The Atlantic 10 is one of the most underrated conferences in women’s college basketball. The conference has four separate teams that have fewer than 10 losses this season, all of which sit inside the top 70 of the most recent NET rankings. Plus, two of those teams are receiving votes in the latest coaches poll, including St. Joseph’s (8) and Richmond (1).

Despite these accomplishments,  ESPN bracketology expert Charlie Creme is projecting only one Atlantic 10 team to make the Big Dance. Creme lists Richmond as a 12 seed, while George Mason and St. Joseph’s are both in his next four out. 

As a result, the conference tournament will be a highly competitive matchup between talented teams hovering around the bubble. With the four top teams so close plus several dangerous teams, pandemonium is sure to ensue in Henrico, Virginia.

Favorite:

No. 1 Richmond (16-2 conference record, 26-5 overall)

The Spiders have been rolling this year, entering the tournament as the uncontested one seed. Richmond finished a perfect 14-0 at home, while ending the year on a two-game winning streak. The Spiders currently rank No. 55 in the NET, the highest in the Atlantic 10. 

Richmond’s three non-conference losses came against power-six opponents: Duke, Villanova and Michigan State. The two conference losses came on the road against Duquesne and George Mason.

Richmond is seeking their first trip back to the Big Dance since 2005, and the first NCAA tournament win in program history. 

Contenders:

No. 2 VCU (15-3 conference record, 26-4 overall)

VCU had a great amount of success this season, winning more than 83 percent of conference games. The Rams earned the inside track to the two-seed after defeating St. Joseph’s in the head-to-head matchup. VCU sits at No. 69 in the NET, ranking fourth in the Atlantic 10. 

The Rams finished 11-1 during non-conference play, with the only loss coming against James Madison. VCU was swept by Richmond in A10 play, with the third loss in conference coming on the road against George Mason. 

The Rams seek their third ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, and will also be looking for their first win.

No. 3 St. Joseph’s (15-3 conference record, 26-4 overall)

The St. Joseph’s Hawks are having a strong season, perceived as the best Atlantic 10 team by the national coaches poll. The team finished with an impressive 14-1 record in road games. The Hawks are No. 59 in the NET, second in the Atlantic 10.

St.Joseph’s only non-conference loss came against a ranked Utah team at home. The Hawks stumbled in-conference against Richmond, VCU and Duquesne. 

St.Joseph’s is looking for their first NCAA appearance since 2014, where they made the second round as a nine-seed after defeating Georgia.

No. 4 George Mason (14-4 conference record, 23-6 overall)

George Mason finished fourth in the conference, picking up big upsets against Pittsburgh, Richmond and VCU. The Patriots finished 12-1 at home while playing an impressive 16 true road games. The team is third in the Atlantic 10 with a NET ranking of No. 64.

The Patriots’ only two non-conference losses came on the road against Maryland and East Carolina. During Atlantic 10 play, George Mason fell short against Rhode Island, St. Joseph’s, Davidson and VCU. 

The Patriots have been to the WNIT three times, but seek their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

Dark Horses:

No.5 Duquesne (13-5 conference record, 18-11 overall)

After a rough non-conference slate, the Duquesne Dukes righted the ship against Atlantic 10 foes. Duquesne sits at No. 129 in the NET rankings, which ranks sixth in the A-10.

While finishing outside the top four and missing the double bye, the Dukes picked up several big conference wins. Duquesne pulled off wins against Richmond, Rhode Island and Saint Louis.

Duquesne seeks its second ever appearance in the Big Dance. Its only appearance came in 2016 as a nine-seed, defeating Seton Hall in the first round. 

No. 6 Rhode Island (10-8 conference record, 18-13 overall)

Sitting as the No. 6 seed, the Rams were the final team to finish the Atlantic 10 slate with a record above .500. Rhode Island finds themselves No. 87 in the NET rankings, good for fifth in the conference.

The Rams pulled off a monumental win during non-conference against a Princeton team currently slotted in the tournament as a nine-seed. Against Atlantic 10 opponents, Rhode Island picked up wins against George Mason and Saint Louis. 

The Rams are looking for their second ever NCAA tournament bid, the first being in 1996. Rhode Island has appeared in the WNIT the last two years, including a pair of wins in 2023.

No. 7 Saint Louis (9-9 conference record, 14-17 overall)

Saint Louis enters the tournament as the defending Atlantic 10 champions, making their first NCAA tournament appearance last year. The Billikens sit at No.161 in the NET rankings, seventh of teams participating in the Atlantic 10 tournament.

Saint Louis picked up a notable non-conference win during their home matchup against Missouri. During conference play, the Billikens stole a road win from Rhode Island.

Players to Watch:

Tara Brugler (Saint Joseph’s): 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 54% FG, 85.7% FT

Taylor Donaldson (Fordham):  18.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 36.1% 3PT

Maggie Doogan (Richmond): 15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 48.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT, 86.5% FT

Sam Galanopoulous (Loyola-Chicago): 13.3 points, 4.1 assists, 46.8% FG, 44.6% 3PT

Julia Martinez (Saint Louis): 7.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists

Megan McConnell (Duquesne): 13.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.6 rebounds, 45.1% FG, 40.7% 3PT

Laura Ziegler (St.Joseph’s): 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 44.4% FG, 75.7% FT

My Pick: No. 3 St. Joseph’s over No. 1 Richmond