STF Conference Reports: Atlantic 10

(by B. Kahn)

Nearing the A-10 tournament in Atlantic City, we are starting to see some separation between Xavier and the rest of the pack. Are there other contenders? Sure. However, if Dayton and UMass continue to falter, Joe Lunardi, as well as the rest of the tournament committee, might be lowering a few fingers when counting how many teams from this conference will be dancing come March.

TEAM WITH THE BEST WEEK

Generation X is taking over. The Xavier Musketeers continue to prove that they possess the pink slip for this high octane conference. Xavier beat St. Joes. and Charlotte this week to extend their winning streak to six games. They are now 21-4 overall, leading the conference with a 9-1 record. Through a truly balanced scoring attack, with six players averaging between 10 and 11 points-per-game, and a very impressive defense, The Musketeers can pretty much guarantee a bye going into A.C.

TEAM WITH THE WORST WEEK

Losing to Fordham at home gives Umass the distinction of having the worst week. Yes, they beat Saint Louis at home, but losing a critical game handily against a team in the cellar of the A-10 is horrid and probably makes the rest of the people in Amherst cringe. Shooting 41% in a game like that just doesn’t cut it. Well, I guess you can mark this up as a rare win the New York vs. Massachusetts sports rivalry. God knows they won’t be getting many more any time soon.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The only thing that might save UMass from its demise might be Gary Forbes. Forbes was sensational this week averaging 17.5 ppg, as well as 12 rpg. He scoring average of 20.2 is tied for the lead in the A-10 with Temple’s Dionte Christmas, while his 7.5 rpg is ranked 5th. Forbes needs to continue these impressive trends as UMASS will travel to URI this Wednesday.

GAMES TO WATCH

2/18 Xavier @ URI 7p.m. on CSN
2/20 Charlotte @ Richmond 7p.m.
2/21 UMASS @ URI 7p.m. ESPN2