The 2017-2018 Atlantic 10 MBB Dark Horses
These are the Atlantic 10 MBB teams that have the potential to compete for the regular season conference title or the Atlantic 10 championship in the Verizon Center:
Dayton - Anthony Grant has an adjustment period to go through after returning to coach college basketball. Starting out his job in Dayton without the class of Charles Cooke, Scoochie Smith, Kendall Pollard, and Kyle Davis clearly hurts. Xeryius Williams, Josh Cunningham, and Kostas Antetokounmpo have to be the three players to lead the Flyers back to the top.
Davidson - Bob McKillop seems to always find a way to succeed and stay in contention in the Atlantic 10. Outside of talented forward Peyton Aldridge, Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Will Magarity, and Rusty Reigel need to try to help fill in the production of Jack Gibbs. McKillop's team will be at the top of the conference if they play better defense.
Saint Louis - Travis Ford loses Mike Crawford to graduation but he brings in a solid group of transfers, with Javon Bess and Adonys Henriquez coming to campus. Meanwhile, Jordan Goodwin and Hasahn French are major additions to a team that is gaining steam on the recruiting trail.
La Salle - The Explorers were one of the most inconsistent teams in the 2016-2017 season. Their one consistent producer, Jordan Price, is out of college basketball eligibility. John Giannini needs his team to consistently perform on both ends of the court.
Richmond - De'Monte Buckingham, Khwan Fore, and Nick Sherod are the next group of young players to try to win games for Chris Mooney, since T.J. Cline and ShawnDre' Jones are now done with college basketball.
Saint Joseph's - Phil Martelli will be working with a relatively young, talented group of players that he has always wanted. Charlie Brown is an explosive scorer and he will welcome the returns of Shavar Newkirk, Lamarr Kimble, and Pierefrancesco Oliva. Plus, Martelli has a Pennsylvania product coming to campus, in the form of forward Taylor Funk.
