1. VCU
Key Returners- De’Riante Jenkins, Marcus Evans, Marcus Santos-Silva, Issac Vann, Corey Douglas, Mike’L Simms
Key Additions- Nah’shon Hyland
Expectations
Mike Rhoades will return a veteran core that made the NCAA tournament last season. Further, the backcourt will be dynamic with De’Riante Jenkins and Marcus Evans. Also, the frontcourt will be very solid with Marcus Santos-Silva being the focal point along with Issac Vann. Next, there is the depth with Corey Douglas, Mike’L Simms and a very talented freshman in Nah’Shon Hyland. VCU will have an opportunity to win the A-10 and advance in the NCAA tournament this season.
2. Davidson
Key Returners- Jon Axel Gudmundson, Kellan Grady, Luka Brajkovic, Kishawn Pritchett, Luke Frampton, David Czerapowicz
Key Additions- Hyunjung Lee
Expectations
Bob McKillop has a strong returning core from last years team. In addition, this team will be led by Jon Axel Gudmundson in the backcourt who brings consistency and scoring ability. Also, Kellan Grady needs to prove to be the go-to scorer he can be from his freshman season. Next, the frontcourt is very solid with Luka Brojkovic and Kishawn Pritchett. Further, Luke Frampton brings an ability to be a great three-point shooter to add to the perimeter. Davidson will have a great opportunity to make the NCAA tournament this season.
3. Dayton
Key Returners- Obi Tappon, Jalen Crutcher Jr., Jhery Matos, Dwayne Cohill, Ryan Mikesell, Trey Landers,
Key Additions- Jordy Tsimanga, Ibi Watson, Chase Johnson
Expectations
Anthony Grant will have a very solid team for this upcoming season. Furthermore, this team will be led by the highly talented Obi Toppin who brings great versatility and ability to take over games. Next, the backcourt will be very solid with Jalen Crutcher Jr., will bring great consistency. Also, Ryan Mikesell will be next to Obi Toppin in the frontcourt who can continue to develop into a more effective player. Dayton will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament this season.
4. St. Bonaventure
Key Returners- Kyle Lofton, Dominick Welch, Alpha Okoli, Osun Osunniyi, Amadi Ikpeze
Key Additions- Bobby Planutis, Justin Winston
Expectations
Mark Schmidt has an opportunity to have an improved season a team that is developing. Next, Kyle Lofton gives them a dynamic guard and a go-to scorer in his sophomore season. Also, Dominick Welch gives them good minutes on the perimeter along with Alpha Okoli. Osun Osunniyi and Amadi Ikpeze have an opportunity to develop into a threat in the frontcourt and give major rim protection. St. Bonaventure will have an opportunity to develop into a very solid all-around team in time.
5. Rhode Island
Key Returners- Fats Russell, Jeff Dowtin, Tyrese Martin, Cyril Langevine, Dana Tate, Jermaine Harris,
Key Additions- Antwan Walker, Gregory Hammond, Marial Mading
Expectations
6. Saint Louis
Key Returners- Jordan Goodwin, Hasahn French, Demarius Jacobs, Fred Thatch Jr., KC Hankton
Key Additions- Javonte Perkins, Yuri Collins
Expectations
Travis Ford, after getting to the NCAA tournament last season, will look to keep that momentum going forward. Further, Jordan Goodwin brings great perimeter defense and reliability to the backcourt. Also, Hasahn French brings great versatility and consistency to the frontcourt. In addition, Fred Thatch Jr. brings as well as the defensive mindset to the backcourt with Goodwin. KC Hankton gives a reliable option to the frontcourt. Javonte Perkins could give an additional scorer to the perimeter. Saint Louis will look to retain the success from last season to now.
7. Duquesne
Key Returners- Frankie Hughes, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Lamar Norman Jr., Marcus Weathers, Sincere Gray, Austin Rotroff, Amari Kelly
Key Additions- Baylee Steele, Maceo Austin
Expectations
Keith Dambrot has a roster that can start to make some noise this season in the A-10. Next, Tavian Dunn-Martin is a dynamic guard who brings very good stability to the backcourt along with Frankie Hughes. Also, Lamar Norman Jr. and Marcus Weathers are very solid players who could take the next step. In addition, Amari Kelly needs to develop into a threat to give the frontcourt more consistency. Duquesne has an opportunity to have a very solid season.
