Colonial Athletic Association Notebook
Late Surge Leads to Even Record
As conference play begins in earnest save for the BracketBusters games in February, now is a good time to look back at the CAA’s non-conference showing.
Overall, it’s been decidedly a mixed bag. After Sunday’s games, the overall record is 62-62. There have certainly been some good wins, with Drexel posting a couple of them at Villanova and Syracuse and Old Dominion knocking off Georgetown, but there have also been some head-scratching losses along the way. The overall record is helped by a late surge, as the conference had a sub-.500 record for some of the first couple of months.
One reason for optimism is a surge in recent weeks after a relatively slow start. Conference teams had posted a sub-.500 record in non-conference play for a while, but some good wins in recent weeks pushed them over the top, for now.
New Favorites Emerge
Prior to the season, most prognosticators (and that includes us) picked Hofstra to win the conference, with George Mason right behind. The Pride and the Patriots still look like good picks at the top, but right now Drexel (who was picked third by us and others who voted in the CAA preseason poll) looks like an even better one. They aren’t alone, as VCU and Old Dominion also had two of the better runs in non-conference play.
VCU looks as good as anyone entering conference play, as new head coach Anthony Grant has quickly made an impact with his team at both ends of the floor. The Rams lead the CAA in scoring and are second in scoring defense, while they also take care of the ball and force the most turnovers in the conference. Old Dominion was steady in non-conference play, getting wins at Georgetown and against UAB while dropping a tough one to 12-0 Clemson and also losing to good teams in Marist, Virginia Tech and Winthrop.
Team Capsules
Delaware (2-10, 0-1 CAA)
We figured the Blue Hens would have their struggles in Monte Ross’ first season at the helm, and that has been the case. They lost their first nine games and are near the bottom in the CAA in a number of statistical categories. That’s not to say there haven’t been bright spots, notably Herb Courtney starting to play to his potential and freshman point guard Brian Johnson impressing. Two straight wins at the La Salle Invitational last week will help, but playing three of the next four CAA games on the road won’t.
Drexel (9-2, 1-0)
The Dragons were probably the most impressive team in non-conference play and enter the new year with a seven-game winning streak. They stubbed their toe at Penn and at Rider in November, but they’ve been on a roll with good wins since that time. Bruiser Flint’s club is clearly playing like they’re a year more mature after some tough losses last season, with Frank Elegar playing like a star, Bashir Mason being the senior leader he was expected to be, and Dominick Mejia keeping defenses from keying on Elegar. They’re also getting plenty of contributions from role players, as this team looks very deep. All in all, the Dragons look like they may have emerged as the favorite.
George Mason (6-5, 0-1)
The Patriots have alternated wins and losses this season and are a team trying to find an identity. They have played a tough schedule with just three home games, and they’ve had little adventures that have added to the difficulty, such as the team bus breaking down en route to Durham for their game at Duke last month. The pieces are there, led by juniors Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell and redshirt sophomore John Vaughan, but there’s been a learning curve of sorts with regard to new roles and for the newcomers. Things don’t get any easier in the immediate: this week the Patriots host a hot William & Mary team before heading to Norfolk to take on Old Dominion.
Georgia State (4-7, 0-1)
The Panthers’ non-conference slate can be summed up rather simply: they won the games they were supposed to win and lost against the teams that should beat them (notably the three ACC opponents with a combined 36-5 record entering this week). Head coach Michael Perry was high on the talent of his guards, and while they have shown that, they have also shown their inexperience. The Panthers lead the conference in turnovers and have struggled to score, with little help for top scorer Lance Perique. If the Panthers are to be competitive, the guards must grow up quickly and Rashad Chase must be more like the offensive threat he’s capable of. Chase is fourth in the CAA in rebounding but hasn’t likewise thrived offensively just yet, shooting just 41 percent from the field.
Hofstra (8-4, 1-0)
When the Pride lost the first three games of the season, the doubts were flying, even though they were by a combined nine points and all were away from Hempstead. Then they got it in gear, winning six straight and eight of nine heading into CAA play. The three super guards have done their part, but helping in the recent run that included winning the Aeropostale Holiday Festival in New York is the return of Chris Gadley to good health. Gadley’s return has helped solidify the frontcourt, the biggest question mark heading into the season, and makes them look like a top contender once again.
