By Tim Baysinger
DELAWARE (5-26, 3-15):
The Blue Hens will look to rebound from a tough season, only winning three conference games and five overall. Unfortunately, the prognosticators have predicted to have another tough season, finishing 10th. Returning to the team this season are seniors Herb Courtney and Sam McMahon, the top two leading scorers from last season. Courtney was named to the CAA Preseason First Team. The Blue Hens also welcome four newcomers to the squad. Their season begins Sunday with a trip to Marist.
DREXEL (23-8, 13-5):
The Dragons enjoyed a trip to the NIT tournament last season, even though they were defeated in the first round by N.C. State. The Dragons field a younger team this year with four freshmen to replace the five graduated seniors. Senior Frank Elegar will be called on to lead the Dragons and fill the void left by Dominick Mejia. The season tips off for the Dragons with a road contest against the University of Pennsylvania on Friday.
GEORGE MASON (18-15, 9-9):
One year removed from their miraculous run to the Final Four, the Patriots came back to earth last season, finishing just .500 in conference play. They did make another attempt a Cinderella run however, advancing to the CAA tournament finals before losing to VCU. With seniors Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell returning, the Patriots field the same squad as last year. To go along with them are four freshmen. The Patriots open their season Friday at home against Vermont.
GEORGIA STATE (11-20, 5-13):
The Panthers struggled last season spending the majority of the season in the conference cellar. Since joining the CAA in the 2005-2006 season, the Panthers have managed to win only eight conference games. Junior Leonard Mendez comes into the season without his running mate Lance Perique, who graduated. However, with only two newcomers this season, the Panthers do return the majority of last season’s squad. Their season kicks off with a home contest against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday.
JAMES MADISON (7-23, 4-14):
The Dukes endured a tough season last year, finishing at the bottom of the CAA standings. James Madison enters this season on a seven game losing streak. The Dukes do however return their top four scorers: sophomore Pierre Curtis, juniors Joe Posey and Juwann James, and senior Terrance Carter. All four averaged double digits in points. The Dukes season begins with a home game against Sienna on Friday.
NORTHEASTERN (13-19, 9-9)
The Huskies finished strong last season, winning six of their final eight games, although they still finished out of postseason play. They will be hard pressed to build off that after losing scoring leaders Bennet Davis and Bobby Kelly to graduation. Sophomore Matt Janning, who averaged double figures in points, will have to pick up the slack. The Huskies season starts with five consecutive road games, beginning Sunday at the University of Illinois.
OLD DOMINION (24-8, 15-3)
The Monarchs came into last season with hopes of making a berth in the NCAA tournament. Those hopes were dashed when George Mason upset them in the CAA semifinals, and the Monarchs had to settle for the NIT instead, where they were quickly knocked out by Butler. Seniors Brian Henderson and Brandon Johnson will have to lead a team that is without its top three scorers from last season. The Monarchs begin their season home against South Carolina State on Sunday.
TOWSON (15-17, 8-10)
The Tigers enter this season missing graduated leading scorers Gary Neal and Dennard Abraham. Neal was fifth in the nation in scoring. Seniors C.C. Williams and Tommy Breaux will be called upon to fill the huge void left by Neal and Dennard. The Tigers also welcome two new freshmen to this season’s squad. Their season begins Friday at home against local rival Loyola.
UNC-WILMINGTON (7-22, 4-14)
The Seahawks look to challenge VCU for CAA supremacy after a forgettable season under first-year head coach Benny Moss. The Seahawks have five newcomers to the team, and the return of 2006 CAA Tournament MVP T.J. Carter, who missed all of last season following sports hernia surgery. The Seahawks also return their three leading scorers from last season. Their season tips off Saturday at home against the College of Charleston.
VCU (27-6, 16-2)
The Rams enjoyed their best season in recent years, winning the CAA tournament which earned them an automatic berth in NCAA tournament. Advancing to the second round after defeating perennial power house Duke University, the Rams were elminated by the University of Pittsburgh Making a repeat of the conquest considerably more difficult is the loss of leading scorer B.A. Walker as well as the departure of their third leading scorer Jesse Pellot-Rosa. They do return, however, senior Wil Femeni and junior Eric Maynor along with seven new freshmen. The Rams begin their CAA title defense Friday at home against the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.
WILLIAM AND MARY (15-15, 8-10)
The Tribe finished last season with its best record in almost ten years, though they did lose four of their last seven. They return Laimis Kisielius, Nathan Mann, Kyle Carrabine and Chris Stratton to fill the void left by Adam Payton, who went off to play professionally in Switzerland. The Tribe kick off their season with a trip to Geogetown.