Projo College Hoops

If my interpretation of Atlantic 10 tiebreaker rules is correct, URI will open play Thursday at 6:30 in Atlantic City against the winner of the Duquesne-Massachusetts game.

Duquesne lost at Dayton tonight, thus finishing A-10 play 9-7. That is good for a four-way tie for fifth place with La Salle, which won at Saint Louis tonight, Saint Joseph's and Richmond, which upset Xavier.

The first tiebreaker is record against the other teams in the tie.

St. Joe's and Richmond both are 2-1, La Salle and Duquesne 1-2. Thus, it is narrowed to the Hawks and Spiders for fifth. Saint Joseph's won the regular season meeting, so it becomes the fifth seed.

That sets up a potential quarterfinal meeting against Philly rival Temple, assuming the Hawks get past 12 seed Charlotte in the first round. The Owls tied with URI and Dayton for second at 11-5, but loses the tiebreakers because it is a combined 1-2 against the Rams and Flyers. URI, at 2-1, takes second. Dayton beat Temple so it will be the third seed.

Now, getting back to the tie for the 5-8 spots. Rules say everything starts over again after one team moves out of the tie. With the three remaining teams, Richmond is 2-0, thus it will be the sixth seed.

That leaves Duquesne and La Salle. Duquesne beat La Salle 79-68 on Feb. 22, thus it becomes No. 7 and La Salle settles for No. 8.

Duquesne will meet UMass Wednesday at 6:30, with the winner moving in against URI.

URI's loss to Massachusetts cost it a share of the regular-season title, although the Rams would have been the No. 2 seed even with a victory.

 Tags  Atlantic 10 Duquesne La Salle Massachusetts Saint Joseph's Temple URI

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