The off-season was anything but dull for the Atlantic 10. Many things happened that got the conference in the news, and this season could have quite a different look on the hardwood.
Let’s start off the court. There was perhaps no move more head-scratching than the conference’s decision to move its offices to Newport News, Virginia from Philadelphia. Three members schools are in the City of Brotherly Love and six more are in the northeast corridor, while the closest member school to Newport News is an hour west and only one other school is within a three-hour drive of it. The conference’s membership is already quite spread out, although not quite like Conference USA or the Sun Belt, but this was still an odd move at first glance.
Another development was not a positive one. At Fordham, freshman guard Jio Fontan wanted to transfer, but the school would not release him. There was speculation that he would head to Rutgers, not far-fetched considering Fred Hill’s ties to Fontan’s alma mater, St. Anthony’s, and the fact that former Friar Mike Rosario was a freshman with the Scarlet Knights last year. In the end, Fontan, who played well over the summer with the Puerto Rican 19-under national team, will be back at the school for his sophomore season, but it might not be the best situation.
Moving on the court, we start with the one coaching change of the off-season. Considering Sean Miller was ticketed for high-major jobs by many just about any time a vacancy came up, no one was too shocked when he left to take the job at Arizona. The Musketeers stayed in house and promoted Chris Mack to the top job, and while he inherits a team not lacking talent, the Musketeers will battle youth this time around. While the Musketeers have won with balance, among other things, the past few years, each of those teams also had a couple of players that leaped out as All-Atlantic 10 picks. This year’s team doesn’t possess such a player at first glance, but if past performance is any indicator, someone will emerge as such.
Xavier won’t be alone in having a team with talent that’s unproven. Last year, most of the conference’s top players were seniors, and entering this season there doesn’t appear to be many players whose past accomplishments make them easy picks for the preseason all-conference team. Gone from last year are the top three scorers, top two rebounders (Ahmad Nivins was in both groups) and two of the top three assist men. All five first-team selections last year were seniors, and four more from the second and third-teams were seniors as well.
There is still good talent in the conference, it’s just that a good deal of it will be relatively unproven entering the season. In fact, the incoming group of freshmen looks to be excellent all across the board, along with some transfers that should have an impact right away. The conference rookie of the year race should be an interesting one, as there are several players who should be in the mix for it, and a few teams that bring in the youth this season could be factors in the conference race come February, even if it’s only in a spoiler role.
Preseason Awards
Player of the Year: Chris Wright, Dayton
Top Newcomer: Jordan Crawford, Xavier
Top Freshman: Terrell Vinson, UMass
Defensive Player of the Year: Garrett Williamson, Saint Joseph’s
Coach on the Hot Seat: Dereck Whittenburg, Fordham
Best NBA Prospect: Chris Wright, Dayton
All-Atlantic 10 Team
David Gonzalvez, Sr. G, Richmond
Rodney Green, Sr. G, La Salle
Ricky Harris, Sr. G, Massachusetts
Damian Saunders, Jr. F, Duquesne
Chris Wright, Jr. F, Dayton
Team Capsules
Dayton Flyers (27-8, 11-5 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G London Warren (4.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 spg)
Sr. G Marcus Johnson (11.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Sr. C Kurt Huelsman (3.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Jr. F Chris Wright (13.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
So. F Chris Johnson (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Schedule Highlights: An early season trip south for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off highlights the non-conference slate. After hosting Creighton, the Flyers open in Puerto Rico with Georgia Tech. Later, they head to Miami (Ohio), George Mason and New Mexico, while a four-game homestand includes visits from CAA favorite Old Dominion and America East favorite Boston University. In Atlantic 10 play, the Flyers take on Duquesne, Saint Louis and Xavier twice.
