there is no time like the present, and Davidson’s road through the A-10 Tournament appears softer than VCU’s as it opens with LaSalle and follows with potential matchups with Richmond and Rhode Island, before having to face Dayton, if at all, in the A-10 championship game. Think of the redemption arc potential of either of these teams catapulted off of a strong A-10 Tournament showing into the NCAA Tournament field!

Bid Thievery Index: 5 out of 10.

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