CAA Releases Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll and Full TV Slate (Elon)

RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association released its 2014 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll and complete television schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the league’s annual Media Day in Baltimore, Md. Elon was selected 10th in the poll, as the Phoenix enters its inaugural season in the CAA.

Elon is coming off an 18-14 season in the Southern Conference under sixth-year head coach Matt Matheny, including an 11-5 mark against league competition. The Phoenix welcomes back two starters in senior guard Austin Hamilton (6.2 ppg, 2.5 apg) and junior guard Tanner Samson (9.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), while returning a total of 10 non-starters. Senior guard Kevin Blake (4.7 ppg) and senior forward Ryan Winters (3.0 ppg) join Hamilton to make up this year’s senior class. The Phoenix graduated one of the most decorated classes in school history, as four 1,000-point scorers depart in Lucas Troutman, Jack Isenbarger, Sebastian Koch and Ryley Beaumont. The team welcomes five newcomers to the squad this season, including Jack Anton (Fr., F, 6-8, 230, Cincinnati, Ohio), Elijah Bryant (Fr., G, 6-4, 225, Gwinnett, Ga.), Collin Luther (Fr., F, 6-6, 210, Pittsburgh, Pa.), Dmitri Thompson (Fr., G, 6-4, 195, Orlando, Fla.) and Jack George (Fr., F, 6-10, 210, Libertyville, Ill.).

In addition to the preseason prognostications, the CAA announced its full television package for the 2014-15 season. Elon will be on television a total of eight times during the year:

 
Date           Time       Opponent             Network
Nov. 14       8:00 PM     Florida Atlantic     American Sports Network
Nov. 16       5:30 PM     Charlotte            American Sports Network
Dec. 11       7:00 PM     at Missouri          SEC Network
Dec. 15       7:00 PM     at Duke              ESPNU
Jan. 8        8:00 PM     William & Mary       American Sports Network
Jan. 10       8:00 PM     Hofstra              American Sports Network
Jan. 17       8:00 PM     at James Madison     American Sports Network
Feb. 21      12:30 PM     at Delaware          American Sports Network

Following a Nov. 7 home exhibition against Emory & Henry, Elon opens the 2014-15 regular season at home on Nov. 14 against Florida Atlantic. Fans can see the team for the first time this Friday night, Oct. 24, at 8:30 p.m. at the annual Late Night With the Phoenix event.

Season tickets for the 2014-15 season are currently on sale now and are the only way to guarantee your seat in Alumni Gym this season. As a reminder, season tickets sold out last season prior to the team’s first home game. Order tickets online here or call the Elon Athletics Ticket Office at 336-278-6750 today.

2014-15 CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Northeastern
2. William & Mary
3. Hofstra
4. Drexel
5. James Madison
6. College of Charleston
7. Towson
8. Delaware
9. UNCW
10. Elon

2014-15 CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

First Team                         Cl.   Pos.  Ht.  Wt.     Hometown/Previous School
Scott Eatherton, Northeastern#     Sr.   F     6-8  219     Hershey, Pa./Hershey/St. Francis (Pa.)
Juan’ya Green, Hofstra             Jr.   G     6-2  195     Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll/Niagara
Damion Lee, Drexel                 Jr.   G     6-6  200     Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall/St. Thomas More
Andre Nation, James Madison^       Jr.   G     6-5  200     Plant City, Fla./Faith Baptist Christian
Marcus Thornton, W&M*              Sr.   G     6-4  185     Upper Marlboro, Md./Bishop McNamara

Second Team Cl. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Previous School Adjehi Baru, CofC Sr. F 6-9 225 Abidjan, Ivory Coast/Steward School Quincy Ford, Northeastern Jr. F/G 6-8 212 St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs Dion Nesmith, Hofstra^ Gr. G 6-1 215 Union, N.J./Union/Monmouth Omar Prewitt, William & Mary So. G/F 6-6 180 Mount Sterling, Ky./Montgomery County Cedrick Williams, UNCW Sr. F 6-9 225 Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel

CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Marcus Thornton, William & Mary

Honorable Mention: Tavon Allen, Jr., G, Drexel; Kyle Anderson, Sr., G, Delaware; Ron Curry, Jr., G, James Madison; David Walker, Jr., G, Northeastern

*1st team All-CAA in 2013-14
#2nd team All-CAA in 2013-14
^3rd team All-CAA in 2013-14