Jan. 20th Bubble Watch: Atlantic 10

Bubble Watch

A10:

Near Locks for the Tournament

Davidson: 15-2 overall, 5-0 conference,

The metrics: NET #36, KenPom #42, 2-1 Q1, 1-1 Q2, 5-0 Q3, 6-0 Q4

-        Best Win: Alabama (neutral)

-        Worst Loss: New Mexico State (neutral)

-        Making a case: Davidson has no bad losses, a top 15 offensive efficiency (KenPom), and no hiccups in conference play so far.

-        Case for the couch: none right now, but the A10 is deeper than most people realize. In fact, it’s one of the leagues that I’m predicting a bid stealer to come from. If Davidson wins the games they should, they should give themselves a good case for an at-large even if they don’t end up winning the conference tournament.

-        The Verdict: Near Lock

On the Bubble

St. Bonaventure: 10-4 overall, 2-1 conference

The metrics: NET #100, KenPom #81, 1-3 Q1, 3-0 Q2, 1-1 Q3, 5-0 Q4

-        Best Win: Marquette (road)

-        Worst Loss: Northern Iowa (home)

-        Making a case: St. Bonaventure has looked like one of the better teams in the A10, and were my pick to win the A10 relatively handily. However, their COVID pause really threw a wrench in the program. They haven’t been as good since the COVID pause and aren’t currently worthy of at-large discussion. If they can return to form in conference play, look out for them as a bid stealer or a “last 4 in” team.

-        Case for the couch: The Bonnies will only get one shot at Davidson, the only tournament team left on their schedule. Would a win there be enough? Probably not.

-        The Verdict: Lean OUT

Dayton: 12-6 overall, 4-1 conference

The metrics: NET #75, KenPom #70, 2-1 Q1, 3-2 Q2, 2-0 Q3, 5-3 Q4

-        Best Win: Kansas (neutral)

-        Worst Loss: UMass Lowell (home)

-        Making a case: The Flyers have beaten some top tier opponents this year. They’ve taken down the likes of Kansas, Miami, Belmont, Virginia Tech, and St. Bonaventure. This team has proven its ability to beat really good teams

-        Case for the couch: For every good win, the Flyers have an equally as surprising loss. Losses against UMass Lowell, Mississippi, SMU, Austin Peay, and Lipscomb are probably way too much to overcome in a bid for an NCAA Tournament appearance. But don’t be shocked to see the Flyers compete for a conference championship.

-        The Verdict: OUT

VCU: 10-6 overall, 3-2 conference

The metrics: NET #73, KenPom #79, 1-2 Q1, 2-3 Q2, 3-1 Q3, 4-0 Q4

-        Best Win: Dayton (road)

-        Worst Loss: Wagner (neutral)

-        Making a case: VCU is essentially the Dayton Flyers without the high tier wins and the bad losses. They’re consistent, but a middle of the pack team. A win over Davidson this week really would have helped their case, but they left a lot to be desired after leading with 2 minutes left and losing the game.

-        Case for the couch: VCU doesn’t have any wins that will pop off the page like other bubble teams in their situation. There isn’t really precedence for the committee to take a team without good wins, even if there are no bad losses.

-        The Verdict: OUT

Saint Louis: 11-5 overall, 2-1 conference

The metrics: NET #69, KenPom #72, 1-3 Q1, 1-2 Q2, 2-0 Q3, 6-0 Q4

-        Best Win: Iona (home)

-        Worst Loss: Dayton (road)

-        Making a case: St. Louis has played an extremely deep schedule with teams like Memphis, UAB, Boise St., Belmont, Auburn, and Iona. Close losses in those game are likely the difference between off the bubble and in the discussion. They have opportunities coming up that could put them back in the discussion

-        Case for the couch: Not enough high quality wins. Only 4 wins in the top 3 quadrants is not a recipe for a tournament team.

-        The Verdict: OUT

Rhode Island: 12-4 overall, 3-1 conference

The metrics: NET #98, KenPom #83, 0-2 Q1, 0-0 Q2, 3-2 Q3, 8-0 Q4

-        Best Win: St. Joseph’s (home)

-        Worst Loss: FGCU (away)

-        Making a case: Rhode Island doesn’t have the resume right now, but still have games against Dayton (x2), Davidson, VCU, and St. Bonaventure. If they were to win those games, they’d need at least consideration

-        Case for the couch: Tough to stay in any conversation when your best current win is against St. Joseph’s

-        The Verdict: OUT (on life support)