CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 15. Up next: The A-10 Tournament.
Saint Louis was in a class of their own, up until they dropped three of their final six games. Now, it seems the Atlantic 10 has a legitimate chance to return to being a multi-bid league. But is there any team in the conference that can challenge the Billikens despite the slow finish to the regular season? We will find out this week.
VCU finished in a share of the regular season title. But in the two regular-season matchups with Saint Louis, the Rams did not prove that they can be the team to rattle the No. 27 team in the NCAA’s NET Rankings.
Instead, it was Rhode Island, Dayton, and George Mason that seemed to figure out the Billikens’ game plan. Each defeated Saint Louis in the final weeks of the season.
Saint Joseph’s earned the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. After starting conference play 3-3, the Hawks won 10 of their last 12 games. While Dayton earned the four seed after winning six of their last seven games.
While it was clear which team had the best chance to earn the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament a few weeks ago, the A-10 Tournament is wide open for a team to cause bubble chaos.
2026 A-10 Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Frank Mitchell, St. Bonaventure
Freshman of the Year: Aiden Argabright, Richmond
Transfer of the Year: Dejour Reeves, Fordham
Coach of the Year: Josh Schertz, Saint Louis
First Team:
- G: Tarence Guinyard, Fordham (16.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.0 BPG)
- G: Javon Bennett, Dayton (15.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG)
- G: Dejour Reeves, Fordham (17.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG)
- F: Frank Mitchell, St. Bonaventure (16.4 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG)
- F: Rafael Castro, George Washington (15.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.6 BPG)
Second Team:
- G: Kory Mincy, George Mason (14.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG)
- G: Darryl Simmons II, St. Bonaventure (16.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.0 BPG)
- G: Jaiden Glover-Toscano, Saint Joseph’s (15.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG)
- F: Lazar Djokovic, VCU (13.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG)
- C: Robbie Avila, Saint Louis (12.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG)
2026 A-10 Tournament Simulation:
First Round – Wednesday, March 11
12. La Salle (9-22, 5-13) vs 13. St. Bonaventure (15-16, 4-14) – 11:30 a.m. ET on USA
This could be the final game in Mark Schmidt’s career at St.Bonaventure. However, these two teams only met one time during the regular season, and it was a four-point win for La Salle. But the Explorers’ leading scorer in that game was Jerome Brewer, who has not played since Feb. 21. Frank Mitchell will be the difference in this game; the Bonnies advance.
Andrew’s Pick: 13. St. Bonaventure
11. Richmond (15-16, 5-13) vs. 14. Loyola Chicago (8-23, 4-14) – 2 p.m. ET on USA
These two squads met just over a week ago, and it was the Ramblers who escaped at home with a three-point win. This game will be tight, but the Spiders have the better offensive production. This will propel Richmond to a first-round victory.
Andrew’s Pick: 11. Richmond
Second Round – Thursday, March 12d
8. Fordham (17-14, 8-10) vs. 9. George Washington (17-14, 8-10) – 11:30 a.m. ET on USA
These two teams met once this season, and it was a dominant win for the Rams. These two teams are very even on paper; the Revolutionaries have an edge in postseason experience. Fordham’s promising season will end in the second round.
Andrew’s Pick: 9. George Washington
5. George Mason (23-8, 11-7) vs. 13. St. Bonaventure – 2 p.m. ET on USA
The Bonnies will be fighting to keep their season alive. But George Mason will be coming into the A-10 tournament with more momentum than any other team after dominating Saint Louis. They will ride the momentum and end Schmidt’s career at St. Bonaventure.
Andrew’s Pick: 5. George Mason
7. Duquesne (17.14, 9-9) vs. 10. Rhode Island (16-15, 7-11) – 5 p.m. ET on USA
This will be the most interesting game of the first two days. Both teams have proven that they could be dangerous in this tournament if they grab momentum. The Rams became the first A-10 team to defeat Saint Louis this season. While Duquesne recently became the fourth team in NCAA Division I history to overcome a 30-point deficit. But Duquesne will ride the momentum of playing in Pittsburgh to advance.
