Commonwealth Power Rankings, March 4th

This was the best top-to-bottom week in the Commonwealth all season. Every team in the Commonwealth Power Ranking picked up a win except for George Mason.

March 4, 2013; 1:21 PM • by RVANews staff

This was the best top-to-bottom week in the Commonwealth all season. At the top, Virginia Commonwealth University delivered a memorable 32-point thumping of #20 Butler and Virginia topped #3 Duke behind a 36-point outing by Joe Harris. At the bottom, Old Dominion topped CAA champion Northeastern and Radford beat Big South champion High Point. Even basement dweller Longwood picked up a quality win over Campbell (Reco McCarter!).

George Mason was the only team in the entire state to go winless this week. The Patriots dropped games to Towson and Delaware, two programs against which they owned a 52-17 (.753) record.

Because of their conference departure, Old Dominion’s season is over. Longwood, Radford, Liberty, VMI, Hampton, and William & Mary will all likely see their seasons end this week in conference tournaments. George Mason and JMU have fighting chances in the CAA Tournament, but their seasons are most likely coming to a close. Virginia Tech and Richmond will get an extra week but neither will go to the post season and even Virginia could be on the wrong side of the bubble. So put on your Rams and Spartans gear, because they’re likely to be the only teams from the Commonwealth in the NCAA Tournament.

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1

5 PTS

VCU

23-6, 11-3

As Brad Stevens said, “It was a good, old-fashioned butt kicking.”Aaron Williams

2

10 PTS

Virginia

20-9, 10-6

Virginia’s road struggles dampen an otherwise huge week for the Hoos. UVA had locked themselves in to the tournament until they decided to return to the more familiar bubble territory. — Brian LeungBrian Leung

3

17 PTS

Norfolk State

19-10, 14-0

Tick-tack-toe. 14 in a row.Joshua Grice

4

17 PTS

Richmond

17-12, 7-7

The Spiders opened up a can of defensive concerns on Saturday’s loss that allowed back-to-back-to-back open Dayton lay-ups. They return home on Wednesday in desperation mode, trying to hold on to A-10 tourney contention.Joshua Grice

⬆5

28 PTS

Virginia Tech

13-16, 4-12

Erick Green scored 29 points in his final home game as a Hokie. The senior guard, who still leads the country in scoring, has led the Hokies to two wins in their last three games.Gary Cope

6⬇

29 PTS

George Mason

17-13, 10-8

The Patriots won 20 straight games against Towson before losing to the Tigers on Tuesday. Aaron Williams

7

34 PTS

JMU

17-14, 11-7

The Dukes earned a No. 3 a seed for the CAA tournament and could play W&M and Delaware (two teams it has swept) en-route to a possible championship game appearance.Mark Selig

⬆8

40 PTS

Hampton

13-15, 10-4

The Pirates have already won more games in March (1-0) than they won in all of November (0-6).Aaron Williams

9⬇

43 PTS

William & Mary

13-16, 7-11

The Tribe lost to JMU twice in less than a month. They’ll try to break the streak on Saturday at the CAA tournament.Gary Cope

10

50 PTS

VMI

13-16, 8-8

Because the logical way to snap a six game losing streak is with back-to-back double digit victories.Aaron Williams

11

58 PTS

Liberty

11-20, 6-10

A third of the Flames’ conference wins came against Radford. Not good if you’re a Highlander.Gary Cope

12

60 PTS

Radford

13-18, 7-9

Radford has lost four of its last five. Two of those losses came against Longwood and Liberty. Highlanders fans are looking forward to football season… oh, wait.Gary Cope

13

63 PTS

Old Dominion

5-25, 3-15

The Monarchs finished their nightmare 5-25 season with an impressive road win over CAA champions Northeastern. Aaron Williams

14

69 PTS

Longwood

7-24, 4-12

Unfortunately for Longwood, they have to play one more game. Gary Cope

Contributors: Gary Cope (VT; TechHoops.com), Joshua Grice (UR; Richmond Rowdies), Brian Leung (UVA; StreakingTheLawn.com), Mark Selig (JMU; DukesOfJMU.com), Aaron Williams (VCU; RVANews)