Atlantic 10 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season
4. St. Joe’s Hawks
2022-23 season record: 16-17 (8-10)
For Atlantic 10 Basketball fans and observers, there’s no team that has been more debated this offseason than St. Joe’s. And it’s not because there’s been any confusion concerning the roster since only one player from the rotation is gone. Ejike Obinna certainly is a loss since he was the only kind of defense the team had.
But everyone else is back, including arguably the best overall backcourt in the conference. Erik Reynolds II (19.6 ppg and 2.5 apg) is one of the top players in the league, while Lynn Green (12.5 ppg and 4.1 apg) played at an all-conference level during St. Joe’s 7 wins in a 9-game span during league play. And Cameron Brown (13.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg) flies under the radar as part of the trio.
Forward Kacper Klaczek is back in the frontcourt and replacing Obinna is Christ Essandoko, a 7’0 center and former four-star prospect. He’s highly touted as an offensive force and if he’s as good as advertised, could give St. Joe’s the best lineup in the conference. Add rotation pieces such as Rasheer Fleming and Shawn Simmons II, and there’s a lot to like.
Ultimately, the team has to show something different than it has under Coach Billy Lange, whose yet to have a year .500 with the program. Plus, the team’s defensive issues may not be solved with this returning core. They have the talent to beat anyone in this conference but will have to prove they’re good enough to contend for the title.