8. Richmond
Key Returners- Jacob Gilyard, Nathan Kayo, Nick Sherod, Grant Golden, Souleymani Koureissi
Key Additions- Blake Francis, Tyler Burton
Expectations
Chris Mooney has an opportunity to have an improved record for this upcoming season. Further, Jacob Gilyard and Nick Sherod create a dynamic backcourt that can carry Richmond throughout the season. Also, Nathan Cayo brings really good athleticism to the frontcourt as the primary option. Blake Francis will be an impact transfer that will add the ability to get points off the bench. Richmond has the capabilities to show major growth this season with a strong backcourt.
9. George Mason
Key Returners- Goanar Mar, Justin Kier, Jamal Hartwell, Jordan Miller, AJ Wilson, Ian Boyd, Javon Greene,
Key Additions- Josh Oduro
Expectations
Dave Paulsen has an opportunity to turn the corner at George Mason this season. Furthermore, Justin Kier will be the lead guard and the go-to scorer for George Mason. Jordan Miller gives them versatility on the perimeter with the ability to further develop. Next, AJ Wilson has an opportunity to be a very solid piece in the frontcourt along with Josh Oduro who can develop into a very solid player. George Mason needs to be able to take the next step this season.
10. St. Joe’s
Key Returners- Anthony Longpré, Lorenzo Edwards, Taylor Funk
Key Additions- Ryan Daly, Cameron Brown, Chereef Knox, Myles Douglas
Expectations
11. La Salle
Key Returners- David Beatty, Jack Clark, Isiah Deas, Ed Croswell, Saul Phiri, Jared Kimbrough,
Key Additions- Scott Spencer, Moustapha Diagne
Expectations
Ashley Howard is heading into year two looking to have been able to sustain success. Furthermore, the addition of Scott Spencer will be a major addition to the perimeter. Also, Isiah Deas and David Beatty will bring experience to the backcourt and should be very solid. Ed Crowsell will produce solid minutes in the frontcourt and Jack Clark brings really good versatility as well. La Salle has an opportunity to make a jump in year two under Ashley Howard.
12. George Washington
Key Returners- Justin Mazzulla, Armel Potter, Justin Williams, Arnaldo Toro, Sloan Seymour, Javier Langarcia
Key Additions- Chase Paar
Expectations
Jamion Christian in year one will look to build the fountain to continue his success as a head coach now at George Washington. Justin Mazzulla brings a veteran presence to the backcourt along with Armel Potter. Arnaldo Toro will give them a solid option in the frontcourt with Javier Langarcia who could develop into a really productive player. George Washington will have the opportunity to take the right steps with Jamion Christian leading the way.
13. UMass
Key Returners- Sy Chatman, Keon Cleregot, Samba Diallo, Carl Pierre,
Key Additions- Djery Baptiste, Trey Mitchell
Expectations
Now, heading into year two Matt McCall needs to show progress. In addition, he will have Sy Chatman in the frontcourt who can develop into a very good frontcourt player. Keon Cleregot and Carl Pierre make up a very solid backcourt. Samba Diallo who has really good potential to develop into a versatile frontcourt player. UMass has the players to next a step forward under Matt McCall in year two.
14. Fordham
Key Returners- Chuma Ohams, Jalen Cobb, Ty Perry, Antwon Portley, Ivan Raut, Onyi Eyisi
Key Additions- Joel Sariano
Expectations
Jeff Neubauer must show the development of his team as he enters year five. In addition, Ty Perry has an opportunity to further develop and become a reliable scorer. Chuma Ohams has the opportunity to really take the next step in the frontcourt with his activity on the boards and rim protection. Antwon Portley is the most experience guard and must have a great season for Fordham to have success. Fordham must be able to make progress in the A-10 this year.
Images Courtesy of, Mid-Major Madness, St. Joe’s University, VCU Sports
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles written by other great TGH writers along with James!
“From Our Haus to Yours”