NEW HAVEN, Conn. – In its highest preseason ranking in the NCAA era, the Wilmington University men's basketball team was picked to finish third in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division as the conference released the 2018-19 CACC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll.

With 63 total points, the Wildcats were picked to finish third out of the seven South Division teams.  After finishing the season 16-13 overall and 11-8 in the CACC, the men finished third in the South Division for the 2017-18 season.

Jefferson topped the South Division with a total of 88 points and four first place votes after claiming the CACC Championship last season. Reigning CACC South Division Regular Season Champions, Goldey-Beacom was picked to finish second in the South Division CACC Preseason Coaches Poll with 85 total points and 10 first place votes after making an appearance in the semifinals last season. USciences claims the fourth place spot behind the Wildcats with 48 total points.

Holy Family finished with 45 total points for the fifth place spot, while Georgian Court was picked sixth with 34 total points. Chestnut Hill claims the final spot in the South Division with 29 points.

Clinching the top spot in the North Division, after clinching the CACC North Division Regular Season Championship, was Bloomfield with a total of 92 points and eight first place votes. CACC Tournament Runner-Ups Dominican were picked second in the North Division Preseason Coaches Poll with 81 points. Caldwell rounds out the top three in the South with 67 points, while Post claims the fourth place spot with 45 total points.

Felician earned 39 points for the fifth place finish, as Concordia and Nyack filled out the final spots with 34 and 16 points apiece, respectively.

The Wildcats open up the 2018-19 season next Saturday and Sunday on the road in the CACC/ECC Challenge as they will take on St. Thomas Aquinas and the District of Columbia. WilmU will host Bridgeport in their home opener on Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.

AGATE:

2018-19 CACC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

North Division

1. Bloomfield College 92 (8)

2. Dominican College 90 (6)

3. Caldwell University 67

4. Post University 45

5. Felician University 39

6. Concordia College 34

7. Nyack College 16

South Division

1. Jefferson 88 (4)
2. Goldey-Beacom College 85 (10)

3. Wilmington University 63

4. University of the Sciences 48

5. Holy Family University 45

6. Georgian Court University 34

7. Chestnut Hill College 29

() - First-Place Votes