Drexel Dragons (11-19 overall, 9-9 conference)
Projected starting five:
So. G Major Canady (redshirted)
So. G Rashann London
Sr. G-F Tavon Allen
Jr. F Rodney Williams
Jr. F Mohamed Bah
Important departures:
G Damion Lee is the big starter lost from last season.
Returning:
57.4 percent of scoring and 76.4 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Fr. G Terrell Allen
So. G Ahmad Fields (transfer from Utah)
Sr. F Chandler Fraser-Pauls (transfer from Lafayette)
Schedule Highlights:
A pretty good non-conference schedule includes four home games, including a visit from Penn State to the Palestra. They also get Big South contender High Point, MAAC contender Monmouth and nearby rival Penn. They open at Saint Joseph’s, will be in the Great Alaska Shootout, and also travel to South Carolina and Iona. CAA play features several home and road stretches, notably four straight at home followed by four of five on the road.
Projected finish and outlook:
Drexel has finished .500 or better in CAA play the last seven seasons, making that appear to be one more certainty in life. However, they will be seriously challenged to continue that streak this season, as the transfer of Damion Lee really hurts. The upshot is that last season’s team was racked with injuries, meaning a number of players got to play more and with bigger roles than they would have otherwise, and it’s possible the Dragons reap the benefits of that this season. Canady was one of those players who got hurt, having redshirted due to an early injury, and along with Terrell Allen he should stabilize the point guard spot after Rashann London admirably filled in but had more turnovers than assists. Aside from that, there will be heavy competition between Fields and sophomores London and Sammy Mojica, while Tavon Allen could occasionally slide over to shooting guard in a big lineup. Williams has always had potential, while Bah was a solid starter last season and Kazembe Abif, who has had a rough career that included an ACL injury last year, returns and will help. The Dragons will grind teams out, as that’s what they do, and they took great care of the ball last season. But they could struggle to score, and as good as Bruiser Flint’s teams tend to be defensively, a team has to score to win, and that’s always the wild card with the Dragons. A lot likely hinges on how well Canady and Terrell Allen settle the point and let others do their jobs more easily.