Outlook: Brian Gregory has steadily improved this program to the point where the Flyers enter this season as the favorites. They have a solid veteran nucleus with senior leaders and younger players whose improvement should keep the program at a high level. Wright is the team’s star and one of the best players in the conference, while Warren solidly runs the show and defends and Marcus Johnson scores on the wing. Huelsman has started every game since arriving on campus and is the consummate program guy who doesn’t put up big numbers but helps a team win. There is good depth at every position, a big plus with this team’s focus on defense. The Flyers won often because of defense, holding teams below 40 percent from the field on the season and allowing 61.4 points per game last season. A repeat of that might mean the Flyers advance even further in the NCAA Tournament this season.
Xavier Musketeers (27-8, 12-4 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
So. G Jordan Crawford (transfer from Indiana)
Jr. G Dante’ Jackson (6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg)
So. G Terrell Holloway (5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Sr. C Jason Love (6.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
Jr. F Jamel McLean (4.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Schedule Highlights: As is usually the case, the Musketeers have a very demanding non-conference slate. They start with three home games, including MAC contender Bowling Green and Northeast contender Sacred Heart, then go to the loaded Old Spice Classic in Orlando, where they open with Marquette and play either Creighton or Michigan in the second game. Later, challenging home dates with Kent State, Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio) and LSU are mixed with trips to Kansas State, Butler and Wake Forest. In February, they head south to take on Florida. In Atlantic 10 play, they get Charlotte, Dayton and Fordham twice, and luck out with Richmond at home only. A key stretch starts in late January, when they have three straight at home and two more on the road before they go to Gainesville.
Outlook: Sean Miller is no longer patrolling the sideline, but Chris Mack was there for a lot of the recent success. The team he inherits has talent, but so much of the winning the past two seasons came from the veterans on each team that have since departed. McLean should step into the starting lineup after being a solid reserve last season, and they’ll need him and steady big man Love to improve their production. Sophomore Kenny Frease should see more minutes and produce more as well after showing just some of his potential last year. The riches are mainly on the perimeter, where Crawford should instantly be this team’s top scorer, and along with Jackson will form a good duo. Zone-buster Brad Redford, who shot 46.5 percent from long range as a freshman last year, and versatile redshirt freshman Brian Walsh will also figure into the mix. The big key is Holloway, who had some growing pains at the point last season but was better at the end of the season than the beginning. He will be pushed by Mark Lyons, a very athletic guard who sat out last season as a partial qualifier. One thing that shouldn’t change is the defense, where the Musketeers allowed opponents to shoot a conference-worst 38.7 percent from the field last season, and they had the best rebounding margin in the conference as well.
Richmond Spiders (20-16, 9-7 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Jr. G Kevin Anderson (16.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 apg)
Sr. G David Gonzalvez (16.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg)
Jr. C Dan Geriot (redshirt)
Jr. F-C Justin Harper (9.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
Jr. F Kevin Smith (4.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 apg)
Schedule Highlights: The Spiders’ non-conference schedule is fit for a contender as there are plenty of challenges. Early on, they compete in the South Padre Island Invitational, where they get two home games and then play Mississippi State and either Missouri or Old Dominion. They are already slated to play Old Dominion at home right after that, so they could get two straight against the CAA favorites. After that, they take on cross-town rival VCU in the Farm Bureau Insurance Black & Gold Classic, then play at South Carolina, Florida in the Orange Bowl Classic, and after two home games close out the slate at Wake Forest and at Bucknell. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on Charlotte, George Washington and Saint Louis twice, while getting Dayton only at home and Xavier only on the road.
Outlook: For a couple of years now, the Spiders have been quietly improving with their current nucleus, and they seemed poised to break through last season before Geriot went down with a knee injury that forced him to redshirt. He returns this season, and now the Spiders figure to be an NCAA Tournament team with seven upperclassmen leading the way. Anderson is quietly one of the best floor leaders in the conference, while Gonzalvez might be the best player no one knows about. Harper and Smith are solid and unspectacular in the frontcourt, while senior Ryan Butler defends and could grab a spot in the starting lineup at least on occasion. Despite their ball control offense, the Spiders allowed over 67 points per game last season, something they should improve upon with Geriot returning and another year of experience. Geriot’s return also figures to help on the glass, where only Fordham was out-rebounded by a wider margin last season.
La Salle Explorers (18-13, 9-7 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Rodney Green (17.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.9 spg)
Sr. G Ruben Guillandeaux (10.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)
Sr. G-F Kimmani Barrett (11.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Sr. F Yves Mekongo Mbala (10.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Fr. C Aaric Murray
Schedule Highlights: The Explorers certainly aren’t going light on the non-conference schedule with this senior-laden team. Besides the Big Five, where they get Villanova on the road, they play in the Charleston Classic against South Carolina and either USF or Davidson, head to Kansas and take on Oklahoma State in the All-College Basketball Classic in Oklahoma City. Home games include visits from an improved Bucknell team as well as Ivy League favorite Cornell. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on George Washington, UMass and Temple twice, get Xavier only at home and Dayton and Richmond only on the road.
Outlook: John Giannini has been building the Explorers back up for a season like this, where they have a veteran team that has played together and now won together. Four seniors and four juniors, six of whom have played a lot of minutes since arriving on campus, are a big reason the expectations are high. They would be higher if big man Vernon Goodridge was granted another season of eligibility, but he was denied. That simply opens up the door for Murray, a talented big man who isn’t getting much pub among freshmen nationally but should contribute right away, especially since they won’t need much from a production standpoint from him. Barrett, Mbala and junior twins Jerrell and Terrell Williams lead a solid frontcourt that out-rebounded opponents by five per game last season. Murray’s classmate Devon White could also help right away, so losing Goodridge isn’t a glancing blow. Green makes this team go and has since arriving on campus, and Guillandeaux is a solid blender on the wing who shot just under 35 percent from behind the arc last season but is capable of shooting better. Barrett will see plenty of time in the backcourt since the Explorers aren’t as deep there. As a veteran team, the Explorers need to improve their assist/turnover ratio after having 41 more turnovers than assists last season, giving it away more times than all but three teams. There aren’t many statistical areas for improvement as this is a solid team, but if Giannini’s first recruiting class is going to go out winners, this team will need to take better care of the ball.
Duquesne Dukes (21-13, 9-7 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
So. G Eric Evans (9.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Sr. G Jason Duty (7.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.3 apg)
Jr. G-F Bill Clark (12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.7 apg)
So. G-F Melquan Bolding (9.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg)
Jr. F Damian Saunders (13.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.4 bpg, 2.1 spg)
Schedule Highlights: The Dukes have a few road trips on tap in non-conference play, starting with one to Iowa to play the Hawkeyes in the CBE Classic. They then play three more games in Cullowhee, N.C., head across town to play Pittsburgh at Mellon Arena, go to West Virginia and IUPUI. Atlantic 10 play opens up with two tough contests – Richmond at home and at Dayton. The Dukes get Dayton, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis twice.
Outlook: The Dukes had a breakthrough season last year, topping 20 wins for the first time since 1971 and posting a winning record in Atlantic 10 play. They will miss Aaron Jackson greatly, as he was certainly the heart and soul of this team and have a team with Duty, a walk-on until this season, as their only senior. If Eric Evans can make the jump at the point guard spot, they will miss Jackson less. He’s well-suited to the high-octane offense Ron Everhart wants to run, as are wings Clark and Bolding, the latter of whom could have a big year. Sophomore B.J. Monteiro is talented but could get lost in the shuffle with the plethora of wings Saunders is the do-everything player on the inside, and he’ll have to be once again unless a newcomer produces right away or someone else emerges among David Theis, Oliver Lewinson or Rodrigo Peggau. Peggau had to redshirt last year due to an injury. As is often the case with a fast-paced team, two keys will be defense – opponents shot over 46 percent from the field last season although the Dukes also forced nearly 16 turnovers per game – and rebounding, where the Dukes were out-rebounded by over two per game.
