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I'm still home quarantining so spending lots of time geeking out on college basketball research.
Each year, there's one mid-major conference that surprises me and this year it's the CAA. Currently, it's ranked as the 14th best conference (out of 32), which is their best ranking in six seasons. What's buoying that ranking is that seven of the ten schools are within the top-half of KenPom rankings. Here's a blurb on each of these seven teams.
Towson - 112nd KenPom, 66th ranked offense, 176th ranked defense:
The Tigers stunk at shooting last year (28.9 3p%), but improved to 37.1% this year, partially thanks to acquiring veteran transfers Cameron Holden (UT Martin, 13.8 ppg, 41.9 3p%) and Antonio Rizzuto (Albany, 8.7 ppg, 43.2 3p%) to help with the scoring on Braintree, MA's Nicholas Timberlake (14.5 ppg).
Hofstra - 117th KenPom, 52nd ranked offense, 226th ranked defense:
Great work by Speedy Claxton on his first season at the helm of his alma mater. They roster FIVE 12+ ppg scorers led by NJIT grade transfer Zach Cooks (17.4 ppg, remember him?) and fifth-year returnee Jalen Ray (15 ppg). Personally, they are my choice to win the CAA.
Delaware - 153rd KenPom, 100th ranked offense, 231st ranked defense:
Nearly 100% of their scoring returns from 20-21 and they added Jameer Nelson Jr. as a transfer (13.8 ppg). The Blue Hens roster four 12+ ppg players led by former Villanova Wildcat Dylan Painter (14.1p, 7.5r, 57.1 fg%).
Northeastern - 159th KenPom, 225th offense, 105th defense
BIG team, with the average height of the team 6'6 (29th in nation). The team rosters five 11+ ppg players, two of which are former Notre Dame players Chris Doherty and Nikola Djogo. They've been snakebit by injury (three 25+ mpg players have missed 3+ games), so they can be even better as the year goes on.
James Madison - 165th KenPom, 206th offense, 105th defense
After four bad years under Louis Rowe (43-85), former Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington has done great work in his 1+ years (22-9). They have a very "democratic" approach to their ten-man rotation w/ all players averaging between 12-29 mpg and 4.4-11.2 ppg led by former Seton Hall Pirate Takal Molson (11.2 ppg). In addition to hitting the transfer market, Byington has recruited well with adding a three-star recruit in each of his seasons.
Drexel - 178th KenPom, 154th offense, 224th defense
The Dragons tout a one-two, inside-outside punch of fifth-year seniors James Butler (14.5p, 10.3r) and Camren Wynter (14p, 5.2r, 4.1a).
Charleston - 185th KenPom, 179th offense, 200th defense.
After Earl Grant left Charleston for BC, Charleston did a nice job hiring Winthrop's Pat Kelsey who is continuing his tradition of utilizing a lot of players and playing FAST. In fact, Charleston is currently playing the fastest pace so far this season. The team is led by Bucknell transfer John Meeks (14.1p, 43.2 3p%) and freshman guard Reyne Smith (13.3p, 40.4 3p%).
The CAA has a deal w/ CBSSN, so some of their better matchups would be recommended for those of you who enjoy mid-major basketball.
Each year, there's one mid-major conference that surprises me and this year it's the CAA. Currently, it's ranked as the 14th best conference (out of 32), which is their best ranking in six seasons. What's buoying that ranking is that seven of the ten schools are within the top-half of KenPom rankings. Here's a blurb on each of these seven teams.
Towson - 112nd KenPom, 66th ranked offense, 176th ranked defense:
The Tigers stunk at shooting last year (28.9 3p%), but improved to 37.1% this year, partially thanks to acquiring veteran transfers Cameron Holden (UT Martin, 13.8 ppg, 41.9 3p%) and Antonio Rizzuto (Albany, 8.7 ppg, 43.2 3p%) to help with the scoring on Braintree, MA's Nicholas Timberlake (14.5 ppg).
Hofstra - 117th KenPom, 52nd ranked offense, 226th ranked defense:
Great work by Speedy Claxton on his first season at the helm of his alma mater. They roster FIVE 12+ ppg scorers led by NJIT grade transfer Zach Cooks (17.4 ppg, remember him?) and fifth-year returnee Jalen Ray (15 ppg). Personally, they are my choice to win the CAA.
Delaware - 153rd KenPom, 100th ranked offense, 231st ranked defense:
Nearly 100% of their scoring returns from 20-21 and they added Jameer Nelson Jr. as a transfer (13.8 ppg). The Blue Hens roster four 12+ ppg players led by former Villanova Wildcat Dylan Painter (14.1p, 7.5r, 57.1 fg%).
Northeastern - 159th KenPom, 225th offense, 105th defense
BIG team, with the average height of the team 6'6 (29th in nation). The team rosters five 11+ ppg players, two of which are former Notre Dame players Chris Doherty and Nikola Djogo. They've been snakebit by injury (three 25+ mpg players have missed 3+ games), so they can be even better as the year goes on.
James Madison - 165th KenPom, 206th offense, 105th defense
After four bad years under Louis Rowe (43-85), former Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington has done great work in his 1+ years (22-9). They have a very "democratic" approach to their ten-man rotation w/ all players averaging between 12-29 mpg and 4.4-11.2 ppg led by former Seton Hall Pirate Takal Molson (11.2 ppg). In addition to hitting the transfer market, Byington has recruited well with adding a three-star recruit in each of his seasons.
Drexel - 178th KenPom, 154th offense, 224th defense
The Dragons tout a one-two, inside-outside punch of fifth-year seniors James Butler (14.5p, 10.3r) and Camren Wynter (14p, 5.2r, 4.1a).
Charleston - 185th KenPom, 179th offense, 200th defense.
After Earl Grant left Charleston for BC, Charleston did a nice job hiring Winthrop's Pat Kelsey who is continuing his tradition of utilizing a lot of players and playing FAST. In fact, Charleston is currently playing the fastest pace so far this season. The team is led by Bucknell transfer John Meeks (14.1p, 43.2 3p%) and freshman guard Reyne Smith (13.3p, 40.4 3p%).
The CAA has a deal w/ CBSSN, so some of their better matchups would be recommended for those of you who enjoy mid-major basketball.