The A-10 has put out the official tournament bracket in PDF, here.
I don't know about you, but as a longtime Owl-hater, I wouldn't mind if both UMass and Temple win their second-round games (both have first-round byes) and end up meeting in the semifinals.
Amen to that brotha. We should definitely beat either Charlote o Rhode Island, and if we play Xavier in the finals it would probably be at least an at large bid. So that Temple game should be for all the marbles.
To tell ya the truth this scares me. We will play URI, just cause I don't see Charlotte beating them twice and I just home we realize its a brand new season. It doesn't matter that we beat them twice during conference game and we need this win to be in the tournament. I like the fact that we are playing some really good ball now and just basically know that OUR tournament started after the Fordam lost. But with Ricky back and Brower playing good, and Glass playing with Confidence we should be good. We make it past the first game then I see us in the finals. Now we actually have to root for Xavier on the other side. GO.. GO...U.... GO...UMASS!!!!
I am not sure we necessarily have to root for X, which is a good thing, becuase as a UMASS allum, the only team i dislike more than Xavier in the A-10 is Temple...
<towards john="" chaney="" and="" temple="" bench=""> </towards> Towards John Chaney and Temple Bench <towards bench="" temple="" and="" chaney="" john=""> "Badadadada - HEY YOU SUCK - F*** em up F*** em up, GO U MASS!"
Sorry, just reliving some old memories. As I was saying. We control our own fate here. As long as we win one game in the A-10 tourney, we should be clinching a spot in the show. Coming off a 6 game winning streak to finish the regular season, having an RPI of mid 30's, and some quality wins in the regular season should prove to be enough with a 3rd win over RI or 2nd win over Charlotte. Especially if we lose to team that goes onto win the whole tourney. So I say as a UMASS fan, root against X! Its like a Boston fan rooting for the Yankees, because it improves their wildcard chances. Don't think I'll live to see that day!
I'm a first time poster here at the UMass message board and I can't wait for the A-10 tourney to start up tomorrow...My g/f's family is all A-10 alums with 3 going to Duquesne, 1 going to LaSalle and my g/f going to UMass...I have adopted UMass as my school and have enjoyed watching them this season..I am actually going to the A-10 tourney Friday and Saturday in Atlantic City!!! I haven't been the biggest follower this season, but with growing interest I will be a die-hard!!! I know UMass swept Rhode Island this season, but I know in sports its always tough to beat a team three times in one season...They also beat up on Charlotte and from the looks of it, with one win in the tourney they should be Dancing!!! I'm a huge follower of college basketball, but never really routed for a team...I hope you all can accept me and I plan on growing and learning with this team...Lets go ZooMass!!!
Honestly, I'd rather see Charlotte than URI. Like was just said, it's so hard to beat a team three times in a single season, so I don't want to play URI. Also, it scares me that we might see Temple in our 2nd round game. They seem to have our number (at Temple, at least) and I think they could beat up on us on a neutral court. First thing is first, though, we must win our first game or we are all done.
With the Atlantic 10 tournament starting today at noon, I wanted to throw my day one predictions out there and I think you guys should do the same...
Game 1 - #8 Dayton vs. #9 Saint Louis (Dayton swept the season series 2-0 with an 11 point win and a 17 point win)....As I said in a previous post, it is really hard to beat the same team three times in one season, but I do see Dayton surviving and picking up another double digit victory...Dayton moves on to play Xavier!!!
Game 2 - #5 Saint Joseph's vs. #12 Fordham (St. Joe's beat up on Fordham and handed them a 15 point loss in the only meeting of the two teams this year)...I think this will be a no contest with St. Joe's running up a double digit victory. This game will be over by half time...St. Joe's sets up a date with Richmond for Round Two!!!
Game 3 - #7 LaSalle vs. #10 Duquesne (These two teams split the season series with the Dukes winning by 17 then losing by 3)...I have the Duquesne Dukes pulling this one off, but it will be a little closer than the first two games. I think there offense will be proved too much for La Salle...Duquesne moves on to face Temple!!!
