WASHINGTON, DC -- The University of Delaware women’s basketball team was picked fifth while the Blue Hen men were selected 10th in the Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Preseason Polls announced Wednesday at the league’s Media Day at the ESPN Zone in Washington.

George Mason was picked to win the men’s championship in a vote of the league’s coaches, sports information directors, and media. The Patriots, who return all five starters from last year’s team that advanced to the CAA Tournament final, were picked ahead of defending champion Virginia Commonwealth. Old Dominion, which received an at large bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament, was picked third, followed by Drexel, Hofstra, UNC Wilmington, James Madison, Northeastern, William & Mary, Delaware, Georgia State, and Towson.

Delaware men’s senior forward Herb Courtney (at right) was named to the CAA Preseason First Team after earning All-CAA Second Team honors a year ago. Courtney, who started all 31 games for the Blue Hens last season, led the Blue Hens with 18.1 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, 54 blocks and 45 steals. He led the conference with 10 double-doubles, and scored in double figures 28 times including 13 games of at least 20 points.

Courtney was joined on the first team by Preseason Player of the Year Eric Maynor of Virginia Commonwealth, Antoine Agudio of Hofstra, Frank Elegar of Drexel, and Will Thomas of George Mason. The second team consisted of Folarin Campbell of George Mason, T.J. Carter of UNC Wilmington, Juwann James of James Madison, Brandon Johnson of Old Dominion, and Vladimir Kuljanin of UNC Wilmington.

Brian Henderson of Old Dominion, Todd Hendley of UNC Wilmington, Abdulai Jalloh of James Madison, Matt Janning of Northeastern, and Leonard Mendez of Georgia State were named preseason honorable mention.

Old Dominion, the 16-time defending conference champion, was again selected to win the women’s title in the 2007-08 season. James Madison was picked second, followed by William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth. The Blue Hens, coming off a 26-6 season in which they earned an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament, were picked fifth, ahead of Towson, Hofstra, Drexel, Georgia State, Northeastern, UNC Wilmington, and George Mason.

Delaware senior point guard Kyle DeHaven (Herndon, VA/Herndon) was named to the CAA Preseason Second Team after averaging 8.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last season. DeHaven, a CAA All-Defensive Team selection as a junior, ranked 11th in the nation with 3.1 steals per game and led the Blue Hens with 106 assists.

DeHaven was joined on the second team by Shanae Baker-Brice of Towson, Tiffany Green of Old Dominion, Brittany Hollins of Georgia State, Shaleyse Smallwood of Northeastern, and Krystal Vaughn of Virginia Commonwealth. The first team consisted of Preseason Player of the Year Tamera Young of James Madison, Quanitra Hollingsworth of Virginia Commonwealth, T.J. Jordan of Old Dominion, Kyra Kaylor of William & Mary, and Gabriela Marginean of Drexel. Devin James of William & Mary, Sahsha Taylor of UNC Wilmington, and Lateisha Wade of George Mason were named preseason honorable mention.

The Delaware women’s team opens its 2007-08 season on Friday, November 9 at home against Delaware State, while the Blue Hen men open on Sunday, November 11 at Marist.

2007-08 CAA Men’s Basketball Predicted Order Of Finish
1. George Mason
2. Virginia Commonwealth
3. Old Dominion
4. Drexel
5. Hofstra
6. UNC Wilmington
7. James Madison
8. Northeastern
9. William & Mary
10. Delaware
11. Georgia State
12. Towson

2007-08 CAA Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams

First Team
Eric Maynor - Jr. / Virginia Commonwealth (CAA Preseason Player of the Year)
Antoine Agudio - Sr. / Hofstra
Herb Courtney - Sr. / Delaware
Frank Elegar - Sr. / Drexel
Will Thomas - Sr. / George Mason

Second Team
Folarin Campbell - Sr. / George Mason
T.J. Carter - Sr. / UNC Wilmington
Juwann James - Jr. / James Madison
Brandon Johnson - Sr. / Old Dominion
Vladimir Kuljanin - Sr. / UNC Wilmington

Honorable Mention
Brian Henderson - Sr. / Old Dominion
Todd Hendley - Sr. / UNC Wilmington
Abdulai Jalloh - Jr. / James Madison
Matt Janning - So / Northeastern
Leonard Mendez - Jr. / Georgia State