A-Plus

The Atlantic Ten has long resisted the mid-major label. However since the magical 2004 St.Joe's squad there has been little national relevance outside of Xavier.

It seems the A-10 is intent on changing that in 09-10. This weekend was a bit of a coming out party for the conference as the notched wins over Villanova, Boston College and Cincinnati respectivly. The wins; by Temple, Rhode Island and Xavier, are just the latest by a conference that is making a strong case for a solid sixth best league in the nation.

With the undeniable plummet of the Pac10 and some of the middling dissappontments early in the Big Ten and SEC, there could be as many as six to eight typical "big 6" bids up for grabs in March.

Here's a quick glance at some teams who could snatch them.

Temple: The 75-65 win over Villanova grabs the attention, but dig through the schedule and you'll find quality wins over Siena, Virginia Tech, and Penn State. Their losses are a 46-45 squeaker to Georgetown and a 55-48 loss to early season "big leap" candidate St. Johns. One thing is obvious, win or lose the Owls are gonna defend for 40 minutes.

Dayton: The preseason favorite to unseat Xavier began the season ranked but fell off the radar after early season losses to Villanova and Kansas St. However they have already picked up wins over GA Tech and Old Dominion and have to be regarded as a threat to win the A10, OR pick up an at-large bid.

Xavier: From this season's favorite to the perennial favorite. The Muskies struggled early adjusting to the early departures of Derrick Brown and Coach Sean Miller as well as the graduation of some of the winningest seniors in school history. Their three losses aren't killers; Marquette, Kansas St, and Baylor (the weakest of the three). The win this weekend over Cincinnati steadies tottering at large hopes. Upcoming games with Butler, Wake Forest and LSU will determine how much wiggle room the Muskies have for error in a deeper, stronger conference that the one they treaded lightly over the past three years.

Charlotte: If your only view of the 49ers is their season opening 101-59 trouncing from Duke, you are sleeping on a pretty solid ballclub. Just ask Rick Pitino after Charlotte came in and pasted his Cards by 22. The Niners are now 8-1 and gaining momentum and respect.

Rhode Island: The Maniac championed the Rams' at large merit last season, only to watch them lay an egg in their final week and limp into the NIT. This year they may not need my whinning on their behalf. With wins at Providence and Boston College they have two legit wins in their pile and a 82-80 loss at VCU won't hurt much. At 8-1 they are in good position to contend for a bid.

Richmond: The sleeper of the bunch, I wouldn't be surprised to see the spiders creep into NCAA discussions. They have wins over Old Dominion and Missouri as well as a 63-62 win over Ole Miss. Their loss against VCU, as with Rhode Island shouldn't prove too damaging.

The A-10 doesn't have the Top Ten team of years past, but they do have one of the most balanced and deep leagues in the country. Expect the six above and possibley even a few below to battle for three, possibly even four bids this March.

For a conference like the A10, it will be a Major accomplishment.

Others to watch:
Duquesne - The Dukes blew a golden opportunity losing to Pitt in double OT but can play with anyone in the conference. It's going to take 11-12 wins to get in tourney discussion but that isn't out of the realm of possibility

St Joes - Yeah, they are 3-6, but the losses are against Villanova, Purdue, Minnesota, DePaul, Cornell and Rider. OK, Rider and DePaul are bad - the other four will dance...

LaSalle, GW and UMass will give teams tough ball games on a nightly basis.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone