Drexel predicted to win CAA

Drexel, which returns six of its top seven players, has been picked to win the Colonial Athletic Association in a vote of the league's coaches, media relations directors and media members.

The Dragons were followed in the voting by George Mason, VCU, Old Dominion and James Madison. Picked sixth was William & Mary, followed by Delaware, Hofstra, Northeastern, UNCW, Georgia State and Towson.

Drexel has four players who received postseason recognition a year ago. Senior forward Samme Givens, a second-team All-CAA pick, led the conference in rebounding and was the only player in the league to average a double-double (12.2 ppg/10.1 rpg). Junior guard Chris Fouch averaged a team-high 14.9 ppg off the bench and was named to the All-CAA third team. Forward Dartaye Ruffin (8.4 ppg/7.4 rpg) and point guard Frantz Massenat (5.5 ppg) were selected to the CAA All-Rookie squad. Also back in the starting lineup are junior guard Derrick Thomas (6.9 ppg) and junior forward Daryl McCoy (5.4 ppg/7.8 rpg).

Old Dominion's Kent Bazemore was named the preseason player of the year. He is joined on the preseason All-CAA first team by VCU's Bradford Burgess, Drexel's Samme Givens, Mason's Pearson and William & Mary senior guard/forward Quinn McDowell, who made the All-CAA third team a year ago after averaging 15.5 ppg and shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range.

Voted to the preseason second team were Drexel's Fouch, James Madison junior guard Devon Moore (11.4 ppg/4.2 apg), Hofstra senior guard Mike Moore (14.9 ppg/5.4 rpg), UNCW junior forward Keith Rendleman (11.2 ppg/7.8 rpg) and Delaware sophomore guard Devon Saddler (13.3 ppg).

Drexel sophomore forward Dartaye Ruffin was named honorable mention.

2011-12 CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Drexel

2. George Mason

3. VCU

4. Old Dominion

5. James Madison

6. William & Mary

7. Delaware

8. Hofstra

9. Northeastern

10. UNCW

11. Georgia State

12. Towson