A10 Outlook for 2022-23

[Jersey77]

Fordham lands '22 recruit 6'8" (F) Elijah Gray.

[RF1]

College Sports Madness started their annual Top 144 countdown last Monday. The first A-10 team on the list has already been announced - Umass at # 137. The Minutemen are picked to come in 9th in the now (with Loyola) 15 team A-10. I would fully expect that Dayton, SLU, Loyola, VCU, GMU, DC, and UR will make the cut. That would leave room for just one other team with UMass pegged for #9. My guess is that Rhody, which finished 11th in the league with an NET rank of #142 last season, will not be that team and be outside this group's top 144.

Massachusetts Minutemen
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #137
Conference Rank: #9 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20718

[Jdrums#3]

Good info. Will have to check it out. Thanks!

Can’t necessarily argue with your assessment, RF1, other than to say, it is too early for me regarding Rhody.

[Jersey77]

College Sports Madness started their annual Top 144 countdown last Monday. The first A-10 team on the list has already been announced - Umass at # 137. The Minutemen are picked to come in 9th in the now (with Loyola) 15 team A-10. I would fully expect that Dayton, SLU, Loyola, VCU, GMU, DC, and UR will make the cut. That would leave room for just one other team with UMass pegged for #9. My guess is that Rhody, which finished 11th in the league with an NET rank of #142 last season, will not be that team and be outside this group's top 144.

Massachusetts Minutemen
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #137
Conference Rank: #9 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20718

RF1, if not Rhody, I am guessing GW which finished 7th last season.

[RF1]

College Sports Madness started their annual Top 144 countdown last Monday. The first A-10 team on the list has already been announced - Umass at # 137. The Minutemen are picked to come in 9th in the now (with Loyola) 15 team A-10. I would fully expect that Dayton, SLU, Loyola, VCU, GMU, DC, and UR will make the cut. That would leave room for just one other team with UMass pegged for #9. My guess is that Rhody, which finished 11th in the league with an NET rank of #142 last season, will not be that team and be outside this group's top 144.

Massachusetts Minutemen
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #137
Conference Rank: #9 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20718

RF1, if not Rhody, I am guessing GW which finished 7th last season.

With all the player and coaching turnover, who knows. Will SBU with a proven coach and decent replacements make the cut? What about Fordham that finished at .500 last season ahead of URI in the league standings. Will they have lower expectations now with Neptune gone as coach?

These rankings have always been a crap-shoot and that is now even more so with all the annual player transfers compounded by the coaching changes (6) in the league.

[Jersey77]

College Sports Madness started their annual Top 144 countdown last Monday. The first A-10 team on the list has already been announced - Umass at # 137. The Minutemen are picked to come in 9th in the now (with Loyola) 15 team A-10. I would fully expect that Dayton, SLU, Loyola, VCU, GMU, DC, and UR will make the cut. That would leave room for just one other team with UMass pegged for #9. My guess is that Rhody, which finished 11th in the league with an NET rank of #142 last season, will not be that team and be outside this group's top 144.

Massachusetts Minutemen
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #137
Conference Rank: #9 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20718

RF1, if not Rhody, I am guessing GW which finished 7th last season.

With all the player and coaching turnover, who knows. Will SBU with a proven coach and decent replacements make the cut? What about Fordham that finished at .500 last season ahead of URI in the league standings. Will they have lower expectations now with Neptune gone as coach?

These rankings have always been a crap-shoot and that is now even more so with all the annual player transfers compounded by the coaching changes (6) in the league.

Yeah, it is a crapshoot especially with the schools that may finish in the middle tier.

I am still thinking anywhere from 7-10 for us.

[Blue Man]

I mean if UMass is on their list - how would you not have URI?

Similar question marks for transfers - high ceiling/low floor. Gelling, etc. New coaches.

Give me Archie over Frank Martin any day. Not to say that Martin isn't a good coach - but I think Archie is on a different level.

[Jersey77]

I mean if UMass is on their list - how would you not have URI?

Similar question marks for transfers - high ceiling/low floor. Gelling, etc. New coaches.

Give me Archie over Frank Martin any day. Not to say that Martin isn't a good coach - but I think Archie is on a different level.

Blue Man, I am glad we have Archie also and I do prefer him over Martin.
Actually, that includes both Duane and KJ also.

