Atlantic 10 Basketball power rankings: Davidson, Saint Louis lead early season list

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Kellan Grady #31 of the Davidson Wildcats reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: Dowtin /

7: Rhode Island (3-3)

Rhode Island hasn’t exactly been impressive so far this season, but considering what they lost between the graduations of 5 key players and the departure of Danny Hurley, the Rams are playing relatively well for this point in the season. They earned a good win over an undermanned but still very talented Harvard team, and two of their three losses came against potential NCAA Tournament teams in Providence and Charleston. They did lay an absolute dud against Stony Brook, but even the Sea Wolves are a tough team (7-1 with another win at South Carolina).

I don’t expect the Rams to be a tournament team this season – although the NIT is definitely possible – but I expect them to be rock solid this season between Facts Russell (who is yet to find his shot but will), Jeff Dowtin, Cyril Langevine, and a great freshman class. They have a lot of potential that is seems like they haven’t yet tapped in to, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re one of the teams that will have changed the most between now and March.

For now, I expect the Rams to continue to have both great moments and growing pains while they figure things out, but they should eventually climb in these rankings. They’ve got a tough couple of games coming up at Holy Cross and against West Virginia, so they could be doing it very soon if they’re able to pull out some more good wins.

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