CAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason power rankings

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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Tony Shaver of the William & Mary Tribe directs his team during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 23, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

5. William & Mary Tribe

2017-18 season record: 19-12 (11-7 CAA)

Everything for the Tribe this season will revolve around Nathan Knight. The forward from Syracuse had a dominant sophomore season with William & Mary. He averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, swatting 2.0 blocks per contest to boot.

Knight could make a serious run at CAA Player of the Year, although the field should be loaded for that award this season.

Guard Justin Pierce is another one to watch. After getting little run during his freshman year, Pierce dominated as a sophomore, averaging 14.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

The team will miss the contributions of David Cohn. The graduate averaged 14.2 points per game but made his best contributions behind the arc, where he shot 42.6% during his senior year.

Depth could also be an issue for the Tribe, as a lot of young and inexperienced players will be asked to play major minutes this year.

Tony Shaver is far and away the most experienced coach in the conference, entering his 16th season at William & Mary. He’s just eight wins shy of 200 career victories, a mark he’ll surely reach this year.

He’s yet to lead the Tribe to the NCAA Tournament, though. It’s hard to see that changing in 2018-19.