Temple Owls (22-12, 11-5 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Ryan Brooks (10.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 apg)
So. G Juan Fernandez (5.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.7 apg)
So. C Michael Eric (2.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
Jr. F Lavoy Allen (10.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 bpg)
Jr. F Craig Williams (5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Schedule Highlights: As is usually the case, the Owls’ non-conference slate is full of tough contests. Their Big Five slate has enough challenges, although they get Villanova at home, but they also head to Georgetown and Seton Hall while welcoming MAAC favorite Siena, Penn State and Kansas to the Liacouras Center. They will also compete in the Philly Hoop Group Classic, finishing with games against Virginia Tech and St. John’s in the Palestra. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on La Salle, Rhode Island and Saint Joseph’s twice, and catch a break by getting Dayton and Xavier only in Philadelphia.
Outlook: The Owls still have some talent returning, but losing Dionte Christmas will be a big blow as he was a major reason they made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. Brooks should become the go-to guy on the perimeter after shooting 41 percent from long range last season, while Fernandez should take over the point guard spot. After that, it’s up to players like senior Luis Guzman, who has slowly developed in his three years in Philadelphia, as well as seldom-used Ramone Moore and freshman Khalif Wyatt. The picture is better in the frontcourt, where Allen will anchor the post and Eric could have a breakout year now that playing time will be available. Williams made a nice improvement last year and should grab the other starting spot, and freshman Rahlir Jefferson could figure into the mix as well. If the Owls are going to get back to the NCAA Tournament, repeating their defensive performance will be a key, as opponents shot 40.5 percent from the field last season and the Owls out-rebounded opponents by more than three per game.
Rhode Island Rams (23-11, 11-5 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Keith Cothran (13.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 spg)
Jr. G Marquis Jones (6.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
Jr. C Will Martell (5.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Sr. F Delroy James (9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Sr. F Lamonte Ulmer (7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Schedule Highlights: The Rams’ non-conference slate features an even number of home and away games, along with a neutral site contest against Oklahoma State at Mohegan Sun Arena on January 2. They open at Brown and later travel to Davidson, VCU, Boston College, Drexel and Akron. Home games include Patriot League favorite Holy Cross, arch-rival Providence and CAA contender Northeastern. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on Fordham, UMass and Temple twice. They didn’t luck out with Dayton and Xavier, getting both only on the road, while getting Richmond only at home.
Outlook: The Rams return a veteran team with a lot of talent and good depth. Jones has a full year of running the team under his belt and is becoming more than just a defensive specialist, while Cothran had a good year but has been much the same player. Jones is more than capably backed up by sophomore Stevie Mejia, who got better as the season went along and boasted a solid assist/turnover ratio. Sophomore Jamal Wilson is talented and plays bigger, and should see more action this season. Ulmer and James look ready to start and will aid in the high-octane offense, with Orion Outerbridge being the “potential” guy in the unit and Ben Eaves being a role player off the bench who should be pushed by freshman Ryan Brooks. Martell came along nicely last season to start at the end of the year. The X-factor will be leadership, because the Rams have players who can replace the production of Jimmy Baron and Kaheim Seawright, but will miss their leadership immensely.
Charlotte 49ers (11-20, 5-11 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G DiJuan Harris (9.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.5 spg)
Sr. G Ian Andersen (9.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
Jr. F An’Juan Wilderness (7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Jr. F Shamari Spears (transfer from Boston College)
Sr. C Phil Jones (7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
Schedule Highlights: After opening with UNC Asheville at home, the 49ers play four games in the NIT Season Tip-Off starting with Elon in the Durham regional at Duke. They also have tough road games at Louisville, Old Dominion and Tennessee, while they welcome Georgia Tech to Halton Arena. They don’t get much of a break in Atlantic 10 play, as they get George Washington, Richmond and Xavier twice and get Dayton only on the road. In late February, a three-game homestand gives them a chance for some late momentum.
