Re-ranking the CAA after non-conference play

[ad_1] After practically two months, it’s time to take a look at of the Non-Convention Lodge and Saloon.

The CAA’s keep, for as soon as, was surprisingly nice. It’s all the time low-cost — some days, they even pay you to be right here — however the tradeoff tends to be getting caught with the worst rooms. You could find larger, wealthier clients like these out of the ACC or the Huge East within the penthouse (or on the soulless Gamers Period Competition, for the foreseeable future).

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And, to make issues worse, these extra formidable patrons prefer to exert their will on the remainder. Some would possibly name it bullying, however that’s a fairly antiquated time period, when you ask me. All it's, actually, is a extensively accepted custom round this time of yr to let the large boys pad their egos earlier than they head again dwelling to select on somebody their very own measurement.

This run-around, although, was a bit of completely different. Hofstra used its slingshot to ship each Pittsburgh and Syracuse tumbling off the highest ground. UNC Wilmington didn’t shock anyone, however methodically out-drank 10 of 12 opponents on the resort bar. Towson and Elon each took their licks however made a reputation for themselves with a gritty, powerful two-month run.

That isn’t even all of it. William & Mary introduced a mortar to a six-shooter battle, taking down 9 opponents from lengthy vary; Charleston survived quite a lot of flesh wounds to take seven of 13, and Northeastern duked it out with the large boys regardless of dropping their most potent weapon only a week into their residency. Even Stony Brook and North Carolina A&T threw a punch or two.

As is the case after most saloon brawls, no one is all that recognizable. These groups definitely don’t look the identical as they did after I ranked them two months in the past. A few of them don’t even seem like they did two weeks in the past! Just a few of them (Hofstra, particularly) look far stronger than I’d anticipated, and a number of other of them (Hampton and Charleston, for 2) look weaker. Such is life.

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Two months of pattern measurement make these groups a lot simpler (in principle, no less than) to stack up in opposition to each other. I’ll rank em’, designate an x-factor for convention play, and write a fast paragraph. There’s a quiz on the finish, so I like to recommend studying rigorously.

With out additional ado…

1. UNCW Seahawks (11-2, no change) X-Issue: G CJ Luster II

That is admittedly a little bit of a cop-out, as a result of how Luster — a prolific 3-point shooter who has but to make his UNCW debut — returns from damage could be very clearly going to play an enormous function for the Seahawks in CAA play. He's the reply, although. In UNCW’s two losses, the workforce shot a mixed 10 of 44 from distance, and sits properly under the Division-I common with simply 30% of factors coming from past the arc. Luster, who netted 43% from distance on this similar convention a yr in the past, will do wonders for an offense that quietly hasn’t been all that nice in the event that they’re not attending to the free-throw line. Via 13 video games, the NCAA’s eighth-tallest roster has gotten there loads, however Luster and fellow injury-ridden guard Johnathan Lamothe ought to complement that with a dynamic exterior assault.

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2. Hofstra Pleasure (9-4, up 4 spots) X-Issue: G Biggie Patterson

Hofstra hasn’t been only a one-man present up to now, however junior guard Cruz Davis has definitely been the Kermit the Frog of the operation, when you catch my drift. Davis’s 21.2 factors per sport ranks fifteenth within the nation, and his 5.2 assists per sport ranks second within the CAA. His supporting forged has been stable, however it’s unlikely Davis can preserve these marks — together with enjoying a staggering 36.8 minutes per sport — all through the convention gauntlet. Freshman guard Preston Edmead has been good, however his age and comparatively inefficient capturing splits make him a main candidate for a downturn. The senior Patterson, then, is the plain option to step in. His 10 factors per sport within the non-conference is nothing to sneeze at, but when he can go up a stage and take some load off Davis and Edmead, Hofstra shall be a lot better-positioned to proceed its run by means of CAA play.

3. Towson Tigers (8-5, down one spot) X-Issue: G Tyler Schmidt

I may write 10 pages nearly Towson, however I’ll simplify it: their offense is horrible. Exterior of celebrity ahead Tyler Tejada and mercurial star guard Dylan Williamson, there’s little or no in the best way of dependable manufacturing right here. Towson is the fifth-slowest workforce in tempo, the Tenth-worst 3-point capturing workforce, and has the fourth-lowest help charge within the nation, with a free-throw proportion within the backside 12%. In fact, these similar developments existed final yr, earlier than the Tigers ripped off a 16-2 CAA document en path to the highest seed within the convention match. However this yr feels completely different, with a a lot shallower, much less dependable roster and a 3-point proportion practically seven factors worse than a season in the past. Pat Skerry’s workforce wants another person to step up, and Schmidt is the best candidate, having posted a 38% 3-point clip on appreciable quantity for Valpo final season. He’s averaging simply 4.6 factors on a depressing 32% charge from the perimeter, numbers that may each need to rise for TU to dwell as much as its preseason hype.

