Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 09 > Entry
A-10 tourney hot stove prediction
If it weren’t for my neighbors, Steve Kemp and Jerry Mays, I would’ve never made it out of the Miamisburg War Room to the University of Dayton Arena on Saturday for the UD-Saint Joseph’s game.
Steve allowed me to use his snow blower on Friday night, then Jerry —- unannounced —- plowed my driveway on Saturday morning.
All I can say is, “Thank you, studs. You’re the best neighbors a sports-writing maniac could have!”
My car spun out at the intersection of Orchard Hill and King Richard, but I negotiated Alex Road, clawed my way to I-75 and burrowed into Gate A at UD Arena.
Upon arrival at the UD Arena press room in my snow suit —- I changed into a coat & tie —- I looked at myself in the mirror and saw Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif) staring back at me. I felt like I had just sailed over the Siberian ice in the very sleigh from Dr. Zhivago. I only wish Julie Christie had been at my side.
That said, I need to know the opinion of my loyal blog readers.
I believe the No. 8-seeded Dayton Flyers will beat No. 9-seeded Saint Louis in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at noon on Wednesday, March 12, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
I also believe the Flyers will then fall to No. 1-seeded Xavier in the quarterfinals at noon on Thursday, March 13.
You know what that means?
Dayton and Wright State will BOTH be 21-10.
Here’s hoping the NIT selection committee has a sense of humor and will pair the Flyers and Raiders against one another in a first-round matchup.
If not, I believe UD will host a first-round NIT game against a MAC school, while WSU hopefully gets a berth in the new 16-team CBI (College Basketball Invitational) event.
Enjoyed these recent comments via email:
FROM ROBERT TACK:
“Chick, you can’t be serious. WSU and its 74th ranked RPI aren’t worthy of UD’s time. Please, Stop it!”
FROM SCOTT WARD:
“Chick, I like your UD-WSU scenario. But I would rather see it at the Nutter Center.”
GIMME YOUR THOUGHTS…PRETTY PLEASE?!
HERE’S THE A-10 TOURNEY SCHEDULE:
2008 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship
Boardwalk Hall - Atlantic City, N.J.
Wednesday, March 12
Game 1 - #8 Dayton vs. #9 Saint Louis, 12:00
Game 2 - #5 Saint Joseph’s vs. #12 Fordham, 2:30
Game 3 - #7 La Salle vs. #10 Duquesne, 6:30
Game 4 - #6 Charlotte vs. #11Rhode Island 9:00
Thursday, March 13
Game 5 - #1 Xavier vs. #8/#9 winner,12:00
Game 6 - #4 Richmond vs. #5/#12 winner, 2:30
Game 7 - #2 Temple (18-12) vs. #7/#10 winner, 6:30
Game 8 - #3 Massachusetts vs. #6/#11 winner, 9:00
Friday, March 14
Game 9 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 6:30
Game 10 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9:00
Saturday, March 15
Finals - 6:00 (ESPN)
call Chick Ludwig at 937-225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: College hoops
Comments
By Matt
March 9, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
I think a victory over StL and a close game with Xavier (win or lose) will be enough to push UD into the bracket of 65.By Joe
March 9, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
How about UD playing in the play-in game? Would the NCAA allow that?By mattyboy24
March 9, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
If ud wins one more then there in. It’s funny to see wsu fans make any kind of comparison considering if they played daytons schedule they would be sub 500% If you want to argue just look at the sos #.By Dane
March 9, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Chick, you are ridiculous. Yes, UD will beat St. Louis. Yes, they might need a win against X to get in the dance. No, not very many people care about UD vs. WSU. Who cares? I’ll answer that, only WSU fans. Give it up Chick.By ms
March 9, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I am amused…some of your writers call you a WSU homer but anyone that thinks UD gets in with a win against St.Louis and a close game with X is swimming in Brian Gregory Kool-Aid…That noon game with St. Louis will be played in front of family and friends at best and maybe some bored seagulls…The NIT is Dayton’s only hope..Both schools won 20 games with limited talent…a game between them would be a fitting end…By Bob from Michigan
March 9, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Chick, Can you comment on Chris’ return from his injury? If he makes it back to the A10 tournament (which I’m not expecting based on such little press) and the team looks good, I think they make the tourney even with a close loss to X. Only UMASS may be in line in front of the Flyers for an at-large invite.By Matt
March 9, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
At the moment, I’d say both teams are on the bubble: UD (NCAA) and Wright State (NIT).By Trollio
March 9, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Let’s just focus on beating St. Louis. It’s the A-10. As we’ve seen in the past couple of days…no game is a sure win for any team. Neutral floor? I believe Xavier lost last year in the second round of the A-10 tourney. Anything can happen. Chick-if your prediction of both UD and WSU records being 21-10 works out—30% of UD’s loses would have been to the #10 team in the country. The rest of their loses came in the A-10 road games. Everyone struggled to win on the road in the A-10 this year. They beat each other up. They beat 3 top 25 teams. I think UD would deserve a shot at an NCAA bid. ESPN has them as one of the last four out today. If bubble teams continue to lose UD could sneak in. If not they will be hosting a MAC school in the NIT. Wright State is a well coached squad. They play great defense and take good shots. Not the most athletic team but they would give anyone a good game. They definitly deserve an NIT bid. No shot at hosting.By 448 Kiefaber
March 9, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Chick, Don’t give up covering the Bengals. You’d never make a living with the insightful commentary like this column.By Harry the Horse
March 9, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
I think the Flyers caught a huge break by landing in Xavier’s bracket in the A-10 tourney. If they can beat St. Louis, then they have a resume game ahead of them with Xavier. If they beat Xavier it would undoubtly get them into the NCAA Tourney! Go Flyers!!By money
March 9, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
I think they need two wins as well to get in, and not sure I see that happening. As someone said above, the only ones who care about seeing wright state and UD are wright state fans and apparently the DDN. I would assume that the paper has enough stories that we dp not need a story, article, bolg every week about this subject. DDN, please get over it.By Mark
March 9, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Why in the world do WSU fans think that the NIT would put a UD-WSU game at the Nutter Center? They put their games where they can get the largest crowd, and everyone knows that is UD Arena.By john
March 9, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Chick, Your neighbors shouldn’t have bothered helping you get to the game. Your insights aren’t very good about College Basketball. Having said that, I do like your stuff you write about the Bengals. Please stick to that.By grits
March 9, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Please urge your DDN colleagues to stop implying UD has a shot at an at-large berth. Eighth place teams in the A-10 do NOT get at-large berths.By grits
March 9, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Please urge your DDN colleagues to stop implying UD has a shot at an at-large berth. Eighth place teams in the A-10 do NOT get at-large berths.By Dane
March 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Grits, it’s not just the DDN. Pretty much every national sports media outlet has the Flyers on the bubble. They do have a very legitimate shot. That’s not opinion, that is fact.By thepummeler
March 10, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this
With the noted victories over Pitt and Louisville, and playing with a(recent) consistent sense of urgency, the Flyers have a chance to compete for the NIT Crown. Provided they don’t upset X, which is not out of the question! GO FLYERS!