Outlook: The 49ers slumped unexpectedly last season, largely due to injuries. It’s for that reason that they might be a sleeper team this season if they can stay healthy. Harris is solid and unheralded at the point, and if Andersen capably takes the off-guard spot the starting lineup will be good. Andersen figures to be pushed by classmate Rashad Coleman and possibly Charles Dewhurst, the latter of whom was limited to 12 games last season due to injury. Wilderness will be better if he’s healthy, while Spears should give them an instant boost and Jones looks ready to have a good year in the middle. Don’t be surprised if freshman Chris Braswell, who made a nice improvement during his prep year at Hargrave Military Academy, plays major minutes and even starts at some point in the season. There were many areas where the 49ers struggled last season, but one of them wasn’t in taking care of the ball as they had more assists than turnovers and posted the second-best turnover margin in the conference. That’s a good place to start when there’s a need to improve at the defensive end and shoot better than 41 percent from the field.
Massachusetts Minutemen (12-18, 7-9 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Ricky Harris (18.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 spg)
Jr. G Anthony Gurley (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
So. G David Gibbs (3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.3 apg)
Fr. F Terrell Vinson
So. F Sean Carter (transfer from Oregon State)
Schedule Highlights: The Minutemen have five home games in non-conference play, two coming in the early rounds of the Legends Classic including Ivy League favorite Cornell. In the Legends Classic final rounds, they take on Rutgers, then either Florida or Michigan State. They also play Holy Cross in Worcester (DCU Center) and Memphis at the Boston Garden and have true road games at Seton Hall, Boston College and Davidson. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on La Salle, Rhode Island and Saint Joseph’s twice, get Xavier only at home and Dayton and Richmond only on the road. A challenging stretch comes right away, as they play La Salle, Richmond and Temple in three straight on the road.
Outlook: Although they are picked in the second division, the Minutemen have enough talent to potentially finish several places higher. The big question comes at the point guard spot, as Chris Lowe’s departure leaves behind a gaping hole without a clear person for the position. Gibbs looks like the incumbent, especially since Doug Wiggins was dismissed from the team before ever playing a game, and if he can settle the point this team should put up good numbers. Harris is one of the best scorers in the conference and Gurley should be better now that he has a year under his belt in Amherst. There is good depth overall with junior combo guard Gary Correia and freshmen Freddy Riley and Javorn Farrell in the mix. The frontcourt has talent but isn’t very experienced, especially after Tyrell Lynch was dismissed from the team, so there could be some growing pains. Vinson could be the best freshman in the conference, while Sean Carter is the other likely starter but will be pushed by Memphis transfer Hashim Bailey and freshmen Sampson Carter (no relation) and Raphael Putney. Only four teams gave the ball away more than the Minutemen last season, a stat not to be ignored when there is a question at the point entering the season. If that can be settled, there’s enough talent here, especially on the perimeter, to surprise some people if the young players grow quickly.
Saint Joseph‘s Hawks (17-15, 9-7 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Darrin Govens (12.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.6 spg)
Sr. G Garrett Williamson (6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 bpg, 1.5 spg)
So. G Chris Prescott (2.8 ppg)
Jr. F Idris Hilliard (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.1 apg)
Jr. C Todd O’Brien (transfer from Bucknell)
Schedule Highlights: The Hawks have a tough non-conference schedule, as usual. They open Hagan Arena with CAA contender Drexel and Patriot League favorite Holy Cross, then head to the Paradise Jam for four games that start with Boston College. Other road games include Ivy League favorite Cornell, Minnesota and MAAC favorite Siena. Villanova also comes to the Hagan Center among their Big Five opponents. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on UMass, St. Bonaventure and Temple twice, and get Dayton and Richmond only at home while playing Xavier on the road. After they open February with three straight at home, four of the next five are on the road.
