Don’t look now but the American Athletic Conference boasts three programs that now stand within the top-25 of the latest college football Coaches Poll. Who would have thought that Temple, Memphis, and Houston would be all included within a top-25 poll at the same time this season? Not many, I am guessing. That led us to thinking…what conference might be the AAC of the college basketball season, which is a non-power conference program that could boast its own three or more programs within the Coaches Poll at the same time? Why not the Atlantic 10 Conference?

SEASON PREVIEW

While no programs are included within the preseason Coaches Poll and only Davidson and Dayton are receiving any sort of votes, the always lurking conference showcases a bevy of talented teams for the 2015-2016 season and a load of up and coming coaches at the helm. Just like at Memphis, Temple, and Houston on the gridiron, coaches at Dayton and Rhode Island host leaders that could soon be on the move as candidates for power-conference programs. Outside of Archie Miller and Dan Hurley, guys like Bob McKillop, Mike Lonergan, Derek Kellogg, Phil Martelli, and Chris Mooney have no worries for concern surrounding their own programs as all have been talked about by other higher-level programs in the past and have their own squads on solid ground entering the next few years.

With the 2015 season upon us, Dayton, Davidson, Rhode Island, and VCU all have fair chances at breaking through and making a run into the rankings. It is hard to ever doubt Archie Miller, especially when he has more than six serviceable players and guys that stand above 6-foot-6. The same can be said about Bob McKillop and his squad, you know the group that was picked to finished second to last during its first year in the A10 last year, before winning the conference outright. VCU and Rhode Island are led by two up and coming head coaches and display top-150 prospects on their roster and have a fine opportunity to make a run deep into March.

Outside of the aforementioned four, don’t doubt George Washington. Whenever you have talented veterans like the Colonials, along with an incoming transfer big man in Tyler Cavanaugh, there is definitely room for optimism in DC as Mike Lonergan’s squad could be the deep sleeper within the conference. The same could be said for St. Bonaventure’s. While they have graduated players such as Andrew Nicholson and Youssou Ndoye to the NBA, the cupboard sure isn’t bare under the watch of Mark Schmidt. Marcus Posley, Dion Wright, and Jaylen Adams all return and bring a good amount of talent, ball skills, and experience that should make the Bonnies a dangerous watch come the turn of the calendar year.

We have already spoke on six potential teams that could make a solid run into the rankings and while the optimism isn’t as high for others, the depth within the conference will allow for quality RPI wins during the dog days of the season. St. Joe’s boasts the best NBA prospect within the conference in DeAndre Bembry, Richmond can never be outsmarted with Chris Mooney at the helm and has his program back on the uptick led by speedy guard ShawnDre’ Jones and sharpshooting forward TJ Cline, and La Salle brings difficult matchups to the court with its jumbo guard set led by Jordan Price.

However, it is hard to not speak on the sharpshooting and deadly duo backcourt at Duquesne with Michah Mason and Derrick Colter, a program that has things headed back in the right direction and should use its foreign tour from the summer in parlaying it into a surprising season within the A10. UMass is a mystery team but could make some giant strides this year with an immediate impact transfer big man Antwan Space coming to Amherst along with others that could step up alongside him with the likes of Jabarie Hinds, Donte Clark, and Tre Davis. While they took a step back last year, St. Louis returns the majority of its contributors from last year and should be a tough out during conference play and the same can be said for the new regimes at George Mason and Fordham.

FRESHMEN WATCH

While we have now gone through the gauntlet that is the Atlantic 10 and some of the teams that could prove themselves of ranking worthy, it is difficult to end things here before touching on some of the potential freshman that could leave an immediate mark on the conference.

John Crosby is one of the best talents in the freshmen ranks within the conference and should provide immediate toughness, playmaking skills, and two-way production on the floor. The Baltimore native always seems up to the task that is put before him and should be a guy that four years from now, the rest of the nation asks itself how the 6-foot-1 guard is still eligible for college play.

For years now, Duquesne has lacked a solid interior product that could protect the rim, score with his back to the basket, and clean his area on the glass. While younger compared to others in his class, Nakye Sanders comes to the ‘Burgh as a relative unknown but should be leaned upon pretty heavily due to his toughness and effectiveness within the paint.

A product of Memphis, Tennessee, Nych Smith is a speedster at the lead guard spot and can have a quality first year in the Bronx. The Fordham freshman was battle tested coming up through the ranks playing at White Station High and should be a solid piece alongside sophomore scoring guard Jon Severe.

The class at St. Joe’s looks to be one that will put the Hawks back on the proper ground moving ahead and while you can go many ways with Lamarr Kimble and Markell Lodge, it is Chris Clover who could leave a nice fingerprint on the program. DeAndre Bembry needs some help in Philly and Clover brings good size, scoring abilities at the rack, and can be a nice piece on the defensive end.

Lastly, while there is a load of talent in the backcourt and on the wings of the floor for VCU, Samir Doughty should be able to become a solid asset on the scoreboard. The former St. John’s commit brings good size and confidence off the ball and can fill it up quickly via the jumper and should become a solid four-year guy for the Rams under the new regime led by Will Wade.

WHAT LOOMS AHEAD?

In looking ahead, the 2016 classes at some of the various programs throughout the conference are shaping up to be fairly decent ones, especially at UMass, URI, and George Washington.

UMass already boasts a top-25 status class within the 2016 ranks and is one of the major threats for top-30 guard Bruce Brown. Regardless of where he signs, bringing in three top-150 recruits in Chris Baldwin, DeJon Jarreau, and Brison Gresham, along with super athletic guard Unique McLean, displays tons of promise for the Derek Kellogg’s bunch moving ahead.

At Rhode Island, Dan Hurley is more than prepared for potential losses come next season and has already earned three commitments from potent big men down low in Mike Layssard, Mike Tertsea, and Cyril Langevine, along with an efficient scorer of the ball in Jeff Dowtin.

George Washington received its crown jewel in its 2016 class a few weeks back by beating out the likes of Providence and BC for Kevin Marfo. The high level rebounder of the ball is joined by Collin Smith and super speedy and tough-nosed guard Darnell Rogers, a group that should grow nicely within the program in the coming years.

VCU and Dayton both have a highly potent wing in the hopper in Deriante Jenkins and Trey Landers respectively but it is Duquesne and Richmond that are putting together sleeper classes this fall.

Duquesne, known for its ability to put the ball in the basket, already landed one of the more under the radar but consistent jump shooters in Spencer Littleson, and is joined by Canadian forward but quality shooting senior Isiaha Mike, and Michael Lewis II, a proven winner at the highly successful Chaminade College Prep program.

Richmond has gone out and received three commitments that fit the culture that Chris Mooney has laid out in the 804. Demonte Buckingham is a tough and productive finisher at the rack and is joined by a great complement off the ball in Nick Sherod, a 6-foot-4 guard from the area who can shoot the leather off the rock. Grant Golden became the latest to join the duo of guards where the physical and versatile forward should be able to provide a solid presence in the frontcourt during his four years on campus.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS?

Can Dan Hurley be the next Justin Fuente, that is an up and comer who will be coveted by all of the high-major programs next spring? Is Will Wade the next Tom Herman, that is a first year head coach that hits the ground running and is pursued by a plethora of quality, power conference programs? Lastly, is Archie Miller the next Matt Rhule, a Pennsylvania-born coach who could have the pick of the litter if he decides to move on from Dayton? That is all up for debate but what isn’t is the chances that the Atlantic 10 remains on progressive ground and is capable of throwing out more than just a trio of schools that can pummel many of the best programs nationally during the non-conference season this fall and winter.  

PICTURE: COXHUB