James Madison (3-8, 0-1)
Does anyone get the Dukes? We know they’re young and that head coach Dean Keener is in the process of trying to build this program, but that alone can’t explain the often head-scratching non-conference performance. On one hand, they give Wake Forest a good battle on the road and were close until the final minutes at Old Dominion; on the other hand, they have lost three straight at home, including a double-digit loss to Youngstown State while also losing by 13 to Texas-Pan American. There’s no lack of talent, especially at the offensive end, but the Dukes have to defend to have a chance to win games. Allowing teams to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field means you’re not defending.
Northeastern (3-9, 1-0)
Since the start of the season, there is probably not a team that has improved as much as Northeastern with so little to show for it. The Huskies don’t possess a gaudy record, but they’ve played a very difficult schedule and have competed consistently. That was quite apparent in Sunday’s loss at Boston College, where they battled back in the second half to tie the game on multiple occasions. Matt Janning shot them back in it, while Eugene Spates has started to emerge as a recent addition to the starting lineup. The Huskies aren’t deep and don’t look like a contender for the top half of the conference, but this club is well-coached and won’t be an easy out for many teams in CAA play.
Old Dominion (8-4, 1-0)
Early on, the Monarchs looked like the best team in non-conference play, especially after their win over Georgetown. The big question was if one player would become a go-to guy, and at first it was thought that senior point guard Drew Williamson might be that guy. While Williamson has scored more, it’s classmate Valdas Vasylius who has stepped up to become the team’s top scoring threat. Vasylius has done it inside and out all season and leads the team in rebounding as well. Brandon Johnson has supported Williamson well, and Brian Henderson has come along on the wing. The Monarchs have the best rebounding margin in the conference and look solid all-around as they enter CAA play.
Towson (6-5, 1-0)
The Tigers were challenged in non-conference play, and like Georgia State, they basically won the games they were supposed to. Gary Neal is doing plenty, but no other Tiger is averaging in double figures. The real concern for this team figured to be defense, but it’s the offense that is lagging. Opponents are shooting 42 percent against the Tigers, but they’re only shooting 42 percent from the floor, have more turnovers than assists and are in the bottom half in the CAA in scoring. Neal is the only Tiger to start every game, so clearly the non-conference slate was one of learning the best combinations. If Pat Kennedy has found that out, and the Tigers improve at the offensive end, they could be contenders when it’s all said and done.
UNC Wilmington (3-7, 0-1)
It’s been a time of growing pains for the Seahawks, especially with T.J. Carter out due to injury. They have scored points but also turned the ball over (only Georgia State has turned it over more) and struggled at the defensive end. The two biggest bright spots have been junior forward Vladimir Kuljanin, one of the most improved players in the conference and among the leaders in the CAA in scoring and rebounding, and senior point guard Temi Soyebo, who leads the CAA in assists. Things don’t get any easier in the foreseeable future, with Hofstra at home and then tough road games at Drexel and George Mason ahead.
VCU (9-3, 1-0)
The well-balanced Rams were thought to be a dark horse prior to the season, but their impressive non-conference run has them looking like a top contender. They lead the CAA in scoring and turnover margin and are second in both major defensive categories. Sophomore point guard Eric Maynor has made several teammates better, as he’s second in the conference in assists while also being second on the team in scoring. The Rams have one of the conference’s top freshmen in T.J. Gwynn, who won the league’s Rookie of the Week honor in consecutive weeks last month. If the Rams continue to win on the road (they are 4-0 on the road thus far), that will serve them well since three of their next four are away from home.
William & Mary (7-4, 0-1)
The surging Tribe is perhaps the most pleasant surprise coming out of non-conference play, especially considering senior forward Corey Cofield has struggled. They finished their slate by winning six of seven, aided by better offense while the defense remained solid (they are second in the CAA in field goal percentage defense). While none of the wins were against national powers and all were at home, it has to give them a good confidence boost heading into CAA play. Three times in this winning streak, they have shot over 47 percent, including a 51.2 percent showing against Hampton to win despite 24 turnovers. Speaking of turnovers, they are a concern for this team: only three regulars have more assists than turnovers.