Outlook: The past four seasons, the Hawks have gone 9-7 in Atlantic 10 play. If they can do that this time around, Phil Martelli will have done some of his best coaching. While they return some capable players, there’s an open question about whether or not any of them can be a go-to guy as they open the new Michael J. Hagan Arena on campus. Ahmad Nivins and Tasheed Carr meant a lot to last season’s team as their top two scorers and the nerve center of the offense as a whole, and their production won’t be easily replaced. Govens is the most likely player to replace some of it, as he’s always had good potential but hasn’t had the consistency. Williamson is a fine defensive player but will need to give them more offensively, although Prescott appears to be the most likely player to emerge offensively in the backcourt. Freshman Justin Crosgile could get good minutes at the point and allow the others to concentrate more on scoring, although he was a good scorer in high school, and classmate Carl Jones has potential as well. If O’Brien is able to step in right away in the middle, the frontcourt will be in better shape, although he’s certainly not Nivins. Hilliard made a good jump as a sophomore and now must lead the frontcourt, which as a whole isn’t very experienced as sophomore forward Bryant Irwin is the only other holdover with appreciable experience.
St. Bonaventure Bonnies (15-15, 6-10 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Sr. G Jonathan Hall (12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.1 spg)
Sr. G Chris Matthews (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg)
Jr. G Malcolm Eleby (7.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg)
So. F Andrew Nicholson (12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.7 bpg)
Fr. F-C Jake Houseknecht (redshirt)
Schedule Highlights: Five home games are on tap in non-conference play, and all of the games at the Reilly Center are winnable. They also play St. John’s in Rochester, three games in the BTI Classic at Illinois State, and have true road games at Mississippi State, Syracuse, Niagara and Marshall. In Atlantic 10 play, they take on Duquesne, Fordham and Saint Joseph’s twice.
Outlook: Mark Schmidt has wasted little time making the Bonnies relevant again, and they may not be far away from a first division finish. A manageable non-conference schedule means a winning season is possible, certainly a big step after where the program was when he took over. Hall, Matthews and Eleby comprise a solid, underrated perimeter unit, and anytime a team has good players there an overachieving season is possible. The only other holdover guard, sophomore Michael Davenport, should get better with a full season under his belt, and several newcomers will see time as well. Nicholson had a fine freshman season and will be counted on for more this time around, especially with Maurice Thomas gone. Houseknecht and Marquise Simmons, two redshirt freshmen, figure to be the main candidates to play alongside Nicholson, as Da’Quan Cook has the physical gifts but has never had the game for playing inside. Taking the next step really starts with taking better care of the ball, as the Bonnies turned the ball over 17 times a game last season, by far tops in the conference. If they stop giving away possessions, some of those losses turn into wins as they played respectable defense last season.
Saint Louis Billikens (18-14, 8-8 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
So. G Kwamain Mitchell (11.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 spg)
Fr. G Femi John (redshirt)
So. F-C Willie Reed (7.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
So. F Brian Conklin (6.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Fr. F Cody Ellis
Schedule Highlights: A very manageable non-conference schedule has the Billikens playing just four games away from home. They play two games in Chicago in the Chicago Invitational Challenge, with Iowa State first and then either Northwestern or Notre Dame, and later travel to Georgia and Bowling Green. Nebraska and Southern Illinois are the most noteworthy home games, the latter being the first of a six-game homestand to close out 2009. They get no breaks in Atlantic 10 play as they get Dayton, Duquesne and Richmond twice, and late in the season have a stretch with five of six on the road.
Outlook: The Billikens will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s winning record and .500 mark in Atlantic 10 play with the young group they have this season. Gone are Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch, four-year stalwarts of the program. The roster has 11 freshmen and sophomores and just one junior, reserve guard Paul Eckerle. Mitchell, Reed and Conklin aren’t bad to start with, as Mitchell had a fine freshman season and Reed and Conklin look like frontcourt anchors, especially after Brett Thompson left following a non-descript freshman season. John can score on the wing and could make an impact right away alongside Mitchell, and he’ll have help from fellow newcomers Christian Salecich, Justin Jordan and Jeff Reid. While Ellis seems the most likely newcomer to help Reed and Conklin up front, Cory Remekun and Jon Smith will also be in the mix. A major rebuilding year appears to be ahead, but if the young players come along the Billikens could be in position to play spoiler down the stretch.
