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