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Atlantic 10 Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Adam Bernstein

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 12: A general view of the Barclay Center prior to the start of the 2020 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament - Second Round on March 12, 2020 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. Tournament games will be played without fans amid growing concerns of the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 12: A general view of the Barclay Center prior to the start of the 2020 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament - Second Round on March 12, 2020 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. Tournament games will be played without fans amid growing concerns of the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Atlantic 10 Basketball Rhode Island Rams Fatts Russell Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Atlantic 10 Basketball Rhode Island Rams Fatts Russell Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10 Seed – Rhode Island

Record: Overall: 10-14 Conference: 7-10

Best Non-Conference Win: The Rhode Island Rams took down the Seton Hall Pirates on Dec. 2. Senior guards Fatts Russell and Jeremy Sheppard led the team in their first home game of the season. Fatts recorded 17 points and, Sheppard had 14.

Best Conference Victory: The Rams defeated the Flyers 91-89 on Feb. 16 in double overtime. On senior night, Russell led the team to victory with 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.

Most Valuable Player: Antwan Walker and Makhel Mitchell. Walker and Mitchell have been huge assets and a big reason for an improvement in the Rams’ frontcourt this season. Walker leads the team in rebounds per game (6.5), and Mitchell leads the team in blocks (1.7).

Most Likely to have conference tournament performance like Kemba Walker in 2011: Fatts Russell. The senior guard leads the team in points per game (15.0), assists per game (4.3), steals per game (2.0). Russell’s veteran leadership and ability to score will allow them to put up a good fight against the Flyers.

Prediction: The Rhode Island Rams will be eliminated in the second round against the Dayton Flyers.

No. 9 Seed – Duquesne

Record: Overall: 8-8 Conference: 7-7

Best Non-Conference Win: The Dukes defeated UNC Greensboro on Dec. 2. Four Dukes’ were in double figures including, Michael Hughes who had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Best Conference Victory: The Dukes took down Dayton on Feb. 2. The big men Michael Hughes and Marcus Weathers led the team. Weathers posted 20 points and five rebounds and, Hughes had 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Most Valuable Player: Marcus Weathers and Michael Hughes. The senior big men have been so dominant this season for Coach Keith Dambrot and the Dukes. Marcus Weathers leads the team in points per game with 16.1 and is shooting 50 percent from the field. Michael Hughes leads the team in rebounds per game with 7.8 and blocks per game (1.5).

Most Likely to have conference tournament performance like Kemba Walker in 2011: Tavian Dunn-Martin. Dunn-Martin is averaging 10 points per game. He leads the Dukes in assists per game (3.5) and steals per game with 1.1.

Prediction: The Duquesne Dukes will defeat the Richmond Spiders in the second round. The Dukes will be eliminated in the quarterfinals by the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.

No. 8 Seed – Richmond

Record: Overall: 13-7  Conference: 6-5

Best Non-Conference Win: The Richmond Spiders defeated the Kentucky Wildcats on the road on Nov. 29. They were led by 18 points from senior forward Nathan Cayo. Four Spiders were in double figures in their victory.

Best Conference Victory: The Spiders defeated the UMass Minutemen on Feb. 23. Nathan Cayo and Blake Francis led the scoring. Cayo posted 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Francis had 20 points and five rebounds. Big man Grant Golden posted 16 points, five assists, and five rebounds.

Most Valuable Player: Grant Golden. Golden is averaging 12.9 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. He is shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point range.

Most Likely to have conference tournament performance like Kemba Walker in 2011: Jacob Gilyard. Although Gilyard is not averaging the most statistically on the team, he is was ranked as a member of the Atlantic 10 Preseason First-Team and has been consistently performing for the Spiders. Gilyard is also averaging 11.6 points per game and shooting 40.6 percent from the field.

Prediction: The Richmond Spiders will be eliminated in the second round by the Duquesne Dukes.

No. 7 Seed – Dayton

Record: Overall: 13-8 Conference: 9-7

Best Non-Conference Win: The Flyers defeated the Ole Miss Rebels on Dec. 19. Jalen Crutcher recorded 23 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Rodney Chatman had 21 points and four assists.

Best Conference Victory: The Flyers defeated the Davidson Wildcats on the road on Jan. 8. Crutcher had a monster game, posting 29 points. Ibi Watson had 24 in the impressive victory.

Most Valuable Player: Jalen Crutcher. Crutcher is leading the Flyers in points per game (18.2), assists per game (4.9), and steals per game (0.8).

Most Likely to have conference tournament performance like Kemba Walker in 2011: Ibi Watson is averaging 15.7 points per game and is shooting 47.3 percent from the field. Watson stepped up into a big role this season averaging 37.5 minutes per game. The senior guard will be a force for Coach Anthony Grant and the Flyers.

Prediction: The Dayton Flyers will eliminate the Rhode Island Rams in the second round. The Flyers will be eliminated in the quarterfinals against the VCU Rams.

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