As part of our 2022–23 men’s basketball preseason coverage, sports illustrated is rolling out previews for each of its top 10 conferences. First up is the Atlantic 10.
Much of college basketball’s success depends on investment. Recent moves in the Atlantic 10 show the league is investing in big success in hardwoods. The coaching talent (and the money entrusted to them) this offseason should not be overlooked. Headlining is Frank Martin, who led South Carolina to the Final Four and is participating in UMass. Archie Miller, who took over Rhode Island while in Dayton with a resume that included Elite Eight. Fran Dunphy, a Philadelphia legend who took on LaSalle’s job. But it goes beyond those three. with Drew Valentine Kim English We have traded in this league and some of the league’s best programs (VCU, Dayton, St. Louis) are all consistent at the top. All these are the keys to success. Big bids, NCAA tournament wins, and more.
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Player of the Year: Daron Holmes II, Dayton
New face award: Victor Bailey Jr., George Mason
Dark Horse Team: UMass
First Team All-Conference:
- Yuri Collins, St. Louis
- Tyler Burton, Richmond
- Javonte Perkins, St. Louis
- Josh Oduro, George Mason
- Daron Holmes II, Dayton
Holmes is the anchor for Dayton’s Return Core.
Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports
A-10 Expected order of finish:
1. Dayton
In the year when men’s college basketball was the oldest, Dayton It went through 2021–22 in a rotation made up almost entirely of freshmen and sophomores. After a disastrous start, the Flyers play like a top 25 team and now they’re essentially chasing it back. Sophomores Daron Holmes II and Malachi Smith are looking to make a name for themselves nationally. Holmes as a two-way infield force, Smith is one of the better young points his guards in the sport. This group is not as aggressively dynamic as the Flyers in 2019-20. On the way to No. 1 seed before the COVID-19 pandemicbut the ceiling here is still sky-high.
Postseason predictions: Week 2 upside
2. St. Louis
Despite losing star Javonte Perkins to the season just weeks before tip-off last fall, the Billikens won 23 games, an impressive achievement. Now Perkins is back to complete an incredibly talented roster. The roster also includes country defending his leader Yuri Collins and elite shooter Gibson his Zimmerson. That trio would be a nightmare for the enemy team to guard. St. Louis An elite pair of offensive skills with Missouri’s Dirty Work Man shifts Javon Pickett and Francis Okoro to the front. This team has the athleticism, star power, and experience needed to make it to the NCAA Tournament, and they can make a splash when they do.
Postseason predictions: dance safely
3. VCUs
Anemia attack rams With ball-hawking guard Ace Baldwin Jr. leading the way, should remain the VCU’s calling card this season, but there are some reasons for optimism that the Rams excel on offense. His sophomore, Jayden Nunn, was a likely breakout candidate after being caught on fire a season ago, and the experience Nunn and Baldwin had in turnovers plagued them in the 21–22 season. can be reduced. Additionally, Brandon Johns Jr., a move from Michigan, offers a more seasoned offensive option than what the Rams have had up front recently.
Postseason predictions: About Bubble
4. Loyola Chicago
of rambler After a 25-win season in Drew Valentine’s first year at the Windy City, he moved up the Missouri Valley to the A-10s. With six scholarship seniors gone, Valentine quickly reloaded in a strong transfer portal class to complement returning starters Braden Norris and Marquise Kennedy in the backcourt. result? His Ramblers may not have the experience or chemistry of his teams in the past two, but they are a larger and more athletic roster than Loyola has been in for many years. Butler’s Bryce Golden should cement the spot at center, but the ceiling for this team is Philip Alston (Division II Cal U) and St. Thomas, a pair of next-level athletes with great skill sets. may be determined by
Postseason predictions: About Bubble
5. UMass
Frank Martin has brought new energy and excitement to a program that has struggled to get out of its own path in recent years. minute man Chances for immediate success with your new coach. Physically, this roster looks like a large team with its length, athleticism and recruiting pedigree, with big bodies like Wildens Leveque and touted freshman Tafara Gapare. That’s especially true up front. Martin’s South Carolina teams often struggle early on, and it can take a while to get so many newcomers into his highly demanding system. . But come February, nobody wants to see this team.
Postseason predictions: NIT bound
6. George Mason
of patriot It fumbled after an 11–7 (4–1 A-10) start, going just 3–9 in February and March in Kim English’s first season as head coach. However, Mason was not far from reaching his first year in English. That 3-9 finish featured 10 games decided by 7 points or less and 4 overtime games. English’s team has the pieces to get over this season’s hump and compete for the postseason bid, reviving the standout duo of seasoned heavyweight Josh Oduro and do-it-all forward DaVonte “Ticket” Gaines, Add in some top talent: Tennessee transfer Victor Bailey Jr. is scoring goals everywhere, freshman Justin Fernandez has a ready-to-play body, and Virginia Tech transfer Zinika Ojiako Giving George Mason the inner enforcer he lacked a year ago. If Saquan Singleton can consolidate his guard spot in points, this team could be in contention for a top-four finish.