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4. William & Mary Tribe (9-3, up 4 spots) X-Issue: The three-point protection

I hate all the things about this. I hate that I’m placing the Tribe at 4. I hate that I’m copping out on selecting one other X-Issue. I hate that I’ve been useless improper about Brian Earl’s anti-basketball, run-n-gun, monitor meet fashion basketball is working, up to now. However…

With high-pace basketball comes excessive danger. To date, that danger is paying off. Opponents are capturing simply 26.6% from 3, the fifth-best mark for a protection in D-I. The Tribe’s opponents are capturing properly under common from the free-throw line, too. The catch? If these percentages development up, the Tribe are in hassle. And if final yr is any indication, they may. My prediction? Water finds its stage. However, if William & Mary’s protection is admittedly that good, the Tribe can have no downside proving me improper. This workforce goes because the photographs do.

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5. Charleston Cougars (7-6, down two spots) X-Issue: F Colby Duggan

It’s arduous to know precisely the place to start with the Cougars, who've seen their two most essential gamers (Duggan and switch guard Mister Dean) play a mixed three video games. Sadly for Charleston, although, Dean’s season is over after a torn ACL within the Paradise Jam. Duggan, who was first-team All-CAA for Campbell a yr in the past, has but to debut after a preseason fracture. Because of this, the Cougars have struggled. Solely one in every of Charleston’s six losses — a six-point defeat at South Florida — has are available shut style. They’ve crushed the groups they’re presupposed to beat, however the standing of Duggan will finally resolve if the Cougars can decide issues up in CAA play. Moreover, search for switch guard Connor Hickman to warmth up and assist CofC enhance on a 29.7% 3-point clip. Oh, and if 7-foot-2 heart Christian Reeves can keep wholesome, the Cougars can have a measurement edge in just about each sport from right here on out.

6. Elon Phoenix (8-5, up six spots) X-Issue: F Kacper Klaczek

Elon has been nice within the non-conference, buoyed by a top-tier offense that’s scoring at an environment friendly clip. It’s come from switch guard Chandler Cuthrell, who’s tied with Cruz Davis at 21.2 factors per sport, in addition to a rebounding unit that secures offensive boards at a top-10% charge nationally. Nonetheless, the Phoenix haven't any rotation gamers over 6-foot-8, and their bottom-quartile defensive rebounding numbers point out some regression is imminent within the rebounding division. Klaczek (6-foot-8) might want to each anchor a protection that ranks close to the underside of D-I and preserve opponents off the glass if Elon is to proceed its success.

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7. Monmouth Hawks (7-6, down two spots) X-Issue: G Jack Collins

This was a straightforward one, as Collins has underperformed after receiving preseason All-CAA Second Crew honors. He’s averaging simply 8.1 factors per sport — on tempo to be the bottom of his four-year profession — on ugly 35/34/65 splits. Others have picked up the slack, although, with Jason Rivera-Torres having a profession yr and freshman ahead Stefanos Spartalis stepping right into a lead function. If Collins can get going, Monmouth out of the blue has a top quality offensive engine to pair with a particularly competent seven-man rotation. And, with each rotational participant bar the sharpshooting Justin Ray standing at 6-foot-5 or above, the Hawks have the power to stage up defensively, as properly.

8. Stony Brook Seawolves (8-5, up one spot) X-Issue: G Collin O’Connor

Switch guards Erik Pratt and Rob Brown III have lived as much as (or surpassed) expectations, however the remainder of the roster (exterior breakout star Robert Items) remains to be eager for consistency. It’s proven, too, because the Seawolves have registered good wins over Columbia and Loyola Marymount but in addition fallen in blowout style to Albany, Marist, and Pacific. Preseason All-CAA honoree Collin O’Connor falls into that inconsistent class, having scored underneath eight factors per sport on simply 28% from past the arc. O’Connor has been damage for the reason that finish of November, and particulars about his damage are scarce (as they usually are at this stage), however assuming he returns, he’ll must step up and take a few of the burden off Pratt and Brown III. O’Connor’s skills as a connector are essential, too, and the Seawolves might want to use these to enhance on a fairly ugly help charge.

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9. Northeastern Huskies (4-7, down two spots) X-Issue: G William Kermoury

Northeastern being this excessive is an indictment of the underside of the CAA, greater than something. The Huskies misplaced star guard LA Pratt two video games in after a season-ending damaged foot, and have handled a bevy of accidents elsewhere, too. In response, Northeastern has remodeled itself, morphing right into a Euro-style workforce that emphasizes ball motion, free capturing, and tempo. When the Huskies play properly, they rain 3s; Kermoury is the workforce’s greatest shooter and infrequently serves as a barometer for his or her efficiency. When he’s on — like he was when he buried six treys in opposition to Central Connecticut — the offense tends to stream. When he isn’t, it forces another person from a really inexperienced forged of characters to step up and rating, which is much from a certainty.

