2026-27 Season Preview

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Sorry...just noticed that the article posted originally was from this past January previewing this last conference season.

Trusting that more up-to-date articles previewing the upcoming season will be available in the not-too-distant future.

 

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Atlantic 10 Early Outlook: VCU, Saint Louis lead 2026-27 title race - Mid-Major Basketball

It’s never too early to take a look at how the Atlantic 10 could shape up. This offseason has been active, with transfer portal movement.

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Atlantic 10 Early Outlook: vcu, Saint Louis lead 2026-27 title race​

ByHayden Braun
July 3, 2026

It’s never too early to take a look at how the Atlantic 10 could shape up. This offseason has been active, with significant transfer portal movement and roster reshaping.
With the 2025-26 season as exciting as it was, what could the 2026-27 season hold for the Atlantic 10? vcu won the conference tournament, while both vcu and Saint Louis earned NCAA Tournament bids and wins. Dayton, George Mason and Saint Joseph’s remained among the A-10’s top contenders, and the league once again appears to feature a clear hierarchy of title contenders, middle-tier teams and programs looking to rise.

Tier 1​

Conference title contenders: vcu, Saint Louis, Dayton, George Mason, Saint Joseph’s
The top tier features the league’s clear championship contenders entering the season. vcu remains the standard in the A-10 and should again be in the mix for a conference title. Saint Louis has generated offseason excitement through key additions, including incoming 6-foot-11 freshman Sheek Pearson, who adds another promising piece to an already talented roster.
Dayton enters the season with momentum after a deep run in the NIT and strengthened its frontcourt by adding fourth-year forward Jalen Haynes from Cincinnati. George Mason also bolstered its roster with former Mercer guard Baraka Okojie. Saint Joseph’s followed an impressive NIT run with the addition of fourth-year guard Logan Carey from Maine. With proven talent, postseason experience and impactful additions, these five programs appear best positioned to compete at the top of the league.

Tier 2​

Middle of the pack: George Washington, Loyola Chicago, St. Bonaventure, Duquesne
The middle tier is filled with teams that have the potential to exceed expectations and challenge the top group. George Washington gained momentum from a strong NIT run and could carry that success into next season. Loyola Chicago, St. Bonaventure and Duquesne each have enough talent and experience to compete for postseason positioning but enter the year with more questions than the Tier 1 programs.
This group could see significant movement throughout the season, and it would not be surprising to see one or two of these programs emerge as a thorn in the side of the conference’s top teams.

Tier 3​

Looking to exceed expectations: Davidson, Rhode Island, La Salle, Fordham, Richmond
The bottom tier enters the season with the most uncertainty but still includes programs capable of surprising. Davidson and Rhode Island have histories of success and could outperform expectations if they find consistency. La Salle and Fordham will look to take a step forward after recent struggles. Richmond, meanwhile, has been one of the conference’s more disappointing programs in recent seasons after previously competing near the top of the standings.
The Spiders added second-year guard Jamie Kaiser Jr. from Butler, giving Richmond a notable new addition. Most teams in this tier project toward the bottom of the A-10, but the league rarely follows preseason expectations, making them worth monitoring throughout the season.
With several programs adding proven transfers and talented newcomers, the conference should again rank among the strongest mid-major leagues in the country. For now, vcu, Saint Louis, Dayton, George Mason and Saint Joseph’s appear to have the strongest outlooks heading into 2026-27.