Atlantic 10 Notebook
Midterm reports for the new guys
As we pass the midpoint of the college baskeball season, now is a good time to grade the performances of the seven new coaches in the A10:
Xavier – Thad Motta: A
Having one of the premier power forwards in the country in David West doesn’t hurt, but the former Butler coach has the team atop the West Division (6-0) along with the best record in the A-10.
St. Bonnaventure – Jan Van Breda Kolff: B
Wherever JVBK goes (Cornell, Vandy, Pepperdine) he finds a way to win. No different in Olean, New York, as the Bonnies are 12-6 overall and second to St.Joseph’s in the East Division (4-3).
George Washington – Karl Hobbs: B-
After underachieving with Coach Tom Penders, the Colonials seem to have improved (10-8 and 3-4 in the conference) with less talent under the former Huskie assistant.
UMass – Steve Lappas: C
The dearth of talent in Amherst for the former Villanova coach finds them at .500 overall (8-8), and below (2-3) in the conference. Look for Lappas to rebuild quickly for the Minutemen faithful.
LaSalle – Billy Hahn: C
Other then Rasul Butler, the cupboard is bare in this section of Philly. Coach Hahn will do well with his DC connections (former Maryland assistants)in the near future.
Rhode Island – Jim Baron: D
Baron should have never left St. Bonaventure, as the Rams are winless in the conference (0-5) and have managed just 4 wins (4-12) overall.
Duquense – Danny Nee: D
Well at least the Steelers are winning, because the Dukes aren’t (0-6/5-12).
Player of the Week
Marques Green – St. Bonaventure
The sophomore standout guard averaged 21.3 points and 7.7 assists in three games this past week. The Norristown, Pennsylvania, native scored a career high 27 along with nine assists in a 96-89 overtime win against Duquesne on January 19th.
Rookie of the Week
Adrian Walton – Fordham
Known in NYC as “Whole Lotta Game”, this freshmen guard from the Bronx is starting to get a whole lotta minutes. Walton netted 21 points and dropped five assists in an 83-72 loss at Saint Joseph’s on January 16th, where he was 10-15 (.667) from the field and 2-2 from the line.