George Washington (10-18, 4-12 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
Jr. G Travis King (6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg)
So. G Tony Taylor (6.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.8 apg)
So. G-F Aaron Ware (4.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
Jr. C Joseph Katuka (4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
Sr. F Damian Hollis (13.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Schedule Highlights: The non-conference schedule is manageable, including four straight at home after the Colonials travel to play America East favorite Boston University. The homestand is headlined by Oregon State and George Mason, and after a game in the BB&T Classic they host a rebuilding Providence team. They then go on the road for four straight, with the toughest one being another stretch in Massachusetts as they play at Holy Cross and Harvard two days apart. It’s a good thing they have winnable games in non-conference play, because the Colonials get Charlotte, La Salle and Richmond twice in Atlantic 10 play. They get a three-game homestand near the end of the season.
Outlook: The Colonials have fallen fast since winning the Atlantic 10 title in 2007, and this year doesn’t look much better despite the return of three starters. Only four upperclassmen dot the roster this time around, and gone are three of their top four scorers from last season. King is the veteran on the perimeter after returning from an injury that cost him the entire 2007-08 season, while Taylor had a nice freshman season and could reach double digits in scoring this season. Ware could move into a starting spot on the wing, but he’ll be pushed by a trio of freshmen. Hollis is the steady leader in the frontcourt as the team’s best player, while Katuka figures to move into the starting lineup after improving last season. Sophomore Jabari Edwards has long been a “potential” player and has yet to show he is anything more than that, and should be pushed by a trio of freshmen led by Daymon Warren. King and Taylor are the only holdovers who had more assists than turnovers last season, a key reason that only St. Bonaventure gave the ball away more last season. The Bonnies were also the only team with a worse turnover margin than the Colonials last season, so improvement will start with taking better care of the ball.
Fordham Rams (3-25, 1-15 Atlantic 10)
Projected Starters:
So. G Jio Fontan (15.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.2 spg)
Sr. G Brenton Butler (9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg in seven games)
Fr. G Lance Brown
Fr. F Chris Gaston
Jr. F-C Jacob Green (6.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg)
Schedule Highlights: The non-conference schedule has just four home games, with the toughest one being MAC contender Bowling Green, while Stony Brook won’t be an easy win. They play Villanova at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. and have true road games at St. John’s and CAA contender James Madison. In Atlantic 10 play, they get Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Xavier twice, Richmond only on the road and Dayton at Madison Square Garden instead of on campus.
Outlook: It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, the Rams looked to be a team on the verge. After last season’s disaster and the much-publicized desire of Fontan to transfer, things don’t look good. Fontan returns and is saying all the right things, and he’s a good kid, but it’s hard to imagine it’s a good situation after what transpired. He’s a capable floor leader who was more of a scorer than a floor leader last season, but he’ll have better talent around him this season. Butler is back after missing most of last season, but freshmen Brown and Gaston could put up big numbers right away, especially Brown as he’s very athletic and can flat-out score. Gaston has the potential to fill a stat sheet, which will ease the load on Green, also a returning starter. Among the holdovers, only senior guard Herb Tanner and sophomore guard Alberto Estwick figure to get significant minutes, and both will see their time impacted by the play of newcomers. Without much size among the holdovers, the Rams will need other newcomers like Brian Freeman and Khiry Gordon to help right away as well.
Conference Outlook
A great battle shapes up at the top of the conference, and after the top four teams it could get very interesting this season. Duquesne, Temple and Rhode Island all lost key players from last season’s team not only from a production standpoint, and while each returns plenty of talent the big question is going to be leadership for each. Charlotte and UMass each have the potential to finish a few spots higher than they are picked. There are also some good freshmen entering the conference, and it wouldn’t be surprising if at least one has a major impact this season.
This season is also a key season for coaches at two of the contenders. Richmond had some serious growing pains early and there were some whispers about Chris Mooney, but the Spiders seem poised to contend and possibly reach the NCAA Tournament. John Giannini inherited a difficult situation at La Salle, but likewise has a veteran squad that has a chance to reach the NCAA Tournament.
It wasn’t a dull off-season for the Atlantic 10, and from the looks of things, it won’t be a dull season, either.
