3. La Salle Explorers- This pick in the predictions for this upcoming season was a real tough one. I was very tempted to put La Salle at over UMASS at the #2 spot. The Explorers from Philadelphia return three scorers who averaged dobule digits from last years sweet sixteen team, but they also lose Philadelphia native and star guard Romon Galloway. Starting only one game last season and only playing 25 minutes per game, guard Tyrone Garland averaged 13 points per game and shot 42 percent from the field. Now that Romon Galloway is gone, look for Garland to improve on his good season from last year. Garland and returnee guard Tyreek Duren will be 1B in regards to backcourts in the A-10. With Galloway gone, the pressure is on for these two guards to produce. Defensives will be concentrated on both of them rather than perdominately Galloway. It wouldn't surprise me if this duo surpasses the Minutemen backcourt duo midway through the season. It also wouldn't surprise me to see La Salle win the A-10 Conference this year. Forward Jerell Wright's numbers improved from his 2011-2012 season and averaged nearly 11 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds per game. Center Steve Zack ain't no slouch either. This team will still be hungry after their NCAA Tournament success and Coach Giannini will keep them that way. The Explorers should seriously be considered to hang the A-10 Championship banner in Tom Gola Arena. In the end, the top four teams in this conference will have a great chance to win the title. The very last day might decide who comes out on top in this competitive league.
4. Saint Louis Billikens- Here is the story about the Billikens. They can end up 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in this tightly competitive league. Unfortunately for them, Saint Louis lost its longtime point guard and floor general in Kwamain Mitchell. This loss really hurts them and the Billikens will now be searching for someone to step up as their floor leader. The big Aussie forward in Cody Ellis also graduated so they will also be in search for a replacement at the forward spot that can produce just as well as Ellis did last season. Those are two veteran players St. Louis is losing and they are arguably now without their 2nd and 3rd best players from last years NCAA Tournament/A-10 regular-season champion team. Key returnees in Defensive stopper/guard Jordair Jett returns for his last season, guard Mike McCall Jr. comes back to the Billikens for his last time in the blue and white uniforms, and 6-11 New Zealand forward Rob Loe returns for his Senior season as well. Don't get me wrong...these players are solid contributors but is that enough to get the Billikens to the top of the A-10 again? A-10 player of the year candidate in forward Dwayne Evans returns and will need to be the backbone of this years Billikens team and improve on his impressive numbers from last years campaign. He averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot nearly 55 percent from the floor last season. There is no doubt that Evans is one of the best players in the A-10, but can he will his team throughout the long season? Remember, their two valued players from last years team are gone. Opposing defenses will be able to double team Evans more frequently due to the fact that there will be less threats around him in this upcoming 2013-2014 season. Defensively, Saint Louis will be one of the top teams in the A-10, but there will be some offensive woes for this group. Who knows...maybe Jordair Jett will step up his offensive production and maybe McCall and Loe will additionally. We all know what we saw with are very own eyes in San Jose at the NCAA Tournament.. we viewed a great Billikens roster that had tough times putting the ball in the hoop against both New Mexico State and Oregon. This years Saint Louis team may again have trouble scoring this season. Yet, is it possible that Central Michigan transfer in guard Austin McBroom can take some pressure off of Evans and provide instant help to aid this Billikens squad to another title? We shall see.....
St. Louis has signed a two year deal with Wichita State, playing at Chaifetz this year and Wichita next. A nice game v a Final Four team.
ReplyDeleteYup I have heard. That is great for St. Louis and A-10.
ReplyDeleteSt. Louis played a nine man rotation last season, and has 7 of those players returning for this campaign; Mitchell and Ellis averaged less then 22 points between the 2 of them, I see that 22 being covered by 2 in that returning 7 or as well as the impressive recruiting class coming in. See them finishing first or second in the A10. Same team for the most part that spanked VCU and handled Butler 3 times.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that UMass lost as much as they did. Have Williams returning and the a solid guard transfer but not enough upfront. I guess Williams will man all 5 positions to will UMass to #2. Questionable pick at best.
Lasalle at #3 is a good pick.
Thanks for the comment. It is a very risky pick but could very well happen. Their schedule is favorable and their backcourt is great. I didn't write off St. Louis at all. As I said in the title of this article, St. Louis is a contender in the a-10.
ReplyDelete