Drexel's men are picked again to win the CAA

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Drexel men and Delaware women have become the new constants among a slew of changes in Colonial Athletic Association basketball.

For the second straight year, both teams were picked by the CAA's coaches Tuesday to win their conference races.

"There's a reason they're picked No. 1," Delaware men's coach Monte Ross said of Bruiser Flint's Dragons during the CAA's media day. Drexel's Frantz Massenat, a 6-foot-4 junior guard, was named preseason men's player of the year. "They return a lot of guys. They're very talented. We've always had a lot of spirited games with Drexel, and this year I expect nothing different."

Last season, Drexel lost to Virginia Commonwealth in the CAA title game and then failed to receive an NCAA at-large bid. The Dragons set a school record for wins after finishing 29-7. They are 50-17 in the last two seasons.

"This league has gotten so much better than we first came in [2001-02]," Flint said. "I feel good because we have a lot of returning players. But that can be fool's gold, sometimes. You have to come in with the right attitude. You can't take things for granted."

Drexel's 6-6 sophomore guard, Damion Lee, joined Massenat on the CAA's preseason all-conference first team. Senior guard Chris Fouch was an honorable mention.

The Drexel men are slated for 16 TV broadcasts through the CAA's deals with the ESPN networks and the NBC Sports Network.

The Delaware men, who finished 18-14, were picked by coaches to finish second to Drexel, while the Drexel women were picked to finish fourth.

Delaware's women, who made a landmark run to the NCAA second round with a 31-2 record and a top-10 ranking, return senior Elena Delle Donne, whose nation-leading 28.1-point average has her targeted to be among the first three picks in the WNBA draft in April.

"As Elena goes, so does Delaware," veteran Blue Hens coach Tina Martin said of the CAA's top women's star. "With five starters back, no doubt expectations are high."

Drexel's women, who were 19-14 and lost to Delaware in the CAA title game, return seniors Hollie Mershon, who made the CAA's preseason first team, and Taylor Wootton.

This is a season of change in the conference. Old Dominion, a longtime men's and women's CAA power, is leaving for Conference USA after this season, while Georgia State is heading to the Sun Belt.

The CAA decided that neither school is allowed to participate in the conference tournaments, although they will be included in the CAA standings.

Defending men's champion Virginia Commonwealth left for the Atlantic Ten. The Towson and UNC-Wilmington men are banned from the CAA tournament for failing to meet the NCAA's scholasticsrequirements.

COACHES' PRESEASON POLL

1. Delaware

2. James Madison

3. Hofstra

4. Drexel

5. Old Dominion

6. Northeastern

7. George Mason (tie) UNC Wilmington

9. Towson (tie) William & Mary

11. Georgia State

FIRST TEAM

Elena Delle Donne*, Delaware, Sr., G-F

Shanta Evans, Hofstra, Sr., F

Hollie Mershon, Drexel, Sr., G-F

Tarik Hislop, James Madison, Sr., G

Deanna Kerkhof, Northeastern, Sr., G

*Preseason player of the year.

SECOND TEAM

Lauren Carra, Delaware, Sr., G

Kirby Burkholder, James Madison, Jr.

G; Emily Correal, William & Mary, Sr., F

Amber Easter, George Mason, Sr., G-F

Nikki Newman, James Madison, Sr., G-F

HONORABLE MENTION

Ashley Betz-White, Old Dominion; So., G

Candace Bond, Hofstra, Sr., G-F

Karneshia Garrett, UNC Wilm., Sr., F

Jewel Tunstull, Northeastern, Jr., F-C

COACHES' PRESEASON POLL

1. Drexel

2. Delaware

3. George Mason

4. Old Dominion

5. Northeastern

6. James Madison

7. Hofstra

8. Georgia State

9. William & Mary

10. Towson 11.

UNC Wilmington

FIRST TEAM (6 PLAYERS)

Damion Lee, Drexel, Sr., F

Frantz Massenat*, Drexel, Jr.,G

Jamelle Hagins, Delaware, Sr.,F

Devon Saddler, Delaware, Jr., G

Jonathan Lee, Northeastern, Sr., G

Keith Rendleman, UNC Wilm., Sr., F

*Preseason player of the year.

SECOND TEAM

A.J. Davis, James Madison, Sr., G

Quincy Ford, Northeastern, So., G-F

Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, So. G

Devonta White, Georgia State, Jr., G

Sherrod Wright, George Mason, Jr. G

HONORABLE MENTION

Chris Fouch, Drexel, Sr., G

Jarvis Threatt, Delaware, So., G

DeShawn Painter, Old Dominion, Sr., C

Joel Smith, Northeastern, Sr., G

Nick Wright, Old Dominion, Sr. F

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