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WASHINGTON -- The Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship returns to the nation’s capital in March for the first time in three years. By the time it arrives, many tied to the conference believe it will be a celebration of one of the league’s best seasons in recent memory.
Optimism about the season was on full display Monday at the league’s annual basketball media day. Held a District E, adjacent to Capital One Arena, media day was a combined event with women’s basketball for the first time in recent history. One the men’s side, coaches, student-athletes and media bought in on the potential of the league as a whole for 2024-25.
Fresh off a pair of teams advancing in the NCAA tournament, an influx of intriguing transfers and a strong foundation of veteran players remaining with some of the A-10’s most consistent programs, there are plenty of indicators suggesting a bullish outlook is reasonable.
“I’ve always been impressed by the depth of the league,” first-year Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz said at the league’s media day Monday. “Obviously, the top is exceptionally good, but how good it is from 1 to 15 and how competitive it is and how really there are no nights off. I think the league has probably been underratedly good.”
Schertz, fresh off leading Indiana State to the NIT title game last spring, takes over a Billikens program that routinely piled up 10-win seasons in league play prior to last year. He also brought with him center Robbie Avila and guard Isaiah Swope, who figure to be centerpieces on his first Saint Louis team.
The Billikens are one of two schools with new coaches. Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot retired after leading the Dukes to their first NCAA tournament berth since 1977. Dru Joyce III, who previously served as a Duquesne assistant, was elevated to the top job.
Both the Dukes (who toppled Brigham Young as a No. 11 seed) and Dayton (which rallied past Nevada as a No. 7 seed) advanced to the round of 32 last season. And while the Flyers saw DaRon Holmes turn pro (and get selected in the first round of the NBA Draft), they still bring back preseason third team all-league pick Nate Santos in the frontcourt.
Among the other heralded returnees: Erik Reynolds II of Saint Joseph’s and VCU’s Max Shulga, first team choices a year ago; second-teamer Des Watson of Loyola Chicago; and third-teamer Gibson Jimerson of Saint Louis. Rookie of the year Xzayvier Brown (Saint Joseph’s) and co-most improved player Rahsool Diggins (Massachusetts) also remain in the fold.
Gallery: (10-8-2024) 2024 Atlantic 10 Basketball Media Day
“I feel good about where the A-10 is positioned right now coming off last season with two teams in the NCAA tournament and they both did awesome, and more in the NIT as well and had good years and were fortunate enough to finish strong down the stretch,” VCU coach Ryan Odom said.
There is clear strength among the top contenders like VCU, which was picked to win the conference in the league’s preseason poll. ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg thinks the league’s bottom half is also significantly better, something that should bolster everyone.
In turn, it could lead to the A-10’s best season since it had an 11
th consecutive year of landing three NCAA tournament bids in 2018.
“Saint Louis should be an NCAA tournament team,” Greenberg said. “VCU should be an NCAA tournament team. Saint Joe’s should be an NCAA tournament team. Dayton should be an NCAA tournament team. Then I think there’s teams that emerge. I think Rhode Island could have a breakthrough year. George Mason, [coach Tony Skinn] got the right pieces. Are you going to count out [Richmond’s] Chris Mooney? Are you going to count out [St. Bonaventure’s] Mark Schmidt?”
The same could be said for Massachusetts under Frank Martin, who returns seven players from a team that surged to a share of fourth place last season. Loyola Chicago has three starters back after sharing the conference regular season title last year. Four starters remain in the fold for Fordham, which also made key additions via transfers and freshman signings.
There are also opportunities early in the season for the league to distinguish itself. VCU faces Seton Hall to open the Charleston Classic. Dayton begins its three-game appearance at the Maui Invitational with national power North Carolina. Saint Joseph’s will meet Texas Tech and either Syracuse or Texas in the Legends Classic in New York.
“I love the look of our nonconference schedules,” said Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “I think when you feel like you can be an at-large selection, you have to be able to schedule that way.”
Games in November and December will set the table for a riveting conference race starting New Year’s Eve. Pick up enough quality victories early, and the stakes could be enhanced once the calendar turns to 2025.
Around the A-10 at Monday's Media Day, there’s a sense it could unfold exactly in that fashion.
Patrick Stevens is a veteran college basketball writer that has worked for The Washington Post, Syracuse Media Group and The Washington Times. He has written selected pieces for the Atlantic 10 since 2013.