Toyminator's 1999 Atlantic 10 Conference Preview

The A10's hey-day is over and they must once again take a back seat to the Big East this season. The conference only got 3 NCAA Tournamnet berths last season, and may get that many this season. It's basically comes down to one certain berth (Temple), one probable berth (Xavier), and the rest of the teams fighting to get one that may or may not be there for them! So most likely, there will be quite a good entourage of A10 teams in the NIT this season.

The good thing for the conference is that many of its former cellar-dwellers are starting to build respectable programs. St. Bonaventure, LaSalle and it seems even Fordham should be vastly improved and may actually play in the postseason this year. This will probably be at the expense of some of the major programs who will be rebuilding, like George Washington, Rhode Isalnd and UMass. In fact, unless the Minutemen make the NCAA, this will be Bruiser Flint's last season as coach....finally!

ON THE RISE: LaSalle
This one was tough, but I got to go with the Explorers. They are easily the most explosive team in the conference and will be hard to handle at times. Donnie Carr has been one of the best unknown players in the country for the past 4 years, and young guys like Victor Thomas, Julian Blanks, and especially Rasual Butler have a lot of talent. Rebounding may be a problem this year with the loss of K'Zell Wesson, but there aren't too many "big" teams in the conference to really exploit it, so they may make a run at their division title!

IN DECLINE: George Washington
This should come as no surprise considering they lost two of the best players to ever suit up for them in Shawta Rogers & Yegor Mescheriakov. Only Mike King is back to provide some offense, but the rest of the team are simply bodies on the floor. The returnees are quite ineffective and I haven't heard too much praise about the newcomers. Penders will have to do his best coaching job ever!

1. TEMPLE

Strengths: Stifling defense that causes a boatload of turnovers. Balanced scoring offense. Lots of experience.
Weakness: Poor FT & 3-pt shooting team. Not very deep.
Outlook: With Greer returning and Karcher's development, this Elite Eight team should be a mainstay in this season's Top 10.

2. ST. BONAVENTURE

Strengths: Solid team defense that forces many turnovers. Deep, experienced backcourt.
Weakness: Offense tends to sputter at times. Horrible 3-pt shooting team.
Outlook: A talented starting 5, with a questionable bench. If they can find some consistency on offense, they may surprise.

3. UMASS

Strengths: Good rebounding team. Solid team defense. Scoring of Mack.
Weakness: Little inside scoring. Too many turnovers. Horrible FT shooting. Poor coaching.
Outlook: It seems like eons since UMass has made some noise. In this weak conference they may, but don't count on it!

4. RHODE ISLAND

Strengths: Good shooting & rebounding team. Team quickness.
Weakness: Inexperienced backcourt. Lack of scorers. Too many turnovers. Poor FT shooting team.
Outlook: Loss of Odom & Harrick almost kills this program, but some talent remains. A young backcourt may doom any hopes this year.

5. FORDHAM

Strengths: Excellent backcourt. Inside scoring of Oliveras. Head coach.
Weakness: Poor team defense. Poor rebounding team.
Outlook: If new coach Bob Hill can teach these kids about defense, they may be .500 team this year!

6. ST. JOSEPH'S

Strengths: Good rebounding team. Return all 5 starters.
Weakness: Poor shooting team from everywhere. Suspect team defense.
Outlook: Slowly improving. With some luck, they may end up in the middle of the pack this season.

1. XAVIER

Strengths: Good shooting team. Quick defensively, which causes many turnovers.
Weakness: Little inside scoring. Too many turnovers..
Outlook: With Williams & Price on the wings, this team will be tough to defend. If Mason contributes, then NCAA Tourney is possible.

2. DAYTON

Strengths: Inside/Outside game of Ashman & Stanley. Limit their turnovers. Good FT shooting team.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Struggle to make shots on occasion. Lack of bench production.
Outlook: Should turn it around after disappointing season a year ago. If Hall makes an immediate impact, they'll make postseason play.

3. LASALLE

Strengths: Can score some points in a hurry! Decent perimeter defense. A star in Carr!
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Not much in the middle. Little off the bench. Too many turnovers.
Outlook: Exciting team! Performed well late last season, which should continue into this one. Best shot to reach the postseason in eons!

4. GEORGE WASHINGTON

Strengths: Good rebounding team. Good FT shooting team. Aggressive defense which causes many turnovers.
Weakness: Poor halfcourt defense. Lack of consistent outside shooting. Questionable backcourt.
Outlook: Colonials will go as far as their new backcourt will take them.

5. VIRGINIA TECH

Strengths: Good outside shooting team. Experienced frontcourt.
Weakness: Poor perimeter defense. Too many turnovers. Poor FT shooting team.
Outlook: Experienced team, but will miss Lucas' offense. Last year in A10 will not be that memorable!

6. DUQUESNE

Strengths: Smith & Wallace, but that's pretty much it!
Weakness: Just can't shoot straight! Poor team defense. A head coach younger than me!
Outlook: Simply the worst team in the conference. Winning more than 1 conference game would be a good goal to set!

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Last updated on 10/7/99 by toyminator@prodigy.net