Introduction

Believe it or not, it’s almost that time of the year, and while I haven’t done much writing this offseason, I’ve been working on a special treat for all of you: a breakdown of the best 100 players in the Atlantic 10 for the coming season. Yes, you read that correctly. While it’s fun to put together rankings, the main point of this article was for me to get familiar with who’s returning and who’s new to the league. It’s almost impossible to know how good some of these freshmen or JUCO transfers are going to be, but if you think I made an egregious mistake ranking a player where I did (or forgetting to rank a player entirely), I’m happy to hear you out in the comments on this article below and will consider making revisions to this list if I think they’re warranted. However, I’ve done a good bit of research on the league and all of these guys, and this is my best attempt at where I think the best 100 players in the conference should be slotted. Enjoy!

1. Jon Axel Gudmundsson | Davidson | Sr.

The reigning A-10 player of the year will be out to do it again and comes in as #1 on my preseason list. JAG has the ability to do it all, as his scoring, assisting, and rebounding numbers were all very impressive his junior year. With Kellan Grady taking a slight step back last season, JAG shined and carried the load throughout a good portion of the season. If Grady returns to full form like we saw him his freshman season, we may see JAG and Kellan sharing the load of responsibilities even more. Nevertheless, Davidson is going to be in contention to win the A-10 this season, and the Wildcats should have their hearts set at making it to the Big Dance. With Jon Axel entering his senior year already decorated with the POY award, the entire country is going to know his name come March 2020.

2. Obi Toppin | Dayton | So.

Mr. Obi “Lob It Up” Toppin was probably the biggest surprise of last season, as most A-10 fans expected Josh Cunningham or Jalen Crutcher to be the Flyers’ best player. But alas, Obi Toppin emerged as a wrecking ball in conference play, leading Dayton to some key wins thanks to some thunderous dunks. Toppin got a few NBA looks and tested the waters before deciding to head back to school for his sophomore year; given Obi’s trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was his last year at Dayton. Toppin will compete with JAG and company for the A-10 POY crown this season, and he’ll have a very good shot at winning that as well as a lot of conference games. The expectation for Dayton this season is a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, something the Flyers have yet to do under Anthony Grant. Dayton will go as far (or as high) as Obi Toppin will take them, and if you’ve seen the kid jump, you know that’s a good sign.

3. Marcus Evans | VCU | Sr.

With an untimely injury in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament, last season did not end the way Marcus Evans and VCU had hoped; despite a trip to the Big Dance, Evans was not playing at 100%, and the Rams fell to UCF on the opening weekend. A healthy Marcus Evans will be coming back for his senior year, and VCU could be a preseason top 25 team. The expectations are sky-high for Mike Rhoades’ club. Evans was incredibly effective at getting to the free throw line last season, averaging the most fouls drawn per 40 minutes of anyone in the Atlantic 10. His defense was second-to-none, as he had the 3rd best steal rate in the league and proved to be a lockdown defender. Evans’ 62.5% two point field goal percentage in A-10 play was very impressive for a guard, though he’ll need to work on his outside jumper, as he shot less than 30% from three last season. Evans should be gunning for an A-10 POY title in his final season.

4. Jacob Gilyard | Richmond | Jr.

I think Jacob Gilyard was the best player to receive as little recognition as he did last year. An absolute pest on the court, Gilyard ranked in the top 5 in the league in points, assists, and steals per game, and he’s got 2 years of collegiate basketball left. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gilyard as the frontrunner for A-10 POY in 2020-21, and I think he’s got a shot at winning it this year too. It’s hard to ask much more of Gilyard this season; he played 96.5% of available minutes in league play last season — the most of any player in the Atlantic 10. He shot 41.3% from three and 60.2% from two in conference play, both very impressive for a guard. And obviously, Gilyard is as good on defense as he is on offense, if not better. I think Gilyard is the most complete player in the conference, and he’s already playing beyond his years. I’m very excited to watch him compete next season. Richmond will need its bench to help out though, as depth could be the big factor holding the Spiders back in 2019-20.

5. Kellan Grady | Davidson | Jr.

After a season where an unfortunate injury hurt Davidson at a crucial moment in non-conference play, Kellan Grady is ready to bounce back and lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament. At the helm, Davidson has Grady and Gudmundsson, arguably one of the best backcourts in the nation. Grady’s 2018-19 campaign consisted of on-and-off performances; he’d struggle with his shot early in the year against Wichita St. and in the A-10 Tourney against Saint Louis, but he’d complete an impressive comeback to take down VCU at the start of conference play and drop 31 points on Lipscomb in an NIT loss. Grady remains a very good caretaker of the basketball and can be a deadly shooter when he heats up. Kellan Grady will look to channel the success he had on the court at the end of his freshman year when Davidson was unstoppable.

6. Cyril Langevine | Rhode Island | Sr.

Leaving Cyril Langevine off the 2018-19 First Team All Conference was a mistake, as the junior had an incredible season with the Rams. Averaging 14.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest, Langevine basically averaged a double-double for Rhode Island, and his productivity didn’t stop there. Langevine has continually been a force on the defensive end of the floor, and he had the 6th best offensive rebounding percentage in the league last year. With the 2nd best free throw rate in the conference, Langevine lived at the free throw line and took 215 attempts as a junior. As a team, URI shot just 68.0% from the charity stripe, and Langevine only 60.0% of his attempts. Improved efficiency from the charity stripe should be a focal point for this team as they try to build an NCAA Tournament resume in a difficult non-conference slate.

7. Jeff Dowtin | Rhode Island | Sr.

With his senior year on the horizon, Jeff Dowtin is looking to take the Rhode Island Rams back to the NCAA Tournament for the 3rd time in 4 years. Having played in the Big Dance twice already, Dowtin has the experience necessary to lead Rhody this season, and URI has some big non-conference opportunities early next year. Dowtin had a big end to his junior year, leading URI to a 75-70 win over VCU in the A-10 Tournament, logging 22 points and hitting some big shots. Dowtin improved on both ends of the floor in 2018-19 and was particularly good at playing defense without fouling. While his three point shooting suffered slightly last year, he’s still a very effective player driving through the lane and finishing around the bucket. If Dowtin can find his jumper like we saw during Rhode Island’s 6 game win streak at the end of last season, he’ll be competing for a first team all-conference position by the end of the year.

8. Marcus Santos-Silva | VCU | Jr.

I think it’s safe to say Marcus Santos-Silva made the biggest freshman-to-sophomore jump of any player in the conference, and now I’m projecting him to be the 7th best player in the conference this year. MSS averaged 10.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest sophomore year after just 3.1 points his freshman season; not to mention, he only played 22.3 minutes per contest. MSS shot 59.4% from the floor last season, which was almost better than his free throw shooting percentage (59.7%), an area he’ll have to work on. Santos-Silva’s biggest game of last season came in the A-10 Tournament against Rhode Island where he went for an insane 26 points and 22 rebounds despite the loss. MSS had the 6th best offensive rebounding percentage in the nation last year. His ability to get on the glass and give the Rams second chance opportunities is absolutely crucial for Mike Rhoades’ ball club.

9. Grant Golden | Richmond | Jr.

The rising junior has been a rock for the Spiders in his first two seasons, and as Richmond gears up for what should be a solid season, Golden will be a focal point for this offense. Golden has consistently been a great defensive rebounder, having the 4th best defensive rebounding percentage in the conference last year. But for a big man, he is a magnificent passer; Golden was 3rd in the A-10 in assist rate as a sophomore and continues to prove he can dish some pretty dimes. Golden continues to do everything right when he’s on the floor, and he’s a player who looks to make his teammates better. Expect Golden to have another great season, and Richmond just might turn some heads this year…

10. Kyle Lofton | St. Bonaventure | So.

It’s hard not to be bullish on Kyle Lofton, as the rising sophomore is likely to be St. Bonaventure’s best player next season, having proved himself immensely in his first year. Freshman year saw Lofton play nearly 92% of available minutes; Mark Schmidt is not shy about getting his young guys in the game. Lofton stands out as a shooter and all-around scorer: he had 32 points in a home win over George Mason where he hit 7/8 threes and showed the fans in Olean that he can play beyond his years. With Courtney Stockard having graduated, Lofton will take on a large chunk of the scoring load next year and should be the go-to-guy when the Bonnies need a big bucket. Look for him to focus on scoring around the basket and drawing contact, as Kyle Lofton is one of the best free throw shooters in the conference.

