Though eight of the Atlantic 10’s 14 programs didn’t actually play in a game between Monday and Friday, somehow, it was still a down week for the conference overall. As for the six teams that did actually play this week, Fordham and St. Bonaventure were the lone winners with the Rams beating FDU and the Bonnies over Colgate. Meanwhile, each of George Washington, Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s and VCU picked up a pretty significant loss.
Our resident A10 reporter, Riley Frain, is bringing you a weekly
notebook this season to recap all the latest news from his coverage around the league.
George Mason finally falters in loss to Virginia Tech
George Mason was the A10’s only remaining undefeated team heading into last weekend with a program record 9-0 start before it all came crashing down on Saturday. The Patriots visited Virginia Tech, and though the score reflects an 11-point loss, the game was basically out of hand for most of the second half, with the Hokies leading by as much as 23.
It was Kory Mincy once again trying to carry George Mason with a team-high 16 points and eight assists, including going 3-for-4 from beyond three-point range. Tony Skinn’s Patriots will have an opportunity to rebound this weekend with a matchup against Old Dominion approaching after seven days off. But for a program without a Quad 1 or even a Quad 2 win, that was a big game to let slip away so early.
George Washington’s wildcard status grows with Delaware loss
Though George Washington’s record heading into the week read 8-2, that’s not entirely reflective of the up-and-down start the Revolutionaries have had to the 2025-26 campaign. Chris Caputo and Co. currently have wins over some solid programs in South Florida and William & Mary, but also some rough neutral court losses to McNeese State and Murray State.
Unfortunately, George Washington’s resume totally blew up this weekend as the Revolutionaries lost to Delaware, KenPom’s 279th-ranked program, by a double-digit margin. It’s a loss that will ruin any chance of an at-large bid for the program, barring a major run in conference play and all with No. 18 Florida awaiting on the schedule this weekend.
9-1 St. Bonaventure is cruising through the non-conference
St. Bonaventure hasn’t necessarily played a slog this season, with the program just 207th in strength of schedule by KenPom, which only puts them eighth out of 14 in the A10’s rankings. But the Bonnies are still winning the games they should be, with their only loss so far having come at the hands of No. 14 North Carolina.
That includes wins over Bradley, Youngstown State, Florida Atlantic, and all of its local rivals in Canisius, Siena and Buffalo before beating out a strong Colgate program this week, 85-77. All of which saw the Bonnies receive a single vote in this week’s Top-25 AP Poll and rise up to the 76th spot in the NCAA’s NET Rankings.
Despite 6-4 record, VCU will once again compete in the A10
VCU is on the opposite end of the spectrum from St. Bonaventure in that the Rams have the 71st hardest schedule in the country by KenPom, which leads the A10 this season. Literally all four of the Rams’ losses so far have been from top-80 teams in the national rankings. Even those six wins have featured some marquee victories like beating both South Florida and Virginia Tech at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
New VCU head coach Phil Martelli has had to navigate choppy seas to start the campaign, but the talent of his roster is evident. Terrence Hill Jr. has emerged as a sophomore, Jadrian Tracey and Tyrell Ward’s high-major experience is invaluable, Lazar Djokovic has finally found his role, and freshman Nyk Lewis will have a shot at A10 Rookie of the Year.
With so many new pieces from the players to the coaching staff, there was always bound to be a transitional period early this season, but VCU has all the makings of a team that will compete in the A10. The Rams’ schedule eases up in the next two weeks with Niagara, American, and Rider visiting after the recent loss to New Mexico, which provides an opportunity to bounce before conference play.
