**VCU Tops Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Poll; Preseason Honors Announced**

WASHINGTON - VCU has emerged as the frontrunner in the Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball preseason poll for the upcoming 2024-25 season, as revealed during the league's Media Day at District E and Capital One Arena. The annual poll and Preseason All-Conference awards were determined by the conference's head coaches and select media representatives.

The Rams, who finished last season with a 24-14 record and an 11-7 finish in the conference, return a significant portion of their roster. Leading the charge is Preseason First Team selection Max Shulga, with Zeb Jackson and Joe Bamisile earning Second Team honors. Jackson also made the Preseason All-Defensive Team. VCU garnered 14 first-place votes, amassing a total of 421 points to top the poll.

Dayton, with 394 points and six first-place nods, secured the second spot. The Flyers, who finished 25-8 overall and reached the NCAA Second Round last year, are led by Preseason All-Conference players Nate Santos and Posh Alexander. Both Alexander and Enoch Cheeks were also named to the All-Defensive Preseason Team.

Saint Joseph's claimed the third position with 376 points and five first-place votes. The Hawks are supported by Erik Reynolds II, who secured a spot on the First Team Preseason list, alongside Xzayvier Brown on the Second Team and Rasheer Fleming on the Third Team.

Saint Louis follows in fourth place with 371 points and two first-place votes. Key players include First Team selections Gibson Jimerson and newcomer Robbie Avila, as well as Isaiah Swope on the Third Team. The Billikens are under new leadership with head coach Josh Schertz.

Loyola Chicago ranks fifth with 368 points and two first-place votes. Des Watson, a First Team selection, and Miles Rubin, who made both the Third Team and the All-Defensive Team, are among the key players returning.

George Mason, led by second team pick Darius Maddox, secured the sixth spot with 262 points. Richmond came in seventh with 230 points, while defending A-10 Champion Duquesne, with a single first-place vote, landed in eighth place with 222 points. Massachusetts rounds out the top nine with 215 points, featuring Rahsool Diggins on the Preseason Third Team.

St. Bonaventure (210 points), Rhode Island (159 points), and Davidson (118 points) filled the 10th to 12th positions respectively. George Washington, Fordham, and La Salle completed the poll. Notable mentions include Darren Buchanan, Jr. from GW on the Preseason Second Team and Davidson's Reed Bailey on the Third Team, while Fordham's Abdou Tsimbila repeated his selection to the Preseason All-Defensive Team.

The 2024-25 men's basketball season is set to start on Monday, Nov. 4, with Conference play commencing on Dec. 31. The season will culminate with the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., from March 12 to March 16.