“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement this past week that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait about two more months until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts starting this week with the Atlantic 10.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Saint Louis
Projected Starting 5:
G Yuri Collins
G Jordan Goodwin
G Fred Thatch
F Javonte Perkins
F Hasahn French
Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Markhi Strickland, Marten Linssen (UNC Wilmington), Andre Lorentsson
Sit Out Transfers: Francis Okoro (Oregon)
Projected Bench: Jimmy Bell, Gibson Jimerson, Terrance Hargrove Jr., Markhi Strickland, Demarius Jacobs, Marten Linssen, Andre Lorentsson
The Skinny: While Goodwin and French are known commodities, it would be foolish to forget about Perkins. The 6-6 forward is underrated nationally and should explode in 20-21 after quietly averaging 15.0 points last season. Old, experienced, and legitimately 10-deep, next year’s rendition of Saint Louis should be the best team that Travis Ford has coached since Marcus Smart was at Oklahoma State.
2. Richmond
Projected Starting 5:
G Jacob Gilyard
G Blake Francis
F Nick Sherod
F Nathan Cayo
C Grant Golden
Key Losses: Jake Wojcik
Key Newcomers: Isaiah Wilson, Connor Crabtree (transfer), Djimon Bailey
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Andre Gustavson, Tyler Burton, Souleymane Koureissi, Connor Crabtree (transfer), Djimon Bailey, Isaiah Wilson
The Skinny: Five starters return from last season’s team that won 24 games and was firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture. The Spiders have all the requisites to be one of the best non-power conference teams in college basketball next season.
3. Dayton
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Crutcher
G Rodney Chatman
G Ibi Watson
F Chase Johnson
C Jordy Tshimanga
Key Losses: Obi Toppin, Ryan Mikesell, Trey Landers
Key Newcomers: R.J. Blakney, Lukas Frazier, Koby Brea
Sit Out Transfers: Elijah Weaver (USC)
Projected Bench: Dwayne Cohill, Moulaye Sissoko, Zimi Nwokeji, R.J. Blakney, Lukas Frazier, Koby Brea
The Skinny: The Flyers had their best season in school history last year. Having a successful season next year depends on whether or not Crutcher returns to school after declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft. If he’s back, Dayton should have a perimeter in place to remain at the top of the Atlantic 10.
4. St. Bonaventure
Projected Starting 5:
G Kyle Lofton
G Dominick Welch
G Jaren English
F Justin Winston
C Osun Osunniyi
Key Losses: Amadi Ikpeze
Key Newcomers: Jalen Adaway (Miami, Ohio), Quintin Metcalf, Eddie Creal (JUCO), Jalen Shaw (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: Anthony Roberts (Kent State)
Projected Bench: Alejandro Vasquez, Jalen Adaway, Quintin Metcalf, Eddie Creal, Jalen Shaw
The Skinny: One of college basketball’s most under-appreciated coaches, Mark Schmidt should have a legitimate chance to compete for the Atlantic 10 regular season title next season. Keep an eye on Lofton, one of the best guards nationally that not enough people know about.
5. Duquesne
Projected Starting 5:
G Tavian Dunn-Martin
G Sincere Carry
F Maceo Austin
F Marcus Weathers
C Michael Hughes
Key Losses: Baylee Steele
Key Newcomers: Tyson Acuff, Toby Okani, Chad Baker, Mike Bekelja, Andre Harris, Jett Roesing, Mounir Hima
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Lamar Norman, Tyson Acuff, Toby Okani, Chad Baker, Mike Bekelja, Andre Harris, Jett Roesing, Austin Rotroff, Amari Kelly, Mounir Hima
The Skinny: Four double-figure scorers return from last season’s team that won 21 games. Another thing worth noting: Keith Dambrot is 18 games over .500 since becoming Duquesne’s head coach in 2017.
6. Rhode Island
Projected Starting 5:
G Fatts Russell
G Jeremy Sheppard
F D.J. Johnson
F Antwan Walker
C Jermaine Harris
Key Losses: Jeff Dowtin, Tyrese Martin, Cyril Langevine
Key Newcomers: Ishmael Leggett, Norance Berry
Sit Out Transfers: Jalen Carey (Syracuse), Malik Martin (Charlotte), Makhi Mitchell (Maryland), Makhel Mitchell (Maryland), Allen Betrand (Towson)
Projected Bench: Ishmael Leggett, Norance Berry
NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: It’s all about the waivers. Nobody on the East Coast did better on the transfer market this spring than David Cox, but he’s going to need the NCAA to grant waivers to at least a couple of his transfers seeking immediate eligibility if he’s going to have any depth next season. Expect Russell to be one of the best two-way guards in the country regardless.
7. Davidson
Projected Starting 5:
G Kellan Grady
G Carter Collins
G Mike Jones
F Hyunjung Lee
C Luke Brajkovic
Key Losses: Jon Axel Gudmundsson
Key Newcomers: Samuel Mennenga, Grant Huffman, Emory Lanier
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Samuel Mennenga, Grant Huffman, Emory Lanier, Nelson Boachie-Yiadom, David Kristensen, Bates Jones, David Czerapowicz
The Skinny: This could be the sleeper team in the conference. Bob McKillop has two all-conference caliber players in Grady and Brajkovic while many well embedded moles believe Mennenga is a hidden gem. Davidson won’t be picked as high as it was a year ago, but could wind up having a better finish.
