Five Atlantic Ten Conference teams are undefeated and two of them meet Wednesday in Richmond, Virginia. Saint Louis (13-1, 1-0) visits Virginia Commonwealth (11-4, 2-0) in a game nationally broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
George Mason (14-1, 2-0), Dayton 11-4, 2-0) and George Washington (11-4, 2-0) are the others with unscathed records.
Both teams are playing well. Saint Louis has won seven consecutive games and VCU has claimed five straight. As the A-Ten is having a resurgent season, the Billikens (29) and the Rams (52) lead conference teams ranked in the top 100 of the NCAA’s National Evaluation Tool rankings. SLU is ranked in the top 41 in every one of the nationally recognized metrics.
They both fill up box score statistic sheets. Saint Louis leads the A-Ten in virtually every offensive category and are fourth nationally in points-per-game (95.0), fast break points (19.9) and fifth in effective field goal percentage (.611).
VCU loves to shoot the three-ball. The Rams are second in the conference, to the Bills in three-point percentage and in converted triples. VCU is averaging over 87 points-per-game.
The teams split their games last season, with each home team winning. Of course, this is the first meeting since Phil Martelli Jr took the reins of this dynamic program. VCU has topped the twenty-win mark for four straight seasons.
Neither of these teams are overly big, but they play fast and efficient offense. They are both looking for that proverbial ‘first good shot’. SLU’s average length of offensive possession is fourth quickest nationally and VCU’s is in the top 100.