BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The George Mason men's basketball team was predicted to finish eighth in its inaugural season of the Atlantic 10 Conference in the league's annual preseason poll. Additionally, senior guard Sherrod Wright was one of 21 student-athletes selected for preseason awards, being named Second Team Preseason All-Conference. The polls and awards were announced by the conference on Tuesday morning in conjunction with its annual media day at Barclays Center.
Both the polls and awards were chosen by a panel of the league's head coaches and media members. VCU, the 2012-13 Atlantic 10 Championship runners-up, was predicted to capture the league's title, garnering 19 first-place votes to total 307 points in the poll. Defending champion Saint Louis was tabbed second in the poll with 288 points, while NCAA Sweet 16 participant La Salle was chosen third with 265 points. Massachusetts was picked fourth, followed by Saint Joseph's in fifth to complete the top five.
Richmond was picked sixth as Dayton was tabbed seventh with just two points separating the teams. Following Mason in voting was Rhode Island, George Washington and Fordham. St. Bonaventure and Duquesne rounded out the 13-team poll.
Mason returns all five starters to the squad, which is coming off a 22-16 season and a trip to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) finals. Amongst the returning starters is Wright, who set a school record starting all 38 contests a year ago. The senior guard contributed 16.6 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game.
The Patriots welcome newcomers Marquise Moore (Queens, N.Y./St. Thomas More) and junior transfer Julian Royal (Alpharetta, Ga./Georgia Tech). Royal will redshirt the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Additionally, redshirt freshman Jalen Jenkins returns after redshirting last season.
Chaz Williams of Massachusetts and Saint Louis' Dwayne Evans, both 2012-13 First Team All-Conference selections, were named to the 2013-14 Preseason All-Conference First Team. Joining the pair are Tyreek Duren of La Salle and VCU's Treveon Graham and Juvonte Reddic.
Joining alongside league newcomer Wright on the Preseason Second Team All-Conference is Isaiah Armwood of George Washington, who also earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team, Rhode Island's Xavier Munford and Saint Joseph's teammates Ronald Roberts, Jr., and Langston Galloway.
The Preseason Third Team is comprised of Brendan Frazier from Fordham, and La Salle's Tyrone Garland and Jerrell Wright. Cedric Lindsay of Richmond and Jordair Jett from Saint Louis complete the Third Team.
Jett and Williams also made the Preseason All-Defensive Team along with Armwood. Joining the trio are George Washington's Patricio Garino, Richmond's Alonzo Nelson-Ododa and VCU's Briante Weber.
Atlantic 10 Conference Predicted Order of Finish
Team Points 2012-13 A-10 Record 2012-13 Overall Record
1. VCU (19) 307 12-4 27-9
2. Saint Louis (5) 288 13-3 28-7
3. La Salle 265 11-5 24-10
4. Massachusetts 236 9-7 21-12
5. Saint Joseph's 199 8-8 18-14
6. Richmond 173 8-8 19-15
7. Dayton 171 7-9 17-14
8. George Mason 141 N/A 22-16
9. Rhode Island 130 3-13 8-21
10. George Washington 122 7-9 13-17
11. Fordham 58 3-13 7-24
12. St. Bonaventure 56 7-9 14-15
13. Duquesne 38 1-15 8-22
First Team Preseason All-Conference
Name School Pos. Year Hometown
Tyreek Duren La Salle G Sr. Philadelphia, Pa.
Chaz Williams Massachusetts G Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dwayne Evans Saint Louis F Sr. Bolingbrook, Ill.
Treveon Graham VCU G Jr. Temple Hills, Md.
Juvonte Reddic VCU F Sr. Winston-Salem, N.C.
Second Team Preseason All-Conference
Name School Pos. Year Hometown
Sherrod Wright George Mason G Sr. Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Isaiah Armwood George Washington F Sr. Baltimore, Md.
Xavier Munford Rhode Island G Sr. Hillside, N.J.
Langston Galloway Saint Joseph's G Sr. Baton Rouge, La.
Ronald Roberts, Jr. Saint Joseph's F Sr. Bayonne, N.J.
Third Team Preseason All-Conference
Name School Pos. Year Hometown
Brendan Frazier Fordham G Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tyrone Garland La Salle G Sr. Philadelphia, Pa.
Jerrell Wright La Salle F Jr. Philadelphia, Pa.
Cedric Lindsay Richmond G Sr. Washington, D.C.
Jordair Jett Saint Louis G Sr. St. Paul, Minn.
Preseason All-Defensive Team
Name School Pos. Year Hometown
Isaiah Armwood George Washington F Sr. Baltimore, Md.
Patricio Garino George Washington G/F So. Mar del Plata, Argentina
Chaz Williams Massachusetts G Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Alonzo Nelson-Ododa Richmond F So. Atlanta, Ga.
Jordair Jett Saint Louis G Sr. St. Paul, Minn.
Briante Weber VCU G Jr. Chesapeake, Va.
