CAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason power rankings
4. UNC-Wilmington Seahawks
2017-18 season record: 11-21 (7-11 CAA)
The Seahawks were one of the worst teams outside of CAA play last season, but because of one player, expectations should be significantly higher this season.
Meet Davontae Cacok.
Cacok emerged as a complete monster last season, averaging 17.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. In fact, he was the most prolific rebounder in the entire country last year. To boot, he recorded an astounding 22 double-doubles. In a conference loaded with individual talent, he may be the best of all.
Jordon Talley will not be back with the Seahawks, though. Last year’s senior leader averaged 16.9 points per game, knocking down more than 40% of his 3-point shots.
There are plenty of holes that need to be filled on the roster. The team will need to see more development from their young players – not a single freshman won a CAA Rookie of the Week nod in 2017-18.
When it comes to coaches, C.B. McGrath is as green as they come in the CAA. Last year was his first season with the Seahawks and his first season in charge of any team in Division I hoops.
He’ll look a lot better this season if he simply lets Cacok run loose and do his thing.