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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Mar 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams head coach Will Wade watches during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. VCU Rams

2015-16 record: 24-10 overall, 14-4 in Atlantic 10, NCAA Tournament 2nd round exit

Head coach: Will Wade

Key returning players: JeQuan Lewis, Mo Alie-Cox, Justin Tillman, Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed, Jordan Burgess, Doug Brooks, Jonathan Williams, Samir Doughty

Newcomers: Four-star SF De’Riante Jenkins, three-star SG Malik Crowfield, non-ranked SG Marquell Fraser

In their first year post-Shaka Smart, Will Wade led the VCU Rams to a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Rams lost to Oklahoma in the second round of the Big Dance, but they put up a solid fight against Buddy Hield and company.

Wade transitioned VCU to a more half-court oriented defensive team while still keeping the ‘Havoc’ principles that Smart always preached. The Rams were once again a difficult team to crack defensively, but weren’t nearly as feisty as when they had Briante Weber in their backcourt.

The Rams won’t have their best offensive player, Melvin Johnson, in 2016-17, as he graduated in May. However, they will still be excellent on the defensive end and return three of their top five scorers.

Point guard JeQuan Lewis will run the show (along with Jonathan Williams and Doug Brooks) with Mo Alie-Cox and Justin Tillman continuing to anchor the paint.

With Korey Billbury and Michael Gilmore joining Johnson on the way out the door, the Rams need production from their role players, Brooks, Jordan Burgess, Samir Doughty, Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed and Williams. Most importantly, they need a big freshman campaign from De’Riante Jenkins.

The small forward is ranked 59th in ESPN’s top 100 and will give the Rams a long, versatile wing player who can create in the open court and improve their half court sets with his slashing ability.

VCU isn’t Sweet 16 material just yet, but this roster could develop into a dangerous team come March, especially if Jenkins finds his comfort zone.

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