No Selection Sunday sweating for VCU as they leave no doubt with A-10 Tournament title

Coming into Championship Week, there was debate as to whether the Atlantic 10 could get multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament or not. The only two possible candidates were VCU and George Mason, the co-regular season champions for the league. After losing to Duquesne, the 
Patriots were pretty much out of it. 

Meanwhile, VCU found itself right on the edge of the bubble. They were 26-5 entering the A-10 title game and had a top-40 NET ranking. However, non-con wins over Miami and BC didn’t age well, and a Quad 4 setback to Seton Hall in overtime tanked their resume to a degree.

But the Rams had one game left against George Mason on Sunday to get the autobid. And it was a tough game from start to finish. Almost everyone was in foul trouble to a degree, and even some minor scuffles occurred. An eight-point halftime lead for the Rams disappeared as it came down to the final seconds. However, a missed three-pointer by the Patriots allowed VCU to hold on for the 68-63 win and conference championship victory. 

Max Shulga led the team with 18 points, while all-league guard Joe Bamilsile also had 17 points. However, it was Jack Clark’s 17 points and early production to give the Rams the lead that earned him Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP honors. He was the most consistent player for them in their three wins this week so it made sense.

With this win, it doesn’t matter what happens with Memphis and UAB in the AAC title game, as the Rams will be one of the teams that hear its name on the Selection Sunday Show. It does mean that the Atlantic 10 will be a one-bid league this year but its best bet to make some noise in the Big Dance will be representing them. 

Up next for VCU, learning its Round of 64 opponent, later on Sunday.