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Atlantic 10 preview: Can high-scoring Davidson defend its title?

Davidson junior guard Jack Gibbs was the Wildcats' second-leading scorer last season at 16.2 points per game. Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

The Atlantic 10 regular-season title has been won by four different teams over the past five years, as the league has proven to be both dynasty-proof and pointedly dissimilar to the Big 12. Can reigning champion Davidson flout this anarchic tradition and win a second consecutive A-10 title?

It won't be easy. Virginia Commonwealth lost Shaka Smart, but new head coach Will Wade can call upon veterans like JeQuan Lewis, Melvin Johnson, Mo Alie-Cox, Jordan Burgess and Terry Larrier

VCU's crosstown rival Richmond plays excellent defense and hits its shots; Chris Mooney's team could be just a few rebounds away from returning to the NCAA tournament, and 6-foot-8 Virginia Tech transfer Marshall Wood may help in that endeavor. For its part, Saint Joseph's brings back as many minutes and possessions as any team in the league, not to mention the A-10's only returning member of last season's all-conference first team: DeAndre Bembry.