Postseason predictions: NIT bound
7. Richmond
The Spiders upset Iowa in the first round of the Big Dance after having a surprise run in last year’s A-10 tournament, stealing the league’s automatic bid. That run will silence director Chris Mooney’s talk about job security for a while. richmond He will return to the postseason this year. Star he winger Tyler Burton is drafted as he should be one of the best players in the league after testing the waters. Meanwhile, sniper Jason Roche (The Citadel) and elite pass tycoon Neil Quinn (Lafayette) remain relevant on this squad despite losing four starters.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
8. Davidson
The Wildcats actually took the A-10 regular season crown a season ago and were riding the program’s most winning elite offense since Stephen Curry arrived at school.But this roster, needless to say, suffered heavy losses Legendary Coach Bob McKillop Retires, making repeat titles a big challenge.made Davidson It’s very difficult to shoot at every position before the season, and the departures of Hyunjung Lee, Michael Jones and Luka Brajkovic will greatly hinder that. After 22 great years, the move of Conor Kochera and David Skogman has been a good fit for the program, but expect enough offensive setbacks to keep the Wildcats in the middle of the A-10 pack this season. doing.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
Miller is entering the first year of his second stint in Rhode Island.
Chris Craig/Providence Journal/USA TODAY Network
9. Rhode Island
Archie Miller has since returned to the A-10 URIs I broke up with David Cox this offseason. The former Dayton and Indiana coach had big wins in the league when he was last in the league and should turn this program around in time. A little too young to expect. Transfers Brayon Freeman (George Washington) and Brandon Weston (Seton Hall) are long-term building blocks, but the Rams’ frontcourt is shaky, and his talented UNC transfer guard Anthony Harris is out for the semester. does not arrive until the is finished.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
10. Saint Bonaventure
It’s hard to bet on Mark Schmidt, Bonnie’s After losing over 99% of their pre-season scores, they’re in the hands of a rebuilder. His three transfer guards, Darryl Banks III (St. Peter’s), Moses Flowers (Hartford) and Kyrel Luc (Holy Cross), try to calm Bonnies down. Still, it’s hard to imagine St. Bonaventure finishing above .500 in league play. This is the first time since 2015 that it has fallen below that threshold.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
11. George Washington
New coach Chris Caputo has inherited some of the best parts of scoring guard James Bishop and physical post player Ricky Lind Jr., but it will be a while before he turns this program around. It takes Outside of Bishop, his outside shots can be a problem, and overall the depth of the backcourt compares favorably with the rest of the conference.I believe in his Caputo long term, but there should be some difficulties along the way George Washington This season.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
12. Duquesne
last season was dukes, completely fell apart into a 17-game losing streak to close out the year. This is essentially an all-new team in Pittsburgh, which in theory should be much better. Dae Dae Grant and Tevin Brewer bring stability to a backcourt that was very volatile a season ago, and Keith Dambrot puts a versatile forward at his disposal that gives this group a bit of an advantage. I’m here.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
13. Fordham
of rams 500-plus for the second time since 2007, but lost coach Kyle Neptune to Villanova in the offseason after Jay Wright’s retirement. To maintain some momentum, AD Ed Kull promoted his assistant Keith Urgo to head his coach, avoiding a massive roster drain for a group that should, at least in theory, be competitive. Experienced guards Darius Quisenberry and Kyle Rose ease the transition, and the addition of Georgia Tech all-around forward Khalid Moore should benefit.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
14. St. Joseph’s
A victory for Recruit has yet to translate into an on-court victory for Billy Lange. St. Joe’s, and the clock may be ticking to turn things around. The biggest reason for optimism is young guard Eric Reynolds II, who should step into the lead this season after the departure of talented Jordan Hall this offseason. However, the rest of this roster is fairly unproven and the depth of quality can be an issue.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
15. LaSalle
It feels like hiring 74-year-old Fran Dunphy was meant more to spur excitement and ticket sales than actual wins for a program in need of a major overhaul, but Dunphy’s performance in Philadelphia feels like it’s going to be a big deal. A stellar track record gives this hire at least a chance to work. Explorer Passage out of the cellar.
Postseason predictions: there will definitely be next year
More college basketball coverage:
• 5 Breakthrough Team Candidates for 2022-23
• College hoop team lining up to take a step back
• This NBA Draft move will change college hoops
