CAA Tournament Preview and Predictions

CAA Championship Preview and Predictions

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Charleston

Charleston, who surprised the entire country with a 21-1 start with wins over Virginia Tech and Kent State, is one of the best mid-majors in the country. At the peak of their 21-1 start, they were ranked in the top 20 in the country and had a good shot at an at-large bid. 

They then lost two straight, and though they currently sit at Joe Lunardi’s “Next Four Out”, they still have a good shot at making the tournament even if they don’t win the CAA championship. Charleston has the best coach in the conference, a very experienced starting 5 with a deep bench, and pride themselves on their defense and 3 point shooting. 

They lost their 2 conference games when shooting 16% and 21% from 3, but were otherwise playing very well. The CAA championship takes place in Washington, so we’ll have to see how they shoot and play when the tournament starts.

Hofstra

Hofstra delivered a ranked loss to Charleston, and has remained at the top of the conference since then. They aren’t as consistent or as good definsively as Charleston, but in my opinion, have a higher ceiling. 

They’re led by the best player in the conference in Aaron Estrada, who’s 21st in the country in PPG. They have another really good guard in Tyler Thomas, and a third senior in Warren Williams. They also have an Arthur Kaluma type player in sophomore Darlinstone Dubar, who scored 18 in Hofstra’s win over Charleston. 

The Pride have a really good chance at making the tournament this year, and if they can knock off Charleston one more time, I think that they’ll be one of the most dangerous mid-majors heading into March Madness.

Sleeper

Drexel

Outside of Hofstra, Drexel is the only other team to knock off Charleston. And though they also beat third-place Towson as well as going to 2OT with UNCW, they weren’t able to beat Hofstra. However, they’ve proven that they have the ceiling to beat Hofstra and Charleston.

They’ve got a really good lead forward in Amari Williams, and big men-led teams tend to do better in mid-major conference tournaments. Williams has been super consistent all season, but hasn’t had a game where he’s consistently taken over. 

Drexel could really use a boost from guys like Yame Butler and Justin Moore in the backcourt to complement Williams. However, Butler has been really, really good recently. In his last 3 games, he has scored 25, 30, and 22, looking like the best player on the court in all 3 games.

Despite Butler’s efforts, the Dragons have still struggled without Justin Moore, who has been injured since March. If he can come back and boost this team to the level they were at before he left, the emergence of Butler could propel them to a deep CAA run.

Bracket Predictions