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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Dec 21, 2015; Amherst, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen guard Donte Clark (0) drives to th ehoop against Providence Friars guard Jalen Lindsey (21) during the second half at William D. Mullins Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Massachusetts Minutemen

2015-16 record: 14-18 overall, 6-12 in Atlantic 10

Head coach: Derek Kellogg

Key returning players: Donte Clark, Seth Berger, Rashaan Holloway, Zach Coleman, C.J. Anderson

Newcomers: Four-star SG DeJon Jarreau, four-star PF Chris Baldwin, three-star C Brison Gresham, three-star SG Unique McLean, three-star SF Tyrn Flowers, redshirt freshman PG Luwane Pipkins, Canisius transfer G Zach Lewis

Let’s get this straight, UMass has loads of potential and should be very competent team in two years or so. But right now, they are way too young to compete for a slot in the Atlantic 10’s upper half.

The Minutemen don’t have Trey Davis, Jabarie Hinds and Antwan Space to carry them in the leadership department anymore. And oh yea, all three of them are pretty darn good on the court as well. Davis averaged nearly 19 points a game last year, while Hinds and Space were top-5 scorers on a team that was four games under .500.

Donte Clark, who was Derek Kellogg’s second leading scorer at 16.1 points per game, returns for his junior campaign. C.J. Anderson, Seth Berger, Zach Coleman and Rashaan Holloway will have to leap into greater roles, but most importantly, the Minutemen need the freshman to do more than normally expected from first year players in the A10.

Even though Baldwin, Gresham and Jarreau should have the biggest impact in year one, they could be lethal as a trio when they master the nuances of the league in a couple years.

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