2010-11 college basketball preview: The Atlantic-10
The Atlantic-10 conference has been progressing every season. The teams that make up the conference seem to make strides every year, and as a result the level of competition has grown exponentially. The Atlantic-10 is adamant that they should no longer be
considered a mid-major, but a major conference in college basketball. The success of teams like the Xavier Musketeers over the last two seasons speaks volumes for an ever-expanding conference.
Below is a list of five teams who will likely lead the conference and challenge for a spot in the NCAA Final Four Tournament.
Dayton Flyers
The Dayton Flyers struggled in 2009-10 finishing at 25-12, but with a conference record of 8-8. This year however, the Flyers look as though they could challenge for the top spot in the Atlantic-10. The Flyers are blessed with a tremendous coach in Brian
Gregory, who remained at the school despite the fact that he could have left for a big name program. The horse for Dayton this season will be 6’8” forward Chris Wright. The senior is expected to go in the National Basketball Association draft at the end of
the year and averaged over 13 PPG last season. Backing Wright up will be forward Chris Johnson, which should create a dynamic one-two punch up front.
Temple Owls
The Temple Owls had a tremendous 2009-10 season going 29-6 with a conference record of 14-2. The Owls will bring back two key cogs from that team in Lavoy Allen and Juan Fernandez. Allen is a monster on the boards, averaging 10.7 RPG last season while also
tallying 11.5 PPG. Meanwhile, Fernandez is a stud at the back end. The 6’4” junior managed 12.6 PPG last season and 3.6 APG. Expect the Owls to challenge Dayton for top in the conference.
Xavier Musketeers
The Xavier Musketeers would have been at the top of this list had it not been for injuries to Brad Redford and Jamel McLean. Nevertheless, Xavier is known for their deep benches and this season will be no different. The club has a slew of guards, beginning
with Terrell Halloway. The junior will be expected to add to his 12.1 PPG and 3.9 APG from last season and should control play from the back end.
The injury to McLean will put plenty of pressure on junior Kenny Frease, who will need to control the backboards for the Musketeers. Frease only managed 4.3 RPG, but saw limited minutes and should improve with more responsibility. Xavier has the potential
to take another Atlantic-10 title and one should never underestimate a resilient X-Men program.
Richmond Spiders
The Richmond Spiders return with a number of players from a team that finished third in the Atlantic-10 last season. Justin Harper, Kevin Smith and Dan Geriot should all be key components to the Spiders' attack, but the play of Kevin Anderson will dictate
how well the team plays throughout the season.
Anderson is back for his senior year and is considered the best guard in the conference. The youngster managed 17.8 PPG last season and is expected to add to the totals in 2010-11. If Anderson is able to put together an All-Atlatic-10 season, the Spiders
could be Tournament bound.
Saint Louis Billikens
Last season the Saint Louis Billikens were a young team, but were able to play solid defence on their way to a fourth place finish. This season Saint Louis returns a number of starters and will count on their experience to get them to the Tournament.
The club is expected to be led by guard Kwamain Mitchell. At only 5’10”, there are questions regarding his height, but there is no question the junior can score, averaging 15.9 PPG last season. In addition, Willie Reed and Kyle Cassity should help the Billikens
to challenge again this season.
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