11. Justin Kier | George Mason | Sr.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the Atlantic 10 last season, Justin Kier made the sophomore-to-junior jump from 11.0 PPG to 14.5 PPG and grabbed an extra 2 rebounds per game as well. While Otis Livingston II was still the quarterback of the 2018-19 squad, Kier began filling that role more and more as the season progressed. I’d argue that with 4 straight double-doubles to start A-10 play, Kier was in the mix to win POY in the conference if the Patriots had finished a bit higher and the junior had a few more key performances against the league’s best opponents. A lot of weight will fall on Kier’s shoulders in 2019-20. He’s the returning leading scorer and 2nd best rebounder as well. With Javon Greene and Jordan Miller looking to take steps up in 2019-20, the Patriots may have a shot at turning some heads this year.

12. Sincere Carry | Duquesne | So.

Duquesne’s stud point guard comes into his sophomore season with sky-high expectations. His 12.1 PPG were second on the Dukes’ roster to Eric Williams Jr., and Carry led the team in assists at 5.8 per contest. Carry wasn’t a name all A-10 fans were familiar with heading into last November, but after he dropped 32 on Illinois Chicago in the second game of the season, the rest of the league knew who he was. Carry is a pass-first point guard but also plays stellar defense with the 7th best steal rate in the Atlantic 10. While he’s still developing a consistent three point shot, his production inside the arc is solid, and he has a knack for getting to the free throw line. Carry has a lot more weight on his shoulders in 2019-20 without Williams Jr. to carry a lot of the scoring load, so he’ll have to continue his impressive collegiate career.

13. Hasahn French | Saint Louis | Jr.

This becomes an interesting year for junior Hasahn French who hasn’t had to be a prolific scorer in his first 2 seasons with the Billikens. French had a few major scoring nights last season, but most of his value was on the defensive end of the floor swatting shots or on the glass on both ends. French had the 4th best block rate in the conference and ranked 11th and 8th in offensive and defensive rebounding percentages respectively. It will be interesting to see if French is utilized more often for post production now that Javon Bess and Tramaine Isabell aren’t around to be the predominant scoring threats. French takes a lot of attempts from the floor and often finds himself at the free throw line. Travis Ford will need to see him get more efficient from the field and from the charity stripe.

14. Carl Pierre | Massachusetts | Jr.

Entering his third year with the Minutemen, Carl Pierre is one of the few returning players who had a significant impact on UMass’ 2018-19 team. With roster turnover, specifically the loss of Luwane Pipkins, Massachusetts will look a lot different this year, and Matt McCall’s club will be centered around a few impact freshmen as well as Carl Pierre. Throughout his first 2 seasons with the Minutemen, Carl Pierre has been one of the deadliest shooters in the country. He shot a ridiculous 47.2% from long range as a freshman and shot nearly 40% from three in A-10 play last year. He’s managed to keep his efficiency up despite shooting more than 200 attempts, which is pretty incredible. Carl Pierre’s shown the ability to take over games and win himself — look at Massachusetts’ win over Davidson last season. He’ll have a new supporting cast, meaning he may be called upon to score even more this season. If some of the freshmen can provide meaningful minutes, Massachusetts could surprise this year.

15. Nick Sherod | Richmond | Jr.

After missing almost the entire 2018-19 season due to injury, Nick Sherod comes back for what should be a big junior year. Sherod is not a player to forget about despite his recent absence; he averaged 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game his sophomore season, proving to be a vital piece under Chris Mooney. Sherod proved to be one of the best three point shooters in the league, firing at a 41.0% clip in A-10 play two seasons ago. Sherod is a player who does just about everything right and is one of the most efficient players in the conference, which is impressive for a non-post player. Sherod had the 4th best offensive rating in the league as a sophomore, and his absence last season was a big hole for Mooney. I think Richmond is set to make a big jump with a healthy Sherod along with some other key pieces.

16. Fatts Russell | Rhode Island | Jr.

If it weren’t for Fatts Russell’s killer end to the regular season, Rhode Island may not have so much momentum heading into 2019-20. To give some context, Russell had the proverbial sophomore slump throughout much of last season, struggling with his three point shot (22.3%) and turning the ball over too frequently. The Rams had a 5 game losing streak where Russell had an 0-7 shooting night against VCU on the road with more turnovers than assist. But at the flip of a switch, Russell turned things around, and the Rams started winning games. URI rode a 4 game winning streak into the A-10 Tournament, and Russell was coming off performances of 23, 41, and 27 points back-to-back-to-back. Finally out of the sophomore slump, URI had 3 dominant weapons who were playing at the highest level, and Rhode Island was an entirely different team. Rhode Island tends to play as well as Fatts Russell plays (though Dowtin and Langevine are just as critical), meaning his success in 2019-20 is pivotal if the Rams want to make a run at the NCAA Tournament. As a junior, Russell has some big shoes to fill, but if March of 2019 was any indication, he’s going to give URI quite the boost come November.

17. Osun Osunniyi | St. Bonaventure | So.

Arguably one of the league’s most entertaining players returns for his second season with the Bonnies, and he’ll be expected to do big things in Olean. Osunniyi is known, more than anything, as a ferocious shot-blocker, as he had the #1 block rate in the conference as a freshman. Speaking of #1, the freshman had the best offensive rating in the league, according to Kenpom, and he also had be the best turnover rate among Atlantic 10 players. He truly played beyond his years as a freshman and had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities, especially early in the season with Stockard and Griffin dealing with injuries. Now, the sophomore is fit to lead the Bonnies in what should be a pretty exciting season under Mark Schmidt.

18. Ryan Daly | Saint Joseph’s | Jr.

As I write this blurb, Saint Joseph’s has 4 scholarship spots to fill for the coming season and will have a bench that runs extremely thin. Subsequently, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan Daly have a shot at leading the league in scoring next season. The Delaware transfer sat out last season after averaging 17.5 points per game his sophomore season with the Blue Hens. Daly had the best turnover rate in his conference two seasons ago, a stat that fits Saint Joseph’s ideal pretty well. He took a lot of shots his sophomore year (nearly 14 per game), and without much of a go-to scorer, Saint Joseph’s may see Daly take even more than that this coming season. While he’s not the most efficient scorer in the world, Daly can fill it up in a hurry. There are a lot of question marks heading into the 2019-20 season for SJU fans, but Daly should be the leading scorer on the team and maybe even in the league.

19. Jordan Goodwin | Saint Louis | Jr.

With Tramaine Isabell and Javon Bess having graduated, it’s Jordan Goodwin’s time to step up and be the leading scorer for the Billikens. The highly-touted recruit out of high school has had his fair share of stellar performances (see nearly three triple doubles his freshman season), but Goodwin had a bit of an on-and-off sophomore year on the offensive end of the floor. Goodwin’s three point shooting has yet to surpass 30% either season with SLU, and even though that’s not necessarily his game, he took almost 100 attempts last year. Despite getting to the free throw line very often, the sophomore wasn’t able to connect on more than 52% of his free throw attempts last year. Goodwin has done very well in other facets of the game, proving himself to be one of the best defensive presences, offensive rebounders, and passers in the Atlantic 10 conference. I look at Goodwin as a guy who just needs to add more scoring to his repertoire. If he can emerge as Saint Louis’ leading scorer who can refine his shot from three and from the free throw line, he’ll help SLU immensely in 2019-20.

20. De’Riante Jenkins | VCU | Sr.

Another key senior for VCU this season, De’Riante Jenkins averaged 11.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest last season while firing at a 34.1% clip from deep. Jenkins saw his efficiency from deep taper off a bit last year, but he improved in conference play compared to non-conference play, shooting the ball at 38.0% in A-10 games. Jenkins has always been a volume shooter from deep for the Rams, and three point shooting was an overall issue for this team in 2018-19. If he can get back to shooting better than 40.0% from deep, he’ll be very tough to guard given he’s developed his ability to drive and finish off the dribble. It’s worth noting that Jenkins got hot at the right times last season and was 39.4% from range against Tier A opponents according to Kenpom. Notably, Jenkins hit 5 of 7 threes against Dayton in conference play, leading to a huge win on the road for the Rams.

