Around the CAA: An Uneven Start
COVID issues have taken a toll on the league to begin the season
One week into a season unlike any other, several CAA teams are still yet to play a game while one played a nonconference opponent on back-to-back nights on a neutral floor.
Here’s a look around the Colonial, currently No. 17 in the KenPom rankings, as we head into a weekend that offers a few big opportunities.
Hofstra (1-1)
KenPom: No. 148
The Pride missed out on a golden opportunity for an upset in the opener, falling behind early in a 70-56 loss at Rutgers. After sputtering in the first half of its second outing, Hofstra found its stride in the second half of a 73-58 win over Farleigh Dicksinon. The Pride has two excellent guards in Tareq Coburn (14 points) and Jalen Ray (14 points, 5.5 assists), while Isaac Kante is averaging 11.5 points and 13 rebounds. Coach Joe Mihalich is still away from the team after taking a medical leave of absence.
Next up: The Pride plays host to a couple of local rivals, welcoming Rick Pitino and Iona on Saturday before Stony Brook comes to Hempstead on Wednesday.
Drexel (2-1)
KenPom: No. 153
If the NCAA Tournament were played at Mohegan Sun and Quinnipiac was the opponent in every round, the Dragons would be a third of the way to a national title! Thanks to an Only in 2020 scheduling oddity, the nonconference foes played two straight nights in Connecticut with Camren Wynter continuing a hot start that has him averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2 steals.
Next up: A pesky Coppin State team comes to town after hitting 10 3-pointers at Duke.
Northeastern (0-0)
KenPom: No. 173
Due to a cluster of COVID-19 cases affecting Northeastern’s athletic programs, the Huskies will open their season on Dec. 18 vs. UMass. Chosen seventh in the CAA preseason poll, Northeastern will lean on point guard Tyson Walker (10.4 points, 3.4 assists).
Charleston (1-1)
KenPom: No. 176
Few conclusions to be drawn on the Cougars thus far, as they were overmatched with elite, high-major size against North Carolina in the season-opener before returning home to dominate Limestone on Saturday.
Next up: Charleston lost a big matchup with a Top-25 team in Richmond, but quickly found a replacement with Furman, which will be among the contenders in the SoCon this season and could hang around the edge of the rankings.
Elon (2-0)
KenPom: No. 207
The Elon program started a 14-day hiatus on Dec. 1 due to COVID-19 concerns. Before the break, the Phoenix took care of business against N.C. Wesleyan before squeezing out a 76-75 win over High Point on Saturday. Thanks to a talented duo at guard in Hunter McIntosh and Jerald Gillens-Butler, Elon is a team on the rise under second-year Coach Mike Schrage, who has the Phoenix positioned to make a run at the upper half of the CAA.
Up next: Pending all is well after the two-week pause, Elon is scheduled to meet Campbell on Dec. 15.
Towson (0-3)
KenPom: No. 222
The Tigers also hit pause after a positive test on its staff this week, losing games against Maryland and Coppin state. To open the season, Towson was put through the ringer, losing to three quality clubs in Virginia, San Francisco and Buffalo. Remember guard Zane Martin? He’s back at Towson to finish his career after a two-year sojourn at New Mexico, and he’s picking up right where he left off, averaging 19.3 points, 4 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Next up: If the program is cleared for action, Towson visits UMBC on Saturday before playing host to George Washington on Monday.
Delaware (0-0)
KenPom: No. 223
The Blue Hens got hit with COVID in mid-November, losing out on an opportunity to play a few games in the Bubbleville events at Mohegan Sun. Delaware will finally open its schedule on Saturday vs. Salem, a Division II program. Second in the CAA preseason poll, the Blue Hens have taken steps every year under Coach Martin Inglesby and could break through this season behind guards Ryan Allen and Kevin Anderson.
James Madison (2-1)
KenPom: No. 273
Expectations aren’t very high for the Dukes this season, but thanks to preseason player of the year Matt Lewis, they’ll have a chance every night. Thus far, JMU has taken care of business against Radford and Limestone, but fell 83-73 vs. Norfolk State, the MEAC favorite and future UNCW opponent. Thus far, transfer Vado Morse has been a pleasant surprise, hitting 8 of 13 3-point attempts on his way to averaging 18.3 points.
Up next: The Dukes will certainly find out how good they are this week, playing host to Maryland and George Mason before a date with Old Dominion on Dec. 12.
William & Mary (0-1)
KenPom: No. 275
Activity is currently paused for the Tribe after a positive test for COVID-19 on Nov. 29, putting it on track for a potential return on Dec. 15 vs. Hampton. In all, William & Mary will lose four games – N.C. State, Hampton, George Washington and Norfolk State – during the break. Hopes aren’t particularly high after the Tribe was chosen dead-last in the CAA preseason poll, but Coach Dane Fischer’s club did manage to hang with a solid Old Dominion team in their lone outing.