Who’s who in the CAA
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
March 6, 2009
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| VCU’s Eric Maynor hopes to lead the Rams to the CAA tourney title. (AP Images) |
Handicapping the field in the 12-team tourney
The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament begins Friday afternoon. Sorting out the field in the balanced, 12-team conference is not easy. But here’s an attempt to identify who’s who and what’s what.
CAA Tournament
All games at Richmond Coliseum
Friday
No. 8 Georgia State (11-19)
vs. No. 9 Delaware (13-18), noon
No. 5 Hofstra (20-10) vs. No. 12 UNC Wilmington (7-24), 2:30
No. 7 James Madison (18-13)
vs. No. 10 William & Mary (10-19), 6
No. 6 Drexel (15-13)
vs. No. 11 Towson (10-21), 8:30
Saturday
No. 1 Virginia Commonwealth (21-9) vs. Georgia St./Delaware winner, noon
No. 4 Old Dominion (20-9) vs. Hofstra/UNC Wilmington winner, 2:30
No. 2 George Mason (20-9)
vs. James Madison/William & Mary winner, 6
No. 3 Northeastern (18-11) vs. Drexel/Towson winner, 8:30
Sunday
VCU/Georgia St./Delaware vs. ODU/Hofstra/UNC Wilmington, 3
George Mason/JMU/W&M vs. Northeastern/Drexel/Towson, 5:30
Monday
Sunday’s winners, 7
Who’s hot » Old Dominion. After a 4-5 start in the league, the Monarchs (20-9) have won nine of their last 10, including victories over the tournament’s top three seeds — VCU, George Mason and Northeastern. Gerald Lee is the top inside threat in the league and guard John Adams has emerged as a clutch shooter, hitting critical 3-pointers in wins last week over William & Mary and Northeastern.
Who’s not » Northeastern. After leading the CAA at mid-season, the Huskies (18-11) lost five of their last seven league games with bad defeats at William & Mary and to Georgia State. Have CAA teams figured out coach Bill Coen’s athletic squad, which is heavily dependent on the scoring of Matt Janning (14.3 points per game)? Playing in Richmond could complicate matters for the Boston school.
Who’s favored » Virginia Commonwealth. The Rams (21-9) enter the tournament seeded first for the third straight year and are playing in their home town — although not on their home floor. VCU has the league’s undisputed best player, guard Eric Maynor (22.4 ppg, 6.2 apg), but the Rams can struggle when Maynor doesn’t get help from his limited supporting cast.
Who’s dangerous » James Madison. The Dukes (18-13) have lost their last three CAA games, but will be a threat if freshman point guard Devon Moore (wrist) and freshman forward Andrey Seminov (concussion) have recovered. JMU’s best inside threat, Juwan James, is back after missing four games with a chest ailment. First-year coach Matt Brady has done a brilliant job guiding his injury-riddled team to its first winning season in nine years. “I always have to check my trainer to see who’s practicing,” said Brady.
Who does no one want to play » Drexel. The Dragons (15-13) are the most aggressive and physical team in the CAA. Potential quarterfinal opponent Northeastern will be rooting hard for Towson to upset Drexel in Friday’s opening round. Drexel was picked to finish last in the league, but coach Bruiser Flint has forged the Dragons’ identity as a tough out. Four of Drexel’s CAA defeats came by a single point.
Who could surprise » Delaware. The Blue Hens (13-18) have no inside presence and don’t play defense. But perimeter stars Marc Egerson (15.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and Jawan Carter (15.4) and Alphonso Dawson (14.2 ppg) can light it up. “I think they’re a very talented team,” said Brady. “When they’re shooting the ball, they feel really good about themselves and their defensive level picks up.”
Who’s worth a longshot gamble » Georgia State. An afterthought much of the season, the Panthers (11-19) won six of their last nine, with impressive victories over Hofstra (by 22) and at Northeastern. The quick Panthers have not gotten past the quarterfinal round in their three years in the league, but this might be their best chance.
