2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Dayton
Best Overall Player: Erik Reynolds II, SJU
Best Shooter: Erik Reynolds II, SJU
Best Defenseman: Posh Alexander, Dayton
Sleeper Team (Conference):
Sleeper Team (March): Saint Joseph’s
Saint Joseph's guard Erik Reynolds II; Saint joseph's Athletics
1. Dayton Flyers
2023 Record: 25-8
The loss of first round draft selection DaRon Holmes hurts, but the Flyers reloaded by nabbing multiple key transfers from the portal as Dayton looks to return to the NCAA Tournament. High-profile transfers Zed Key and Posh Alexander played valuable minutes on Power-5 teams last year and are experienced defenders. The returning trio of Nate Santos, Enoch Cheeks and Malachi Smith gives the Flyers an already solid foundation that coach Anthony Grant will have to top off with a reliable frontcourt piece.
2. VCU Rams
2023 Record: 24-14
Voted atop the preseason A-10 poll, the Rams come off a fourth place, 11-7 conference finish that failed to land them in the NCAA Tournament. Luckily, the return of guard Max Schulga gives VCU a serious scoring threat and a multi-dimensional player capable of winning games single handedly. Returnee Zeb Jackson is another threat from the backcourt, and Clemson transfer Jack Clark could be in for a huge season after downgrading in competition. The Rams must improve on the glass to beat Dayton, the clear frontcourt alpha-dog.
3. Saint Joseph’s Hawks
2023 Record: 21-14
The conference’s top returnee in Erik Reynolds II gives the Hawks a fighter’s chance in almost every game this season, as the sure-fire NBA prospect was lights out in 2023 for an exciting Hawks team. A-10 ROTY Xzayvier Brown is back besides Reynolds, which gives SJU a lethal one-two duo. Rutgers guard Derek Simpson is another huge get for coach Billy Lange, who prepares for a title push in year six. Harvard transfer Justice Ajogbor is a frontcourt behemoth who will have an undoubted impact.
4. Saint Louis Billikens
2023 Record: 13-20
The story of the off season in the A-10, the Billikens went under a roster-wide facelift in welcoming former Indiana State head coach John Schertz and a bevy of experienced, talented and consistent scorers with him. Robbie Avila, comically known as “Larry Blurred,” is the unquestioned leader for SLU, who will build around the dynamic forward with pieces such as Isaiah Swope and Kobe Johnson taking the points guard responsibilities and Gibson Jimerson locking down the wing. SLU must improve with consistency in 2024. Under a new regime, one known for winning, improvement seems likely.
5. George Mason Patriots
2023 Record: 20-12
Second year coach Tony Skinn did a terrific job reloading this roster over the off season, pulling coveted Auburn transfer KD Johnson to Fairfax as well as burly bigs Zach Anderson and Jalen Haynes. The backcourt is an athletic show, with Jeremiah Quigley (Iona) and Johnson likely the starters. Darius Maddox is one of the best returning players in the A-10 and will be the offensive centerpiece from whichever position he plays. GMU will have to improve on the glass in order to contend at the top of a crowded Atlantic-10.
6. Loyola Chicago Ramblers
2023 Record: 23-10
The last team to be considered in the “upper tier” of the conference, the Ramblers return three starters after narrowly missing the tournament in 2023. A lot of experience is gone but a good chunk of talent returns for the Ramblers and coach Drew Valentine, including stalwart guard Des Watson. Two high-major transfers in Kymany Houinsou and Jalen DeLoach provide stability in the frontcourt, as Loyola will look to continue its solid rebounding reputation. Evolving on offense will be paramount in 2024.
7. Rhode Island Rams
2023 Record: 17-15
Jaden House will be an important piece early for the Rams, as URI looks to improve on its sluggish offensive performance from last season. David Green and Jamarques Lawrence are serviceable options as secondary scorers, but that won’t mean much if Rhode Island can’t improve its dreadful defense output from last season, allowing nearly 55% of shots to go in. WMU transfer Javonte Brown will be tasked with improving the interior defense, which is a strong part of his game down low.
