10. George Washington Colonials
2022-23 season record: 16-16 (10-8)
There isn’t a more difficult team to judge than the Colonials, who do bring back the top scorer in the A-10 for one more year. James Bishop averaged 21.6 ppg and 5.2 apg and will be the favorite to win Conference Player of the Year. Freshman forward Maximus Edwards is a breakout star to watch but they’ve lost just about everyone else and still have plenty of roster spots open.
GW will need one of the two freshmen transfers (Benny Schröder and Darren Buchannan Jr.) to break out in their new roles. Having Bishop and Edwards gives them a higher floor than the previously mentioned teams but without more help, the ceiling could be lower.
9. Davidson Wildcats
2022-23 season record: 16-16 (8-10)
The top three leading scorers for the Wildcats are gone, including stars Foster Loyer and Sam Mennenga going pro. Desmond Watson has moved on but will face Davidson again after transferring to Loyola-Chicago. What helps them stay out of the bottom is that they bring back several pieces that are due for larger roles.
Guard Grant Huffman can run the offense without Loyer, while David Skogman is the new focal point of the offense. Connor Kochera and Reed Bailey could be breakout players while Villanova transfer Angelo Brizze and former Stanford wing Jarvis Moss are looking for new roles at Davidson. They lost too much to expect a bounce-back for the program but look for them not to take much of a step back either.