Busting Brackets
Fansided

CAA Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20

By Matthew Winick

SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 04: Anthony Green #30 of the Northeastern Huskies dunks the ball as Elijah Hughes (R) of the Syracuse Orange defends during the first half at the Carrier Dome on December 4, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 04: Anthony Green #30 of the Northeastern Huskies dunks the ball as Elijah Hughes (R) of the Syracuse Orange defends during the first half at the Carrier Dome on December 4, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 05: Kai Toews #10 of the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks drives against Sterling Manley #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 05, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 05: Kai Toews #10 of the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks drives against Sterling Manley #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 05, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

10. Elon

2018-2019 Record: 11-21 (7-11) – 7th in CAA

The Phoenix put together an uninspiring effort as a team last year. Despite ending the Conference season in 7th, they had the lowest NET of any CAA team at 278. For the most part, they were a team without much defensive identity. Rarely did they block a shot or get a steal. Offensively, they frequently settled for threes, coming in at 14th in the nation in attempts. Due to that, they ranked near the bottom for both free throw and two-point attempts.

Elon had a strong, albeit flawed team identity. A positive is that it sparks continuity amongst the program and it’s coaching staff. However, bringing in former Ohio State assistant Mike Schrage may take them in a new direction. Given their roster turnover, it may be a good call.

Gone are their five leading scorers from last season, leaving a relatively bare cupboard for Schrage to work with. Incoming is former Stanford wing Marcus Sheffield II, as well as infamous Mac McClung sidekick Zac Ervin. Beyond that however, the Phoenix shows signs of a roster with a significant rebuild on its hands. They lack almost any size and paired with very few experienced scorers, it may be a long season for Elon.

9. UNC Wilmington

2018-2019 Record: 10-23 (5-13) – Last in CAA

Good news: UNC Wilmington as a team was second in the CAA and Top 100 nationally in points per game. Bad news: They were last in the CAA and 345th nationally in terms of giving them up. In fact, almost all defensive metrics show UNCW as being a bottom-five team in the nation across the board defensively.

To make matters worse, they lose All-CAA big man Devontae Cacok to graduation and the NBA. Cacok’s numbers actually decreased from his Junior to Senior seasons, even lowering the floor of the 2018-2019 Seahawks roster. In addition to Cacok, they lost second-leading scorer Jeantal Cylla, and rotation guards Ty Taylor and Jaylen Fornes, all to transfers. Incoming transfers Mike Okauru, Carter Skaggs and Marten Linssen come to take their place.

One thing is for sure in regards to this new edition of UNCW. They will continue to take quick shots and run the offense at a rapid pace. With the inclusion of Skaggs, as well as the larger offensive role for guys like Kai Toews and Jay Estime’, expect many more threes to fly as well. However, the roster as constructed may be even worse defensively than last year. Gone are Cacok and Cylla, their two biggest rotation players, and the lane may be a runway for opposing players facing the Seahawks this season.