The Explorers are coming off a season for the ages in 2012-13. Finishing the season at 24-10, La Salle took home a share of the Big 5 title for the first time since 1997-98 and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 21 years. The Explorers would make a run come tournament time, advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 58 years, before the clock struck midnight on their Cinderella run against the Wichita State Shockers.
La Salle enters the 2013-14 season with big expectations. The Explorers return a talented and balanced roster that includes guards Tyreek Duren and Tyrone Garland, as well as big men Jerrell Wright and Steve Zack. While the talent is there, La Salle will need to look for someone to step up and attempt to replace Ramon Galloway and the 17.2 points per game he averaged.
The Explorers were picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 in 2013-14, behind VCU and Saint Louis, but in a top-heavy conference, could easily find themselves grabbing the conference title. La Salle will look to senior guard Tyreek Duren for leadership this season. The six-foot guard is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Duren was selected to the preseason All-Conference team and is my preseason selection for A-10 MVP, as the guard can do it all.
Duren will receive help at the guard position from fellow seniors Tyrone Garland and Sam Mills, who averaged 13.1 and 8 points per game respectively in 2012-13.
Balancing out the Explorers lineup will be center Steve Zack and forward Jerrell Wright, both juniors. Wright averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season and is a force to be reckoned with. Look for improvement this season from the 6'8" 255-pounder, who is skilled on both ends of the court. Wright will have assistance down low from Steve Zack, the 6'11 center who averaged 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 2012-13.
With a balanced and experienced lineup, the Explorers enter the 2013-14 season with high expectations. While picked to finish third, it really will be anybody's conference in the A-10, so don't be shocked to see the Explorers take home the conference title under the guidance of John Giannini.
Season opener: 11/9 v. Manhattan
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The Explorers were picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 in 2013-14, behind VCU and Saint Louis, but in a top-heavy conference, could easily find themselves grabbing the conference title. La Salle will look to senior guard Tyreek Duren for leadership this season. The six-foot guard is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Duren was selected to the preseason All-Conference team and is my preseason selection for A-10 MVP, as the guard can do it all.
Duren will receive help at the guard position from fellow seniors Tyrone Garland and Sam Mills, who averaged 13.1 and 8 points per game respectively in 2012-13.
Balancing out the Explorers lineup will be center Steve Zack and forward Jerrell Wright, both juniors. Wright averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season and is a force to be reckoned with. Look for improvement this season from the 6'8" 255-pounder, who is skilled on both ends of the court. Wright will have assistance down low from Steve Zack, the 6'11 center who averaged 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 2012-13.
With a balanced and experienced lineup, the Explorers enter the 2013-14 season with high expectations. While picked to finish third, it really will be anybody's conference in the A-10, so don't be shocked to see the Explorers take home the conference title under the guidance of John Giannini.
Season opener: 11/9 v. Manhattan
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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