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NCAA Basketball: Every conference’s biggest surprise and disappointment for 2018-19

By Joey Loose

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: De’Riante Jenkins #0 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: De’Riante Jenkins #0 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Atlantic-10

Biggest Surprise (VCU)

Before the season, the Rams were predicted to finish 7th in the league, but it soon became clear that this wasn’t a middle of the pack squad. They went 16-2 in conference play, enough to nab them an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament despite falling in the A-10 Tournament. VCU knocked off Texas and Wichita State during non-conference play and went on a 12-game winning streak to end the regular season, asserting their dominance in the conference.

Four players were double-digit scorers after only De’Riante Jenkins was picked to a preseason all-A10 team. Marcus Santos-Silva had an outstanding 26-point, 22-rebound effort in a loss to Rhode Island. Less than 3 points per game were scored by graduating seniors and this team will be even more deadly next season. Coach Mike Rhoades is already making a name for himself back in Richmond; expect big things from the Rams in the near future.

Biggest Disappointment (Saint Joseph’s)

A 34-year run with the Hawks came to an end for head coach Phil Martelli following a very underwhelming season. The media predicting a second place finish for Martelli’s squad, but this team underperformed all year long. Another injury to Lamarr Kimble certainly didn’t help matters, but this wasn’t the only reason for the club’s 10th place finish. This team was expected to be much better with Kimble and Charlie Brown returning from injuries, but it just didn’t develop.

New coach Billy Lange has some work to do to rebuild this roster, as leading scorer Brown is reportedly moving onto the NBA Draft and his professional career. This team had serious issues on both offense and defense this year, though their defense shined in a 45-42 win over Loyola-Chicago. Lange has some work ahead of him to compete again in the A10, but it can happen much sooner than later if he can bring talent to Philly.

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