Rush The Court

College Chalktalk is the RTC correspondent for the Atlantic 10 Conference.

This Week in the A-10
By Christian Marge | November 24, 2008

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Keith Cothran, Junior, URI.  Quite simply, Keith Cothran had his best week as a collegiate player, leading URI to a 2-0 week with wins over Monmouth and Virginia Commonwealth.  In back to back games, Cothran set new career highs in points, as he poured in 18 against Monmouth, and 23 against the CAA favorites, VCU.  Cothran shot a blistering 17-26 (65%) from the field during the two-game stretch.  On the year, the junior is averaging 14.7 points and 1.7 steals per game, while also shooting 42.9% from three point range; up 19% on the young season, from his figure last season.

HONORABLE MENTION: Aaron Jackson, (Sr.) Duquesne; Dionte Christmas, (Sr.) Temple; Rodney Green, (Jr.) La Salle.

(Note: College Chalktalk’s week runs from the previous Monday through Sunday, given the release of ‘This Week in the A-10′ each Monday morning.)

GAME OF THE WEEK:  November 21st, 2008.  Xavier 63, Virginia Tech 62.

In a week full of close games, this one took the cake as Xavier’s Dante Jackson nailed a half-court buzzer beater to lead the Musketeers to a one-point win in the semifinal of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.  Jackson had been 0-8 from the field before he let his miraculous shot fly.  The win for Xavier marked the first blemish for Virginia Tech.  In fact, it marked the first game any ACC team had lost this season, as the conference had gone 29-0 til Jackson’s shot banked off the glass and dropped through the net.

HONORABLE MENTION: St. Bonaventure 64, Rutgers 63 (OT).

GAME OF THE UPCOMING WEEK: Ahmad Nivins (21.0 ppg., 12.5 rpg) leads Saint Joseph’s out to Maui to face a Texas Longhorns squad in the Maui Invitational.  Texas has excellent balance, led by A.J. Abrams and Damion James.  The Hawks’ Tasheed Carr, formerly of the Big 12 (Iowa State) will try to contain Abrams and frustrate the Longhorn attack, as SJU would prefer to keep this contest in the sixties.

RPI BOOST OF THE WEEK: Xavier (Current RPI: No. 13)

A perfect 4-0 on the week with your lowest ranked opponent at RPI#119 (Missouri) will certainly boost team standing.  The Musketeers made a final jump, leaping fifteen spots by knocking off Memphis to claim the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Championship.

RPI FALL OF THE WEEK: Charlotte (Current RPI: No. 319)

It’s difficult to fall harder than the 49ers have to start the season.  Their lone win on the season came against RPI #337 UNC-Greensboro.  A strength of schedule at 299 and a 1-3 record hurts the ‘Niner cause.  RPI help is on the way if Charlotte can seize the opportunity in a loaded Anaheim Classic field this coming weekend.

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CHARLOTTE

Last Week Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  Nov. 16th vs. Old Dominion 69-68, Nov. 19th @ Appalachian St. 87-84 (2OT), Nov. 22nd vs. Clemson 71-70.

This Week Schedule:  Nov. 27th vs. Arizona St., Nov. 28th vs. Baylor/Providence, 11/30 vs. TBA.

Summary:  You know you’ve had a tough week when you lose three games by a combined five points.  The Niners look to get back to their winning ways this week in some tournament action, as they face off against Top 15 ranked Arizona State – led by Sophomore James Harden – in the opening round of the Anaheim Classic.

DAYTON

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 19th vs. Delaware St. 62-42, Nov. 23rd vs. Bethune-Cookman 78-38.  LOSSES: None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 25th vs. Mercer, Nov. 28th vs. Auburn, Nov. 29th vs. Marquette.

Summary:  Coach Brian Gregory earned his 100th career win as Chris Wright (18 points, 7 rebounds) and the Flyers pasted the Hornets of Delaware State, 62-42.  The Flyers continued their dominance later in the week with a 78-38 pounding of Bethune-Cookman.  Dayton heads to the Windy City this week to take part in the Chicago Invitational Challenge.

DUQUESNE

LW Results:  WINS: Nov. 20th vs. St. Francis (PA) 83-72, Nov. 23rd vs. Furman 85-65.  LOSSES: None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 25th @ USC-Upstate, Nov. 28th @ Duke

Summary:  Aaron Jackson netted 20 points and the Dukes defense took over from there, as Duquesne earned a road win at St. Francis.  Against Furman, it once again was the “Aaron Jackson Show” as he led the Dukes in points (20), rebounds (10), and assists (6) en route to victory.  The Dukes head South this week, headlined by a clash with the Blue Devils from Duke.

FORDHAM

LW Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  Nov. 17th @ Villanova 107-68, Nov. 22nd vs. Manhattan 81-67.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 26th vs. Princeton, Nov. 30th vs. James Madison

Summary:  It’s been a tough start to the season for Dereck Whittenburg’s young squad, as they took two lopsided losses last week.  Chris Bethel was able to earn his first career double-double in the Battle of the Boroughs, however.  This week, the Rams look to earn their first win of the season against the Tigers or Dukes.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 19th vs. Binghamton 71-57.  LOSSES:  Nov. 22nd @ Auburn 83-71.

