It's been a half-season with many more surprises than expected results.
Let's compare the preseason Atlantic 10 poll with records as of February 1st:
PRESEASON POLL: CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS:
1) Dayton 1) George Washington (8-0)
2) George Washington 2) Dayton (7-1)
3) Saint Joseph's 3) Fordham (7-2)
4) St. Bonaventure 4) Duquesne (6-3)
5) Fordham 5) Richmond (5-3)
6) Richmond 6) VCU (5-4)
7) Duquesne 7) Rhode Island (4-4)
8) La Salle 8) Saint Louis (4-5)
9) Saint Louis 9T) George Mason (3-5)
10) VCU 9T) Saint Joseph's (3-5)
11) George Mason 11) UMass (2-6)
12) Davidson 12) La Salle (2-6)
13) Rhode Island 13) St. Bonaventure (2-7)
14) UMass 14) Davidson (1-8)
BIGGEST SURPRISE (Disappointment): St. Bonaventure---Picked to finish fourth, the Bonnies went 10-3 in non-conference play and won its A-10 opener with UMass. Then they lost seven straight, with six of the seven lost by double digits. Katie Healy's point per game average is currently down two from last year (14.3 vs. 16.5), and the Bonnies as a whole are shooting 28.2 percent from three-point range. It will get no easier as the Bonnies must face George Washington, Duquesne, and Thursday, Fordham on the road. The schedule makes it tough to believe St. Bonaventure can go on a big run to finish .500 in conference play.
BIGGEST SURPRISE (Positive): Rhode Island---Picked to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic 10, new head coach Daynia La-Force has these Rams believing. They were 8-4 in non-conference play, giving them more wins before conference play began than they enjoyed all of last season. The next four games could help determine their season. The Rams host rival UMass, go to St. Bonaventure, then host both Saint Joseph's and Fordham. They literally could win all four, lose all four, or fall somewhere in between. Charise Wilson is making her case for Freshman of The Year, leading Rhode Island in scoring at 15.9 points per game.
Other Observations:
---Saint Joseph's was runner-up for "Biggest Surprise: Disappointment", but, with a win Saturday at Davidson, the Hawks are 3-5 and have the talent and coaching experience to find their way to .500 and avoid Play-In Wednesday at the A-10 Tournament. Their first order of business, though, is a good old-fashioned "Big 5" rivalry, hosting La Salle Wednesday. The Explorers will be sky high, having their six-game losing streak ended Saturday night in Richmond at VCU. If La Salle plays with the desperation that they did Saturday night, the Hawks may flip places with the Explorers in the standings, and be back in the "Play-In" conversation.
---Wednesday's City Showdown between VCU and Richmond at the Robins Center looms very, very large. Now, the Spiders are a half-game ahead of the Rams for fifth place, while just a half-game behind Duquesne for the fourth and final "bye until Friday" at the tournament. This game could go either way. VCU now needs a win to try to start a new winning streak (they're 2-2, alternating between win and loss the past four games), while Richmond paced themselves nicely through a difficult week that saw them face, and lose to, Dayton in a midday Wednesday game, then hit the road for a rare Friday night outing at Rhode Island, coming away with a tight four-point win. The winner Wednesday stays alive for the "top four" seeds, the loser, if Richmond, could be two games out of fourth in the loss column. A VCU win, coupled with a win at Duquesne next Saturday, and the Rams are right back in the conversation.
---Dayton comes to the Nation's Capital next Sunday, February 8th to battle George Washington, who handed the Flyers their lone conference loss, at home, in their league opener four weeks ago. Dayton is playing better now than then, but George Washington is on fire, winners of their last 17 games. The game airs at 12PM on CBS Sports Network. Watch live or DVR it. It could be a preview of the Sunday, March 8th Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship Game at the Richmond Coliseum.
