Atlantic 10 Tournament Returns to Capital One Arena Amid High Stakes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament is set to begin this Friday, March 11, 2025, at Capital One Arena, marking a return to its traditional Wednesday-to-Sunday schedule after two years of hosting at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

All 15 teams will participate in the tournament, with the outcome poised to determine whether one or two teams from the historically multi-bid league will secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s field of 68. This pivotal event promises excitement as teams compete for the conference crown.

The first game will feature the (13) Richmond Spiders (10-21, 5-13) against the (12) Davidson Wildcats (16-15, 6-12) at 11:30 a.m. The Wildcats swept the season series against Richmond, winning 72-66 in Richmond on January 25 and 71-60 in Davidson on February 8.

Game two will showcase the (15) Fordham Rams (11-20, 3-15) battling the (10) Rhode Island Rams (18-12, 7-11) at 2 p.m. This matchup has seen a split during regular-season play, with Fordham narrowly defeating Rhode Island 80-79 in The Bronx on February 5, followed by an 86-67 victory for Rhode Island in Kingston on March 8.

In game three, the (14) La Salle Explorers (13-18, 5-13) will go against the (11) UMass Minutemen (12-19, 7-11) at 4:30 p.m. The Minutemen have had La Salle’s number this season, winning both of their matchups — 82-60 in Amherst on January 19 and 78-55 in Philadelphia on February 9.

As the tournament progresses, the winners will advance to face higher seeds, with potential matchups against (5) Saint Louis (18-13, 11-7), (7) George Washington (20-11, 9-9), (6) Saint Joseph’s (20-11, 11-7), and (1) VCU (25-6, 15-3).

The current state of the Atlantic 10 has made predictions increasingly complex. In the last four NCAA Tournaments played, only a pair of teams from the conference has made the cut. VCU, whose NET ranking hovers near 30, is expected to secure an at-large berth, but an early exit could jeopardize their chances.

“The Atlantic 10 Tournament is known for its unpredictability,” said [Insert Source/Expert], emphasizing the stakes this year. “Every game matters, and one upset can change everything.”

Historically, the Atlantic 10 has been a challenging landscape for teams vying for NCAA Tournament bids. Notably, VCU has had to contend with an incomplete season due to COVID restrictions in 2021, leaving them hungry to prove themselves this year.

Among the teams still seeking their first conference title are Fordham, George Mason, La Salle, and Loyola Chicago. The Flyers of Dayton last clinched the title in 2003 and were poised to compete for the top seed during the 2020 event before it was canceled.

As the tournament unfolds, fans and analysts alike are keen to see if the Atlantic 10 can finally break the trend of limited bids and showcase the depth of talent within the league.