2009-2010 Conference Preview: Colonial Athletic Association

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Georgia State: The Panthers did not pose much of a threat last season and finished at 12-20 overall. However, their two top scorers return and the addition of the CAA’s most highly touted freshmen might make Georgia State the surprise in the conference. Rashanti Harris might be the best recruit to come to Georgia State and he plans on living up to it. Ranked as the No. 54 prospect in the class of 2009 by Rivals.com, the Panthers will look at Harris to contribute immediately. After an eighth-place finish in the CAA last season, Georgia State should rise in the standings and have an opportunity to vastly improve very quickly.

Delaware: The Blue Hens return three of their top four scorers this season, but will probably struggle yet again. They have an opportunity to build off a season that wrapped up with a 13-19 overall mark and just six conference wins. However, many teams in the CAA are also hoping to improve and for Delaware, there is still a very good chance they will finish among the bottom.

Towson: Pat Kennedy is probably on the hot seat at Towson as the Tigers continue to struggle. After a 10th-place finish in conference last year, it is likely yet again they will finish somewhere near the bottom. Josh Thornton and Jarrel Smith return, representing a lone bright spot. It will be another tough year for the Tigers and their fans.

William & Mary: After finishing in the bottom half of the Colonial last season and registering only 10 wins overall, the Tribe might have an opportunity to improve, but probably not by much. They return four of their five top scorers, but the threat that William & Mary will pose to some of the higher teams in the conference will be pretty much non-existent. The Tribe will most likely finish near the bottom again in 2009-2010.

UNC Wilmington: It could not have gone much worse for UNC Wilmington last season. A 3-15 finish in conference and 25 losses total on the season is something the Seahawks would like to quickly forget. And they might be able to do that. Much of the team’s top contributors are back, including Chad Tomko, who led the team in points, assists and steals in 2008-2009. There should be some improvement in Wilmington this season. Although it won’t be enough win the CAA, it could bring the Seahawks around the .500 mark in the Colonial.

Projected Standings:

1. Old Dominion

2. Northeastern

3. VCU

4. Georgia State

5. Hofstra

6. George Mason

7. James Madison

8. UNC Wilmington

9. Drexel

10. Delaware

11. William & Mary

12. Towson

First Team All-CAA:

F- Larry Sanders, Jr., VCU

F- Gerald Lee, Sr., Old Dominion.

G- Matt Janning, Sr., Northeastern

G- Cam Long, Jr., George Mason

F- Rashanti Harris, Fr., Georgia State

Second Team All-CAA:

G- Charles Jenkins, Jr., Hofstra

F- Manny Adako, Sr., Northeastern

G- Chad Tomko, Jr., UNC Wilmington

G- Jawan Carter, Jr., Delaware

G- Joe Dukes, Sr., Georgia State

CAA Player of the Year:

Forward- Larry Sanders, VCU

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