Conference Preview: Atlantic Ten

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ATLANTIC TEN

Once again last season, Archie Miller’s Dayton Flyers recorded multiple NCAA tournament wins, knocking off Boise State in the First Four and upsetting Providence in the Round of 64 before falling to Oklahoma.  This came on the heels of Dayton’s run to the Elite Eight (also as an 11 seed) in the 2014 tournament.  Despite the postseason success, Archie chose to remain at Dayton (and he probably could have had his pick of open jobs this offseason).  While Miller stayed in the A-10, Shaka Smart is gone from VCU, having moved on to Texas.  Shaka’s VCU Rams joined Dayton and A-10 newcomer Davidson in the NCAA tournament last season, though VCU and Davidson both lost in their only games.  Rhode Island, George Washington and Richmond rounded out the conference’s postseason invites, all playing in the NIT.

Although there has certainly been some offseason changes in the Atlantic Ten, the conference itself appears to be setting up for more of the same, as last year’s six postseason participants appear to be the upper division this year as well.  Rhode Island is the current pick to step up and take the regular season title, though Dayton, George Washington and VCU could all be in the hunt too.  The Rhode Island Rams are looking to make their first NCAA tournament since 1999, and coach Danny Hurley’s squad has enough weapons to break that streak, regardless of whether or not they win the automatic bid.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Rhode Island – Guard E.C. Matthews is among the best players in the conference.  Jared Terrell, Jarvis Garrett and Towson transfer Four McGlynn fill out a deep backcourt while Hassan Martin and Earl Watson should both be strong in the front.  The Rams appear to be stacked and ready to break out this season.

2.  Dayton – Despite Jordan Sibert having moved on, the Flyers are still talented with the likes of Kendall Pollard, Scoochie Smith and Dyshawn Pierre (assuming he will be eligible after the first semester).  James Madison transfer Charles Cooke should get a lot of playing time, and Archie Miller had added some size with his new recruits.

3.  George Washington – Kethan Savage’s surprise transfer to Butler hurt, but the Colonials bring back three seniors in Patricio Garino, Kevin Larsen and Joe McDonald.  The addition of Wake Forest transfer Tyler Cavanaugh could be the missing piece needed to put Mike Lonergan’s team back in the Big Dance.

4.  VCU – Former Shaka Smart assistant Will Wade, who spent the last two seasons implementing his “CHAOS” version of Havoc in Chattanooga, returns to take over a team that has made seven straight NCAA tournaments.  Wade should have enough talent left to challenge for an eighth consecutive bid, and welcomes in a dangerous scorer in Oral Roberts transfer Korey Billbury.

5.  Davidson – The Wildcats were the surprise of the conference last year, but teams should be more ready for them this time around.  That being said, Brian Sullivan, Jordan Barham, Jack Gibbs, Peyton Aldridge and more return from last year’s squad.  Bob McKillop has added potential stand-out freshman Dusan Kovacevic from Serbia as well, giving this team a chance to repeat last year’s success.

6.  Richmond – T.J. Cline and Terry Allen anchor a strong frontcourt.  ShawnDre’ Jones was the conference Sixth Man of the Year last season but will need help in the backcourt if the Spiders are going to find a way to get a tourney bid.

7.  St. Bonaventure – Marcus Posley and Jaylen Adams form a solid backcourt, while Dion Wright has a chance to excel down low.  However, there does not appear to be enough here beyond these three.

8.  Duquesne – Derrick Colter and Micah Mason will light things up from three-point range, but the inside game is not strong enough to make the Dukes  a serious contender.

9.  St. Joseph’s – DeAndre’ Bembry is a legitimate star and will get help from Isaiah Miles and Aaron Brown, but finishing with a winning record is probably this team’s ceiling.

10.  Fordham – Mandell Thomas and Christian Sengfelder will lead the way for the Rams.  If new head coach Jeff Neubauer get production from Jon Severe that was not present last season, as well as get production from his recruits, there is a chance that this team could surprise.

11.  Saint Louis – The young Billikens got experience last year and there should be across the board improvements shown this season.  However, there is not enough here yet to rise much further than this in the standings.

12.  La Salle – Jordan Price will score a ton of points this season, but the pieces needed to help him out are all waiting in the wings for next season.

13.  George Mason – Shevon Thompson leads a deep frontcourt, but it may take a few years for new head coach Dave Paulsen to sort out the mess left by his predecessor.

14.  Massachusetts – Coach Derek Kellogg simply does have enough pieces here to do much at all this season.  It could be a very long one.