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Atlantic 10 Basketball power rankings: Dayton, Duquesne and VCU on top

By Tristan Freeman

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyerspasses against the Colorado Buffaloes at the United Center on December 21, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Colorado defeated Dayton 78-76. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyerspasses against the Colorado Buffaloes at the United Center on December 21, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Colorado defeated Dayton 78-76. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 01: Saul Phiri #13 of the La Salle Explorers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 01: Saul Phiri #13 of the La Salle Explorers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

12. La Salle Explorers

2019-20 record: 10-6 (1-3)

The good news for La Salle is that they’ve taken big steps as a program compared to last season, already matching the win total (10). The Atlantic 10 might be stronger overall but this is a team that can play spoiler versus the top-tier of the league.

Although the Explorers have just one double-digit scorer on the team (Isiah Deas at 12.0 ppg), they have good depth, with 10 players averaging double figures in minutes and ix of them putting up at least 7.0 ppg. They have a win at Fordham but takes on a gauntlet of top A-10 teams in the next couple of weeks. It’ll have to be a collective effort to get a couple of wins during the stretch.

11. George Washington Colonials

2019-20 record: 7-10 (1-3)

An upset over George Mason at home this week ended a four-game losing streak that included several close calls. Senior Armel Potter had a season-high 26 points in the win over the Patriots and has led the team in both scoring (14.5 ppg) and passing (5.7 apg). Freshmen Jameer Nelson Jr. and Jamison Battle have been nice surprises for the Colonials and are future pieces for the program.

George Washington has a good chance to get out the bottom-tier of the A-10, with matchups against UMass, Fordham and St. Joe’s the next set of opponents. Potter, in particular, can put himself into All-Conference position if the team can finish over .500 in league play.

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