CAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason power rankings

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BALTIMORE, MD – MARCH 07: The North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks celebrate winning the Colonial Athletic Conference Championship college basketball game tournament against the Hofstra Pride at Royal Farms Arena on March 7, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Entering the 2018-19 season, there are no clear leaders in what should be a competitive race for the CAA Basketball crown.

Every year, the CAA languishes near the middle of the mid-major college basketball tier, in terms of both prestige and respect. Yet every year, hidden gems emerge from the conference, always promising an exciting brand of basketball from November to the heart of March. Just ask previous CAA graduates George Mason and VCU.

The 2018-19 season promises the same. While no team sticks out as a threat to the Gonzagas of the world as a mid-major behemoth, some of the most exciting collections of individual players will be duking it out for the Colonial Athletic Association crown.

Last year, the College of Charleston was a near-unanimous favorite to take the conference crown according to a preseason poll. They validated that ranking, tying for first in the regular season (with Northeastern) and winning the conference tournament to earn the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

Not much has changed from last year, with almost all of the same coaches manning the same benches. Yet everything can – and will – be different from a year ago when the final standings shake out.

Here are the CAA power rankings prior to the start of practices for the 2018-19 season.