(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Atlantic 10 saw a drain of talent in the offseason as 10 of the 15 players that made up the top three postseason teams in the league have left for the NBA or graduated. Traditional powers Xavier, St. Joesph's, Rhode Island, and Temple all took serious hits as each lost an all-league performer.
The one league contender from 2009 that returned the majority of its core roster will be a legitimate candidate to reach the Elite Eight in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Dayton lost just one starter and fourth most productive player on the team, Charles Little.
The Flyers won't be challenged at the top of the league by the usual suspects—Xavier, St. Joe's, Rhode Island, and Temple—but rather by three up-and-coming programs, each will a different story.
Charlotte didn't live up to lofty preseason expectations in 2009 but returns a roster full of solid A-10 talent. They also bring in a much-hyped recruiting class as well as an impact transfer.
Richmond also disappointed a bit last season, but played the year without potential all-conference center Dan Geriot. The Spiders return the majority of their roster to support Geriot in the team's quest for an Atlantic-10 Championship.
La Salle has only had two winning seasons in Atlantic 10 history, but they've both come in the past four seasons. With only two role players gone, star slasher Rodney Green returning, and stud freshman center Aaric Murray suiting up for the Explorers, La Salle will be a legitimate contender.
Team by team capsules, projections, and all-league teams after the jump.
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