10. Hampton Pirates (6-7, down six spots) X-Issue: Head Coach Ivan Thomas

I’m not promoting my Hampton inventory simply but. In any case, it was solely a season in the past that the Pirates struggled mightily by means of this portion of the season earlier than placing it collectively within the again 9. There’s nonetheless lots of expertise on this roster, and despite the fact that notable names like Etienne Strotheres, Eunique Rink, and Josh Ogundele seem like they’ve taken a step again, there’s loads of time for Coach Thomas to repair it. It’ll begin with ball motion — Hampton ranks within the backside half in help charge — however as soon as that goes, prefer it did final yr, look out for the floodgates to open. (In fact, issues may very properly keep as they're. That’s why they’re ranked ninth.)

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11. Drexel Dragons (6-7, up one spots) X-Issue: F Martin De Laporterie

Like most groups on the backside of the CAA, there’s nothing specifically that stands out about Drexel. It once more pains me to place them this excessive, however there's some expertise right here. Shane Blakeney has had a profession yr as lead guard, and Kevon Vanderhorst has complemented him properly. Victor Panov has been very stable at swing, and native product Josh Reed has regarded potential-laden. Nonetheless, the important thing right here is 7-foot-1 Martin De Laporterie, who’s slowly began to look extra comfy with every passing sport. If he could be playable for 20-25 minutes per sport in convention play, it’ll unlock a brand new dimension for the Dragons, notably defensively.

12. North Carolina A&T Aggies (7-4, up one spot) X-Issue: Cs KJ Debrick and Will Felton

NC A&T’s document is a bit deceptive, because the Aggies have crushed two non-DI groups and 4 groups in KenPom’s backside 5%. They do have a few gifted scorers; the Walkers (Lewis and Lureon, not associated) and Trent Middleton Jr. are combining to common practically 40 factors an evening. It hasn’t actually spurred the offense on, although, with the Aggies rating within the backside 15% efficiency-wise. In-conference, these three scorers will want high quality heart play to grease the workforce’s gears. That’s the place Debrick and Felton are available; neither man performed a complete lot within the non-conference, however the measurement and grind of the CAA ought to power them into motion. If they will mix to anchor the Aggies on either side of the ball, there’s a path to legitimacy right here.

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13. Campbell Fightin’ Camels (6-7, down 4 spots) X-Issue: G Cam Gregory

Rating Campbell right here most likely isn’t honest. In any case, they’ve gained six video games. To make up for it, I’ll offer you an additional few traces of study. You deserve that a lot, Camels followers.

The analytics hate this workforce. Campbell ranks within the backside quartile in a bevy of main classes, aside from offensive rebounding. They don’t shoot properly, they don’t defend the paint, they don’t power turnovers, and their ball motion is putrid. Opponents get to the rim at will, and the Camels don’t have the offensive firepower to reply.

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A significant a part of the issue has been senior guard Cam Gregory, who was tabbed because the workforce’s chief heading into the season. After a breakout 2023-24 marketing campaign, Gregory regressed a yr in the past, seeing a diminished function on an excellent Campbell workforce. In 2025-26, although, Gregory’s function has elevated, however he’s regressed once more. His scoring numbers are down throughout the board, and he’s capturing simply 25% from vary.

Even with Campbell having 4 gamers in double figures (Chris Fields Jr., Dovydas Butka, DJ Smith, and Jeremiah Johnson) the workforce is lacking a two-way star to flesh it out. Gregory has the potential to be simply that, however he must recapture his 2023-24 type. Perhaps his final outing in opposition to Inexperienced Bay (18 factors, three assists) can get him going, as a result of the floundering Camels are going to wish it.

Wrapper I spent a great chunk of this piece trashing the underside half of the CAA, however as I went workforce by workforce, I discovered it surprisingly straightforward to speak myself into just about each workforce within the league. To be fully trustworthy, there actually may very well be some legitimately aggressive groups there. The convention is ranked sixteenth in KenPom, seven spots up from a season in the past, which supplies you an thought of how the analytics view the Coastal: a lot improved. There gained’t be many walkover video games this yr, which is completely different than in years previous.

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On the prime, it’s UNCW and everybody else. What they’ve executed with out Luster and Lamothe has been spectacular, even when they’ve performed virtually no one. If these two guys combine easily? Look out. It’s arduous for me to see anybody taking them down when it counts, though Towson can have a shot in any sport as a result of their sheer defensive prowess and star duo.

Anyhow, I’m prepared for this rating to be useless improper, most likely by the primary week of January. That’s all the time a part of the enjoyable, and you may’t take your self too severely.