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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March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; St. Joseph’s Hawks head coach Phil Martelli watches game action against Cincinnati Bearcats during the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Saint Joseph’s Hawks

2015-16 record: 27-7 overall, 13-5 in Atlantic 10, NCAA Tournament 2nd round exit

Head coach: Phil Martelli

Key returning players: James Demery, Shavar Newkirk, Lamarr Kimble, Markell Lodge, Jai Williams

Newcomers: Three-star SF Charlie Brown, one-star PF Gerald Blount, non-ranked SG Nick Robinson, non-ranked PF Lorenzo Edwards

Say so long to the Hawks’ top three scorers, DeAndre Bembry, Isaiah Miles and Aaron Brown. Bembry and Miles, in particular, are the biggest losses, as Bembry was a valuable do-everything forward and Miles was a versatile stretch five man that made St. Joe’s offense run smoothly.

Related Story: In-depth AAC preview

The backcourt looks all set to run full steam in 2016-17 with the returns of Shavar Newkirk and Lamarr Kimble. But the front court production will be a different story.

Without Bembry and Miles, the Hawks will be thin up front, won’t have much experience and won’t have the level of flexibility they maintained in 2015-16.

Charlie Brown, Markell Lodge and Lorenzo Edwards are gaining a lot of hype this summer and could be the next best set of forwards to come through the St. Joseph’s program. The problem is that it would be unrealistic to expect them to match the numbers that Bembry and Miles put up during last season’s NCAA Tournament run.

James Demery is also solid, but he only averaged 3.6 rebounds per game last season.

Also, expecting St. Joe’s to repeat as conference tournament champions and fourth place finishers would be impractical.

Then there’s the fact that Pierfrancesco Oliva is missing the entire season due to a knee injury suffered in practice.

Yes, it’s officially a bridge year in Philadelphia.

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