Atlantic 10 Basketball: Top 10 returning players for 2018-2019
By Stu Luddecke
No. 7 Jeff Dowtin
If you just look at per-game averages, you might be confused why Dowtin is on this list at all, let alone at the #7 spot. His 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists certainly don’t jump out of the screen, but you have to consider the context around them. Rhode Island was the best team in the league, and they had one of the deepest backcourts in the country.
When you consider that Dowtin had to share the rock with E.C. Matthews, Jared Terrell, and the other six or seven role players behind them, his stat-line transforms from “pretty good” to “this kid is a stud.” He’s a pesky defender, hits 3’s at a solid clip (38%), and is always looking to set up his teammates.
In terms of A10 guard-play, Dowtin doesn’t have the scoring flash of a Kellan Grady or Luwane Pipkins, but he’s as well-rounded as anybody and doesn’t have any real flaws to his game. Now that he’s the clear best player in Kingston, don’t be surprised at all if he averages a double-double with points in the mid-teens.