They may have UMass over us because they return their top player Fernandes (15 pts/ 5 assists) and Weeks about 10 pts.

For immediate impact they got Leveque (C) who started 28 games last season for South Carolina and Cross (F) who played significant minutes at both Miami and Louisville. These are 2 players that had quality time and contributed at P5 level schools.

However, I really like who we have going forward and very optimistic about our future.

[RF1]

I was wrong. URI ended up being the other A-10 team that made the College Sports Madness Top 144 list. Picked for 8th in the A-10 and #133 nationally. Note their line-up does not include the latest recruit Alex Tchikou.

Rhode Island Rams
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #133
Conference Rank: #8 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20723

[theblueram]

I was wrong. URI ended up being the other A-10 team that made the College Sports Madness Top 144 list. Picked for 8th in the A-10 and #133 nationally. Note their line-up does not include the latest recruit Alex Tchikou.

Rhode Island Rams
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #133
Conference Rank: #8 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20723

I like it. Start getting some pub!!

[reef]

I was wrong. URI ended up being the other A-10 team that made the College Sports Madness Top 144 list. Picked for 8th in the A-10 and #133 nationally. Note their line-up does not include the latest recruit Alex Tchikou.

Rhode Island Rams
2022-2023 Overall Rank: #133
Conference Rank: #8 A-10
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20723

I like it. Start getting some pub!!

Agree happy with 133 as of now !!

[Jdrums#3]

Same, Reef. It’s early yet so, 133 and 8th sounds about right to me for now.

[Urifan91]

The team is working hard already!

[Jdrums#3]

I like these video’s. They get me hyped for the season. But, I better pace myself; still have 4 months to go.

[Dino611]

I like these video’s. They get me hyped for the season. But, I better pace myself; still have 4 months to go.

I feel ya, can’t wait to even see a scrimmage box score

[reef]

The team is working hard already!

Great seeing that video, I saw some of the newcomers there do we know if the whole team is working out or are we missing a few ??

[Dino611]

Missing a few

[PeteRI]

Can someone list the players in the video? Too many newbies for me to identify.

[steveystuds06]

Can someone list the players in the video? Too many newbies for me to identify.

I haven’t seen Ant Harris in any videos yet.

[Dino611]

It seems to the video the only ones that aren’t present are Foumena, Ant & Alex

[Jersey77]

[RhodyKyle]

Bonnies % is absurd.

[RhodyRams12]

[steveystuds06]

Fair. He thinks Malik will start at the 4, as many of us do. I have no idea how you leave Brandon Weston off the under-the-radar transfer list.

[Rhody74]

I think Rhody will finish better than 10th.

[RF1]

Anyone know how the A-10 Tournament will work now that with the Loyola addition there are 15 teams? Seeds 11-14 were previously in the play in round. Will there now be three play in games on Wednesday with seeds 10-15?

[Dino611]

Anyone know how the A-10 Tournament will work now that with the Loyola addition there are 15 teams? Seeds 11-14 were previously in the play in round. Will there now be three play in games on Wednesday with seeds 10-15?

I believe so it’ll be like the Acc, 10 seed plays the 15 seed, 11 versus the 14, and 12 versus the 13

[steveystuds06]

[reef]

Come on Jon we will finish better than Bonaventure

[Jersey77]

Come on Jon we will finish better than Bonaventure

Yes Reef, we should finish higher than the Bonnies this season.

I also think Richmond should be in the top 5 and GW is better than #14.

Let's see how the A10 coach's pre-season predictions match-up with Rothstein.

[Iggy1979]

Goal: top 6

[jcru]

Goal: Late season upset of Top 25 SLU on the road in St. Louis.

[Jersey77]

Goal: top 6

The coach will always say the goal is to win the A10.
Obviously, that won't be close to attainable in 22-23.

A top 6 this season would probably mean the NIT.
I also think that will be a little high for us, in this year of uncertainty.

As I said several times before I am thinking somewhere between 7-10.
Actually, I have no expectations and don't really care where we finish as long as this team shows some promise with flashes and plays competitively.

[Billyboy78]

Goal: top 6

The coach will always say the goal is to win the A10.
Obviously, that won't be close to attainable in 22-23.

A top 6 this season would probably mean the NIT.
I also think that will be a little high for us, in this year of uncertainty.

