Before you know it, college basketball season will be here again. So here?s to an extremely early look at next year?s Atlantic 10. This week I?ll be previewing my projected bottom half of the league.
14. Fordham Rams
Last year the Rams were terrible. They managed only three wins the entire season and were consistently blown out. This year won?t be much better for the Rams, standings-wise, but they should be better record-wise. Brenton Butler, who only played in seven games a year ago, should be back and ready. The Rams also return their two top scorers including freshman All-Atlantic 10 performer Jio Fontan. Still, don?t expect much from Fordham.
13. George Washington Colonials
If there is a team that could challenge the Fordham Rams for the worst team in the league, GW could be that team. Wynton Witherspoon, Noel Wilmore, and Rob Diggs are gone. That?s three of the top four Colonial scorers from 2008-2009. Senior Damian Hollis is going to have to have another solid season to keep the Colonials competitive. If Karl Hobbs is still coaching George Washington in the fall, then there is something wrong in Washington D.C.
12. Saint Bonaventure Bonnies
The Bonnies were a pleasant surprise last season, advancing to the Atlantic 10 Tournament. They should be able to do that again. Heck, they may even be next year?s Duquesne (the Dukes advanced all the way to the A-10 Championship game and earned an NIT berth after I picked them to finish in the bottom two). The Bonnies top two scorers were freshmen last year, and they?ll have a stable of seniors who could lead the Bonnies to more success than a year ago. Mark Schmidt is my early favorite for Atlantic 10 coach of the year.
11. Saint Joseph?s Hawks
Saint Joe should never be rated this low in the Atlantic 10. So what has gone wrong? Well for starters, seniors Tasheed Carr and Ahmad Nivins are gone. Not only were those two the top Hawk scorers, but Nivins was also Atlantic Ten Player of the Year. And without him, there is not much more talent on what was an already thin squad. The Hawks will have to rely heavily on role players like Garrett Williamson, Idris Hilliard, and Darrin Govens. If one or two of those guys play like stars, the Hawks could inch toward the top of the Atlantic 10. If not, then this is a fair assessment for the Hawks.
10. Massachusetts Minutemen
If anyone read my blogs this past season about the A-10, then they know how frustrated I was with UMass. And maybe I should kick myself, but I?m going to go against conventional wisdom and put them this high. Of course ?this? high is not high at all, but it could be argued that the Minutemen could be below Saint Joe and Saint Bonnie. But I won?t put them there because of Ricky Harris. He put up 18 points per game a year ago and could easily average 20 this season. Plus, Derrick Kellogg is in his second year so his players should have a better grasp on his system?right?
9. Rhode Island
Make it two consecutive years that the Rams had golden opportunities to make the NCAA Tournament but blew it. This year, the NCAA most likely won?t be anywhere near reality. The Rams top two scorers Kaheim Seawright and sharpshooter Jimmy Baron are gone. But Jim Baron, Sr. does return Keith Cothran and Delroy James, two talented seniors who should keep the Rams competitive. An NIT berth could be an obtainable goal for the somewhat rebuilding Rams.
8. Charlotte 49ers
This team has tumbled greatly since joining the league in 2005. And now, amazing dunker Charlie Coley is gone. As is leading scorer Lamont Mack. Bobby Lutz better find a way to finish better than 8th, or his job may actually be in jeopardy. But he?ll be able to count on senior DiJuan Harris (9 points per game) and junior An?Juan Wilderness (7.9 points per game). Lutz will also have Rivals.com Top 150 recruit Chris Braswell (ranked 83rd). The talent has always been there for Charlotte. It?s just a matter of health and consistency. And if the 49ers stay injury-free unlike a year ago, they could finish much higher.
