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Atlantic 10 Roundup (3/6-3/12) and Tournament Primer
3/13/2013
The Atlantic 10 weekly roundup covers updates on all of the happenings within the conference, including big game results, updated standings, and more. It will run every Wednesday, covering the previous week.
It was more of the same for the Musketeers this past week, with an overtime upset of the Saint Louis Billikens, followed by an agonizing road loss to the Butler Bulldogs. Xavier hasn't strung together consecutive victories since February 9th and 13th against Duquesne and Fordham.
That's why Xavier is in the position where they have to win four games in four days to make the NCAA tournament. Surprisingly, it almost feels as if the fans should be disappointed. Not because of Xavier's recent success, but because of their wins this year. Victories over Temple, Memphis, Butler, Saint Louis and La Salle (even if they all did occur at Cintas) seem to indicate the quality of a tournament team.
But Xavier looks anything but that right now. The inconsistency from game to game points to a second round exit against the VCU Rams. They might not have the horses to win in Brooklyn this year. One thing is for sure, and Chris Mack said it best, teams will "have to cut our heart out of our chest to beat us."
Key Results from the Week that Was:
#21 VCU 93, Richmond 82: A big in-state rivalry game that was close throughout the first half, Treveon Graham finished with 21 points on 8-11 shooting for the Rams. In a high-octane game, both teams shot over 54% in trying to push the pace of the game.
Xavier 77, #16 Saint Louis 66 OT: Travis Taylor finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks on senior night as the Muskies survived the Billikens pushing the game into overtime. Finishing 14-16 from the free throw line in the extra period, Xavier sealed the game as four SLU players fouled out.
Butler 73, Massachusetts 62: After slumping recently and getting blown out by VCU, the Bulldogs got back to the Butler Way, clamping down on Chaz Williams of the Minutemen (eight points, 2-9 shooting). Kameron Woods came off the bench with 17 points on 7-11 shooting to lead the Bulldogs.
#16 Saint Louis 78, La Salle 54: In a battle for the number one seed in the Atlantic 10, La Salle faltered in their quest for a share of the conference title. The Billikens were deadly efficient, shooting 57.7% from the field in capturing their first regular season conference title since the 1970's.
Butler 67, Xavier 62: In what is quickly becoming a heated rivalry again, the Musketeers could not pull out a big road win. Despite 20 points from Semaj Christon and 16 from Isaiah Philmore, Xavier failed to establish Travis Taylor (3-13) from the field. With a limited inside presence, the Musketeers struggled to score consistently in a basketball game that resembled more of a street fight than anything.
Temple 84, #21 VCU 76: What a difference a couple of months makes. After difficult losses to Xavier, St. Bonnies and Duquesne, the Owls rallied for a seven game win streak. They could be the most dangerous team in the Atlantic 10, especially after turning the ball over just 13 times and overcoming a 16 point deficit against Shaka Smart's Havoc defense.
Atlantic 10 Final Standings:
- Saint Louis (24-6, 13-3)
- Virginia Commonwealth (24-7, 12-4)
- Temple (23-8, 11-5)
- La Salle (21-8, 11-5)
- Butler (24-7, 11-5)
- Massachusetts (19-10, 9-7)
- Xavier (17-13, 9-7)
- Richmond (18-13, 8-8)
- Charlotte (20-10, 8-8)
- Saint Joseph's (17-12, 8-8)
- George Washington (13-16, 7-9)
- Dayton (17-13, 7-9)
- St. Bonaventure (14-15, 7-9)
- Rhode Island (8-21, 3-13)
- Fordham (7-24, 3-13)
- Duquesne (8-22, 1-15)
A Look at the Contenders in Brooklyn:
The Favorite (Saint Louis): This is an easy one. Unlike any other team in the conference, they force you to play their style. They don't turn the ball over. They run their offense. If the Billikens aren't built to dismantle some teams in the NCAAs, I don't know who is. But you have to believe that somebody is looking at their tape against Xavier and building a gameplan to beat them.
The Darkhorse (Xavier): Like I wasn't going to pick Xavier? Had they hung on versus VCU, the Musketeers would have a win over each of the top teams in Brooklyn. That makes them dangerous. Xavier is very good at limiting opponents to one shot per possession by crashing the boards. But they don't have the ability to put opponents away with the three pointer. If an effective fourth scorer emerges (Brad Redford, Justin Martin, or Jeff Robinson?), the Musketeers could do a lot of damage.
The Team Everyone Loves (VCU): Everyone is in love with Shaka Smart and his Havoc defense. Not only does it force turnovers, but it wears teams down, forces turnovers and creates instant offense. They are a force. But veteran-laden teams can pick them apart. And they also won't have an impressive homecourt advantage.
The Team No One is Talking About (UMass): Don't laugh. They chuck up threes and can press when they want to. They have different options that can beat you on any given night. Just ask Xavier. Unlike many of the teams, the Minutemen are like VCU in that they want to get out and run. When they get going, they'll hurt some people. If they win their first game, Temple is a winnable match up in the second round.
The Hottest Team in the Conference (Temple): A seven game win streak to end the season translated into a first round bye. And their match ups look perfect. There is no reason to think why they wouldn't be favored in every match up leading to the finals. The Owls are clicking at the right time.
First Round Atlantic 10 Match-Ups:
Charlotte vs Richmond: A pair of teams that like to play contrasting styles. Charlotte wants to slow the game down and play grind-it-out defense. Richmond wants to get out and run, similar to what they did in the VCU game. Whoever controls the pace of this game will win, but Richmond will be more likely to turn this into a track meet. Prediction: Richmond 76, Charlotte 60
Dayton vs Butler: The Bulldogs, a conference favorite, are forced into playing a first round game in Brooklyn. They'll have to win four games in four days to win the tournament, which seems unlikely--and seemed improbable at the beginning of the year. Regardless, Butler is a tournament team. Dayton isn't. The Bulldogs won at UD Arena in January. They'll win on a neutral court this time, though UD will give them a game. Prediction: Butler 67, Dayton 61
Saint Joseph's vs Xavier: This was a game the Hawks took earlier in the year by ten at Hagan Arena. That won't happen a second time around. Xavier right now has three legitimate scoring options with Travis Taylor, Semaj Christon and Isaiah Philmore. They will crash the glass against the Hawks and control the tempo of the game. In typical Xavier fashion, however, it will come down to the final possessions of the game. Prediction: Xavier 55, Saint Joseph's 52
George Washington vs Massachusetts: UMass is going to turn this into a track meet. The Colonials are probably the worst team in Brooklyn, while the Minutemen might be one of the more underrated. Prediction: Massachusetts 84, George Washington 62
Atlantic 10 Tournament Picks:
Quarterfinals
Saint Louis over Richmond
Butler over La Salle
VCU over Xavier
Temple over UMass
Semifinals
Butler over Saint Louis
Temple over VCU
Atlantic 10 Tournament Champion
Temple over Butler
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