IF TOURNAMENT BEGAN TODAY:
Wednesday March 4th:
4:30PM: #13 St. Bonaventure vs. #12 La Salle
7PM: #14 Davidson vs. #11 UMass (if tie with La Salle is broken head-to-head)
Thursday March 5th:
11:30AM: #8 Saint Louis vs. #9 George Mason or Saint Joseph's
2PM: #5 Richmond vs. St. Bonaventure/La Salle winner
4:30PM: #7 Rhode Island vs. #10 Saint Joseph's or George Mason
7PM: #6 VCU vs. Davidson/UMass winner
Friday March 6th:
11AM: #1 George Washington vs. Saint Louis/GMU--SJU winner
2PM: #4 Duquesne vs. Richmond/St. Bona--La Salle winner
4:30PM: #2 Dayton vs. Rhode Island/SJU--GMU winner
7PM: #3 Fordham vs. VCU/Davidson--UMass winner
Saturday March 7th:
SEMIFINALS at 11AM, 1:30PM
Friday March 8th:
CHAMPIONSHIP at 1PM
The teams and seeds will change, but the format above is what we'll experience March 4th through 8th at the Richmond Coliseum. We hope you will join us!! Buy YOUR tickets at the link at the top of this page.
RVA Sports Network Coverage of Women's Basketball, Part of Our Year Of Women's Sports Initiative!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
WEEKEND GAMES AND PRE-GAME NOTES....
(Click on links for game summaries as they become available....)
FRIDAY:
Richmond 54, Rhode Island 50
SATURDAY:
George Washington 87, George Mason 52
St. Bonaventure 77, UMass 57
Saint Joseph's 57, Davidson 52
Duquesne 56, Fordham 46
Dayton 87, Saint Louis 72
La Salle 74, VCU 65
We'll have score updates and finals throughout the afternoon and evening from all the games on @TheRVASportsNet on Twitter, so follow us for ALL things Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball as we approach 30 days away from the Atlantic 10 Tournament LIVE at the Richmond Coliseum starting March 4th!
NOTES:
--George Washington looks for win #17 in a row, would finish first half of conference schedule unblemished with win in Fairfax, Patriots are in midst of three-game losing streak.
--UMass has already doubled their conference and overall win totals from a year ago. Bonnies won their conference opener at home against Minutewomen, have lost has seven conference games.
--Saint Joseph's in unusual position, trying to avoid the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Wednesday, as seeds #11 through #14 try to play their way into First Round Thursday.
--Saint Louis has beaten Saint Joseph's, La Salle, and handed Fordham their only conference loss in their current three-game winning streak, but Dayton has won six straight since opening conference play with loss to league leader George Washington four weeks ago.
--Duquesne, with win and VCU loss later Saturday, would take sole possession of fourth place in the A-10. Fordham looks to keep pace with both GW ahead of them, Dayton one-half game behind them.
--VCU stood 5-3 at this same point in conference play a year ago, then lost to Saint Joseph's and Dayton on the road before beating rival Richmond at home to go to 6-5. They finished 9-7 in league play. La Salle has lost six straight conference games since opening league play with win over newcomer Davidson.
FRIDAY:
Richmond 54, Rhode Island 50
SATURDAY:
George Washington 87, George Mason 52
St. Bonaventure 77, UMass 57
Saint Joseph's 57, Davidson 52
Duquesne 56, Fordham 46
Dayton 87, Saint Louis 72
La Salle 74, VCU 65
We'll have score updates and finals throughout the afternoon and evening from all the games on @TheRVASportsNet on Twitter, so follow us for ALL things Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball as we approach 30 days away from the Atlantic 10 Tournament LIVE at the Richmond Coliseum starting March 4th!
NOTES:
--George Washington looks for win #17 in a row, would finish first half of conference schedule unblemished with win in Fairfax, Patriots are in midst of three-game losing streak.
--UMass has already doubled their conference and overall win totals from a year ago. Bonnies won their conference opener at home against Minutewomen, have lost has seven conference games.
--Saint Joseph's in unusual position, trying to avoid the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Wednesday, as seeds #11 through #14 try to play their way into First Round Thursday.
--Saint Louis has beaten Saint Joseph's, La Salle, and handed Fordham their only conference loss in their current three-game winning streak, but Dayton has won six straight since opening conference play with loss to league leader George Washington four weeks ago.
--Duquesne, with win and VCU loss later Saturday, would take sole possession of fourth place in the A-10. Fordham looks to keep pace with both GW ahead of them, Dayton one-half game behind them.
