Atlantic 10 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

After a wild postseason, history was made in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, with Duquesne ending a near 50-year drought to get back in the Big Dance by winning the conference tournament. They and Dayton represented the league well, winning their respective opening round games.

After two coaching changes and a bunch of roster moves already, how does the A-10 look for next season? Here's a very early power ranking of the league.

15. La Salle Explorers

2023-24 season record: 16-17 (6-12 in Atlantic 10)

One of the quieter decisions that occurred this offseason was La Salle keeping long-time CBB head coach Fran Dunphy for at least one more year. He’s been able to keep the program relatively competitive but will have to do so without the guard duo of Khalil Brantley and Jhamir Brickus, who have transferred to the power conference ranks.

The veteran guards combined to produce around 29 ppg, 9,0 rpg, and 9.0 apg last season and were two of the top perimeter players in the league. The good news is that the Explorers were able to retain Daeshon Shepherd (10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg), who may be the focal point of the offense next season.

Among the incoming transfer guards are Eric Acker, Corey McKeithan, and Jahlil White. The player to watch is White, a 6’7 double-digit scorer from Temple with 44 starts in three years. Look for him to have his largest role yet, joining Shepherd for a large perimeter lineup.

Without Rokas Jocius around, the frontcourt will rely on rising sophomores Tunde Fasasi and Ryan Zan, along with transfer big man, Demetrius Liley. It’s hard to see the roster being better than the one this past season and while Dunphy can work wonders with lesser talent, La Salle could be in trouble unless someone becomes a star out of nowhere.