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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Mar 1, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Richmond Spiders forward T.J. Cline (10) reacts after a call against the Dayton Flyers during the second half at Robins Center. The Flyers won 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Richmond Spiders forward T.J. Cline (10) reacts after a call against the Dayton Flyers during the second half at Robins Center. The Flyers won 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Richmond Spiders

2015-16 record: 16-16 overall, 7-11 in Atlantic 10

Head coach: Chris Mooney

Key returning players: T.J. Cline, ShawnDre’ Jones, Marshall Wood, Khwan Fore

Newcomers: Three-star SG Nick Sherod, three-star SF De’Monte Buckingham, three-star PF Grant Golden, non-ranked SF Solly Stansbury, Northeastern GS F Kwesi Abakah

Chris Mooney’s squad may have finished .500 last season, but they showed flashes of potential. The Spiders of Richmond beat George Washington on the road in double OT and knocked off Northern Iowa, California (then ranked 14th) and Wake Forest in non-conference play.

Two of their top three leading scorers, T.J. Cline and ShawnDre’ Jones, return for their senior seasons at the forward and guard positions respectively. The Spiders won’t have the services of their second leading scorer Terry Allen, but they do bring back Marshall Wood (8.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game) and Khwan Fore (6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game).

If Wood and Fore increase their scoring and rebounding totals, the Spiders could have a good quartet of players.

Their recruiting class also enhances their talent level, as Mooney added three three-star recruits and a graduate transfer from Northeastern, Kwesi Abakah.

However, behind Cline, Jones and possibly Wood, there are a lot of question marks. There is no guarantee that the freshman adjust well and Abakah averaged only 13.0 minutes and 1.5 points per game last season with the Huskies.

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