Dayton's Keith Waleskowski will play for new coach Brian Gregory this season. The Associated Press

1. Xavier

(See Xavier's preview)

2. Dayton

Coach: Brian Gregory (first season; same overall)

Key player: Keith Waleskowski (Sr., F)

Outlook: Dayton has all the pieces, four returning starters and the experience of past success, to challenge Xavier for the A-10 regular-season title. This veteran team must learn to adjust quickly to Gregory, a former Michigan State assistant under Tom Izzo who replaces Oliver Purnell, now at Clemson. Waleskowski, a versatile forward, is one of the most complete players in the league.

3. La Salle

Coach: Billy Hahn (27-34, third season; 69-79, sixth overall)

Key player: Gary Neal (So., G)

Outlook: Three sophomore studs - Neal, last season's A-10 Rookie of the Year who can change a game when he's hot from 3-point range, Steven Smith and Jermaine Thomas - turned heads as freshmen but couldn't get the Explorers above .500. They will turn La Salle into a threat this season.

4. Richmond

Coach: Jerry Wainwright (16-13, second season; 151-116, 10th overall)

Key player: Tony Dobbins (Sr., G)

Outlook: That Richmond appears this low on the chart speaks to the strength of the West Division. The Spiders have the talent and experience to challenge for first place. But so does every other team except Duquesne. Dobbins was named the A-10's Defensive Player of the Year last season because he can dictate an opponent's offense with his quickness.

5. George Washington

Coach: Karl Hobbs (24-33, third season; same overall)

Key player: Pops Mensah-Bonsu(So., F)

Outlook: The Colonials' talent can compete on any court in the league, but the team's youth will make it hard to put away good teams on a regular basis. Mensah-Bonsu can wreak serious havoc down low in this league if he uses his athleticism to pull down more rebounds.

6. Duquesne

Coach: Danny Nee (18-40, third season; 386-319, 24th overall)

Key player: Ron Dokes (Sr., C)

Outlook: The Dukes will be better this season, but Nee's group was hit hard by the transfer of Simplice Njoya to Memphis. Nee's teams have yet to win double-digit games in a season.

EAST DIVISION

1. Saint Joseph's

Coach: Phil Martelli (149-97, ninth season; same overall)

Key player: Jameer Nelson (Sr., G)

Outlook: All-America candidate Nelson and Delonte West give the Hawks one of the best backcourts in the nation and the know-how to pull out tough league games. The only thing missing on Nelson's resume is a deep NCAA Tournament run. He is the premier point guard in the nation, the commander on the court who controls everything from offense to defense to tempo.

2. Rhode Island

Coach: Jim Baron (27-32, third season; 233-234, 17th overall)

Key player: Dustin Hellenga (Jr., G)

Outlook: The Rams' program is on the rise, and this could be an NCAA season if newcomers add some interior strength. Hellenga, the best overall player on the roster, must take smarter shots.

3. Temple

Coach: John Chaney (468-210, 22nd season; 693-269, 32nd overall)

Key player: David Hawkins (Sr., G)

Outlook: This team is still young, but the Owls are capable of challenging Saint Joseph's for first place in the East. Hawkins isn't the most talented player on the court, but he wants to win as badly as anyone and has been known to inspire his teammates with his will power.

4. Massachusetts

Coach: Steve Lappas (24-34, third season; 254-206, 16th overall)

Key player: Anthony Anderson (Sr., G)

Outlook: The Minutemen lost more to graduation and transfers than they have coming back, so the picture is bleak in Amherst, Mass. Lappas' days might be numbered. Anderson can't match the league's other point guards in terms of playmaking ability, but he must be the leader the Minutemen desperately need.

5. St. Bonaventure

Coach: Anthony Solomon (first season; same overall)

Key player: Marques Green (Sr., G)

Outlook: The scandal and ensuing transfers have left Solomon with little substance to work with other than Green, an all-around workaholic on the court and the league's most exciting player. That won't be enough to erase the ugly memories of last season.

6. Fordham

Coach: Dereck Whittenburg (first season; 67-50, fifth overall)

Key player: Michael Haynes (Sr., F)

Outlook: Whittenburg faces the monumental task of turning this program into a winner, but it won't happen this season. The Rams are way too small inside and are outclassed at every position in most games. When he is under control and healthy, Haynes is a nice offensive player who could help the Rams if his outside shooting improves.

Dustin Dow