Atlantic 10 Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

5 of 15

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 10: B.J. Johnson #20 of the La Salle Explorers reacts in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wildcats defeated the Explorers 77-68. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

11. La Salle Explorers

2017-18 season record: 13-19 (7-11)

The only program to make a coaching change of their doing, the Explorers relieved Head Coach John Giannini of his duties after another season finishing near the bottom of the A-10. Villanova assistant Ashley Howard was picked as the new leader, with the hopes that he can bring the winning ways of the Wildcats with him.

It’ll have to be done without leading scorers BJ Johnson, who became an elite scorer with La Salle after transferring from Syracuse. He averaged 20.8 ppg last season and has graduated along with Amar Stukes and Tony Washington. Good news is that Pookie Powell returns for his senior year, after averaging 16.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 4.3 apg the season prior.

As the only player coming back who averaged in double figures, Powell will have to do a good amount of the team’s scorer. He’ll have to rely on someone else to be the lead ball handler at times, which is why Traci Carter will be important for La Salle.

In the one and a half with Marquette, the 6’0 guard averaged 4.4 apg, including 4.6 as a freshman while splitting time as a starter and off the bench. This will allow Powell to play off the ball more and focus on scoring.

La Salle will have a solid perimeter game but unless Miles Brookins can have a great sophomore year as a big man, they’ll be in trouble in the paint.

Home/Atlantic 10