2012–13 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season

Preseason

Prior to the season, the Atlantic 10 welcomed new members, Butler and VCU. The two schools joined the conference immediately, rather than waiting a season as Butler initially intended, because they "weren't going to be allowed to play in the respective conference tournaments." With the addition of these programs, the conference sits at 16 teams for one year, yet the conference slate stayed at 16 games. "The league had to be creative with its schedule knowing that it would be for only one season. Every team will play each team once with one rivalry game twice."

The conference moved the conference tournament to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, after six seasons in Atlantic City. Analysts predict "the league's Big Apple debut might result in a record number of bids for this stacked conference."

For the 2012–13 season, Butler lost Ronald Nored to graduation and Chrishawn Hopkins to a violation of team rules, but returned nearly every other significant player and added key players in transfer Rotnei Clarke and freshman Kellen Dunham.

Charlotte's Chris Braswell "might be the best big man in the league, and the 49ers have a good recruiting class entering the fold." Dayton's frontcourt garnered press for its depth, with Kevin Dillard returning as point guard, along with transfers Vee Sanford and Matt Derenbecker.

"Va. Tech transfer Tyrone Garland joins a loaded perimeter group" at La Salle, and Massachusetts "could be a title threat" with point guard Chaz Williams, who returned along with three other starters following a run to the NIT semifinals.

2012 A10 tournament champion Saint Bonaventure faced potential struggle after the loss of Andrew Nicholson, who "was a dominant force throughout his career." However, the Bonnies returned Marquise Simmons and Michael Davenport from injuries. Saint Joseph's returned everyone "from a team that was in the mix for an NCAA bid until late."

Saint Louis was the favorite among many analysts because, although it lost Brian Conklin, the team returned Kwamain Mitchell and "locks down on D." The Billikens are without coach Rick Majerus, who "is taking a leave of absence for health reasons." Majerus died on December 1, 2012, prompting Commissioner Bernadette McGlade's statement, "The entire Atlantic 10 family is grieving tonight over the loss of coach Majerus. His undeniable knowledge and love of the game was known to all, and he was an excellent teacher committed to the student-athlete. This passion made his impact on A-10 basketball over the past five years immeasurable. He will be missed at Saint Louis , within the A-10 and nationally; our prayers and condolences are with coach Majerus’ family and the Saint Louis University community."

Perpetual favorites Temple and Xavier both lost "key weapons" but neither were expected to have a "huge drop" as Temple's "Scootie Randall will be healthy [and] Khalif Wyatt is back" and Xavier adds Semaj Christon and Isaiah Philmore. However, Xavier lost all of its starters and half of its "highly regarded recruiting class (Myles Davis and Jalen Reynolds) to academic issues."

CBS analyst Jeff Borzello noted that "It will be interesting to see how VCU adjusts in its first year. With that said, the Rams return many of their weapons from last season." However, the rams do not have freshmen recruits Mo Alie-Cox and Jordan Burgess, who "is considered a top 100 recruit," as the school announced they were only partial qualifiers by the NCAA and thus were not eligible to compete until at least the 2013–14 season.

Atlantic 10 preseason poll

Source

Atlantic 10 preseason teams

Source

Conference Previews

Several media outlets projected the final Atlantic 10 Conference standings for the 2012–13 season:

Preseason watchlists

Regular season

Rankings

A-10 vs. other conferences

As of 12/3/2012

Weekly honors

Throughout the conference regular season, the Atlantic 10 offices name a player of the week and rookie of the week each Monday.

Butler's Roosevelt Jones was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week on January 21, 2013.

Postseason

Atlantic 10 All-Conference teams

References

References

1. Katz, Andy. "Five Offseason Storylines". ESPN Internet Ventures.
2. "Bernadette McGlade hopeful of boost". Associated Press.
3. Borzello, Jeff. (30 May 2012). "Conference Catchup: With VCU aboard, A-10 race is wide open". CBS.
4. (October 2012). "Atlantic 10 Conference preview". USA Today.
5. Dickerson, Drew. (10 December 2012). "2012-13 Men's Basketball Weekly Report". Atlantic 10 Conference.
6. Pearrell, Tim. (5 October 2012). "Two VCU freshmen ineligible for basketball this season". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
7. Dickerson, Drew. "Saint Joseph's Picked to Finish First in Atlantic 10; 25 Players Earn Preseason Honors". Atlantic 10 Conference.
8. (September 2012). "Atlantic 10 Conference Preview". Lindy's Sports.
9. "MEN'S BASKETBALL TOP 144 PREVIEWS". USA Today Sports Media Group.
10. "McDermott and Zeller Highlight 2012-2013 Naismith Early Season Watch List". Atlanta Tipoff Club.
11. "2012-13 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings". ESPN Internet Ventures.
12. Atlantic 10 Conference. (13 November 2012). "Davis, Dunham Earn First Weekly A-10 Men's Basketball Awards".
13. Atlantic 10 Conference. (26 November 2012). "Roberts, Pierre, McDonald Named Weekly Men's Basketball Award Winners".
14. Atlantic 10 Conference. (26 November 2012). "Clarke, Christon Earn Weekly Men's Basketball Honors".
15. Atlantic 10 Conference. (3 December 2012). "Williams, Christon Named Weekly Men's Basketball Award Winners".
16. Atlantic 10 Conference. (10 December 2012). "Dillard, Duren, Dunham Share Weekly Men's Basketball Honors".
17. Atlantic 10 Conference. (17 December 2012). "Jones, Colter Earn A-10 Weekly Men's Basketball Honors".
18. Atlantic 10 Conference. (24 December 2012). "Wyatt, Colter Earn A-10 Weekly Men's Basketball Honors".
19. Atlantic 10 Conference. (31 December 2012). "Jones, Dunham, Winters Win A-10 Men's Basketball Weekly Awards".
20. Atlantic 10 Conference. (7 January 2013). "Daniels, Clayton Earn A-10 Weekly Awards".
21. Atlantic 10 Conference. (14 January 2013). "Smith, Christon Tabbed A-10 Weekly Award Winners".
22. Atlantic 10 Conference. (21 January 2013). "Jones, Graham, Christon Tabbed A-10 Weekly Award Winners".
23. Atlantic 10 Conference. (28 January 2013). "Galloway, Dunham Earn A-10 Weekly Awards".
24. Atlantic 10 Conference. (4 February 2013). "Reddic, Wyatt, Thomas Earn Weekly A-10 Men's Basketball Awards".
25. Atlantic 10 Conference. (11 February 2013). "Wyatt, Christon Named A-10 Weekly Men's Basketball Award Winners".
26. U.S. Basketball Writers Association. (22 January 2013). "Butler's Jones is Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week".