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Atlantic 10 Basketball: 2023 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Adam Bernstein

Mar 14, 2021; Dayton, Ohio, USA; A view of the A10 championship trophy after the final game of the Atlantic 10 tournament with the Virginia Commonwealth Rams and the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Dayton, Ohio, USA; A view of the A10 championship trophy after the final game of the Atlantic 10 tournament with the Virginia Commonwealth Rams and the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlantic 10 Basketball James Bishop #11 of the George Washington Colonials (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Atlantic 10 Basketball James Bishop #11 of the George Washington Colonials (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Predicting the tournament – First two rounds

First Round

(12) Richmond vs (13) UMass

The Richmond Spiders are coming off a conference tournament championship run last season as the sixth seed. While it would be nice to see them advance far in this tournament, it would be challenging without the help of Jacob Gilyard and Grant Golden. They are also currently without head coach Chris Mooney, recovering from successful heart surgery. The Spiders ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak, but the Minutemen appear to have more momentum at the moment, coming off a victory over St. Bonaventure. I think Richmond will make it interesting; however, it will be too little, too late for the Spiders.

Prediction: UMass

(10) Saint Joseph’s vs (15) Loyola Chicago

The Ramblers’ adjustment to the Atlantic 10 has not been easy this season. While Loyola Chicago has seen plenty of success in March the last few years, it may not be in the cards this season. The Saint Joseph’s Hawks have been very good against them during the season. The Hawks swept the series, and both games were not close. Saint Joseph’s will look to sophomore guard Erik Reynolds II, who ranks second in points per game in the conference with 19.4.  Saint Joe’s should take care of business if Reynolds II shows up to play.

Prediction: Saint Joseph’s 

(11) La Salle vs (14) Rhode Island

Of the three games being played on the first day, I expect La Salle and URI to have the best battle. The Explorers and Rams split the series, and both games were decided by one possession. La Salle defeated Rhode Island 77-75 in overtime on January 7th. The Rams took down the Explorers 72-70 on January 28th. I think the third game will follow a similar trend, but I see Rhody victorious in the final minutes. This is the Rams’ game to win if Ish Leggett and Jalen Carey can lead the scoring and the team can limit turning over the ball.

Prediction: Rhode Island

Second Round

(8) Davidson vs (9) St Bonaventure

This is the most evenly-matched game in the tournament. I think this will be a game of runs for both sides, but in the end, it with be the St Bonaventure Bonnies coming out on top. These two teams faced off recently on February 22nd, and the Wildcats were victorious 74-61. Davidson jumped out to an early lead, making it difficult for the Bonnies to chip into the lead. I believe the script will be flipped in this one, especially if the Wildcats aren’t hitting from three. The Bonnies will advance if Daryl Banks III, Yann Farrell, and company can string together a run early.

Prediction: St Bonaventure

(5) George Mason vs (13) UMass

Coach Frank Martin and the Massachusetts Minutemen will face a true test when they face the George Mason Patriots in the second round. I think both teams will exchange punches, and it will be a back-and-forth battle through most of the first half, but the Patriots will start to pull away right before the half. Once Josh Oduro and Ronald Polite III start clicking, it will be very difficult for the UMass defense to slow things down. The key to this game for Mason is outrebounding the Minutemen and getting second-chance points in the paint.

Prediction: George Mason

(7) George Washington vs (10) Saint Joseph’s

The last time the Colonials and Hawks met was a dogfight until the end, but it was George Washington in overtime to complete the 92-91 victory. Brendan Adams’ 32 points and James Bishop IV’s 22 points in that contest were just too strong for Saint Joseph’s. If that one-two punch arrives on Wednesday, the Colonials will advance to play Dayton.

Prediction: George Washington

(6) Duquesne vs (14) Rhode Island

The Rams opened up conference play with a loss on the road to the Dukes, but they have not seen them since that contest, and maybe it is for the best because Duquesne has won seven of the last nine games to close out the regular season. It was a close game in the first half when they met earlier in the season, but Rhody’s inexperience hurt them in the second half. I could see the Dukes pulling ahead in the second half, led by Dae Dae Grant III, shooting 40.1 percent from range this season.

Prediction: Duquesne 

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