Dayton Flyers picked fifth in Atlantic 10

Atlantic 10 coaches and select media members picked the Dayton Flyers to finish fifth in the preseason poll released Tuesday at Media Day at the Capital One Center, site of the A-10 tournament in March.

Rhode Island is the preseason favorite. The Rams, who tied for third last season and won the A-10 tournament, have never won the regular-season championship. They were 25-10 overall last season and 13-5 in the conference. They played in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999 and beat Creighton 84-72 in the first round before losing 75-72 to Oregon.

A-10 PREDICTION: One writer’s take

Two of Rhode Island’s top three scorers return: E.C. Matthews (14.9 points per game); and Jared Terrell (12.6).

Here’s the complete poll with first-place votes in parentheses: Rhode Island (27); St. Bonaventure (1); St. Joseph’s; Virginia Commonwealth; Dayton; Davidson; Saint Louis; Richmond; La Salle; George Mason; George Washington; Massachusetts; Fordham; and Duquesne.

No Dayton players were named to any of the preseason all-conference teams.

You won't believe who @DaytonMBB fans picked to win the A-10 https://t.co/7SWZ9GkS1f
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) October 17, 2017

Media day for @A10MBB begins at 10. Anthony Grant one of first coaches to speak. pic.twitter.com/q28XcQxgxB
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) October 17, 2017