VCU picked to finish third in CAA; ODU first

Three-time defending regular-season champion Virginia Commonwealth was picked to finish third at today’s Colonial Athletic Association preseason media gathering.

Old Dominion, which returns all five starters from a 25-10 team, was picked to finish first in voting by the league’s coaches, sports information directors and media members. Northeastern, with four starters back from a 19-13 team, was picked to second.

Old Dominion senior forward Gerald Lee (15.5 points last year) and Hofstra junior guard Charles Jenkins (19.7 points) were picked as the co-players of the year. VCU forward Larry Sanders joined them on the first team, along with Northeastern’s Matt Janning and George Mason’s Cam Long.

VCU went 24-10 last year and won the CAA tournament before losing to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Rams have four starters returning but will be without CAA player of the year Eric Maynor, now in the NBA.

George Mason was picked to finish fourth. James Madison was picked to finish fifth, with William and Mary 10th.

CAA predicted order of finish 1. Old Dominion, 2. Northeastern, 3. VCU, 4. George Mason, 5. James Madison, 6. Hofstra, 7. Drexel, 8. Georgia State, 9. Towson, 10. William and Mary, 11. Delaware, 12. UNC Wilmington.

Preseason All-CAA First team: Gerald Lee, Sr. forward, Old Dominion; Charles Jenkins, Jr. guard, Hofstra; Larry Sanders, Jr. forward, VCU; Matt Janning, Sr. guard, Northeastern; Cam Long, Jr. guard, George Mason Second team: Manny Adako, Sr. forward, Northeastern; Joe Dukes, Sr. guard, Georgia State; David Schneider, Sr. guard, William and Mary; Chad Tomko, Jr. guard, UNCW; Julius Wells, Soph. Forward, James Madison.