As I said several times before I am thinking somewhere between 7-10.
Actually, I have no expectations and don't really care where we finish as long as this team shows some promise with flashes and plays competitively.

Do you think we don't have the talent to be a top 3rd of the league A10 team? Or do you think we do have the talent but it's going to take time to mesh? Because this is pretty much our team for the next 3 years.

[Jersey77]

Goal: top 6

The coach will always say the goal is to win the A10.
Obviously, that won't be close to attainable in 22-23.

A top 6 this season would probably mean the NIT.
I also think that will be a little high for us, in this year of uncertainty.

As I said several times before I am thinking somewhere between 7-10.
Actually, I have no expectations and don't really care where we finish as long as this team shows some promise with flashes and plays competitively.

Do you think we don't have the talent to be a top 3rd of the league A10 team? Or do you think we do have the talent but it's going to take time to mesh? Because this is pretty much our team for the next 3 years.

78, I think our roster is loaded with talented kids.
It looks like we have nice balance at the guard, wing, and frontcourt positions.

Yes, it will take time to mesh.
But most of all, the newcomers have very little or no actual Div.1 playing time.

It usually takes a little time and experience to develop, especially in a league as competitive as the A10 this season.
Bigs also take a little longer.

Like I also said, I am very optimistic about our future with our youth and really like our entire coaching staff.

[steveystuds06]

The coach will always say the goal is to win the A10.
That won't be close to attainable in 22-23.

A top 6 this season would probably mean the NIT.
I also think that will be a little high for us, in this year of uncertainty.

As I said several times before I am thinking somewhere between 7-10.
Actually, I have no expectations and don't really care where we finish as long as this team shows some promise with flashes and plays competitively.

Do you think we don't have the talent to be a top 3rd of the league A10 team? Or do you think we do have the talent, but it's going to take time to mesh? Because this is pretty much our team for the next 3 years.

78, I think our roster is loaded with talented kids.
It looks like we have nice balance at the guard, wing, and frontcourt positions.

Yes, it will take time to mesh.
But most of all, the newcomers have very little or no actual Div.1 playing time.

It usually takes a little time and experience to develop, especially in a league as competitive as the A10 this season.
Bigs also take a little longer.

Like I also said, I am very optimistic about our future with our youth and really like our entire coaching staff.

We all want everyone to mesh immediately and start playing great basketball but the chances of that happening are slim. Our best players are young and inexperienced. And most of these guys have barely played together. Players like EC, Hass, JT, and Jeff all had great moments their first years but became much better players as they got older. I expect the same with this bunch. This coaching staff will get the best out of these players and help them reach their full potential.

It’s not a question of if we will be a top-three A10 team. It’s just a question of when. Finishing top 6 would be a great accomplishment. I’m with jersey that it’ll be closer to 8-10…I think our first bid will be year 3. Go Rhody!!

[SGreenwell]

Goal: top 6

The coach will always say the goal is to win the A10.
Obviously, that won't be close to attainable in 22-23.

A top 6 this season would probably mean the NIT.
I also think that will be a little high for us, in this year of uncertainty.

As I said several times before I am thinking somewhere between 7-10.
Actually, I have no expectations and don't really care where we finish as long as this team shows some promise with flashes and plays competitively.

Do you think we don't have the talent to be a top 3rd of the league A10 team? Or do you think we do have the talent but it's going to take time to mesh? Because this is pretty much our team for the next 3 years.

Eh - If we're bad, guys are going to transfer. If we're good, we won't care if this is the team for the next three years. And hell, even if we're good, there are probably going to be guys that aren't getting minutes that are going to transfer anyway. Basically, I think there is going to be churn of 1 to 3 players every year - whether because of graduation, transfer to "better" conferences, transfer to worse teams to actually play - so I won't worry about the team's roster being too rigid.

[Jersey77]

The updated Lunardi Bracketology 7/12 shows Dayton as a #5 seed and SLU as a #7.
Loyola/Chicago as next 4 out.
Surprised, I would think VCU ahead of Loyola as either in or a bubble team.

Also not showing much love for the Mid-Majors, none have more than 2 teams in besides us including: WCC, Mountain West, and AAC.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story ... -men-field

[Jersey77]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

[Rhody74]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

Jablonski is usually pretty fair. I’m surprised he didn’t factor in a couple of the other transfers in picking Rhody 12th.