21. Jalen Crutcher | Dayton | Jr.

Entering his 3rd year with the Flyers, Dayton’s point guard Jalen Crutcher has been a very important player and will continue to fill that role throughout the 2019-20 season. Crutcher had the 6th best assist rate in A-10 play, and tossing it up to the big man Obi Toppin certainly contributed to that. Crutcher shot 36.3% from deep last year, an overall step up from his freshman season as he continues to prove his efficiency as a volume shooter. Crutcher always seems to show up big in the Flyers’ most difficult games; he scored 20 in a neutral win over Butler last season and dropped another 20 points with 4 assists on the road against Rhode Island. Crutcher, who attempted 193 shots from deep last season, shouldn’t have to force shots or be one of the main scoring options this season. With a plethora of transfers entering the rotation, Crutcher will be able to be a true distributor, setting his teammates up with open looks and leading this team to an NCAA Tournament berth.

22. Tre Mitchell | Massachusetts | Fr.

Tre Mitchell is the second highest rated recruit in the conference according to 247 Sports and should be an immediate stud when he takes the court for Massachusetts. A 4 star center from Pittsburgh, Mitchell comes in at 6-9, 235 pounds, providing the Minutemen a great body to replace Rashaan Holloway in the post. The Minutemen have garnered quite a bit of excitement around their freshmen this season, and 2019-20 is a time for this program to start new after so many players transferred out. Mitchell’s size and athleticism will be tough for opposing teams to handle, and he’ll grow to be one of the best big men in the conference. He also has a smooth stroke and isn’t afraid to step outside to knock down the three. Matt McCall and company should be pretty stoked about this kid’s potential.

23. Issac Vann | VCU | Sr.

As the 4th player in my top 25, Issac Vann is another reason VCU is going to be damn hard to stop this season. The Rams return the Maine transfer who averaged 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last year and shot better than 81% from the free throw line. Vann was a valuable three point shooter for the Rams in conference play, firing at a 35.7% clip in league games. Vann dropped a career high 30 points on St. John’s in a close loss last season and can really be a dangerous scorer when he heats up. Vann plays a significant role for the Rams at the 3 and will continue to add value to Mike Rhoades’ squad.

24. Luka Brajkovic | Davidson | So.

Luka Brajkovic does not fit the traditional mold of a big man under Bob McKillop; the Wildcats often look for post players who can also shoot the three, but Brajkovic is a post player in the truest form of the word. His 57.0% from two point range last season ranked top 20 in the league, and his sheer size and lengthy arms led him to be a top 10 offensive rebounder in conference play. Once Luka establishes his presence around the basket, he’s very difficult to stop and has a knack for finishing with a sweet hook shot. While Brajkovic has yet to assert himself as a consistent three point shooter, he has a great stroke at the free throw line and could start to increase his range this season. He will be absolutely vital for Davidson this year and will need to stay out of foul trouble, as the Wildcats’ bench does not run incredibly deep when it comes to big men that have his skill set.

25. Nathan Cayo | Richmond | So.

Someone who really didn’t get enough recognition last season, Nathan Cayo went from averaging 2.3 PPG his freshman year to 12.9 his sophomore year. Granted, his minutes would almost double, and Nick Sherod’s injury certainly had something to do with that, but now the Spiders have 5 true scorers in their starting lineup with Sherod set to come back and transfer Blake Francis ready to make a big impact. Cayo saw most playing time at the 4 last year where he scored at an impressive 60% clip from 2 point range. Cayo got to the line with frequency (he should look to improve from the stripe during the offseason), and was an underrated defender, averaging nearly a block and a steal per game. Cayo helps round out what should be a pretty solid Richmond team that many are picking as their league sleeper in 2019-20.

26. Arnaldo Toro | George Washington | Sr.

Due to an unfortunate hip injury at the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Arnaldo Toro barely saw the court last year, and GW struggled without its key big man in the post. Toro was coming off a strong sophomore year and had already strung together three double-doubles in just 7 contests before getting injured. With plenty of time to rehab, Toro should come back in fighting shape, ready for a strong senior year where GW will rely on him heavily. With plenty of changes in Foggy Bottom, Toro will remain the team’s anchor and could even emerge as the leading scorer without D.J. Williams or Terry Nolan Jr. in the mix. As always though, Toro will remain one of the best rebounders in the Atlantic 10 next year.

27. Jordan Miller | George Mason | So.

I think I may be higher than most on Jordan Miller, but the sophomore is due for a breakout season, especially with all of the talent George Mason is losing. Originally a redshirt, Miller got his GMU debut halfway through last season against Rhode Island, a game where Miller would tally 14 points on 6/7 shooting with 2 blocks and 2 steals, helping the Patriots get an impressive 84-67 road win over Rhode Island. Sneakily, Jordan Miller had the 2nd best offensive rating in the conference, shot 67.4% from 2 point range, and proved to be very aggressive on the glass, especially on the offensive end. I think Miller is the best-kept secret in the A-10 entering 2019-20 and could rival Justin Kier for GMU’s best player.

28. Blake Francis | Richmond | Jr.

A lot of people are talking about Richmond as a sleeper in the Atlantic 10, and I think the fact that they’re the only school with 5 players in the top 30 on my list speaks to this. Blake Francis is the 5th of those Spiders and is a new face in Richmond. Transferring from Wagner and sitting out a season, Francis is a prolific scorer, averaging 17.3 PPG his sophomore season while shooting better than 40% from long range. Francis had the 5th best steal rate in his conference 2 seasons ago and was also great at not coughing up the basketball. Though somewhat undersized, Richmond’s backcourt is going to be a dangerous scoring threat, as Francis and Gilyard will wreak havoc on the league. Not to mention, both are incredible defenders that will have their fair share of steals next season.

29. Tavian Dunn-Martin | Duquesne | Jr.

Arguably one of the most exciting players to watch in the A-10, Tavian Dunn-Martin will be back for his second season at Duquesne, hoping to lead the Dukes to the top of the league. Dunn-Martin was named A-10 6th Man of the Year last season, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take on a starting role this year. TDM has asserted himself as one of the best three point shooters in the league, firing at a 38.9% clip in conference play last season; not to mention, his range is virtually unlimited. Dunn-Martin’s performances last season tended to be pretty hit-or-miss; he erupted for 30 points on 7-9 shooting from deep in a win over Massachusetts but went 0-10 from three over the final three games of last season. If TDM can find some consistency with his shot, he’ll continue to prove himself as one of the league’s best shooters.

30. Ibi Watson | Dayton | Jr.

Here’s a name you should quickly get familiar with. Ibi Watson is a transfer from Michigan who sat out last season but is ready to make an impact for the Flyers. Though Watson did not see a lot of time on the court in his first two seasons with the Wolverines, he was a highly-touted recruit out of high school and is a player Anthony Grant and the Flyer community are very excited about. At 6-5 with a strong build, Watson adds another scoring threat to an already loaded Dayton backcourt. Watson will compete with the likes of Trey Landers and Dwayne Cohill for a starting spot, but given the excitement and expectations surrounding Watson, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn that starting role at the beginning of the season.

31. Michael Hughes | Duquesne | Jr.

Michael Hughes was arguably one of the league’s best surprises, emerging as a stud big man during his sophomore campaign. Averaging 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, Hughes proved to be reliable on the glass as well as for a few big buckets each contest. Big nights for Hughes include a double-double against Pittsburgh with 20 points and one heck of a stat line against GW – 21 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 blocks. Michael Hughes may truly be the “Renaissance Man” of the Atlantic 10, as he can do just about anything while on the court. Look for his contributions to become more vital this season, as there is more scoring to go around without Eric Williams Jr. in the mix.

32. Rodney Chatman | Dayton | Jr.

Rodney Chatman is one of my favorite incoming transfers, as I think he’ll have a huge season for the Flyers. Chatman proved to be an efficient scorer at Chattanooga, knocking down more than 60% of his 2 point attempts as a sophomore, which is really good for a 6’1″ guard. His three point shooting has improved throughout his young career, and Chatman prides himself as one of the better passers in the nation, averaging 4.5 dimes per game. The point guard will provide the Flyers’ depth in the backcourt, something they definitely lacked last season. Expect Chatman to be a prolific set-up guy as well as a player who can knock down some big shots from behind and inside the three point line.

