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BROOKLYN, NY – Duquesne sophomore swingman
Eric Williams Jr. was named preseason second team All-Atlantic 10 in the annual poll of conference coaches and media released today. The the announcement was made as part of the league's annual media day at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Williams Jr. is the first Duke since Damian Saunders (2010-11) to earn preseason second team all-conference honors. The Port Huron, Mich. native averaged a team-high 14.3 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds per game in earning a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team last season.
Williams Jr. is one of four sophomores on the preseason first or second teams joining Davidson's Kellan Grady (first team), Richmond's Grant Golden (first team) and Saint Louis' Jordan Goodwin (second team).
Duquesne, which returns two starters from last year's 16-16 team, was picked to finish 11th in the preseason team poll.
Saint Louis, Saint Joseph's, Davidson, George Mason and Rhode Island were picked to finish in the top five spots. Saint Louis, which finished in a four-way tie for fifth last season, received 15 of a possible 26 first place votes. Saint Joe's (4), Davidson (6) and George Mason (1) also received first place votes.
Dayton was picked sixth followed by VCU, Massachusetts, St. Bonaventure, Richmond and DU. There was just a 49-point gap separating No. 7 VCU and No. 11 Duquesne.
All 14 teams will advance to the 2019 Atlantic 10 Championship March 13-17 at Barclays Center, with the top four finishers receiving byes to the quarterfinal.
The Dukes, in their second season under head coach
Keith Dambrot, welcome 12 newcomers - including five Division I transfers - to the 2018-19 roster. The 12 newcomers are the second-most among NCAA D-I schools.
DU opens the regular season at home against William & Mary on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Season, group and individual game tickets are now on sale by calling 412-232-DUKE (3853) or by visiting the men's basketball
tickets page at GoDuquesne.com.
2018-19 ATLANTIC 10 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(as selected by conference coaches and media - first place votes in parentheses)
| Team (1st place votes) |
Points |
2018 Finish |
| 1. Saint Louis (15) |
348 |
t-5th |
| 2. Saint Joseph's (4) |
324 |
4th |
| 3. Davidson (6) |
314 |
3rd |
| 4. George Mason (1) |
287 |
t-5th |
| 5. Rhode Island |
221 |
1st |
| 6. Dayton |
206 |
9th |
| 7. VCU |
195 |
t-5th |
| 8. Massachusetts |
175 |
13th |
| 9. St. Bonaventure |
167 |
2nd |
| 10. Richmond |
156 |
t-5th |
| 11. DUQUESNE |
146 |
t-10th |
| 12. La Salle |
85 |
t-10th |
| 13. George Washington |
73 |
t-10th |
| 14. Fordham |
33 |
14th |