[Ramfan22]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

His opinion doesn’t matter

[The Dude]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

My reaction to the Rhody write up. Not sure how the best transfer isn't Harris or Weston.

[Jersey77]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

His opinion doesn’t matter

None of these early pre-season predictions really matter.

Just curious what some insiders and beat writers' thoughts are on the A10.

[Rhodymob05]

Obviously, a Dayton beat writer is going to be butt hurt over an Ex Coach. And picks Dayton as #1.

[reef]

Obviously, a Dayton beat writer is going to be butt hurt over an Ex Coach. And picks Dayton as #1.

My thought as well, hope Arch reads it and shows it to his team

[ramster]

Obviously, a Dayton beat writer is going to be butt hurt over an Ex Coach. And picks Dayton as #1.

My thought as well, hope Arch reads it and shows it to his team

Is there a Pre-Season Poll out there that doesn’t have Dayton picked 1st or 2nd in the A10??? Not like this Dayton writer is on an island by himself.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN has Dayton Ranked #23 preseason

23. Dayton Flyers
There might not have been a more underrated inside-outside duo in the country last season -- especially one consisting of two freshmen -- than that of Malachi Smith and DaRon Holmes II. Smith was an impact player at both ends of the floor, and if he hadn't been injured in the final seconds of the first half against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 tournament, Dayton might be coming off an NCAA tournament appearance. In addition to his aggressiveness defensively, he was a high-level playmaker with the ball in his hands, averaging 7.0 assists in his final nine full games last season. Holmes has the look of a future pro. He was the Rookie of the Year in the Atlantic 10, while also earning second-team all-league and all-defensive team honors. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the final five games of the season.

Projected starting lineup:
Malachi Smith (9.3 PPG)
Kobe Elvis (8.9 PPG)
R.J. Blakney (6.5 PPG)
Toumani Camara (10.9 PPG)
DaRon Holmes II (12.8 PPG)

Jon Rothstein has St. Louis #30, Dayton #32

30. Saint Louis
Projected Starting 5:
G Yuri Collins
G Javon Pickett
G Gibson Jimerson
G Javonte Perkins
C Francis Okoro
Projected Bench: Terrance Hargrove, Nick Kramer, Kellan Thames, Sincere Parker, Fred Thatch, Jake Forrester, Mouhamadou Cisse
Key Losses: Deandre Jones, Martin Linssen
Key Newcomers: Sincere Parker, Nick Kramer, Kellan Thames, Javon Pickett (Missouri), Jake Forrester (Temple), Mouhamadou Cisse

32. Dayton
Projected Starting 5:
G Malachi Smith
G Kobe Elvis
G R.J. Blakney
F Toumani Camara
C Daron Holmes
Projected Bench: Mustapha Amzil, Koby Brea, Zimi Nwokeji, Kaleb Washington, Mike Sharavjamts
Key Losses: Moulaye Sissoko, Elijah Weaver
Key Newcomers: Mike Sharavjamts

Gary Parrish CBS has Dayton #23, St Louis #26

23 DAYTON -- 24-11
The Flyers' ranking is based on Dayton returning the top five scorers from a team that just missed the NCAA Tournament - among them double-digit scorers Daron Holmes and Toumani Camara. If Anthony Grant can keep his talented freshmen out of the transfer portal, the Flyers' future is bright in the Atlantic 10.

26 SAINT LOUIS -- 23-12
The Billikens' ranking is based on Saint Louis returning four starters - among them backcourt mates Yuri Collins and Gibson Jimerson - and adding transfer Javon Pickett, who averaged 11.1 points at Missouri last season. SLU is also getting back Javonte Perkins, who led the team in scoring two seasons ago before missing last season with a torn ACL.

[Jersey77]

Obviously, a Dayton beat writer is going to be butt hurt over an Ex Coach. And picks Dayton as #1.

My thought as well, hope Arch reads it and shows it to his team

Is there a Pre-Season Poll out there that doesn’t have Dayton picked 1st or 2nd in the A10??? Not like this Dayton writer is on an island by himself.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN has Dayton Ranked #23 preseason

23. Dayton Flyers
There might not have been a more underrated inside-outside duo in the country last season -- especially one consisting of two freshmen -- than that of Malachi Smith and DaRon Holmes II. Smith was an impact player at both ends of the floor, and if he hadn't been injured in the final seconds of the first half against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 tournament, Dayton might be coming off an NCAA tournament appearance. In addition to his aggressiveness defensively, he was a high-level playmaker with the ball in his hands, averaging 7.0 assists in his final nine full games last season. Holmes has the look of a future pro. He was the Rookie of the Year in the Atlantic 10, while also earning second-team all-league and all-defensive team honors. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the final five games of the season.