--VCU stood 5-3 at this same point in conference play a year ago, then lost to Saint Joseph's and Dayton on the road before beating rival Richmond at home to go to 6-5. They finished 9-7 in league play. La Salle has lost six straight conference games since opening league play with win over newcomer Davidson.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Richmond at Rhode Island Tonight: Photos From Wednesday with Dayton
The Richmond Spiders and Rhode Island Rams are in a tie for sixth place going into tonight's Atlantic 10 contest between the teams in Kingston.
The Rams will look to use their full-court press to limit Richmond in what should be a very evenly matched game.
The winner joins, for at least 24 hours, VCU and Duquesne in what will be a three-way tie for fourth in the conference midway through the regular season schedule.
PHOTO GALLERY: For a look back at the Dayton/Richmond game Wednesday, CLICK HERE to go to an RVA Sports Network-affiliated Facebook page to relive all the action!
(Janelle Hubbard and Richmond look to get the road win at Rhode Island Friday night!)
The Rams will look to use their full-court press to limit Richmond in what should be a very evenly matched game.
The winner joins, for at least 24 hours, VCU and Duquesne in what will be a three-way tie for fourth in the conference midway through the regular season schedule.
PHOTO GALLERY: For a look back at the Dayton/Richmond game Wednesday, CLICK HERE to go to an RVA Sports Network-affiliated Facebook page to relive all the action!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
WEDNESDAY FINALS....
Dayton 76, Richmond 62
VCU 70, George Mason 66
Duquesne 76, St. Bonaventure 63
Fordham 66, Davidson 45
Thursday:
Saint Louis 52, Saint Joseph's 51
VCU 70, George Mason 66
Duquesne 76, St. Bonaventure 63
Fordham 66, Davidson 45
Thursday:
Saint Louis 52, Saint Joseph's 51
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
NEWS: Players of The Week, Wednesday Schedule, Our LIVE Coverage....
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Jonquel Jones is on a tear the likes of few college basketball players, men or women, at any level.
The George Washington junior forward, and Naismith Player of the Year candidate, was named Atlantic 10 Player of The Week for the sixth time this season, as she led the #24 Colonials to sole possession of first place in the conference. George Washington has now won 16 consecutive games.
Jones averaged 17 points and 16.5 rebounds in wins over Duquesne and La Salle, registering her 12th double-double of the year (and seventh straight double-double) against the Explorers with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Jackie Kemph of Saint Louis was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of The Year. The guard had a career-high 20 points against La Salle, then had four key assists and three important steals in the Billikens' comeback win over Fordham, handing the Rams their first conference loss.
WEDNESDAY LIVE COVERAGE:
RVA Sports Network will be LIVE at TWO Atlantic 10 games Wednesday, beginning at noon at the Robins Center as the Richmond Spiders battle the Dayton Flyers. The game features teams currently in third (Dayton) and fourth (Richmond) place in the conference.
Then, at 7pm, we'll be live at the Siegel Center when George Mason, currently in eighth place in the Atlantic 10 at 3-3 will battle the Rams of VCU. Coach Beth O'Boyle's squad is in a three-way tie for fifth place going into the game at 4-3.
Follow @TheRVASportsNet on Twitter for LIVE real-time updates during BOTH games on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE:
Dayton (5-1, 14-4) at Richmond (4-2, 12-7), 12pm
Saint Joseph's (2-4, 6-12) at Saint Louis (3-4, 10-10), NOW THURSDAY, 12:30pm
George Mason (3-3, 11-8) at VCU (4-3, 13-7), 7pm
Duquesne (4-3, 12-8) at St. Bonaventure (1-6, 11-9), 7pm
Fordham (6-1, 14-6) at Davidson (1-6, 5-15), 7pm
(above photo courtesy of GWSports.com)
Jonquel Jones is on a tear the likes of few college basketball players, men or women, at any level.
The George Washington junior forward, and Naismith Player of the Year candidate, was named Atlantic 10 Player of The Week for the sixth time this season, as she led the #24 Colonials to sole possession of first place in the conference. George Washington has now won 16 consecutive games.
