Thoughts on Rhody MBB's Potential Matchups in the 2018 Atlantic 10 Tournament
The bracket is officially out for the 2018 Atlantic 10 MBB tournament and the road for Rhody MBB to repeat as tournament champions is now clearer.
First off, URI's quarterfinal matchup with VCU/Dayton is nowhere near as tough as it sounds like. In past seasons, the Rams from Virginia and the Flyers would be the last two teams that an Atlantic 10 team wanted to play in the tournament. This season, VCU and Dayton are at the weakest that each team has been at in a long while. Between VCU and Dayton, URI's preference would likely be to play Dayton. They have already swept the season series with Dayton and VCU could make a wild run in their final games with Justin Tillman, Jonathan Williams, and Khris Lane on their team.
Next, in the semifinal game, URI looks destined to meet up with Saint Joseph's and I am sure that they will be ready to get their sweet revenge for their disastrous 2018 Senior Night. After the Hawks walked into the Ryan Center on February 27, 2018 and embarrassed Dan Hurley's team, the Rams have been on a downwards trend. Additionally, the five-man senior class should have enough pride to step up in a rematch with the Hawks. If for some reason the Hawks lose to George Mason or the winner of La Salle/Massachusetts, the Rams should have an easier quarterfinal matchup.
Finally, in the championship game (on CBS), URI will have the opportunity to rectify one of their big losses in conference play this season. From a matchup standpoint, there is more reason to believe that URI's easier championship matchup would be with the Davidson Wildcats. If it were not for a choke in the final minute of their most recent matchup, Rhody had the season series with Davidson completed. Saint Bonaventure is on an absolute tear in conference play and they looked like a NCAA tournament team in their narrow home win versus Rhode Island. No matter who URI plays in the championship game, which will likely be Saint Bonaventure or Davidson, they better come prepared. On a nationally televised broadcast, the Rams will be able to put on a show for the selection committee and all of the people that are ready to fill out their brackets for March Madness. Most of all, the team from Kingston, RI could improve their NCAA tournament seeding by winning the Atlantic 10 tournament or at the very least, hold serve with their current seeding projections.