33. Nah’shon Hyland | VCU | Fr.

The St. Georges Tech point guard is a 4 star recruit for VCU who currently ranks 79th nationally on 247 Sports’ class of 2019 freshman recruits. Needless to say, Hyland has garnered a lot of hype heading into the 2019-20 season where he’ll be expected to make an immediate impact. With Marcus Evans, Issac Vann, and De’Riante Jenkins running the show this year, Hyland will certainly be a role player off the bench where he’ll look to earn valuable minutes; however, Hyland is a key build for the future, as Mike Rhoades will lose a lot of talent after the 2019-20 season. His three point stroke is very good, and he’ll add shooting to a team whose biggest weakness was from long range. Look for the highly-touted point guard to make a name for himself off the bench this year and provide great relief when Marcus Evans heads to the bench.

34. Jalen Cobb | Fordham | So.

The one-two punch of freshmen Nick Honor and Jalen Cobb carried Fordham last season, but with the former gone, Cobb will now be the go-to-guy for the Rams. Averaging 10.1 points per contest, Cobb was consistently a solid scorer whose 17 points were big in a win over Rutgers, arguably Fordham’s best victory last season. He had 17 performances scoring double digits last season including a career-high 18 against Maine in a double overtime loss. Cobb’s three point shooting improved in league play where he shot 34.7% from long range, good enough for top 20 in the conference. His work on the defensive end of the floor was impressive as well; he had the 6th best steal percentage in the Atlantic 10. Given Fordham’s limitations and offseason transfers, Cobb will be even more pivotal to keeping Fordham out of 14th.

35. Tyrese Martin | Rhode Island | So.

Tyrese Martin quietly had a very solid freshman season and will be a key piece to Rhode Island’s success in 2019-20. Averaging 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest, Martin was great on the glass and added scoring throughout his freshman campaign. In particular, his offensive rebounding numbers were impressive, as he ranked top 20 in the A-10 in offensive rebounding percentage. Martin was a player who really got better as the season progressed, and he even earned a starting role once conference play rolled around. With 13 points and 5 boards in URI’s win over VCU at the end of the season, Martin proved he can step up in big games, and I have a feeling we’ll see him make big strides his sophomore season. Needless to say, I think I’m more bullish than most on Martin’s 2nd season.

36. Javon Greene | George Mason | Jr.

I think there’s a chance I’m really underweighting Javon Greene given the opportunities he’ll have his junior season. As the new go-to guard, Greene has big shoes to fill and could make a big leap in his junior season. It’s likely that he and Jamal Hartwell II share duties at the 1 and 2 depending on progression throughout the year. Greene had some big performances last year, dropping 21 on La Salle followed by 17 on Massachusetts in back-to-back wins. Greene had the best free throw shooting percentage in the conference last season (94.7% in A-10 play) and is really at his best when attacking the rim and looking for contact. I think Greene has a lot of room to grow, and we’ll likely see him progress throughout 2019-20.

37. Isiah Deas | La Salle | Sr.

The one-two punch of Isiah Deas and Saul Phiri gave some teams fits last season, and with another year of experience under their belts, the two seniors will look to bring La Salle up in the A-10 standings. Deas averaged 11.9 points per contest last season and had four 20+ point performances, including a big 25 in a home win over Davidson. Deas has been a crucial part of La Salle’s offense, as he took 29.7% of the team’s shots in league play, the second highest of anyone in the conference. Deas has made strides with his outside shooting (34.8% from long range last season), and his improvement from deep could really help a team that was not very good from three point land last season.

38. Luke Frampton | Davidson | So.

Sharpshooter Luke Frampton was known for having games with multiple three pointers last season, and 2019-20 shouldn’t be much different. Frampton shot 38.1% from three his freshman year but improved substantially throughout and fired at a 42.3% clip during league play. Attempting 252 threes and just 32 twos last season, Frampton has asserted himself as an exclusive three point threat, though his defensive is improving as he’s worked to get in better shape. Davidson should remain the most dangerous three point shooting team in the league as long as Luke Frampton has games where he absolutely goes off.

39. Marcus Weathers | Duquesne | Jr.

Marcus Weathers had a very solid year for Duquesne, averaging 10 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest as a sophomore. His 17 points in an A-10 Tournament loss to Saint Joseph’s was his second best scoring performance of the season, and he was a crucial scoring piece in Duquesne’s 5 game winning streak at the start of conference play. As a player who started in every contest he played in last season, he will become even more crucial to the Dukes who lose a valuable scoring threat in Eric Williams Jr. As a player who gets to the line often, he’ll look to improve his free throw shooting this offseason and remain aggressive and physical in the post. Weathers might be the most underrated weapon on Duquesne’s roster, and I think junior year will be a big stepping stone for his contributions to this team.

40. Dominick Welch | St. Bonaventure | So.

Part of St. Bonaventure’s “Big 3,” Dominick Welch has a chance to be one of the best shooters in the conference next season and will undoubtedly make some strides as a sophomore. Welch was the best three point shooter for the Bonnies last season (36.1%) and took the 2nd most attempts behind only Courtney Stockard. The latter has since graduated, meaning Welch is due for a big year and will be the go-to-guy from behind the three point line. Welch really came on to the scene during the A-10 Tournament where he knocked down 6 attempts from deep en route to a first round win over George Mason. Expect he, Kyle Lofton, and Osun Osunniyi to be one of the best trios in the Atlantic 10 next season.

41. Terrence Hargrove Jr. | Saint Louis | Fr.

If you thought Hasahn French’s athletic dunks and blocks were the only thunderous performances to look forward to in 2019-20, you clearly haven’t heard of Terrence Hargrove Jr. The incoming freshman is a pure athlete who’s capable of throwing down some monstrous dunks. The East St. Louis product is one of the best prospects out of the state of Illinois and had offers from Wisconsin, Kansas, and Missouri among others. Hargrove Jr. should make SLU one of the most athletic teams in the conference, and his elusive ability will make the Billikens dangerous in transition. Expect Hargrove Jr. to start for SLU this year at the 3 or the 4 depending on how the rest of the lineup shakes up.

42. Hyunjung Lee | Davidson | Fr.

A late commit for Bob McKillop, Hyunjung Lee is not yet well-known, but he will be. Davidson tends to recruit outside of the U.S., meaning landing the 6-7 wing from South Korea is nothing new for this coaching staff. Lee notes that he tries to play like Klay Thompson and has proven himself to be an excellent shooter. Lee will add yet another threat from behind the three point line for the Wildcats, a team that was 1st in the Atlantic 10 in team three point shooting percentage last season. Lee notes that his defensive needs to improve and that he needs to get stronger, but that should come with offseason workouts and more reps. Expect Lee to be a very solid shooter and rotational player from McKillop’s squad this season.

43. Antwon Portley | Fordham | Sr.

The Saint Peter’s transfer Antwon Portley had a strong junior campaign for the Rams, averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, a step up from his sophomore year. Shooting 35.6% from long range last season, Portley has proven to be a dangerous shooter who can get hot in a hurry; he knocked down 6 of 10 from deep last season in a road win over Massachusetts. Fordham saw star freshman Nick Honor opt to transfer, meaning senior year will be a big one from Portley. Expect he and Jalen Cobb to shoulder a majority of the scoring for the Rams this coming season.

44. Jordy Tshimanga | Dayton | Jr.

One of four new transfers for Dayton, Jordy Tshimanga comes from Nebraska where he averaged 4.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest as a sophomore playing less than 14 minutes per game. As an impressive rebounder, Tshimanga fills a big gap for the Flyers. They ranked 9th in offensive rebounding percentage and 12th in defensive rebounding percentage in 2018-19. Tshimanga also adds much-needed depth in the frontcourt with the graduation of Josh Cunningham. Obi Toppin is likely to start at the 4 with 6-11 Tshimanga handling duties at the 5. While some of the other UD transfers may have generated more hype, Tshimanga is likely to see a lot of court time right away under Grant.

45. Chase Johnson | Dayton | So.

Florida transfer Chase Johnson will join the Flyers in what is supposed to be a very solid season. Johnson was a 4 star recruit out of high school according to 247 Sports, and at 6-9 and 205 pounds, he’ll add some much-needed size to this Dayton roster. Having played very little collegiate ball, it’s difficult to get a read on how good Johnson will be. He appears to be fairly athletic and versatile for his size. Dayton will cherish having another body to back up Obi Toppin at the 4 this season.

