The Atlantic 10 Conference entered the offseason with a sense of anticipation after a dramatic finish to last year’s tournament, where VCU and Saint Louis shared the regular‑season crown and both secured NCAA Tournament berths. As analysts turn their eyes toward the 2026‑27 campaign, the conversation quickly converges on which programs will carry that momentum forward.
Early Outlook
Early power rankings suggest that the two co‑champions remain the teams to watch, but the landscape is shifting as several contenders lose key contributors and others welcome fresh talent. St. Bonaventure will have to navigate growing pains after parting with several standout players, while La Salle looks to rebuild after a injury‑riddled season that saw its roster decimated. George Washington must replace seven of its top eight scorers, opening a wide‑open field for new leaders.
Other programs are shaping up as dark horses. Duquesne will lean on newcomers such as Yoav Berman and Izaiah Pasha to fill the void left by its top eight scorers, and Richmond will center its attack around Aiden Argabright, who emerged as the team’s focal point. Rhode Island’s defensive outlook could be tested after the departure of Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Cochran, while Loyola Chicago’s rebuilt squad will look to Donald Hand to steer the team.
Davidson brings back three starters and adds Nick Janowski, a prolific scorer from the Summit League, while Fordham returns its entire frontcourt and augments it with Amir Lindsey and Lateef Patrick Jr. Saint Joe’s will count on returning scorer Jaiden Glover‑Toscano to shoulder more responsibility. On the other side of the bracket, Dayton’s frontcourt features Amael L’Etang and Jalen Haynes, and George Mason’s backcourt boasts Brayden O’Connor and Baraka Okojie. VCU’s Lazar Djokovic is being touted as a candidate for A‑10 Player of the Year, whereas Saint Louis will miss Robbie Avila, the conference’s Player of the Year, but still returns a strong guard corps.
The depth of talent across the league promises competitive matchups, but each team will also face its own set of challenges. Whether it is integrating new pieces, coping with lost production, or adjusting to altered expectations, the 2026‑27 season is poised to deliver drama from the first tip‑off.