The Atlantic 10 quarterfinals will tip off Saturday between four teams that all believe they should be in the next week’s NCAA Tournament. The truth is that two, maybe three, are likely to be invited. This is no time to leave anything to chance, which is why the semifinals should be outstanding and competitive. It’s UMass-St. Bonaventure in the early game, followed by Xavier-St. Louis in the mid-day slot. Join us!
Games #79-80. The 2012 quarterfinal round is in the books, with Massachusetts and Saint Bonaventure advancing to play in the first semifinal game of the conference tournament, and with Saint Louis and Xavier advancing to square off in the second semifinal matchup. Massachusetts will be led by sophomore transfer Chaz Williams, who has proven to be the closest to a “lead guard” that coach Derek Kellogg has had since taking over the Minutemen program. Saint Bonaventure’s Andrew Nicholson has been getting it done for the past four seasons. Though a #4 seed, the Bonnies’ lofty status is betrayed by their pedestrian 18-11 overall record. The second game will pit a team that has been here before (almost every postseason it seems at times) against a very inexperienced entrant. Forget that Saint Louis is the higher seed, Xavier needs wins to stay in the NCAA conversation, and they will try to continue to make their case tomorrow when they square off against St. Louis in the second semifinal game. The Saint Bonaventure/Massachusetts tip-off is at 1:00 PM. Join RTC Live as we go back to the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to cover the semifinal round of the Atlantic 10 tournament.