8. Massachusetts Minutemen
2023 Record: 20-11
The Minutemen say goodbye to three impactful starters from last season, but will need to move on quickly if they wish to stay in the mix for the conference title. Returning forward Daniel Hankins-Sanford will be instrumental to the offensive success, stepping into a lead role on the wing. Akil Watson (Arizona State) will also be looked at to shoulder the scoring early as newcomers adjust to the tempo of one of the country’s most bloodthirsty tempos. Defensive improvement, particularly on the glass, will be needed in order to contend.
9. Duquesne Dukes
2023 Record: 25-12
The Dukes were last season’s cinderella conference champion, plowing their way through the A-10 gauntlet and eventually through No. 6 BYU before being upended by No. 3 Illinois in the R32. A handful of returning pieces give the Dukes a solid if not anticipating outlook ahead of 2024. Gone is coach Keith Dambrot, who led the charge for years in Pittsburgh. A bevy of mid-major transfers makeup the roster as returning starters Jake DiMechele and Kareem Rozier look to shoulder the scoring early. Finding a backcourt identity after Dae Dae Grant’s departure will be crucial.
10. Richmond Spiders
2023 Record: 23-10
A lot is gone from last season’s 20-win team, including each of the top four scorers and many key reserves. Most importantly, the frontcourt will go under a significant overhaul, relying now on former Dartmouth star Dusan Neskovic to keep the Spiders in the thick of the A-10’s webs. Jonathan Beagle is another name to watch as a transfer, as Richmond looks to build an inside out identity founded on bodying the opposing bigs. Finding a voice from deep will be key, with the offense going from good to great.
11. Fordham Rams
2023 Record: 13-20
A punch to the teeth sunk the Rams in the A-10 standings last season, and two important pieces left via the portal, stripping Fordham of its only double digit scorer. Four star recruit Jaden Smith is a beaming ball of optimism for the Rams, who look to re-establish its lackluster offense from 2023. A returning duo in the backcourt of Japhet Medor and Will Richardson calm the calamity of interior losses, but Fordham is relying on unproven scorers to step up in 2024, which may be a double edged sword.
12. Saint Bonaventure Bonnies
2023 Record: 20-13
A plethora of mid-major transfers will step into lead roles as the Bonnies enter year one of the Woj regime in Olean. There isn’t a whole lot back, which prompted coach Mark Schmidt to skim through the portal, bringing in potential scorers Jaxon Edwards and Dasonte Bowen as experienced leaders. There are questions in the frontcourt which may inhibit the Bonnies’ ability to rack up second chance points.
13. Davidson Wildcats
2023 Record: 15-17
A tough defensive outfit in 2023, the Wildcats oftentimes bottlenecked the top A-10 offenses but struggled to put games away by flailing on the offense end. A returning frontcourt of three starters and over 25 points will aid in the development of the A-10’s 13th ranked offense. Davidson is one of the conference’s biggest squads but lacks a true scorer in the backcourt, which may hinder the explosive element needed to contend in a top-heavy conference. Look for forwards Connor Kochera and Reed Bailey to have big years on the wing.
14. La Salle Explorers
2023 Record: 16-17
Veteran coach Fran Dunphy returns, but not a whole lot else does, as the Explorers build around one returning starter ahead of 2024. The portal was a vital instrument this off season, brining in a wagon of newcomers to fill the holes left by the departures of main scorers. A name to key an eye on is former Temple guard Jahlil White, one of three Explorers to average double digits at the D-I level last season. La Salle must gel early to have a chance in a carnivorous A-10.
15. George Washington Revolutionaries
2023 Record: 15-17
Almost everybody left this off season, leaving the Revolutionaries relatively bare in the returning production cupboard. GWU was one of the top scoring offenses in the conference last season but was insufferable on the defensive end, ranking last in eFG% allowed as well as 15th in defending the 2PT and 3PT shot. The smoking gun can be found in the team’s upbeat tempo, which did not allow the team to get back on defense enough. An unproven class of transfers is set to step into lead roles.