NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Coming off the best season in its NCAA era, the Wilmington University men's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division as the conference office released the 2017-18 CACC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll.
The 14 head coaches across the CACC gave the Wildcats 61 total points, ranking fourth in the South Division. They went a program best 19-10 overall last season, going 14-5 in the CACC to finish second in the South Division.
Reigning CACC South Division Regular Season Champion Jefferson repeats atop the coaches poll, gaining all 14 first place votes for 98 total points. Goldey-Beacom earned 70 points to sit in second place while the University of the Sciences was picked to finish third with 66 points. The Wildcats round out the expected playoff competitors from the South Division.
Holy Family collected 41 points for fifth place while Chestnut Hill earned 37 points for fifth. Georgian Court rounds out the South Division in seventh place with 18 points.
Defending CACC North Division and Tournament Champion Bloomfield earned all 14 first place votes and 98 points for the North Division Preseason Coaches Poll. Caldwell picked up 81 points for second place while CACC Tournament Runner-Ups Dominican earned 67 points for third place. Post rounds out the expected playoff teams from the North with 53 points.
Concordia earned 38 points to sit in fifth overall followed by Felician's 33 points and Nyack's 21 points.
The Wildcats open the 2017-18 season next weekend in hosting the Wilmington Tip-Off Classic, a matchup between CACC and ECC schools. The Wildcats square off against NYIT on Friday, November 10 at 8:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex for the season opener.
AGATE:
2017-18 CACC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
North Division
1. Bloomfield College 98 (14)
2. Caldwell University 81
3. Dominican College 67
4. Post University 53
5. Concordia College 38
6. Felician University 33
7. Nyack College 21
South Division
1. Thomas Jefferson University 98 (14)
2. Goldey-Beacom College 70
3. University of the Sciences 66
4. Wilmington University 61
5. Holy Family University 41
6. Chestnut Hill College 37
7. Georgian Court University 18
() - First-Place Votes