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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Nov 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duquesne Dukes head coach Jim Ferry reacts against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Duquesne Dukes

2015-16 record: 16-16 overall, 6-12 in Atlantic 10

Head coach: Jim Ferry

Key returning players: Eric James, Darius Lewis, Jordan Robinson

Newcomers: Two-star PF Isiaha Mike, non-ranked SG Spencer Littleson, non-ranked PG Mike Lewis II, Drake GS F Kale Abrahamson, Niagara GS G Emile Blackmon, Nebraska transfer G Tarin Smith

Jim Ferry’s squad lost a massive amount of production off last year’s .500 basketball team. The Dukes will depart a combined 36.3 points per game between both Micah Mason and Derrick Colter, while also losing another double-figure scorer, L.G. Gill, to Maryland and Jeremiah Jones to graduation.

Junior guard Eric James and senior guard Darius Lewis, the fifth and sixth scorers on last year’s team respectively, return for the Dukes. However, the majority of the roster will consist of players who didn’t maintain consistent roles in 2015-16.

The Dukes do bring in three transfers, Kale Abrahamson, Emile Blackmon and Tarin Smith, though. Abrahamson averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game with the Drake Bulldogs in 2015-16. Blackmon put up nearly 16 points per game for the Niagara Purple Eagles. And Smith played 17.6 minutes per game for a major program, Nebraska, two years ago.

While experience is much needed on a team that is losing their two top talents (and then some), the Dukes still will have a difficult time being competitive in the Atlantic 10 this upcoming season.

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