AMHERST - The Atlantic 10 coaches and media are optimistic about the future of the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team as they named two of the Minutemen's highly-touted freshman to the league's preseason all-rookie team.

The preseason poll and all-conference teams were released Thursday as part of the league's annual media day.

The present for the Minutemen inspired less optimism. After losing three starters - Tony Gaffney, Chris Lowe and Luke Bonner - and two regulars off the bench - Matt Glass and Tyrell Lynch - UMass was picked ninth out of 14 teams in the A-10 in the preseason poll.

UMass coach Derek Kellogg said, "With so many new guys, I thought somewhere between eight and 11. I guess ninth is fine. I still have a lot of questions with this group. We probably have more questions than anybody.

"A lot of people haven't seen Hashim Bailey or Sean Carter and don't know that much about David Gibbs," Kellogg added. "What freshman has really led a team in this league since Marcus Camby or Lamar Odom and those guys were lottery picks. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll be ready to go to war against anyone."

Four different teams received first-place votes led by Dayton who got 33 of the 57 and finished on top of the poll.

While being picked first in the preseason was new for Dayton coach Brian Gregory, he downplayed it like an experienced veteran.

"That's great recognition for our program and maybe another step in building this program and elevating the level of the program," he said.

"But it's not an accomplishment," Gregory added. "You have to go out there and do it on the court. I don't think it's in the character of the kids we have on this team to be complacent. There's a strong desire to want more."

Perennial favorite Xavier was second with 18 No. 1 votes.

Richmond and La Salle are predicted to both take big steps forward. The Spiders were third with four first-place votes, one spot ahead of the Explorers who had two first-place votes.

"I definitely think this could be my best team at La Salle," coach John Giannini said. "We have a veteran group, but we have some good young talent as well. We're in good shape for a particularly good year right now."

Duquesne and defending champion Temple are tied for fifth. Charlotte and Rhode Island were No. 7 and 8 ahead of the Minutemen.

The league's three saints followed as Saint Joseph's, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis were picked to finish No. 10, 11 and 12, respectively.

George Washington and Fordham brought up the rear at No. 13 and 14.

Minuteman senior guard Ricky Harris was named to the league's preseason first team. He was joined Temple big man Lavoy Allen, Dayton forward Chris Wright and guards Rodney Green of La Salle and Kevin Anderson of Richmond.

XAVIER DEBUTS - Xavier is the only A-10 school with a new head coach this season as assistant coach Chris Mack replaced Sean Miller, who is now at Arizona. Mack said he does not expect the Musketeers to change much on the court.

"I think we'll look eerily similar to the teams you've seen the last five years," Mack said.

Mack said he was excited about the debut of Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford, a 6-foot-4 guard, who was the only newcomer to make one of the league's preseason all-conference teams (third).

"I think he'll make a tremendous impact. He's our most talented player," Mack said. "He'll have an impact offensively and defensively and behind the closed doors in the locker room. I think he's a tremendous addition."

Crawford earned attention during the summer for dunking on Lebron James in a pickup game at a Nike event.

WAITING ON ELLIS - Saint Louis hopes that Australian big man Cody Ellis will be declared eligible for this season, but the NCAA has not cleared the 6-foot-8 forward, who was expected to be an inside-outside presence for the Billikens.

Saint Louis coach Rick Majerus said he was angry about the process of reviewing Ellis' eligibility.

"Having coached a number of players from Australia and other foreign countries, I can say all those kids are better educated than American kids," he said. "The school system in Australia - everything in America pales in comparison. The school system in Australia is so superior to ours in terms of math and science, but they grade differently."

Ellis was expected to add maturity to a team that has no juniors and seniors after an injury knocked junior Paul Eckerle out for the season.

"We are definitively the youngest team in America. I've never had that situation happen before. I'm trying to make every practice a good learning experience. While our future looks good, it's going to be a tough year for us," Majerus said. "My main concern is that they don't get discouraged."

NEW GYM ON HAWK HILL - After playing last season at the Palestra, Saint Joseph's returns to campus where the Hawks will play at Hagan Arena, the new name of the newly renovated Alumni Fieldhouse which now holds 4,000 fans.

MISCELLANEOUS - For the second straight season, the league's media day was held online and by telephone instead of bringing people together in one location. Coaches and selected players were asked questions and responded by teleconference and video conference.

The Atlantic 10 league office will move its operations from Philadelphia to Newport News, Va., next week.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.