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Atlantic 10 Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 14: The St. Bonaventure Bonnies celebrate with the championship trophy following their 74-65 win over the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2021 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 14: The St. Bonaventure Bonnies celebrate with the championship trophy following their 74-65 win over the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2021 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Atlantic 10 Basketball Hyunjung Lee Davidson Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Atlantic 10 Basketball Hyunjung Lee Davidson Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Key Players to Watch in the 2022 Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament

JR Hyunjung Lee – Davidson

2021-22 Stats: 16.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg

Lee has quietly become not only one of the best players in the A-10 but in the country. The 6’7″ wing is a dangerous scorer at all three levels, shooting it at 48.3 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three. He’s part of a three-headed monster for Davidson (along with Luka Brajkovic and Foster Loyer) that powers the 10th-most efficient offense in the country (per KenPom).

There’s a reason the Wildcats only lost three conference games this year and gained the top seed. Expect Lee and his cohorts to be a major threat to anyone and everyone in DC.

FR DaRon Holmes II – Dayton

2021-22 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 bpg

The A-10 always seems to have a handful of star freshmen each season, but Holmes is a cut above. At 6’10”, the big man has been a major force for the Flyers that vaulted them to the two seed entering the tournament.

The storyline surrounding Dayton this season is that they’re young, which is true! And it’s led to both some marquee wins and surprising losses. But that youth should play well in a three-games-in-three-days format. If the Flyers do end up getting that far, expect Holmes to play a big part.

SR Osun Osunniyi – St. Bonaventure

2021-22 Stats: 11.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.6 bpg

Speaking of 6’10” big men, St. Bonaventure has one of their own in Osun Osunniyi. The senior has been an absolute force in the recent hot streak for the Bonnies, and it’s fair to assume it’ll carry over to this weekend.

Osunniyi has been making major impacts on both ends, leading to eight St. Bonaventure wins in their final nine games. The team that was picked atop the conference in the preseason has arrived, and Osun is playing a big part in the resurgence.

SR Vince Williams, Jr. – VCU

2021-22 Stats: 13.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.1 apg

Much like Hyunjung Lee, Williams is an absolute Swiss army knife for his team. Scoring, rebounding, passing, defending… the 6’6″ wing does it all. And because he can contribute in so many different areas, the advanced analytics love him. Plus, with VCU as a real threat to cut down the nets in the tourney, Williams will have a chance to shine.

Like St. Bonaventure, the Rams are winners of eight of their last nine and riding high headed to DC. If they can put on a show close to home, Williams figures to be in the starring role.

SO Yuri Collins – Saint Louis

2021-22 Stats: 11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 8.0 apg

When Saint Louis star Javonte Perkins went down for the year in the preseason, someone needed to step up. And while the Billikens have gotten solid contributions across the board, Collins has been their most impressive player. His numbers fit what any and every coach is looking for from a point guard, and he has shown the ability to explode offensively when needed.

The downside for SLU is that they’re not a top-four seed and therefore don’t have a bye through to Friday. But they were also the last team to win four games in four days, doing so in 2019. Collins wasn’t on that team, but he for sure knows about it. The Billikens will be looking to replicate that run.