Oct. 21, 2010

NEW YORK, NY - La Salle sophomore center Aaric Murray has been selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Third Team in voting conducted by the league's head coaches and selected members of the media, it was announced on Thursday from the conference media day in New York City. Murray averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season as a freshman, earning Atlantic 10 All-Rookie and Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors.

Murray also blocked 70 shots, the second most by an Explorer behind Lionel Simmons, who swatted 77 shots in 1987-88. His 2.3 blocks per game ranked second nationally among freshmen and was second in the Atlantic 10.

The First Team is comprised of Temple's Lavoy Allen, Richmond's Kevin Anderson, St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson, Duquesne's Damian Saunders and Dayton's Chris Wright.

The Second Team includes Temple's Juan Fernandez, Fordham's Chris Gaston, Xavier's Tu Holloway, Rhode Island's Delroy James and Charlotte's Shamari Spears.

Joining Murray on the Third Team is Charlotte's Chris Braswell, Saint Louis' Cody Ellis, Dayton's Chris Johnson, and George Washington's Lasan Kromah.

Allen, Anderson, Nicholson and Saunders joins Xavier's Dante Jackson on the All-Defensive team, while the All-Rookie Team includes Saint Joseph's CJ Aiken and Langston Galloway, Xavier's Jordan Latham, Saint Louis' Rob Loe and Dayton's Juwan Staten.

La Salle was picked to finish in ninth place in the same poll. Temple received 19 first place votes and is the preseason favorite followed by Xavier, Richmond, Dayton, Rhode Island, Saint Louis, Charlotte,

Duquesne, La Salle, George Washington, Massachusetts, Saint Joseph's, St. Bonaventure and Fordham.

The Explorers open the season on Friday, November 12 when they host Columbia at 7 PM.