RE: 2015-2016 CAA Men's Basketball
Here's how I would rank the CAA teams right now. I've seen at least bits and pieces of all 10 teams to this point so I'm not going solely on the numbers.
NOTE: All W-L records are vs. D-I only.
1. W&M (5-3)
Key wins: NC State (# 91 ), High Point (# 166)
Bad loss(es): @ Howard (# 231)
The Tribe had a close call @ Dayton and also battled in a loss @ Virginia in addition to their impressive resume. I think we can effectively call the Howard game a fluke. Several guys have stepped up with the departure of Marcus Thornton: Omar Prewitt and Daniel Dixon are becoming stars in this league alongside the steady-handed Terry Tarpey.
2. Northeastern (6-4)
Key wins: @ Miami (# 18), Stony Brook (# 104)
Bad loss(es): @ Miami OH (# 257), @ Western Michigan (# 268)
I have to give the defending champs the benefit of the doubt here. 7 of their 10 games this season have been on the road or at a neutral site, taking some of the sting out of the Miami (OH) and Western Michigan losses. Much like the Tribe, NU had to fill a big hole in Sean Eatherton, but keep on chugging. David Walker and Quincy Ford have been fantastic.
3. James Madison (8-3)
Key wins: @ Richmond (# 58), @ Radford (# 162)
Bad loss(es): Tennessee-Martin (# 252)
I have gone on the record quite often saying I'm not a fan of Matt Brady. But its hard to dispute the results so far this season. The Dukes are currently, quietly, riding a 7-game winning streak. While none of those wins have been against teams in the Top 150 in the RPI, collectively they're pretty impressive. Ron Curry and the return of Yohanny Dalembert (missed first 2 games with a foot injury) have been crucial for them, and make an impressive 1-2 punch.
4. Hofstra (5-4)
Key wins: Florida St. (# 138), @ Saint Bonaventure (# 96)
Bad loss(es): NONE
Another team whose coaching doesn't impress me, the Pride simply have too much talent to ignore. Ameen Tanksley and Juan'Ya Green were 2 of the best players in the league last year and have continues right where they left off. Hofstra has had no losses to sub-200 RPI teams this year and are a safe bet to finish somewhere in the top 4-5 in the league. Hofstra is basically interchangable with JMU in my mind, so don't read much into the Pride being ranked below them.
UNCW (3-3)
Key wins: NONE
Bad loss(es): NONE
Yes, pure homer pick putting us in this slot, as we have a ton to prove. But our 3-game losing streak does not take away from the fact that we're still among the nation's leaders in turnover margin, which is a very important statistic in today's game. We also are the only team in the league that can say we use 12 different players without a significant dropoff in play when anyone comes off the floor. This will prove valuable. After earning a share of the regular season title last year, I'd say we've also earned the benefit of the doubt.
6. Charleston (6-3)
Key wins: LSU (# 162)
Bad loss(es): NONE
Our resident Charleston fan admits his team is very young, but I do think he sells them short all the same. Coach Keatts was very complimentary of their talent last year, and it is showing great flashes this season. Canyon Barry is having a monster season, with Cam Johnson an effective sidekick. They do have difficulty with the full court press, but are still turning it over less (129) than their opponents (154).
7. Elon (7-3)
Key wins: @ UNC Asheville (# 143), Alabama St. (# 138)
Bad loss(es): NONE
Elon is the true surprise team in the league this year after losing Elijah Bryant. Perhaps the freshman standout was a selfish player? In any case, the current Phoenix 6-game winning streak began with a thrilling victory over Kennesaw St., where Elon was down 8 with 16 seconds left, but a layup by Elon, followed by 2 missed free throws, an Elon 3, another turnover, and a fouled three point shooter in Luke Eddy (who made all 3 FT's made to tie the game) pushed it to overtime, and Elon ended up winning 103-93. They then reeled off 5 more wins and are set up to face Duke on the 28th.
8. Delaware (5-4)
Key wins: NONE
Bad loss(es): NONE
Technically losing @ Boston College could be considered a "bad loss" considering how poorly BC has played this year, but for our purposes we will not count it as such. So far Delaware has been "so-so", and its hard to tell how well they'll compete. Then again, starting slow is nothing new for Monte Ross's Blue Hens: They started 1-13 last season only to finish with a 9-9 conference record. Talent is not an issue for the Hens, as Kory Holden, Cazmon Hayes and Marvin King-Davis are a formidable trio.
9. Towson (6-4)
Key wins: George Mason (# 195)
Bad loss(es): @ La Salle (# 302)
It's hard to believe the Tigers are this low despite already totaling 6 wins, but that's how good the league is top to bottom this year. The Tigers have arguably the best frontcourt in the conference, with Wake Forest transfer William Adala Moto, John Davis, and a host of other big men hauling in a ton of rebounds this year.
10. Drexel (1-7)
Key wins: NONE
Bad loss(es): San Diego (# 287), D-II Alaska-Anchorage
On paper, Drexel's resume isn't as bad as their record indicates. They've played a very competitive non-conference schedule (Bruiser always does a good job at scheduling tough games), with 4 of their 7 losses coming against top-100 RPI teams. Still, the Dragons absolutely are not passing the eye test this year, with their style of play being the main culprit. Their physical play is just the type of style the NCAA is trying to remove from college basketball, and the Dragons aren't adjusting well. Major Canady's potential season-ending injury isn't helping matters either.
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