Projected starting lineup:
Malachi Smith (9.3 PPG)
Kobe Elvis (8.9 PPG)
R.J. Blakney (6.5 PPG)
Toumani Camara (10.9 PPG)
DaRon Holmes II (12.8 PPG)

Jon Rothstein has St. Louis #30, Dayton #32

30. Saint Louis
Projected Starting 5:
G Yuri Collins
G Javon Pickett
G Gibson Jimerson
G Javonte Perkins
C Francis Okoro
Projected Bench: Terrance Hargrove, Nick Kramer, Kellan Thames, Sincere Parker, Fred Thatch, Jake Forrester, Mouhamadou Cisse
Key Losses: Deandre Jones, Martin Linssen
Key Newcomers: Sincere Parker, Nick Kramer, Kellan Thames, Javon Pickett (Missouri), Jake Forrester (Temple), Mouhamadou Cisse

32. Dayton
Projected Starting 5:
G Malachi Smith
G Kobe Elvis
G R.J. Blakney
F Toumani Camara
C Daron Holmes
Projected Bench: Mustapha Amzil, Koby Brea, Zimi Nwokeji, Kaleb Washington, Mike Sharavjamts
Key Losses: Moulaye Sissoko, Elijah Weaver
Key Newcomers: Mike Sharavjamts

Gary Parrish CBS has Dayton #23, St Louis #26

23 DAYTON -- 24-11
The Flyers' ranking is based on Dayton returning the top five scorers from a team that just missed the NCAA Tournament - among them double-digit scorers Daron Holmes and Toumani Camara. If Anthony Grant can keep his talented freshmen out of the transfer portal, the Flyers' future is bright in the Atlantic 10.

26 SAINT LOUIS -- 23-12
The Billikens' ranking is based on Saint Louis returning four starters - among them backcourt mates Yuri Collins and Gibson Jimerson - and adding transfer Javon Pickett, who averaged 11.1 points at Missouri last season. SLU is also getting back Javonte Perkins, who led the team in scoring two seasons ago before missing last season with a torn ACL.

Very true Ramster

Actually, it is hard to argue with his top 7.
That is what really counts because of probable NCAAT and NIT bids.
After that, opinions will vary on the order.

I have no problem with him feeling that Bray is currently our top transfer.
He is the only one that has proven himself at this level.
Yeah, Harris and Weston were both 4* recruits (as were several other transfers to the A10) but time will tell if they live up to their billing and able to stay healthy.

If you look at Jablonski's team descriptions, he went into very little detail about all the other players on every school's roster.

[RF1]

Another A10 prediction from the Dayton beat writer.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... JK54IBONQ/

Jablonski's predicted A-10 order:

1 Dayton
2 St Louis
3 VCU
4 Richmond
5 Davidson
6 Loyola
7 George Mason
8 George Washington
9 St Bonaventure
10 UMass
11 Fordham
12 Rhode Island
13 St Joe's
14 LaSalle
15 Duquesne

[RF1]

I think that Jablonski's top seven is probably close to what will play out. I however think that it is a total crapshoot for ranking the bottom eight teams in positions 8-15. Five of these eight teams have new coaches and nearly all of them have seen much roster turnover.

[ramster]

Sports Illustrated also has Dayton Ranked #18 In National Top 25 Too Early Poll. Only A10 Team in their Top 25.


18. Dayton
Dayton lost to UMass Lowell, Lipscomb and Austin Peay in the first two weeks of the 2021–22 season. After that, it was one of the best teams in the country. In fact, per T-Rank, from Nov. 22 on, the Flyers were the No. 20 team in the sport. Now, its entire nucleus returns. Young big man DaRon Holmes II has limitless upside down low, and point guard Malachi Smith looked the part of a future all-time great for the Flyers in an impressive freshman campaign. This Dayton team won’t be as good as the one Obi Toppin had trending toward a potential No. 1 seed in ’20, but it has the potential for an incredibly special season.