Jones averaged 17 points and 16.5 rebounds in wins over Duquesne and La Salle, registering her 12th double-double of the year (and seventh straight double-double) against the Explorers with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Jackie Kemph of Saint Louis was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of The Year. The guard had a career-high 20 points against La Salle, then had four key assists and three important steals in the Billikens' comeback win over Fordham, handing the Rams their first conference loss.
WEDNESDAY LIVE COVERAGE:
RVA Sports Network will be LIVE at TWO Atlantic 10 games Wednesday, beginning at noon at the Robins Center as the Richmond Spiders battle the Dayton Flyers. The game features teams currently in third (Dayton) and fourth (Richmond) place in the conference.
Then, at 7pm, we'll be live at the Siegel Center when George Mason, currently in eighth place in the Atlantic 10 at 3-3 will battle the Rams of VCU. Coach Beth O'Boyle's squad is in a three-way tie for fifth place going into the game at 4-3.
Follow @TheRVASportsNet on Twitter for LIVE real-time updates during BOTH games on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE:
Dayton (5-1, 14-4) at Richmond (4-2, 12-7), 12pm
Saint Joseph's (2-4, 6-12) at Saint Louis (3-4, 10-10), NOW THURSDAY, 12:30pm
George Mason (3-3, 11-8) at VCU (4-3, 13-7), 7pm
Duquesne (4-3, 12-8) at St. Bonaventure (1-6, 11-9), 7pm
Fordham (6-1, 14-6) at Davidson (1-6, 5-15), 7pm
(above photo courtesy of GWSports.com)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
SATURDAY FINALS....
Dayton 75, VCU 56 (Box Score HERE)
Richmond 64, UMass 44 (Michael Shafer now Spiders' winningest coach w/167 wins)
Saint Joseph's 66, St. Bonaventure 48 (Cindy Griffin wins 300th career game as coach)
George Washington 67, La Salle 48 (GW wins 16th straight, 7-0 in league, 18-2 overall)
Duquesne 83, Davidson 47
Rhode Island 57, George Mason 45
Saint Louis 54, Fordham 50 (first conference loss for the Rams)
Richmond 64, UMass 44 (Michael Shafer now Spiders' winningest coach w/167 wins)
Saint Joseph's 66, St. Bonaventure 48 (Cindy Griffin wins 300th career game as coach)
George Washington 67, La Salle 48 (GW wins 16th straight, 7-0 in league, 18-2 overall)
Duquesne 83, Davidson 47
Rhode Island 57, George Mason 45
Saint Louis 54, Fordham 50 (first conference loss for the Rams)
Friday, January 23, 2015
SATURDAY LINEUP....
All 14 Atlantic 10 women's basketball teams are in action on a busy Saturday as we approach the midway point of the conference season. Links are to game previews....
Dayton (4-1, 13-4) at VCU (4-2, 13-6), 1pm
Davidson (1-5, 5-14) at Duquesne (3-3, 11-8), 1pm
George Washington (6-0, 17-2) at La Salle (1-5, 10-9), 1pm
UMass (2-4, 8-10) at Richmond (3-2, 11-7), 2pm
Rhode Island (3-3, 11-7) at George Mason (3-2, 11-7), 2pm
St. Bonaventure (1-5, 11-8) at Saint Joseph's (1-5, 5-12), 2pm
Fordham (6-0, 14-5) at Saint Louis (2-4, 9-10), 4pm (CBS Sports Network)
Dayton (4-1, 13-4) at VCU (4-2, 13-6), 1pm
Davidson (1-5, 5-14) at Duquesne (3-3, 11-8), 1pm
George Washington (6-0, 17-2) at La Salle (1-5, 10-9), 1pm
UMass (2-4, 8-10) at Richmond (3-2, 11-7), 2pm
Rhode Island (3-3, 11-7) at George Mason (3-2, 11-7), 2pm
St. Bonaventure (1-5, 11-8) at Saint Joseph's (1-5, 5-12), 2pm
Fordham (6-0, 14-5) at Saint Louis (2-4, 9-10), 4pm (CBS Sports Network)
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