8. UMass
Projected Starting 5:
G T.J. Weeks
G Javohn Garcia
G Carl Pierre
F Preston Santos
C Tre Mitchell
Key Losses: Samba Diallo, Keon Clergeot, Sean East, Sy Chatman
Key Newcomers: Javohn Garcia, Cairo McCrory, Ronnie DeGray, Dyondre Dominguez, Mark Gasperini (American), John Buggs
Sit Out Transfers: Noah Fernandes (Wichita State)
Projected Bench: Cairo McCrory, Ronnie DeGray, Dyondre Dominguez, Mark Gasperini, Dibaji Walker, Kolton Mitchell, John Buggs
The Skinny: The 6-9 Mitchell — who averaged 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman — could be the best front court player to play in Amherst since Marcus Camby. If his supporting cast develops, UMass could challenge for a spot in the league’s top tier.
9. George Mason
Projected Starting 5:
G Xavier Johnson
G Jamal Hartwell II
G Javon Greene
G Jordan Miller
F AJ Wilson
Key Losses: Justin Kier, Goanar Mar
Key Newcomers: Tyler Kolek, Ronald Polite, Malik Henry, Otis Frazier
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Greg Calixte, Tyler Kolek, Ronald Polite, Malik Henry, Mekhi McCray, Bahaide Haidara, Josh Oduro, Otis Frazier, Ian Boyd
The Skinny: The Patriots look sneaky good. Seven of George Mason’s top eight scorers from last year’s 18-win return, including the bouncy Wilson, who was sixth nationally last season in blocked shots at 2.9 per contest.
10. VCU
G Bones Hyland
G Keshawn Curry
G Vince Williams
F Corey Douglas
C Hason Ward
Key Losses: Marcus Evans, Marcus Santos-Silva, De’Riante Jenkins, Isaac Vann, Mike’L Simms
Key Newcomers: Jamir Watkins, Adrian Baldwin, Josh Banks, Mikeal Brown-Jones
Sit Out Transfers: Levi Stockard (Kansas State)
Projected Bench: Jamir Watkins, Adrian Baldwin, Josh Banks, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Jarren McAllister, Jimmy Clark
The Skinny: Mike Rhoades is rebuilding after losing five of his top six scorers, but he’s got a real cornerstone in Hyland. The 6-3 guard scored nine or more points in five of VCU’s final six games last season.
11. George Washington
Projected Starting 5:
G Jameer Nelson Jr.
G Maceo Jack
F Jamison Battle
F Matthew Moyer
F Chase Paar
Key Losses: Armel Potter, Arnaldo Toro
Key Newcomers: Matthew Moyer (Vanderbilt), Sloan Seymour (Siena), Noel Brown, Lincoln Ball, Tyler Brelsford, Brandon Leftwich (Mount St. Mary’s), Hunter Dean (Southern Miss)
Sit Out Transfers: James Bishop (LSU), Ricky Lindo (Maryland)
Projected Bench: Noel Brown, Lincoln Ball, Tyler Brelsford, Brandon Leftwich, Chase Paar, Hunter Dean
The Skinny: Jamion Christian has been super active on the transfer market since taking over in Foggy Bottom and adds a long range sniper in Seymour, who made 94 three-point shots two seasons ago at Siena. While a major jump may not happen next season, the Colonials are quietly upgrading their overall talent base.
12. La Salle
Projected Starting 5:
G Ayinde Hikim
G David Beatty
G Scott Spencer
F Jared Kimbrough
C Clifton Moore
Key Losses: Ed Croswell, Isiah Deas, Saul Phiri
Key Newcomers: Anwar Gill, Tegra Izay, Jhamir Brickus, Clifton Moore (Indiana)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Sherif Kenney, Christian Ray, Brandon Stone, Jack Clark, Anwar Gill, Tegra Izay, Jhamir Brickus
The Skinny: Ashley Howard has a gem in Moore, who originally committed to Indiana to play for Tom Crean. Blessed with gifts from God at 6-10, Moore is the type of interior presence that should have an immediate impact in the Atlantic 10.
13. St. Joe’s
Projected Starting 5:
G Ryan Daly
G Greg Foster Jr.
G Dahmir Bishop
G Cameron Brown
F Taylor Funk
Key Losses: Lorenzo Edwards
Key Newcomers: Jordan Hall, Anton Jansson, Jadrian Tracy, Dahmir Bishop (Xavier), Greg Foster Jr. (Gonzaga),
Sit Out Transfers: Jack Forrest (Columbia)
Projected Bench: Jordan Hall, Anton Jansson, Anthony Longpre, Myles Douglas, Rahmir Moore
The Skinny: Billy Lange is quietly building things back towards respectability after the majority of the Hawks’ roster left the program a year ago. A big key for St. Joe’s will be whether or not the 6-5 Daly — who averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists last season —returns to school after declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft.
14. Fordham
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Cobb
G Josh Colon
G Ty Perry
F Chuba Ohams
C Joel Soriano
Key Losses: Antwon Portley
Key Newcomers: Julian Dozier, Jaamir Butler
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Onyi Eyisi, Chris Austin, Kyle Rose, Ivan Raut, Cameron Cohn
The Skinny: Until there’s any reason to think otherwise, this is Fordham’s cemented residence in the Atlantic 10. Any hope of finishing higher will hinge on the health of Ohams, who missed the majority of last season after suffering a knee injury.
