Atlantic 10 has some quality contenders

By Kevin Prendergast
Collegian Staff
November 15, 2006

The Atlantic 10 conference has been the source of numerous surprise teams in the past few years. Quite a few A-10 teams have been ranked in the nation’s Top 25, such as George Washington last year.

These statements could remain true for yet another exciting year of A-10 basketball. The conference is very deep this season, with a number of teams returning four or even five starters from last year’s lineups. Even before the season tips off, three A-10 teams (Xavier, George Washington and Saint Louis) received consideration for inclusion in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

Here’s a look at some of the opposition the Explorers will have to deal with this season:

Xavier. They’re the overwhelming favorite to take the A-10 title this season. Xavier will look to defend last year’s conference title with all five starters returning. The Musketeers seemed to get hot at exactly the right time last year, taking the conference and nearly upsetting a number three seed, Gonzaga, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Although everything may look right for them to run away with the A-10 this year, there are a number of legitimate challengers.

UMass. If there was a consensus number two, it would have to be UMass. Despite finishing with a .500 record (8-8) in the conference last season, they return four starters, including last year’s A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Stephane Lasme. They also have three transfers and two potential impact freshmen. UMass has undeniable talent and depth, and could make a run at this year’s conference title.

George Washington. Last year’s regular season A-10 champion will have a lot of trouble returning to the dominance it displayed last year. The Colonials lost four starters from last year’s 27-3 (16-0) team. However, they have some quality players who have been waiting for their opportunities to crack the starting five. Don’t count out GW this season.

Saint Louis. The Billikens will look to build on last year’s impressive 10-6 conference record. Their four returning starters, including last season’s A-10 Rookie of the Year, Tommie Liddell, will look to one-up last season’s accomplishments by bringing home a title.

Charlotte. Last year’s second place finisher in the conference during the regular season with an 11-5 record, the 49ers will be hard-pressed to replace Curtis Withers. Withers was a three-time First Team All-Conference forward for the 49ers. Charlotte may struggle with such a young team this year.

Fordham. The Fordham Rams return four of five starters from last year’s team. This was a team that was able to post a 9-7 conference record and make a run into the semifinals in the conference tournament last year. The Rams could have another solid season this year, and they will look to remain a thorn in La Salle’s side.

St. Joseph’s. Only one win away from the NCAA Tournament last season, the Hawks could experience some tough times after losing four starters from last year. Made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores, standout players must emerge quickly in order for the Hawks to be successful.

Temple. New head coach Fran Dunphy couldn’t have imagined a worse way to start his first season at Temple. Mark Tyndale is academically ineligible for the first semester. Also, Wayne Marshall has decided to sit out this season due to a combination of academic and health reasons. This will weaken an already thin lineup for the start of the Owls’ season. It may take some time for Dunphy’s impact to show on the court.

Rhode Island. A lot of Rhode Island’s success this season will depend on rookie impact. Only one double-figure scorer, Will Daniels, returns to try to build from last season’s 8-8 conference record. It could be a rebuilding year this season for the Rams.

The remaining four teams will look to wipe out memories of last year’s sub-.500 conference records.

Dayton looks to be in the best position to be successful this season, returning four starters and welcoming two junior college transfers.

Richmond also has a chance to improve from last year. They return three of their starters from last year and also have some quality players coming in this season.

St. Bonaventure will try to end its streak of three seasons with eight or less wins. Their frontcourt could help them break the eight-win mark this season.

Finally, Duquesne will try to recover not only from a 3-24 overall record last year, but the tragic shooting of five players at a party this September as well. A number of junior college transfers will try to help clear the clouds hanging over the Dukes’ program this season.

prendergastk1@lasalle.edu