Atlantic 10 Basketball: VCU on top, Bonnies drop in latest power rankings

6. UMass Minutemen

• 2020-21 record: 7-4 overall, 6-2 A-10
• Previous ranking: 5th

One of the more frustrating cases in the A-10, the Minutemen were the up-and-comers in the last power rankings, having catapulted into the top-5.  Having rallied for three-straight A-10 wins to go 4-1, UMass looked good in a 69-60 loss to Davidson in a game that the Minutemen led by as much as 12 in.

And then, just days later, the Minutemen were forced to go on pause – then, returned in early February, completed sweeps over Fordham and URI, and were forced to pause yet again.  UMass is sitting in one of the top spots in the A-10 but is now left with few opportunities to prove itself moving forward.

If it’s any consolation, the Minutemen looked solid in their two games back from their first pause – in wins played without Tre Mitchell, their best player.  In addition, fellow starter Noah Fernandes was also out for both games, meaning UMass was without a combined 31.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in their starting lineup.

Instead, the Minutemen were forced to place freshmen Javohn Garcia and TJ Weeks into the starting lineup – and it has worked, to say the least.  In those two games, Garcia is averaging 11 points, 3.5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals – while Weeks is maintaining marks of 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

UMass’ next game should be a win for them in their return, hitting the road for a February 24th game at Saint Joseph’s – and their last regular-season game after that will be their toughest one yet, hosting Richmond at the beginning of March.