Andrew’s Pick: 7. Duquesne
6. Davidson (19-12, 10-8) vs. 11. Richmond – 7:30 p.m. ET on USA
While Richmond does have our Freshman of the Year, defense wins championships. For Davidson, that is a good sign; the Wildcats have the second-best scoring defense in the conference, which will carry them past the Spiders.
Andrew’s Pick: 6. Davidson
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 13
1. Saint Louis (27-4, 15-3) vs. 9. George Washington – 11:30 a.m. ET on USA
Saint Louis has two options coming into this game: respond to the recent struggles with a dominant win, or continue to fall. This game will be won in the paint, Robbie Avila against Rafael Castro. Two of the best big men in the A-10 battle, and Avila’s Billikens prevail to the semifinals.
Andrew’s Pick: 1. Saint Louis
4. Dayton (21-10, 12-6) vs. 5. George Mason – 2 p.m. ET on USA
The lone meeting between these two squads saw Dayton dominate a struggling George Mason team in Fairfax. Both teams will have their back against the wall after having preseason at-large expectations. Guard play will matter, and Javon Bennett is the most experienced in the conference. The Flyers’ fresh legs advance.
Andrew’s Pick: 4. Dayton
2. VCU (24-7, 15-3) vs. 7. Duquesne – 5 p.m. ET on USA
If there are any bid stealers in the remaining conference tournaments, VCU might be the team to get bumped from the field. But, with a head-to-head in over bubble team Virginia Tech, the Rams are on the right side of the line for now. This should play a factor for Phil Martelli’s squad, as VCU advances to nearly secure an at-large bid.
Andrew’s Pick: 2. VCU
3. Saint Joseph’s (21-10, 13-5) vs. 6. Davidson – 7:30 p.m. ET on CNBC
These two squads split the season series. But most recently, it was a three-point win for the Hawks at Davidson just a week ago. This will be an exciting close to day three at PPG Paints Arena. This will come down to Davidson’s ability to create clean looks from behind the arc. Davidson is the fourth-best three-point shooting team, while the Hawks are the second-best in the A-10 at defending the three. However, unless Davidson jumps out of their recent struggles from deep, the Hawks advance.
Andrew’s Pick: 3. Saint Joseph’s
Semifinals – Saturday, March 14
1. Saint Louis vs. 4. Dayton – 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
It seems boring that the top four seeds in the conference could advance to the semifinals of the A-10 Tournament. But that has been the case all season; only a few teams have shown consistent performances to separate themselves. However, this is where things change. Dayton dominated Saint Louis less than a month ago, while this contest will be closer. The Flyers may run the Billikens off the three-point line after holding them to just 24% from deep in February. The experience and sense of urgency propel Dayton to the A-10 title game.
Andrew’s Pick: 4. Dayton
2. VCU vs. 3. Saint Joseph’s – 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
Year one under Steve Donahue was a massive success for the Hawks. However, they will run into a deep VCU team, which will not be certain of their NCAA Tournament fate. The Hawks’ experience will keep this game within reach, but the Rams will be too much.
Andrew’s Pick: 2. VCU
Championship – Sunday, March 15
2. VCU vs 4. Dayton – 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
Before the season began, this would be an expected matchup. Yes, there were question marks around Phil Martelli Jr.’s first season in Richmond, but the framework and culture in the Siegel Center transcends coaching changes every few years. While Dayton has become a perennial mid-major powerhouse.
Only two games follow the A-10 Championship game on Selection Sunday: the American Conference and the Big 10. Which means the only remaining bid stealer could be the Flyers. Depending on how Saturday finishes, this could act as a must-win for the Rams. Win, and you earn the AQ; lose, and Dayton moves you to the first team out.
But it will not matter; VCU’s depth and size will help control the game on all three levels. While it will be close, the Rams win the Atlantic 10 and return the conference to a multi-bid league.
Andrew’s Pick: 2. VCU