DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Atlantic 10 Conference emphasizes the entire season, not just tournament time for the Davidson Wildcats.

Entering their fifth season since leaving the Big South, coach Bob McKillop sees the greater acknowledgement of accomplishment in the regular season.

Davidson produced their second-best season in the A-10 with a 21-12 record last year, and advanced to the NCAA tournament after winning the conference tournament. Their best league season was their first, 2014-15, when they won the regular season with a 24-8 record and earned their first NCAA at-large bid. Had they still been in the Big South, they more than likely would not have received that, as the Big South tends to be a one-bid league.

“Our [perimeter-oriented] style of play is something that is new for the conference,” said McKillop of the Wildcats, who shot 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 48 percent from the field. “Maybe Richmond does something like we do. It’s much like James Borrego bringing the three-point shot to the [Charlotte] Hornets. It forced people to adapt to them. I think it has forced people to adapt to us. Our recruiting has elevated. The combination of style of play, recruitment elevation and just the kind of tough kid who we get, who work hard.”

Sophomore guard Kellan Grady exemplifies the higher caliber recruiting Davidson now possesses. He started 32 of his 33 freshman appearances and earned A-10 Rookie of the Year and second team all-conference, by averaging 18 points per game. Grady, who shot 50.1 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from beyond the arc, ranked second in scoring behind forward Peyton Aldridge, who averaged 21.2 points per game.

“I tried to expand my scoring ability overall,” Grady said. “I was fortunate enough in March to start working with a trainer, Blake Boehringer, who worked out with Steph Curry for seven years during his path to stardom. He’s now back in the Huntersville area. He and I have been working a lot on proving my consistency, my shot overall, creating space, being a multidimensional scorer. Being able to score outside of the system as the shot clock is winding down, always being able to create my own shot and being a more dynamic scorer for this team.”

At 6-foot-5, Grady entered the program a lanky freshman. Age and time in the weight room have helped him mature physically, as well as in his mental approach to the game.

“His body has become much more defined,” McKillop said. “His comfort on the court has become more visible. He responds to a mistake by being in the present moment. He play in the present tense, and that is a reflection of the maturity that has evolved as a result of his success as a freshman.”

Said Grady: “I’ve gained some weight. I’ve been trying to improve my strength. I’m trying to be an even better defender this year.”

Upcoming games, all of which are at Davidson and tip off at 7 p.m.:

Nov. 1 Exhibition vs. Washington & Lee

Nov. 6 Cleveland State

Nov. 9 Dartmouth