TW Schedule:  November 26th vs. UMBC

Summary:  The Colonials won their 20th straight home opener in their victory against Binghamton.  Damian Hollis’ 16 points weren’t enough to get GW past Auburn, however, as the Tigers laid 52 second half points on GW en route to turning a fifteen-point halftime deficit into a double-digit win.  This week, the Colonials have just one contest, a tilt against nearby UMBC.

LASALLE

LW Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  Nov. 18th vs. Florida State 65-61, Nov. 21st .vs Connecticut 89-81, Nov. 22nd vs. Southern Mississippi 76-72 (OT).

TW Schedule:  11/24 vs. TBA

Summary:  Rodney Green (25 points) did all he could to keep the Explorers in the game against #2 UConn, but LaSalle fell to the Huskies in the Paradise Jam Tournament.  That loss was book-ended by two four-point losses (one in overtime), making this a tough week for the Explorers.  LaSalle will finish their time in the Virgin Islands this week with one more contest, as they take on Valparaiso.

MASSACHUSETTS

LW Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  Nov. 17th @ Memphis 80-58.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 24th vs. Jacksonville St., Nov. 29th @ Wisconsin -Green Bay

Summary:  Everything about UMass’s early season has been sporadic, from scheduling to tip-off times (midnight in Memphis).  The Minutemen look to add a little stability starting with the home opener on the 24th.

RHODE ISLAND

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 20th @ Monmouth 85-62, Nov. 22nd vs. VCU 92-86.  LOSSES:  None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 25th vs. Hartford, Nov. 28th vs. Penn State, Nov. 29th vs. Villanova/Towson.

Summary:  URI certainly carried over its strong play at Cameron Indoor into two wins on the week.  Junior Keith Cothran led the Rams by averaging 20.5 points per game in victories over Monmouth and VCU.  The Rams have three games on tap this week, with a potential showdown with Big East member Villanova looming at the Philly Hoop Group Classic.

RICHMOND

LW Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  Nov. 18th @ Syracuse 76-71.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 24th @ Florida-Gulf Coast, Nov. 25th vs. UMKC, Nov. 26th vs. Bradley, Nov. 30th vs. Coppin St.

Summary:  David Gonzalvez scored 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to propel the Spiders to victory against the Orange at the Dome.  Richmond will be busy this week, with three contests as part of the CBE classic, played in Fort Myers, FL.  They wrap up the week by returning to the Robins Center for their fourth game in a seven day span against Coppin State.

SAINT JOSEPH’S

LW Results:  WINS:  None.  LOSSES:  None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 24th vs. Texas, Nov. 25th vs. TBA, November 26th TBA

Summary:  The Hawks finally get back to playing some basketball this week, as they take part in the EA Sports Maui Classic.  A stiff challenge awaits, as the Hawks will tangle with the Longhorns from Texas today at 3:00 PM EST.

SAINT LOUIS

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 22nd vs. Boston College 53-50.  LOSSES:  Nov. 19th vs. Kent State 76-74 (OT)

TW Schedule:  Nov. 25th @ Nebraska, Nov. 29th @ Detroit Mercy.

Summary:  The Billikens suffered their first loss at the brand new Chaifetz Arena at the hands of Kent State.  SLU managed to bounce back, however, by once again playing their style of deliberate basketball and defeating Boston College in the process.  The Billikens hit the road this week with a trip to Nebraska and then to the Motor City to take on Detroit Mercy.

ST. BONAVENTURE

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 17th @ Marist 77-54, Nov. 23rd @ Rutgers 64-63.  LOSSES:  Nov. 21 vs. Delaware 85-81.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 25th vs. Mississippi St., Nov. 29th vs. Canisius

Summary:  Chris Matthews played some hardball against Marist and netted a career-high 21 points, leading the Bonnies to a win.  The Bonnies suffered their first loss of the season later in the week to Delaware, despite Jonathan Hall pouring in 24 points of his own.  Freshman Andrew Nicholson was impressive, particularly in the Bonnies final game of the week, where he tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks against a forward/center combination registering 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-11.  This week, the Brown and White stick around Upstate New York for clashes with Mississippi State and Canisius.

TEMPLE

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 21st @ Lafayette 71-55.  LOSSES:  None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 29th @ Buffalo.

Summary:  Dionte Christmas led the Owls with a monster 29 point, 12 rebound effort in their win against Lafayette on the road.   Another light week ahead, as Temple has just one contest before the calendar turns to December.

XAVIER

LW Results:  WINS:  Nov. 17th vs. Toledo 81-65, Nov. 20th vs. Missouri 75-71, Nov. 21st vs. Virginia Tech 63-62 (OT), Nov. 21st vs. Memphis 63-58.  LOSSES:  None.

TW Schedule:  Nov. 29th vs. Miami (OH)

Summary:  The Musketeers showed why they are predicted to be the class of the A-10, as they won the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.  On their way to the championship, the Musketeers knocked off competition from the Big 12 (Missouri) and the ACC (Virginia Tech).  In the title game, the Muskies showed their grit by disposing of #12 Memphis in a game where team leader Derrick Brown was in foul trouble early and not much of a factor.  Look for XU to appear somewhere in the high teens in each national poll this week.

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