Mid-Major Top 10: Atlantic 10

The Atlantic 10 has a ton of talent this year, but only ten players can make our Mid-Major Top 10. Let the debate begin!

10. Cedrick Lindsey, Richmond Spiders
If the Spiders are going to get back to the NCAA Tournament then it's going to be because of the point guard play of Cedrick Lindsey. Lindsey averaged 12 points and 3 assists a year ago, but has a very different backcourt situation this year. Scoring machine Darien Brothers is gone and Lindsey now has to play side-by-side with 5'8 spark-plug Kendall Anthony.  Look for Lindsey's scoring production to go up, while feeding the beast known as Derrick Williams in the inside. If you're look for a traditional point guard that can properly orchestrate an offense, then Lindsey is your guy.

9. Briante Weber, VCU Rams
Briante Weber doesn't get enough respect and it's because he doesn't have gaudy offensive numbers, averaging just over 5 points per game. Despite his offensive numbers, Weber is the conference's best defensive guard and is the heart and soul of Shaka Smart's HAVOC defense. Last year Weber lead the A10 in steals with 2.8 per game, which was also enough to finish fourth in the country. Weber is now a junior and expect his offensive duties to increase with Darius Theus moving on.

8. Xavier Munford, Rhode Island Rams
The Rhode Island Rams are a trendy pick for drastic improvement this year and Xavier Munford has been riding along with the media hype. The senior averaged 17 points per game a year ago and was one of the conference's primary scoring threats. Munford was a volume shooter last year and shot just 39.4 percent from the field. Munford now has more offensive weapons around him and it will be interesting to see how the shooting guard's numbers look as the ball gets distributed a little more by the Rams. Munford must improve his shot selection to keep up his pace from a year ago.

7. Sherrod Wright, George Mason
If Paul Hewitt's Patriots have a successful inaugural campaign in the Atlantic 10 then it will because of  the play of Sherrod Wright. Wright was an all-CAA second teamer last year after averaging over 16 points per game and nearly 5 rebounds. Wright's biggest moment came when he drained a game-winning three pointer, at the buzzer to beat Richmond in the 2012 Governor's Holiday Hoops Classic on a neutral floor. Wright will probably not only strike fear in the heart of Spider fans, once again, but fans across the Atlantic 10.

6. Isaiah Armwood, George Washington Colonials
Something special could be brewing in Foggy Bottom this season and the play of Isaiah Armwood should definitely excite Colonials fans. Armwood averaged over 11 points per game last year, but is also one of the conferences top defenders averaging nearly 9 rebounds and just over 2 blocks per game. To put his play in perspective, Armwood was GW's top rebounder since 1993 a year ago. He's a walking double-double, in fact he had nine of them last year and expect even more this year in the nation's capital.

5. Tyreek Duren, La Salle Explorers
There would have been no La Salle Sweet 16 run a year ago if wasn't for Tyreek Duren. Duren is one of the country's top guards and may be the best player playing in the "City of Brotherly Love" right now (and yes I'll go ahead and count the 76ers). Duren averaged 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists a year ago and was 2nd Team All-A10 and 1st Team Philadelphia Big 5. He was also the hero in the Explorers win over cross-town rival Villanova. The A10 is full of talented guards, but Duren may be at the top of the list by year's end.

4. Treveon Graham, VCU Rams
Treveon Graham had a breakout season last year going from 7 points per game his freshman year to 15 during his sophomore campaign. His play was enough to impress Billy Donovan and earn a starting spot on Team USA in the World University Games. Graham scored in double-digits in 31 of his 36 games a year ago and expect that consistency to carry over into 2013-14 for the junior stud.

3. Juvonte Reddic, VCU Rams
VCU's 6'9 big man has grown into one of the nation's top players in the paint after averaging nearly 15 points and 8 rebounds. The focus over the summer was to get better and grow into a legit NBA prospect as Reddic attended both Amare Stoudemire's and LeBron James' highly touted camps. The 2012-13 Atlantic 10 second teamer  posted 11 double-doubles and is expected to wreak even more HAVOC on Broad Street this upcoming season.

2. Chaz Williams, UMass Minutemen
Chaz Williams almost went pro this past offseason when he was offered a contract by a Turkish team but decided to return to UMass. The 5'9  one man offensive explosion may be the most fun player to watch in the country. Last year the Hofstra transfer averaged nearly 16 points and over 7 assists a year ago. The Minutemen haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1998 and that's why Williams is back with a mission.

1. Dwayne Evans, Saint Louis Billikens
Jim Crews' Billikens are looking to repeat as Atlantic 10 champions and to do so they are going to need another 1st Team performance from senior Dwayne Evans. Evans averaged 14 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game for Saint Louis last year and was an efficient shooter at 54.7 percent from the field. The 6'5, 235 lbs bulldozer also showed up in the Brooklyn for the Atlantic 10 Tournament where he was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Some of the pieces are gone from last year for the Billikens, but Evans is talented enough to get the team to the promised land once again.