46. Saul Phiri | La Salle | Sr.

In tandem with Isiah Deas, Saul Phiri has a shot at making Ashley Howard’s second year at La Salle one filled with improvement. Phiri shot the ball incredibly well as a junior, making 43.2% of his three point attempts in conference play, good enough for 2nd in the league. He had one of the best effective field goal percentages in the Atlantic 10, and he played 80.7% of available minutes, good enough for 21st in the conference. Phiri and the Explorers will have their eyes set on a better start to the 2019-20 season than how the previous year turned out; I think Phiri’s presence makes La Salle a good sleeper pick in the conference, and the Explorers started to get their act together toward the end of last season.

47. Maceo Jack | George Washington | Jr.

Maceo Jack had a pretty big sophomore season, making a jump from 2.8 PPG his freshman year to 11.5 PPG. At 6-5, Jack is effective on the glass, pulling down 3.5 boards per game last season, and he can knock down his shots from the free throw line and from long range. Maceo Jack quietly had multiple 20 point games in conference play last season, including 28 in a loss to St. Bonaventure. While Jack is a good shooter, he’s at his best when he’s attacking and getting to the free throw line where he shoots 87.5%. His junior year will be crucial for Jamion Christian in his first season.

48. Goanar Mar | George Mason | Jr.

Due to injury, Mar’s contributions were pretty limited his sophomore season; however, his freshman campaigning was a glimpse into what should be a promising future. Averaging 10.9 PPG in his first year, Mar was a solid scoring option and even flashed the ability to knock down the three. He’s effective at getting to the free throw line when he attacks the basket as well; Mar took 128 free throws his freshman season. Mar’s progression will be very important to GMU’s success in 2019-20. Even before getting injured, the sophomore really struggled from the floor in non-conference play, shooting less than 30% from the floor. That’s not good. If he can bounce back from a bit of a sophomore slump and play like he did freshman year, he’ll be a real difference-maker for Dave Paulsen this year.

49. Yuri Collins | Saint Louis | Fr.

If you’re wondering where Saint Louis’ three point shooting is going to come from now that Isabell and Bess are gone, freshman point guard Yuri Collins may be the answer. Collins checks all the boxes of a true freshman PG ready to make an immediate impact; he can drive and finish, pass, and shoot from the outside. At 5-11, he’ll have his work cut out for him against bigger guards, but he’s as quick as anyone and should be a solid scoring option. Collins generated interest from solid schools including Iowa and Missouri and ranks 224th nationally in his class according to 247 Sports.

50. Taylor Funk | Saint Joseph’s | Jr.

After a red hot start to his sophomore year, shooting lights out in the Charleston Classic, Taylor Funk frankly struggled to get much going, and the Hawks fell into a slump. It’s safe to say last season did not turn out the way SJU fans would have hoped, and Funk will certainly need to work on his shooting this offseason to get the Hawks back in the mix. He’s one of the only remaining players that played significant minutes under Phil Martelli last season, as most guys transferred out of the program, which means Billy Lange will look to guys like Funk for experience. He’s a truly lethal three point shooter despite firing at a 24.8% clip during league play last season; let’s just hope he’s past the proverbial sophomore slump.

51. Javonte Perkins | Saint Louis | Jr.

The Billikens add a volume scorer in JUCO transfer Javonte Perkins who formerly played ball at Southwestern Illinois College just down the street. Perkins was 3rd in the NJCAA in scoring at 26.4 points per game, and with a 6-6, 195 pound build, he proved to be an effective rebounder as well. It’s always difficult to get a read on JUCO players because it’s never certain how their game will translate to the D1 level. Perkins is certainly the cream of the crop at the NJCAA level given his scoring ability, so I’m bullish on his potential this coming season. The Billikens will be looking for their new go-to-scorer now that Javon Bess is out of the mix, and while Hasahn French and Jordan Goodwin could certainly fill that role, a newcomer like Perkins might put his name in the mix early next season.

52. Hason Ward | VCU | Fr.

VCU has one of the most talented freshman classes in the conference, which has kind of been swept under the rug given the hype around the team’s upperclassmen. Guys like Hason Ward and Nah’shon Hyland are setting a solid foundation for the future of this program. Hason Ward is a 3 star center according to 247 Sports, and he comes from Springfield, Massachusetts. Ward had interest from the Minutemen among other schools like Georgia. At 6-9, 200 pounds, Ward adds post depth to a team that lost Michael Gilmore to graduation and Sean Mobley to the transfer market. The 4 man rotation of MSS, Corey Douglas, Vince Williams, and now Hason Ward runs deep and should cause problems for opposing teams. Ward is a big body who should see solid playing time in his first year.

53. Fred Thatch Jr. | Saint Louis | So.

Here’s a guy that the Billikens are going to need to take a big step up in 2019-20. With Javon Bess having graduated, Thatch Jr. may be the best on-ball defender on the team. Bess got a lot of credit (and rightfully so) for his work shutting down the likes of Myles Powell and Charlie Brown Jr., but Thatch Jr. was very important on the defensive end of the floor as well. Thatch had the 9th best steal rate in the conference as a freshman, and quietly, he ranked 25th in the league in offensive rebounding. Though offense wasn’t necessarily his forte last season, Saint Louis is going to need some more scoring out of the sophomore. In particular, if he can get his three point shot to fall, he could be a very dangerous player.

54. Ayinde Hikim | La Salle | Fr.

Here’s an incoming freshman to keep an eye on. Hikim is a product of Washington D.C. and has proved to be a very dangerous scorer at the high school level. Averaging 36 PPG during the 2019 GAC Tournament, Hikim will add some much-needed offense to a La Salle team that loses Pookie Powell, it’s best player from last season. Hikim is very quick with the basketball and can get up and down the court in a flash. He’s got a nice mid-range game and can also finish through traffic with ease. With Powell gone and Carter and Moultrie having transferred, Hikim should get significant playing time at the PG position next season and could even see himself in the starting role. That’s why I’m bullish on the freshman.

55. Justin Mazzulla | George Washington | Jr.

With a decent amount of roster turnover this offseason, Justin Mazzulla remains one of the best scorers for the Colonials who’s already played for the Buff and Blue. Averaging 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last year, Mazzulla has the ability to add value all across the stat sheet. He hit his stride last season with a 19 point performance against American and would follow that up by scoring in double digits in 7 of his next 8 contests. Mazzulla has proven to be a solid passer, though he’ll have to cut down on his turnovers this coming season (2.6 per game). If Jamion Christian and GW want to make a run up the leaderboard in the A-10 this year, Justin Mazzulla will have to have a big season.

56. Maceo Austin | Duquesne | Fr.

There are a lot of freshmen to get excited about in this conference, and Maceo Austin is certainly on that list. Austin garnered a lot of interest from schools but ultimately chose the Dukes over Northwestern, Penn St., Pittsburgh, and Richmond. Austin is a 6-4 shooting guard out of Pennsylvania and is a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports. Austin is an elusive guard who can shoot the ball well from the perimeter. He knows when to make the right pass and can also turn heads on defense. He should fit the Dukes’ system well, as Keith Dambrot will have a loaded backcourt with Austin joining Carry and Dunn-Martin.

57. Jimmy Bell Jr. | Saint Louis | Fr.

If there’s one thing Travis Ford’s Saint Louis Billikens have been known for these past couple of seasons, it’s been size and physicality. Jimmy Bell Jr. is a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports and comes in at 6-10, 270 pounds. In his first year with Team Blue, he’ll already be one of the biggest players in the league, and the one-two punch of Bell Jr. and Hasahn French is going to be tough to contain. With the graduation of DJ Foreman, the main option for the Billikens at the 5 last season, I expect Jimmy Bell Jr. to see immediate playing time if not a starting position. Watching Bell Jr.’s highlights, I’m real excited to see this guy take the floor for the first time. As big and as physical as Saint Louis was last season, the Billikens often struggled to put the ball in the basket, even from three feet away. That shouldn’t be an issue for Jimmy Bell Jr. who loves to play above the rim and absolutely bullies his way through smaller defenders.

58. Jack Clark | La Salle | So.

Unfortunately for guard Jack Clark, recurring injuries kept him off the floor for a majority of the 2018-19 season. Though he hardly to to see the court his freshman year, he did average 9.5 points and nearly 4 rebounds per game and even dropped 21 points on Bucknell in his second collegiate game. At 6-8, Clark is very oversized for a guard, and his deadly three point shot makes him even more dangerous. I think Clark really flew under the radar last season because of his injuries and the fact that he only played in 9 contests. When he returns fully healthy this season, he should be a very productive piece to La Salle’s lineup.

