Rick Majerus is out with heart problems which will sideline him this season. G Kwamain Mitchell will become a household name by the end of the year. He averaged 12.4 ppg a year ago look for that to near 15 in 2012-2013. He will be out until the start of 2013 possibly sooner due to a recent injury. The Billikens are tough on the defensive end of the floor and held opponents to 57.6 ppg which ranked 8th in the nation. Two talented freshman make there way to St. Louis Keith Carter and Jared Drew.
#2 Saint Joseph's
I was very high on Saint Joseph's last year and I am again. No key loses, return of the best backcourt in the A-10, and the A-10 Defensive POY. Ronald Roberts continues to impress year after year. Kanacevic played well after transferring from Hofstra he almost averaged a double-double.
#3 VCU
The Rams will add one of the best non-BCS conference recruiting classes to a solid core of returning players. Theus is the leader of the team and excels on both ends of the floor. Troy Daniels is the teams top offensive threat.
#4 Butler
Butler makes the transition into the A-10 with a good cast of players. Sharp shooter Rotnei Clarke a transfer from Arkansas is one of the best shooters in the country. Starter Chrishwan Hopkins was dismissed from the team. Marshall, Jones, and Smith are the core of the team.
#5 Temple
The Owls lose three valuable pieces in Hernandez, Moore, and Eric. The good news is Khalif Wyatt is back and will be called on even more despite averaging 17 points a game last season. Transfers Dalton Pepper and Jake O'Brien will be asked to play major roles this season.
#6 UMass
Four starters return for the minutemen and each averaged more then 9.9 ppg. The depth behind the starters could key this team to it's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.
#7 Dayton
Guard Kevin Dillard led the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Matt Kavanuagh looked like a bright spot until he was kicked off the team. That will mean that Josh Benson who's returning from an ACL injury will need to have a big year.
#8 Richmond
Guard play will be no problem with Cedrick Brothers, Darien Brothers, and A-10 Rookie of the Year Kendall Anthony. Forward Derrick Williams made vast improvements and nearly doubling his scoring.
#9 La Salle
Virginia Tech transfer Tyrone Garland is an impact player for the Explorers. He will team up with a tough backcourt in Tyreek Duren, Sam Mills, and Ramon Galloway. They need to find someone to hit the glass as they were out rebounded by 3.5 rpg.
#10 George Washington
George Washington will look to improve on 62 ppg that ranked them 284th in the nation last year. Lasan Kromish will be the teams go to scorer. Keep an eye on the front court play of John Kopriva and Isiah Armwood. The scoring they get from those two players could take them towards the upper half of the A-10.
#11 Xavier
Tu Holloway is gone, Mark Lyons transferred to Arizona, and Dezmine Wells got kicked off the team. With this combination Xavier will have a tough time living up to all the success they have had. Look for Issiah Philmore a transfer from Towson to be the go to guy. Freshman Semaj Christian is a highly touted guard.
#12 Charlotte
Chris Braswell is a stud and first team A-10 player. He averaged 15.8 ppg last season along with 7.6 rpg. Guard DeMario Mayfield rebounds well for a guard averaging 7 rpg a year ago. Look for Alan Majors recruiting haul to make an impact this year.
#13 St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure will not be able to replace Andrew Nicholson who now plays in the NBA. The Bonnies had a historic season and it will be hard to duplicate that. The Bonnies have Demitrius Conger who averaged 12.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Micheal Davenport redshirted last year after a big 2010-2011 season where he had 11 ppg and 4.6 ppg.
#14 Rhode Island
Dan Hurley will turn around the Rhode Island program, but it won't be this season. A bright spot for the future is F Jordan Hare and F Mike Aaman.
#15 Fordham
The Rams won three games in the A-10 last season. Chris Gaston averaged 17.1 ppg last season and will need someone else to step up on the offensive end. The Rams only averaged 62 ppg a year ago.
#16 Duquesne
The biggest problem for the Dukes was on the defensive end they allowed over 72 ppg and were out rebounded by 7.4 rpg. Sean Johnson is the go to guy on offense.
First Team All A-10
G Kwamain Mitchell, Saint Louis G Carl Jones, St. Joseph's G Rotnei Clarke, Butler F Roosevelt Jones, Butler F Chris Braswell, Charlotte
