Atlantic 10 Basketball: Who will capture the 2016-17 conference title?

Feb 27, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Rhode Island Rams head coach Dan Hurley (C) talks with his team during a stoppage in play against the Dayton Flyers in the second half at the University of Dayton Arena. The Rams won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 20, 2016; Davidson, NC, USA; Davidson Wildcats guard Jack Gibbs (12) drives past St. Joesph Hawks guard Shaver Newark (1) during the second half of the game at Belk Arena. Wildcats win 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Davidson Wildcats

2015-16 record: 20-12 overall, 10-8 in Atlantic 10

Head coach: Bob McKillop

Key returning players: Jack Gibbs, Peyton Aldridge, Jordan Watkins, Nathan Ekwu, Oskar Michelsen

Newcomers: Non-ranked German PG Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Boston College transfer F Will Magarity, redshirt freshman G Kishawn Pritchett, redshirt freshman PF Dusan Kovacevic

The Davidson Wildcats are a very top heavy team. Their two best players are forces at their respective positions though.

We’ll start with guard Jack Gibbs, who averaged 23.5 points per game last season and was one of the top scorers in the entire nation. Gibbs is the current front runner for Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and should once again be the top “bucket getter” in the conference.

He will never be Stephen Curry, but he is the 2016-17 Davidson savior. If the Wildcats are going to reach the NCAA Tournament (and beyond), Gibbs has to put forth his own imitation of the Golden State Warriors star.

With Gibbs having the reigns in the backcourt, Peyton Aldridge is the go-to man up front. Aldridge averaged 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 2015-16, while shooting 49 percent from the floor. He also blocked a shot per outing and shot 85 percent from the free throw strike.

However, beyond Gibbs and Aldridge, the Wildcats don’t have much to scare opposing teams. Will Magarity comes over from Boston College, but he’s never averaged more than 16 minutes per game in a single season. They have just one recruit joining the roster and two redshirt freshman stepping in, but that certainly won’t be enough to compliment their two stars.

Look for guard Jordan Watkins and forward Nathan Ekwu to step up this upcoming season, or the Wildcats could fall further than this projection.

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