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(AP) -- Three-time defending champion Temple is the preseason pick for a fourth straight Atlantic 10 basketball title.

The Owls have three starters back from the team that won the regular season title for the first time since 2002 with a 14-2 record. They received 19 of 26 first-place votes in the poll of coaches and selected members of the media that was announced Thursday.

Xavier, which reached the NCAA tournament round of 16 last season, and Richmond are second and third and each received three first-place votes. Dayton, also with a first-place vote, is fourth, followed by Rhode Island, Saint Louis, Charlotte, Duquesne, La Salle and George Washington.

The last four in the 14-team poll are UMass, Saint Joseph's, St. Bonaventure and Fordham.

Kevin Anderson of Richmond, Lavoy Allen of Temple, Andrew Nicholson of Saint Bonaventure, Damian Saunders of Duquesne and Chris Wright of Dayton are the preseason first team.

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