Delaware Men’s Basketball Picked Seventh, Devon Saddler Named Preseason Second Team All-Conference at CAA Media Day
October 18, 2011
photo courtesy of Chris Mlynarczyk
ARLINGTON, Va. -- The University of Delaware men’s basketball team was picked seventh in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Poll while sophomore guard Devon Saddler was selected to the Preseason All-Conference second team at CAA Media Day held Tuesday at Champps-Pentagon Row restaurant.
The Blue Hens were picked in the same spot as they finished a year ago, when Delaware went 14-17 overall and finished seventh in the league with an 8-10 conference mark. Delaware returns three starters from 2010-11 in Saddler and junior forwards Jamelle Hagins and Josh Brinkley.
Drexel was picked to win the conference according to a vote of the league’s coaches, media relations directors, and media members. George Mason was selected second, followed by VCU, Old Dominion, James Madison, and William & Mary. The Blue Hens were picked seventh, ahead of Hofstra, Northeastern, UNCW, Georgia State and Towson.
Old Dominion senior guard Kent Bazemore was selected as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year and was joined on the All-CAA first team by VCU guard Bradford Burgess, Drexel forward Samme Givens, William & Mary guard Quinn McDowell, and George Mason forward Ryan Pearson.
Saddler (at right) was named to the second team along with Drexel guard Chris Fouch, James Madison guard Devon Moore, Hofstra guard Mike Moore, and UNCW forward Keith Rendleman.
Saddler is coming off an exceptional freshman campaign in which he was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and was selected to the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Freshman All-America Team. He started all 31 games during his rookie campaign, setting UD single season freshman records with 411 points, 13.3 points per game, and 149 field goals. Saddler was the Blue Hens' leading scorer during 12 games on the season and reached double figures in 17 of the final 19 contests on the year.
Georgia State forward Eric Buckner, Northeastern guard Jonathan Lee, Drexel forward Dartaye Ruffin, Northeastern guard Joel Smith, and James Madison forward Julius Wells received honorable mention accolades.
“I think Drexel is clearly the top team with the experience and talent level they return, but I believe we are one of four or five teams that have an opportunity to slide up into that next slot,” said Delaware head coach Monté Ross, who enters his sixth season at the helm of the Blue Hens. “I’m excited about our team. We have some guys that have a really good idea of what it takes to win in this league, and they have had some success and experience at this level, which I think is very important.”
Delaware opens its 2011-12 season on Friday, November 11 with a 7 p.m. game at Radford. The Blue Hens play their home opener on Tuesday, November 22 when they welcome Cornell to the Bob Carpenter Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
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
2011-12 CAA Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams
First Team
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion (Preseason Player of the Year)
Bradford Burgess, VCU
Samme Givens, Drexel
Quinn McDowell, William & Mary
Ryan Pearson, George Mason
Second Team
Chris Fouch, Drexel
Devon Moore, James Madison
Mike Moore, Hofstra
Keith Rendleman, UNCW
Devon Saddler, Delaware
Honorable Mention
Eric Buckner, Georgia State
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern
Dartaye Ruffin, Drexel
Joel Smith, Northeastern
Julius Wells, James Madison
