2014-5 Davidson Wildcats Basketball Preview

The grass is always greener, and then you get there. The Davidson Wildcats will be joining the tougher proving grounds of the Atlantic Ten this season. Good-bye Appalachian State, hello Dayton. Still, if any team can do it, it is Davidson with long time coach Bob McKillop.

Atlantic Ten Conference Preseason Poll:

VCU (28)392
George Washington343

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Busting Brackets

Dayton339
Massachusetts294
Richmond261
Rhode Island 253
La Salle221
Saint Joseph’s201
Saint Louis181
St. Bonaventure130
Duquesne94
Davidson84
George Mason82
Fordham65

As you can see, Davidson is picked twelfth out of fourteen teams in the conference. The Atlantic Ten has the potential to send a handful of teams in the NCAA tournament in any given year, but there is no way the twelfth best school in the Atlantic Ten is going to make the tournament.

Nov 24, 2013; Charleston, SC, USA; Davidson Wildcats head coach Bob McKillop talks with a referee during a timeout in the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at TD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Coach: Bob McKillop (472-292)
2013: 20-13

Mar 9, 2014; Asheville, NC, USA; Davidson Wildcats guard Tyler Kalinoski (4) goes up for a shot against the Western Carolina Catamounts during the first half of the semifinals of the Southern Conference basketball tournament at Asheville Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Five (Projected):

G Brian Sullivan, JR
G Taylor Kalinoski, SR
G Jordan Barham, JR
F Peyton Aldridge, FR
F Jake Belford, JR

The biggest adjustment will be replacing DeMon Brooks, and Coach McKillop has been bringing in folks to try to do that. The trusted weapons remain the shooters Sullivan and Kalinoski on the wings. Kalinoksi shot 45 percent from three last season. Although he is not mentioned here, also watch out for bench guard Jack Gibbs. Gibbs will find his minutes on the court and should be viewed as a third starter.

Last year, Davidson ran a smaller lineup to try to get its best five guys on the court. This season that could be harder to do, given the bigger lineups in the Atlantic Ten. This will be a year of transition for both the lineup, replacing three starters, and the new league. Much will likely depend on the leadership provided by the veteran back court.