RAMS SECOND IN CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
10-26-05
Watch Coach Capel address the fans at Dinner & Jams

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Virginia Commonwealth University men’s basketball team was picked second in the 2005-06 preseason poll in voting by the league’s coaches, sports information directors and media. The results were announced during CAA Basketball Media Day at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday.           

The Rams, under fourth-year head coach Jeff Capel, have four starters and 10 lettermen returning from last season’s 19-13 squad that reached the finals of the CAA Tournament and earned a home game in the NIT. Senior forward Nick George (Manchester, England/Montrose Christian), who was a first-team All-CAA selection a year ago, averaged 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior. George was named to the 2005-06 preseason All-CAA first team. VCU has recorded 81 wins over the past four seasons, more than any Division I men’s team in the state of Virginia.           

Old Dominion was the unanimous choice to repeat as CAA champion.           

The Rams have two exhibitions before opening the regular season at Appalachian State on Monday, Nov. 21. The Black & Gold Game will be on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.  VCU will entertain defending Division II national champion Virginia Union in the Ukrop’s/First Market Bank City Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

1 Old Dominion
2 VCU
3 George Mason
4 Hofstra
5 UNC Wilmington
6 Northeastern
7 Drexel
8 Delaware
9 James Madison
10 Georgia State
11 Towson
12 William & Mary