As the 2024-25 college basketball season prepares to tip off, the Atlantic 10 Conference is poised to make a significant impact on the national landscape. Fordham men's basketball coach Keith Urgo has a bold message for teams facing the Rams and other A-10 programs this year: "You're going to have four or five [Atlantic 10] teams that are beating Power 5 teams in the non-conference. The A-10 is stacked this year."

A Conference on the Rise: Fordham's Ambitious Schedule and the A-10's Potential for Upsets

Fordham's Tough Early Tests

Fordham, picked 14th in the 15-team A-10, will have two immediate opportunities to knock off Big East foes. The Rams will visit St. John's on Monday night at Carnesecca Arena before facing Seton Hall in the cozy confines of Walsh Gym on Saturday afternoon. While the St. John's game was originally scheduled for Madison Square Garden, a scheduling conflict led to the change of venue. Similarly, the Seton Hall game was initially slated for the Prudential Center but was moved to Walsh Gym due to a date conflict. Urgo views these early-season matchups as "great tests" for his team as they prepare for the rigors of the A-10 conference, which he believes will be "as high-major as it gets" this season.

A-10 Teams Primed for Upsets

Urgo highlighted several other opportunities for A-10 schools to pull off upsets against high-major programs in the non-conference. VCU, picked to win the A-10, will face Seton Hall on November 21 in the Charleston Classic. Dayton, picked second in the conference, will take on preseason No. 9 North Carolina to open the Maui Invitational on November 25, with Urgo suggesting, "Don't be surprised if they win that." Additionally, St. Joe's, chosen third in the A-10, will face fellow "Big 5" member Villanova as well as Texas Tech in the non-conference.

The A-10's Roster Stability and Experienced Rosters

Urgo noted that the A-10 has seen a significant influx of transfers in recent years, with the conference ranking second nationally in transfer activity over the last two seasons. However, this year, the trend has shifted, as many of those transfers have opted to stay within the A-10. Urgo believes this stability has strengthened the conference, stating, "Transfers didn't leave [the A-10] this year. Not only did they stay, we brought in a bunch."This roster stability has led to experienced teams across the A-10. Urgo's Fordham squad is one of the oldest in the country, boasting two sixth-year players, a fifth-year player, two other seniors, and three juniors all in their 20s. Similarly, VCU returns a league-high 65% of its scoring from last season's 24-14 team, while Dayton, led by Preseason All-Conference selections Nate Santos and Posh Alexander, added key transfers in former St. John's and Butler guard Posh Alexander and former Ohio State forward Zed Key.

St. Joe's Backcourt: A Potential National Powerhouse

Urgo was particularly effusive in his praise of the St. Joe's backcourt, led by Erik Reynolds II and Xzayvier Brown, calling them "arguably the best backcourt in the country." This bold statement might come as a surprise to fans of traditional powerhouses like North Carolina, Duke, and Arkansas, but Urgo's confidence in the Hawks' backcourt is a testament to the depth and talent across the A-10.

Fordham's Roster Additions and Expectations

As for Fordham, Urgo has bolstered his roster with several key additions, including former Notre Dame forward Matt Zona and former UNLV guard Jackie Johnson III. Zona, a Bergen Catholic product, previously teamed up with current Fordham sophomore guard Will Richardson, adding to the Rams' experienced core.Urgo is confident in his team's ability to compete against the best the A-10 has to offer, stating, "If we take care of the basketball and we're physical on the glass, we'll be able to compete pretty much against anyone we play."

The A-10's Opportunity to Make a Statement

Urgo's message is clear: the Atlantic 10 is poised to make a significant impact on the national college basketball landscape this season. With experienced rosters, talented transfers, and a schedule filled with opportunities for upsets, the A-10 is ready to prove its mettle against the traditional powerhouses of the sport. As the season unfolds, basketball fans across the country will be keeping a close eye on the Atlantic 10, eager to witness the conference's rise to prominence.