59. T.J. Weeks | Massachusetts | Fr.

Freshmen are the highlight of the 2019-20 season for Massachusetts, and T.J. Weeks is one you should be excited about. At 6-4, Weeks is a very solid rebounder for a guard and even proved to be a solid shot blocker in high school. Weeks is a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports. The lefty freshman boasts impressive athleticism and can get way up in the air to throw down dunks or block shots. Given the turnover on Massachusetts’ roster, I expect Weeks to see a significant amount of playing time in his first season which should lead to a lot of experience and growth.

60. Bobby Planutis | St. Bonaventure | So.

Mount St. Mary’s transfer Bobby Planutis joins the Bonnies this season after sitting out in 2018-19 due to transfer rules. The rising sophomore is a proven sharpshooter, as he shot 51.6% from three as a freshman, good enough for 2nd in the nation, and he shot better than 90% from the charity stripe. Granted, Planutis did not take a ton of attempts in his first season with the Mountaineers, but the Bonnies should be stoked to add a player who can boost their stats from the perimeter. The Bonnies ranked 250th nationally in three point shooting last season, and Dominick Welch and Nelson Kaputo were the only players to shoot better than 35% from long range. I guarantee Bobby Planutis will be this team’s best three point shooter.

61. Keon Clergeot | Massachusetts | Jr.

One of the few Massachusetts players to return from last season, Keon Clergeot could fill the role of starting point guard depending on how good some of the incoming freshmen become. Clergeot was a very solid shooter for the Minutemen this past season — he shot 39.1% from deep as a sophomore, though he didn’t take that many shots from deep with sharpshooters Carl Pierre and Jonathan Laurent also filling it up. Clergeot went out with a bang at the end of the 2018-19 season, scoring 16 points and then 25 points in the team’s final two games, both season high scoring performances. Though they wouldn’t get past the first round of the A-10 Tournament, the Minutemen got some solid minutes out of Clergeot who’s shown he can emerge as a volume scorer along with Carl Pierre this season.

62. Frankie Hughes | Duquesne | Jr.

I think Frankie Hughes is quietly one of the most important players on this Duquesne team, and his presence gives the Dukes one of the deepest backcourts in the conference. The former walk-on at Missouri averaged 8.9 points per game as a sophomore, but he had some really big scoring performances, reaching the 20 point mark 3 times last season. Shooting 219 three point attempts last year, Hughes easily shot more from long range than anyone else on the team, and his 32.4% clip wasn’t bad but definitely has room for improvement. Off the bench, Hughes is a pure shooter who can really get hot in a hurry. Expect him to take even more shots from long range this season, and if he can shoot closer to 40% from range, the Dukes could be a dangerous team.

63. Carter Collins | Davidson | Jr.

Carter Collins actually took one of the biggest steps in the right direction throughout his sophomore year. As a freshman, Collins didn’t do much more than fill minutes off the bench, but as a sophomore, he made a significant impact, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Collins’ speed and agility makes him a difficult player to keep up with, and his lockdown defense has been huge for the Wildcats. Collins had his biggest game of last season in an overtime loss to Temple where he dropped 16 points and buried 4 big threes. He improved significantly from long range, shooting 38.1% compared to just 14.3% as a freshman. Carter Collins will continue to be a vital role player off the bench this year.

64. Scott Spencer | La Salle | Jr.

The former Clemson Tiger Scott Spencer adds to the trend of incoming transfers at La Salle. Spencer’s career at Clemson was limited due to a back injury he suffered his freshman season, but the 6-6 small forward was a top 150 forward out of high school according to Rivals. Spencer was a proven three point shooter in high school, though he’s yet to demonstrate that ability on the collegiate level due to limited playing time. I think the addition of Spencer adds depth for the Explorers in a position where they’re already pretty strong. On the wing, Ashley Howard has Isiah Deas and Scott Spencer to mix in the rotation, and both should look to be solid shooters from long range.

65. Ed Croswell | La Salle | So.

Here’s a pretty crazy stat for you: Ed Croswell had the #1 offensive rebounding percentage of every player in college basketball last season. His freshman year was characterized by crashing the offensive glass, and it was crucial to getting the Explorers some second chance points in 2018-19. He even had 2 games this past season with 10 offensive rebounds, a pretty insane metric. Given his ability to bring down boards, Croswell began seeing a lot more playing time at the end of last season and even earned a role in the starting lineup for a few games. I’d expect Croswell to make a pretty big jump in his second year.

66. Jamal Hartwell II | George Mason | So.

Though you may not have heard his name yet if you’re not a fan of George Mason, Jamal Hartwell II could be a very important player in 2019-20. The 5-10 freshman saw little to no playing time for 3/4 of last season, but Hartwell II earned himself a meaningful spot in Paulsen’s rotation last February. In a home win over Richmond, Hartwell II dropped 15 points on 5/9 shooting from deep. He shot a very impressive 44.6% from three all of last season and proved he deserves a more permanent role in George Mason’s rotation. As a sophomore, Jamal Hartwell II could very well be a starter with Javon Greene in the backcourt, as Otis Livingston II’s departure opens up minutes at the guard spot.

67. Jake Wojcik | Richmond | So.

Entering his sophomore year with the Spiders, Jake Wojcik is a knock-down shooter who adds depth to a Richmond team that’s shaping out to be pretty good in 2019-20. Wojcik shot 36.3% from deep in 2018-19 on 179 total attempts, so he certainly had the green light to shoot in his first season. As a guy that rarely puts the ball on the floor, Wojcik had a low turnover rate and only attempted 42 shots from inside the three point line; though it’s not often he shoots free throws, he is solid from the line as well. Wojcik fits this role nicely for UR and should continue to help the Spiders be one of the better shooting teams in the A-10.

68. Gibson Jimerson | Saint Louis | Fr.

The Billikens have a lot of new faces fans will need to get familiar with; 6-5 shooting guard Gibson Jimerson from Richmond, Virginia is a solid addition. Jimerson chose Saint Louis over solid schools Kansas State and Cincinnati. He’s a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports, and his backcourt presence will help alleviate the losses of Tramaine Isabell and Javon Bess. Jimerson is a knockdown shooter and a guy that could honestly lead the conference in three point shooting percentage. The Billikens lacked a true long range threat last season, and as a result, they struggled offensively from time to time. With good size and excellent shooting touch, Travis Ford should be pretty excited about this addition.

69. Trey Landers | Dayton | Sr.

Trey Landers made major strides in his sophomore season, going from 3.0 PPG to 11.3 PPG after earning some more playing time. Though he’d take a step back in scoring his junior season, Landers still emerged as an important player in Dayton’s rotation and should remain one of the most explosive players in the Atlantic 10. Landers remains one of the better rebounders in the league, pulling down down 6.7 boards per contest and ranking 12th in the conference in defensive rebounding percentage. Dayton was a fairly poor defensive rebounding team last season (12th in the A-10) and will rely heavily on Landers on the glass. Expect his minutes to regress with the influx of transfers in the rotation, but nonetheless, we should see Landers getting at least 10 or 15 minutes per game off the bench.

70. Ian Boyd | George Mason | Sr.

Ian “Big Shot” Boyd has had his fair share of game-winning buckets for GMU, and without Otis Livingston II or Jaire Grayer in 2019-20, he’s going to be expected to take on a bigger scoring role. Boyd saw his three point shooting improve from to 33.8% his junior year from 28.9% his sophomore season, an important trend for a team that doesn’t typically shoot the ball well from long range. While Boyd’s role became more limited towards the end of last season, he had some key performances, including 15 points in an A-10 opening road win over Saint Joseph’s. Boyd should provide some key threes off the bench this year.

71. Ryan Mikesell | Dayton | Sr.

Ryan Mikesell was an important role player for the Flyers in 2018-19, adding some depth to a team that had very few options outside of its starting 5. Mikesell was actually incredibly efficient from the floor, scoring on 50 of his 70 attempts from 2 point range and knocking down 36.9% from long range in the A-10. He had the 4th best offensive rating in A-10 conference play as well. While Mikesell has been an important piece to this Dayton rotation, minutes may be tough to come by in a year where UD brings in 4 pivotal transfers who sat out last season due to NCAA eligibility rules. Look for Mikesell to be an efficient scoring option when the Flyers need a big three pointer, but don’t expect the senior to average double digits scoring.

