By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Saint Joseph's University coach Phil Martelli was understandably elated last spring when point guard Jameer Nelson announced he would return for his senior season, rather than leave early for the NBA.

Saint Joseph's' Jameer Nelson goes for the ball after knocking it away from a Richmond player Tuesday. (AP photo)

Martelli got back a proven playmaker and one of the most respected court leaders in the country, one who could turn a good team into a Final Four contender.

Martelli wasn't the only one happy to see Nelson return. Atlantic 10 officials were equally pleased, particularly because Nelson gives the league a chance to have a second consecutive national player of the year, after Xavier's David West won several player-of-the-year honors last season.

For a league that is constantly fighting for attention in crowded college sports markets, producing back-to-back national players of the year would firm up the Atlantic 10's image nationwide.

Even more important would be a deep NCAA Tournament run. No Atlantic 10 team has had significant NCAA success since Temple advanced to the regional finals in 2001.

Saint Joseph's appears to be the best candidate to make the next big tournament run for the A-10. The Hawks are ranked No. 9 and could have a chance for a top-two seed on Selection Sunday if they can carry over their successful start to the Atlantic 10 season.

How the Atlantic 10 Conference is shaping up

Favorites: Saint Joseph's is the team to beat and the only Atlantic 10 team in the Top 25. The Hawks' guard play is among the best in the nation and compensates for Saint Joseph's only true weakness, a lack of physical toughness. Rhode Island is off to an 11-3 start and will challenge Saint Joseph's in the East Division. Temple should have a strong finish in the East as well but might be more of a spoiler than a contender.

The West Division will be more competitive. Xavier and Dayton are the favorites, and their head-to-head games probably will decide the winner. George Washington, Richmond or La Salle could stay in the race until the final weeks.

Biggest surprises: There has not been a true surprise team during the nonconference season. Duquesne (4-7) expected to finish near the bottom of the league but has played well so far - just not well enough to win. Five of the Dukes' seven losses have been by single digits.

Biggest disappointments: La Salle leads this list. Coach Billy Hahn's team possesses exceptional offensive talent and was supposed to challenge the A-10's top teams. But the Explorers lost their first four games, none against power teams, and are 5-7 entering today's game at Massachusetts.

Best win for the league: Saint Joseph's 73-66 win against Gonzaga in Madison Square Garden Nov. 14 thrust the Hawks and the league onto the national college basketball stage.

Worst loss for the league: Dayton had been winning ugly, but the Flyers were unbeaten and ranked when they visited Cincinnati Dec. 23. Dayton left with an 82-53 loss to the Bearcats and hasn't regained its confidence yet. The Flyers lost their last two games, to Saint Louis and Wyoming.

Statistically speaking: Saint Joseph's is the top-rated team in the Ratings Percentage Index according to CollegeRPI.com The Hawks have played the third-toughest schedule so far, while Temple (4-5) has played the fourth-toughest schedule.

A-10 AT A GLANCE

East Division

Team	League Record	Overall
Saint Joseph's	2-0	12-0
Rhode Island	1-0	11-3
Massachusetts	0-0	5-6
St. Bonaventure	0-0	4-7
Temple	0-0	4-5
Fordham	0-1	3-9

West Division

Team	League Record	Overall
Richmond	1-1	8-6
Dayton	0-0	10-3
Xavier	0-0	8-4
La Salle	0-0	5-7
George Washington	0-1	6-6
Duquesne	0-1	4-7

Top scorers

Player	School	Avg.
M. Green	St. Bonaventure	23.1
D. Hawkins	Temple	22.7
G. Neal	La Salle	21.3

Top rebounders

Player	School	Avg.
K. Waleskowski	Dayton	9.5
S. Smith	La Salle	8.2
R. Freeman	Massachusetts	7.9

Top assist men

Player	School	Avg.
M. Osimani	Duquesne	5.7
J. Nelson	Saint Joseph's	5.5
R. Marshall	Dayton	5.2

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com