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2009-10 Atlantic 10 Preseason Rankings and Previews
The Atlantic 10 had a strong season in 2008-09 with five teams finishing the season with more than 20 wins and Dayton pulling an upset of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. Xavier won the 2008-09 regular season, however, Dayton is favored to win this year. Many NCAA basketball preseason polls also have Dayton ranked in the top 20 heading into the basketball season.

Atlantic 10 2008-09 Final Standings:
Team                     A-10        Overall
Xavier                    12-4         27-8
Dayton                   11-5         27-8
Rhode Island            11-5        23-11
Temple                   11-5         22-12
Duquesne                9-7          21-13
La Salle                  9-7           18-13
Richmond                9-7           20-16
Saint Joseph’s          9-7           17-15
Saint Louis               8-8           18-14
Massachusetts         7-9           12-18
St. Bonaventure        6-10         15-15
Charlotte                 5-11         11-20
George Washington    4-12         10-18
Fordham                  1-15          3-25

#1 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Dayton

Dayton reached the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 1989-1990 season. They have 10 of their top 11 scorers back from last season and 4 of 5 starters. Forward Chris Wright is the lead returning scorer from last season at 13.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg.
#2 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Xavier

Xavier won their third consecutive Atlantic 10 championship last season and lost to Pitt in the Regional semi-firnals of the NCAA tournament. Their top three scorers are gone from last season and no returning player averaged in double digits for points. Guard Jordan Crawford is a transfer from Indiana and he is closest having scored at a 9.6 ppg clip during his freshman season at IU.

#3 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Duquesne

The Dukes won more than 20 games last season for the first time in 28 years. They will be trying to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in 33 years this season. The lead returning scorers are Damian Saunders at 13.1 ppg and 7.6 rpg and Bill Clark at 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 2.7 apg.

#4 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Richmod

Richmod won 20 games last year and made it to the College Basketball Invitational semi-finals. The Spiders will try to make the NCAA tournament this season and are led by returning guards Kevin Anderson (16.6 ppg) and David Gonzalvez (16.0 ppg).

#5 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – La Salle

Coach John Giannini has had the Explorers in the top half of the Atlantic 10 the past 4 seasons. Four players return who averaged double digits last season with Rodney Green scoring the most at 17.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 3.4 apg.

#6 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Massachusetts

Derek Kellogg has the Minutemen running the Dribble Drive, but has to improve on their 12 win season from last year. UMASS should have one of the biggest front courts in the Atlantic 10 this season, but will have to work to get into the upper half of the division.

#7 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Temple

The Owls lost Donte Christmas from last season and will be looking to Lavoy Allen (10.9 ppg) and Ryan Brooks (10.6 ppg) to help fill the void in scoring. Returning to the NCAA tournament is not out of the question for the Owls in 2010.

Atlantic 10 #8-14 Ranked Teams
#8 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Rhode Island

#9 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Charlotte

#10 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – St. Bonaventure

#11 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – St. Joseph’s

#12 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - St. Louis

#13 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - George Washington

#14 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Fordham

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This entry was posted on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 8:16 am and is filed under Atlantic 10, NCAA Basketball Rankings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.