A-10

Last year was a great season for the A-10. It was a five bid league that won all its opening games and sent LaSalle to the Sweet 16. It was suppose to be a rebuilding year or regathering year after some defections but the A-10 exceeded expectations and was one of the more fun conferences in the nation.  They look ready to send six teams to the dance, a great accomplishment.

The tournament begins tomorrow at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  Here are the final standings:

1. St. Louis, 13-3 (26-5), 35th KenPom

2. VCU, 12-4 (24-7), 15th Ken Pom

3. George Washington, 11-5 (23-7), 40th KenPom

  

    St. Joe's, 11-5 (21-9), 59th KenPom

5. UMass, 10-6 (23-7), 49th KenPom

    Dayton, 10-6 (22-9), 51st KenPom

Of all these teams, Dayton can least afford a flameout. GW handled injuries well to get to this point. I have my doubts  about St. Louis so I'll take VCU to win it. 

Richmond if healthy would be a threat but I think they're spent. LaSalle is talented enough to steal a bid but it would be quite the upset and probably knock a fellow A-10 member out of the bracket so adding a 7th team is unlikely.

This will be a wildly competitive tournament and one worth watching.