Game 4 - #6 Charlotte vs. #11 Rhode Island (Charlotte won the only meeting of the season by 10, which was the final game of the season)...This one I'm having a little problem with but my gut is telling me Charlotte pulls it off late in the second half. I have an 8 point win, as Rhody is forced to foul late and Charlotte hits the easy point...UMass has its date with Charlotte in Round Two!!!
Didn't see this in time for the first two, but nice job picking the winners... of course in the dayton game it took an OT 1 point win instead of double digits, but in bracket play... a win's a win! I would have put all the money in the world Fordham would have lost this one by double digits... and another simple game for them in Richmond assuming they decide to check their Jekyl and Hyde act at the door.
The next two, I don't see La Salle, even being the higher rank, matching Duquesne again. They are a lower caliber team. I think Duquesne will come in, and take care of business tonight, with a high single point lead that they get to run down the clock to finish the game.
The last match is a little tougher, but I have to say Charlotte wins this one. RI just hasn't been the same team of late, and they can't keep up with their lack of defense. Sad to see a tourney hopeful fall so far!
So a 3-1 record in my predictions yesterday in the A-10 tourney and I'm back for more...It stinks that I don't get any of these games on TV, but I've been watching here on the computer...Ok here are my Round Two predictions!!!
Game 1 - #1 Xavier vs. # 8 Dayton (Xavier swept the season series with one win by 26 and the other win by 6)...If I said it once I'll say it again, its tough to beat a team 3 times in one season, but I think Xavier does pull it off..Dayton had a real tough time with Saint Louis, but pulled off there third victory over them this season..Xavier pulls off their third victory over Dayton and moves on to the Semi's..Xavier by 10-15 points!!!
Game 2 - #4 Richmond vs. #5 St. Joseph's (St. Joe's won the only matchup between the two and it wasn't even a contest, as they won by 18)...St. Joe's played a solid game vs. a weak Fordham team and I fully expect St. Joe's to come out of this game a winner...St. Joe's wins by 5-9 points and moves on to meet Xavier in the Semi's!!!
Game 3 - #2 Temple vs. #7 LaSalle (The Owls won the only meeting of the season by 19)...I was shocked to see LaSalle beat Duquesne and I'll be shocked to see them beat the Owls. I don't see this being much of a contest and Temple moves on to the Semi's with a rather convincing win...I say they win by 8-12 points!!!
Game 4 - #3 Massachusetts vs. #6 Charlotte (UMass won the only contest of the season by 7)...This is gonna be a real tight game and overtime might not be out of the question. Both teams really have to work hard, but when it comes down to it, I think UMass comes out on top...UMass will meet the hated Owls in the Semi's after the victory tonight...I say this game is the closest of them all and UMass wins by 3-7 points!!
Have any of you guys been watching the other games in the A-10 tourney??? I haven't caught any of the games yet due to the fact that yesterday's games weren't on TV where I live and today I just got off from work!!! I will be checking out both games tonight tho, since the games are televised in my area!!! From the looks of it, St. Joe's looks to be playing their "A" game and could cause a problem for Xavier tomorrow...I'm hoping for a UMass win tonight since I have tickets for tomorrow's games and the finals on Saturday!! Seeing a UMass/Temple game tomorrow would be amazing!!!
I havn't seen any of the games as I am in NY, but I'm going to try to get to a Boston Fan bar which should show the game.
In terms of St Joes. Lets not get too over hyped on them. They had st louis and richmond. Not exactly what one would call a tournament level schedule. Xavier also wants revenge for st joes knocking them out of the top 10. What that translates into is X stomping all over St Joes tomorrow.
Hopefully UMass can show up tonight, and get themselves that NCAA at large bid just about guaranteed. We'll deal with Temple tomorrow when that time comes!