72. KiShawn Pritchett | Davidson | Sr.

Bob McKillop noted that KiShawn Pritchett wasn’t healthy for a majority of his junior season, and that certainly limited the Wildcats in the frontcourt. Still, Pritchett had the best three point shooting percentage in A-10 play (43.9%) and was always good for a big bucket or two from long range. With one of the best effective field goal percentages and offensive ratings in the Atlantic 10, it’d behoove Davidson to utilize Pritchett as often as they can throughout his senior season — again, that will depend on his health and how the rotation looks with a few new freshmen making their debuts in November.

73. Baylee Steele | Duquesne | Sr.

Graduate transfer Baylee Steele comes from Utah Valley and before that Eastern Michigan after starting his career in junior college. Steele hasn’t played more than one season at a single school. At 6-11 and 245 pounds, he will be a physically imposing threat in the post and help the Dukes on the glass. With 19 rebounds in 24 minutes in a game against BYU, Steele has proven his ability to clean up on the boards. The Dukes have a lot of bodies in the frontcourt, so Steele’s minutes could vary depending on how much value he’s adding in the first few weeks of the season.

74. Justin Winston | St. Bonaventure | Fr.

Justin Winston is a freshman for the Bonnies that coach Schmidt and the whole program are very excited about. Winston is a Putnam Science Academy product — the school that produced Kyle Lofton and Osun Osunniyi — so if history is any indication, Winston is going to have a killer freshman year. The 6-7 power forward is a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports and fills an immediate role for the Bonnies at the 4. Winston can play above the rim and is an excellent finisher around the basket. Expect him to earn significant playing time with Courtney Stockard and LaDarien Griffin having graduated.

75. David Beatty | La Salle | Jr.

South Carolina transfer David Beatty enters his junior year with the Explorers after coming off the bench for a majority of the 2018-19 season. Beatty averaged 7.7 points and 2.8 rebounds last year for La Salle and shot 32.8% from three in conference play despite shooting just 29.5% overall. Beatty has been solid on both end of the floor as he was a top 25 player in the Atlantic 10 in terms of turnover rate and defensive block percentage. Beatty had 9 games with 10 or more points last year but was usually good for a 7 or 8 point performance with the Explorers. We’re likely to see Beatty competing with Jack Clark and Saul Phiri for playing time at the 2 this year.

76. Chuba Ohams | Fordham | Jr.

After an injury sidelined him for almost the entirety of the 2017-18 season, Chuba Ohams bounced back to be a solid forward for the Rams in 2018-19, providing impressive work on the glass. Ohams averaged 6.5 boards per contest and 6.0 points as well, a big step up from his freshman season where he averaged fewer than 2 points and fewer than 2 rebounds per game. His role in Jeff Neubauer’s rotation became more pronounced as the season progressed, and he began earning the starting spot at the end of last year. Ohams had 19 points and 9 rebounds in a big overtime win over Rhode Island. He’d also have 13 boards and 6 blocked shots in the A-10 opening round loss to Richmond despite scoring 0 points. Ohams is a player who makes his presence on the court known in ways other than scoring the basketball; he should continue to add tremendous value to a team that will not have much upperclassman leadership.

77. Greg Calixte | George Mason | Jr.

Greg Calixte is a guy that needs to step up this year if George Mason wants to absorb the losses of Otis Livingston II and Jaire Grayer. He’s consistently shot better than 60% from the floor throughout his career, but a struggling free throw percentage and somewhat frequent foul trouble has held him back. George Mason has struggled to find a reliable big man these last few seasons, and Calixte will have a shot to fill that role without Jarred Reuter in the lineup this year. The low post will certainly be the Patriots’ weak spot this season, so Calixte is going to be carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders.

78. Lamar Norman Jr. | Duquesne | So.

Freshman year didn’t see a ton of playing time for Lamar Norman Jr. as Sincere Carry became the go-to-guy in the backcourt. However, Norman had some incredible performances when he did get some significant playing time. Norman Jr. logged 15, 16, 18, and 20 point performances last season, all of which featured at least three makes from downtown. Norman Jr. proved to be one of the better shooters in the conference, as he fired at a 37.7% clip all of last season. Duquesne did not shoot the ball great as a team from long range last season, but there’s no reason it can’t improve with guys like Norman Jr. coming off the bench.

79. Vince Williams | VCU | So.

Vince Williams began earning more playing time as last season progressed and was consistently able to add a few buckets for Mike Rhoades’ squad. Williams was an underrated piece for VCU as he is arguably one of the best defenders in the conference. Williams ranked 15th in the league in block percentage and 2nd in the league in steal percentage, a feat that’s not easy to accomplish. While Williams won’t be a main scoring option for the Rams by any means, he was able to manage 4.7 fouls drawn per 40 minutes last season, meaning he can get to the free throw line frequently. Through his work on the defensive end of the floor, Williams will continue to make the Rams an absolute force at keeping the opponent from scoring.

80. Jarren McAllister | VCU | Fr.

The highlight for VCU this season will certainly be its senior class, but the freshmen that are coming in are a great foundation for the future. McAllister is a 6-3 shooting guard from Woodstock, Virginia who also had an offer from Virginia Tech. He’s a 3 star player according to 247 Sports and should provide some solid relief off the bench for VCU this year, though don’t expect him to earn a ton of playing time given the Rams’ depth in the backcourt. In watching his highlights, McAllister appears to be a very quick and defensive-minded athlete. He’s not the biggest player on the court, but he has insane hops and can quickly maneuver his way through traffic. I like McAllister’s future as a Ram, especially given his defensive ability.

81. Brandon Stone | La Salle | Fr.

La Salle quietly has a strong freshman class this season, and Brandon Stone will be a solid post option for the Explorers in the future. The 6-11 freshman from Pennsylvania averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per contest in his senior season of high school, and he had offers from Auburn, Houston, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh among others. La Salle’s poor shooting from 2 point range should be alleviated by the addition of guys like Stone who can score around the basket; not to mention, his athleticism crashing the glass should be a boost to a so-so Explorers rebounding team. He also has a sweet three point shot, meaning he’ll be difficult to defend as a guy who can play both inside and outside on the offensive end.

82. Antwan Walker | Rhode Island | So.

The Georgetown transfer checks in at 6-9 and 230 pounds making him an immediate force and body for URI. The Rams have some solid and established frontcourt players who should make them one of the biggest and physically dominant teams in the league (read: Cyril Langevine). While he didn’t see much time on the court as a freshman with the Hoyas, this is a transfer that coach Cox is very excited about, as his high school accomplishments make him stand out as a highly-touted player who can crash the boards. I think David Cox will mix the transfer into his rotation and get some solid playing time at the four.

83. Jermaine Harris | Rhode Island | So.

Sophomore year should be an important one for Jermaine Harris who proved to be a valuable role player for Rhode Island off the bench. The highly-touted recruit averaged 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game his freshman year but often found himself in foul trouble. This year’s Rhode Island’s bench runs a bit deeper, especially in the frontcourt, and while Harris will still be playing behind Cyril Langevine, he’s certainly shown the athleticism and scoring-ability to add value to a dangerous URI team.

84. Dwayne Cohill | Dayton | So.

Returning for his sophomore season, Dwayne Cohill should continue to be a solid option off the bench for the Flyers. Cohill mostly played behind Jordan Davis at the 2, who has since transferred out of the program, but with incoming transfers Ibi Watson and Rodney Chatman in the mix, the sophomore is likely to still come off the bench in 2019-20. Though he averaged just 3.5 points per contest last season, Dwayne Cohill started seeing more time on the court later in the year. He certainly has strides to make if he wants to be a more permanent option in the Flyers’ rotation; shooting just 21.9% from three last year, it’d be great to see Cohill improve his stroke from downtown as well as from mid range.

85. Mike’l Simms | VCU | Sr.

As one of VCU’s main three point shooting options, Simms will be looking for an improved year from long range. Simms shot just 26.4% from deep on 106 attempts (compared to 50 attempts from 2) and just 16.3% in conference play. It’s no secret that the Rams’ biggest weakness last season was three point shooting; as a team, VCU was just 30.5% from three, ranking 332nd nationally. Simms attempted the 3rd most threes of any player on this VCU team, so his ability to improve from long range will be vital for the Rams if they want to make a deep tournament run this season.

