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

By Carmine Carcieri

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
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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Jan 13, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Fordham Rams head coach Jeff Neubauer (C) looks on during a timeout against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 88-54. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Fordham Rams head coach Jeff Neubauer (C) looks on during a timeout against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first half at Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams won 88-54. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Fordham Rams

2015-16 record: 17-13 overall, 8-10 in Atlantic 10

Head coach: Jeff Neubauer

Key returning players: Joseph Chartouny, Christian Sengfelder, Antwoine Anderson, David Pekárek, Nemanja Zarkovic

Newcomers: Three-star PF Papi N’Diaye, two-star PF Chuba Ohams, JUCO SG Will Tavares, JUCO PG Perris Hicks, Eastern Kentucky GS G JaVontae Hawkins

The Fordham Rams were a surprise in Jeff Neubauer’s first season as head coach. Now departed big man Ryan Rhoomes and guard Mandell Thomas kept them afloat as they finished four games above .500.

But there was also a special freshman that broke on to the scene late in the year and became the team’s third leading scorer.

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That man is Joseph Chartouny, who returns for his sophomore campaign in 2016-17. The 6’3″ guard had his ups-and-downs during the non-conference portion of the schedule, but he scored in double figures in his last six games. The 6’3″ guard put up a season high 24 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed seven rebounds in a win over Davidson at the end of February.

He has the chance to be a special performer in his second year of college basketball.

Beyond Chartouny, the Rams still maintain some intriguing pieces, including big man Christian Sengfelder and Antwoine Anderson. Both players were top-five scorers last year for Neubauer.

Also, the Rams have five key newcomers with the biggest name coming in as a transfer from Eastern Kentucky. Guard JaVontae Hawkins averaged 17.0 points and shot 50 percent from the field last season with the Colonels. He will give Chartouny some much needed help on the perimeter.

If there is one sleeper team to watch in the Atlantic 10, it really could be the Fordham Rams.

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