PITTSBURGH — Within the 2025 A-10 Preseason Ballot launched on Tuesday morning, VCU obtained 11 first-place votes and the primary spot within the rankings, with Saint Louis shut in pursuit. This vote was extraordinarily shut, with the Rams edging out Saint Louis by a single level.
VCU has comparatively little turnover on its roster. Nonetheless, they characteristic seven transfers, with three of them (Barry Evans, Jadrian Tracey, and Tyrell Ward) making the Preseason All-Convention Second Staff and Ahmad Nowell making the third workforce.
Saint Louis finishes in second, returning a key participant in Robbie Avila, who averaged 17.3 PPG final 12 months for Billikens’ second-year head coach Josh Schertz. Avila was additionally named to the Preseason All-Convention First Staff.
Rounding out the highest three is Dayton, who obtained three first-place votes. The Flyers return two key gamers in Javon Bennett and Amael L’Etang. Bennett, a Preseason All-Convention First Teamer, averaged 11.6 factors per recreation final season. L’Etang was a 2025 A-10 All-Rookie Member who’s on the Second Staff this preseason.
Led by Rafael Castro, George Washington takes the quantity 4 spot within the ballot. Castro got here on sturdy in convention play for the Revs with a team-leading 16.4 PPG in such video games. In addition they snagged former Duquesne Duke Tre Dinkins III within the switch portal. Christian Jones, Trey Autry, and Trey Moss are among the many different essential returning items for GW.
Drew Valentine and his Loyola Chicago squad are available at fifth within the ballot, led by returning ahead Miles Rubin. He averaged 9.6 PPG and led the Ramblers in boards with 5.5 per recreation.
George Mason lands in sixth after an enormous season final 12 months that noticed them attain the A-10 Championship recreation for the primary time since becoming a member of the A-10 in 2013. Brayden O’Conner was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Convention First Staff.
Regardless of the departure of former Head Coach Billy Lange, Saint Joseph’s ranks seventh, strengthened by the arrival of La Salle switch Deuce Jones II. Jones has additionally discovered his method onto the 2025 Preseason All-Convention First workforce.
Following them is St. Bonaventure, a program that added seven transfers from the portal, notably former Golden Gopher Frank Mitchell. Dasante Bowen will come again for the Bonnies, as he’ll attempt to bounce again from a junior 12 months that was marred by accidents.
Duquesne is available in ninth within the A-10 ballot. They attempt to enhance on their 8-10 A-10 report final season below second-year Head Coach Dru Joyce III.
Richmond, Davidson and Rhode Island are tenth, eleventh and twelfth, respectively, within the ballot, with La Salle and Fordham wrapping issues up in that order.
The A-10 convention schedule kicks off on December thirtieth with Duquesne and Davidson, and the opposite 12 groups kick issues off on New Yr’s Eve for the second-straight season.
2025 A-10 Preseason Ballot Outcomes:
1. VCU (11): 342
2. Saint Louis (11): 341
3. Dayton (3): 321
4. George Washington: 296
5. Loyola Chicago (2): 286
6. George Mason: 254
7. Saint Joseph’s: 195
8. St. Bonaventure: 185
9. Duquesne: 155
10. Richmond: 142
11. Davidson: 107
12. Rhode Island: 102
13. La Salle: 56
14. Fordham: 53
Preseason All-Convention First Staff
Brayden O’Connor (GMU)
Javon Bennett (DAY)
Rafael Castro (GW)
Miles Rubin (LUC)
Deuce Jones II (SJU)
Robbie Avila (SLU)
Preseason All-Convention Second Staff
Amaël L’Etang (DAY)
Tre Dinkins III (GW)
Dasante Bowen (SBU)
Barry Evans (VCU)
Jadrian Tracey (VCU)
Tyrell Ward (VCU)
Preseason All-Convention Third Staff
Keonte Jones (DAY)
Dejour Reeves (FOR)
Trey Autry (GW)
Christian Jones (GW)
Mike Walz (RICH)
Ahmad Nowell (VCU)
Preseason All-Defensive Staff:
Javon Bennett (DAY)
Rafael Castro (GW)
Miles Rubin (LUC)
Justice Ajogbar (SJU)
Brandon Jennings (VCU)
Jack Morgan is an everyday contributor for A-10 Speak, who can also be on the Duquesne basketball beat. For extra from him, comply with him on X @imjackonthecall.