86. Javier Langarica | George Washington | Jr.

Javier Langarica has been key for the Colonials in an area they’ve been solid in: rebounding and blocked shots. Missing Arnaldo Toro all of last season hurt the Colonials in those categories, but Langarica averaged 5.3 boards and 1.1 blocked shots per contest. He was top 20 in the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage last year and was top 10 in block percentage. With Toro back in the mix and a new coach at the helm, it will be interesting to see if GW can gain some momentum in 2019-20.

87. Jhery Matos | Dayton | Jr.

Due to a season-ending foot injury suffered early in non-conference play, we really didn’t get to see all of what Jhery Matos had to offer last season. The JUCO transfer came off the bench early in the year, providing some valuable minutes in the backcourt and a solid rebounder on the defensive glass. Matos also proved to be an effective passer and defensive-minded player, and without a lot of backcourt depth last season, the Flyers really missed him. That said, a lot of transfers will make their debuts for Dayton this season, and Matos could see fewer minutes than he did last fall.

88. Sy Chatman | Massachusetts | So.

Sy Chatman only averaged 3.7 points and 2.2 rebounds last season for the Minutemen, but with more minutes to go around in 2019-20, we could easily see his 14.2 MPG elevate to 20+ per contest. Chatman started the last 4 games of the season for the Minutemen and had an 8 point, 4 rebound performance against Richmond in a home victory. Massachusetts has a lot of rebuilding to do this season, but lukcily young guys like Sy Chatman will have a chance to earn more time and really use the opportunity to get better.

89. Joel Soriano | Fordham | Fr.

If Fordham can get its act together this season, it could have one of the more physically imposing arrays of forwards in the league. Joining Chuba Ohams and Onyi Eysi is freshman Joel Soriano from White Planes, New York. Soriano is a 3 star recruit according to 247 Sports and brings strength and athleticism to Fordham’s roster. Soriano’s strengths in high school came on the glass (8.2 rebounds per game) and on the defensive end (2.3 blocks per game), two areas the Rams could really use some help this year. Soriano has great footwork in the post and isn’t afraid to throw down a hammer over a smaller defender.

90. Samba Diallo | Massachusetts | So.

The rising sophomore is another player who has improvements to make but should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself this season. Diallo averaged 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 43.6% shooting in 2018-19. An injury kept him sidelined toward the end of the season, Diallo actually got a fair share of starts in his first season with the Minutemen. Diallo adds a lot of value on the glass; he pulled down 12 rebounds in addition to 9 points in a road loss to Saint Louis. Crashing the offensive and defensive glass will be a focal point for this team after losing strong rebounders Rashaan Holloway and Jonathan Laurent to graduation and the transfer market.

91. A.J. Wilson Jr. | George Mason | Jr.

Wilson had a strong start to his sophomore campaign before seeing minutes dwindle in the second half of the season. Wilson is a long and athletic forward who adds particular value on the defensive end of the floor. He had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots in a win over Southern last season, George Mason’s first of the year. Wilson has been efficient from the floor throughout his collegiate career, shooting better than 50%, but his offensive production hasn’t exploded yet with the Patriots. Jordan Miller’s emergence at the midway point of last season certainly didn’t help Wilson Jr.’s playing time, but he’ll have to prove himself on both ends of the floor to continue earning playing time under Dave Paulsen.

92. Anthony Longpre | Saint Joseph’s | Jr.

Longpre’s role as a sophomore was pretty limited after a strong end to his first season with the Hawks. The rising junior is currently the Hawks’ lone big man, and they should be relying on him much more this season. Taylor Funk and Lorenzo Edwards played a good bit of time at the 5 with Charlie Brown Jr. occupying the 4 in 2018-19, but Brown Jr. is gone, meaning Longpre should see more than 17 minutes per contest this season. Longpre has established himself as someone who can knock down the three, which isn’t common for a big man, so that could be an added weapon for Billy Lange this season.

93. Preston Santos | Massachusetts | Fr.

Massachusetts brings in another stud recruit in freshman Preston Santos, a 6-5 shooting guard out of East Providence, Rhode Island. Santos is an athletic wing with long arms and an impressive vertical. He has an interesting jump shot but can knock it down with ease from the perimeter. A team that shot just 35.0% from long range last year could definitely use a guy like Santos on the wing. He’ll take some pressure off Carl Pierre who’s been the primary scoring option from beyond the three point line for the Minutemen. Santos is a 3-star guard according to 247 Sports and ranks 101st in terms of shooting guards.

94. Jacob Toppin | Rhode Island | Fr.

If his brother is any indication, I may need to rank Jacob Toppin a bit higher… The brother of UD star chose the Rhode Island Rams over a number of other teams, including Dayton, and we’ll get to see the two go head-to-head next season. Like his brother, Jacob Toppin is tall and lanky but as athletic as they come. Rhode Island will be one of the more physically imposing teams throughout the 2019-20 season, as Cyril Langevine will look to be the best big man in the conference. Jacob Toppin brings height as well as elusiveness, and if Obi Toppin’s highlight reel dunks aren’t enough, I think Jacob will add a few as well.

95. Armel Potter | George Washington | Sr.

Despite playing less than 22 minutes per contest as a junior, Armel Potter managed to add 6 points per contest under Maurice Joseph. While his three point shooting and free throw shooting need work, he was a good defender who hardly committed fouls and added some solid minutes off the bench and then as a starter for the Colonials. His 19 points and 4 assists against Massachusetts were key in that win last season. With Terry Nolan Jr. having transferred, it’s very possible we see Armel Potter assume the starting role at the 2 and get a lot more playing time. In his first season as head coach, Jamion Christian will have an experienced backcourt with Potter and Mazzulla.

96. Corey Douglas | VCU | Jr.

As a sophomore, Corey Douglas’ minutes were limited as Marcus Santos-Silva emerged as the go-to option in the post. However, Douglas emerged as one of the best defenders on VCU’s roster and adds a lot on that end of the floor. Douglas had 7 games with 3 or more blocks last season despite playing less than 15 minutes per game. The transfer from Rice came over with Mike Rhoades after he accepted the head coaching job at VCU. With the Rams potentially set to be a preseason top 25 team, Corey Douglas and company will continue to rely on defense to win games in 2019-20.

97. Mekhi Long | Rhode Island | Fr.

3 star forward Mekhi Long had interest from some solid schools, including the Atlantic 10’s George Mason, Kansas State, and Murray St. The Woodstock, Va. product would ultimately settle with the Rams, giving Rhode Island another weapon for a season where expectations are once again lofty. Long is a great finisher with the ability to slice through the lane and score from just about anywhere around the hoop. Long is tall and athletic at 6-5 and should be another solid rebounder on URI’s roster. Expect Long to sneak into the rotation this season, potentially adding 10 minutes per game off the bench for David Cox.

98. Dana Tate | Rhode Island | So.

Rhode Island has a very important core of seniors this season, but its sophomores may be just as important if David Cox wants to make the NCAA Tournament in his second season. Dana Tate played some solid minutes off the bench towards the end of last season and really matured in his first year. At 6-7, Tate proved he could be an effective defensive rebounder for the Rams, and in the biggest game of the year for URI, the freshman put up 12 points, helping Rhody down VCU in the A-10 Tournament Quarterfinals. I think Tate’s role in the Rams’ rotation will be increasingly important, especially as the freshmen begin to work their way into the system and figure out what it takes to play ball at the collegiate level.

99. Jaren English | St. Bonaventure | So.

The Bonnies have a lot of new faces for the 2019-20 season, and Jaren English is a guy you should get to know. The JUCO transfer shot 43% from three his freshman year at Ranger CC and should help make the already-dangerous Bonnies even more lethal from three point land. English can put the ball on the floor and is superb cutting through the lane and scoring at the basket. He’s quick and also a solid passer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jaren English “put a little english on it” when scoring around the hoop for the Bonnies this season.

100. Andre Gustavson | Richmond | So.

Andre Gustavson had a fairly strong end to his freshman season, earning himself a spot in the starting lineup from January on. Gustavson had a career high 13 points against Fordham which included 4 assists and 2 rebounds. The freshman was best known for his passing though, as he’d rack up 10 assists in a road loss to Georgetown earlier in the year. He also ranked in the top 15 in the A-10 in steal rate and turnover rate and was top 25 in effective field goal percentage. I’d actually expect Gustavson to have a solid season, as he’s been trending in the right direction. However, Nick Sherod returning from injury will mean fewer minutes and likely the loss of a role in the starting lineup.