coreyschucky
11-08-2004, 01:24 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Colonial Athletic Association preview
By Gregg Doyel
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gregg your opinion!
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Drexel
2. Old Dominion
3. VCU
4. George Mason
5. UNC-Wilmington
6. Hofstra
7. Delaware
8. Williams & Mary
9. James Madison
10. Towson
The best thing to happen to the CAA last season came in April, when its hottest rising star, Virginia Commonwealth coach Jeff Capel, turned down overtures from UAB and Miami.
Capel's team won't be the juggernaut that won the league title last season, but his return gives a nationally known face to a league that plays better basketball than people realize. This season's "it" program? Drexel.
Drexel
Drexel is poised for a big year with rising star coach Bruiser Flint leading the way. (Getty Images)
Top three: C Sean Brooks, G Phil Goss, G Bashir Mason.
On the rise: Enjoy Bruiser Flint while you can, Drexel fans. The gifted, popular coach might not be long for the Colonial, but while he's here, he has the Dragons looking at a breakthrough season thanks to a strong returning core that will be supplemented in midseason by N.C. State transfer Dominick Mejia, a big combo guard. Mason last season became the first freshman in CAA history to be named defensive player of the year.
Old Dominion
Top three: F Alex Loughton, G Isaiah Hunter, F Arnaud Dahi.
On the rise: Loughton is a future pro, and by no means is he a one-man team for the Monarchs. ODU hasn't won a conference championship in seven years, but this team could break that skid.
VCU
Top three: G B.A. Walker, F Nick George, F Michael Doles. On the decline: The Rams and wunderkind coach Jeff Capel will come back to earth this season after winning 23 games and almost beating Wake Forest in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Still, the landing won't be all that rocky. Plenty of talent remains, and Capel has monster recruiting potential in the CAA.
George Mason
Top three: F Jai Lewis, G Lamar Butler, G Tony Skinn.
On the decline: Jim Larranaga is a coaching gem, so look for the Patriots to recover better than you might expect from a team needing to replace two starters. Lewis was very good last season (14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds), but with his body and skill, he could become a 20-and-10 guy.
UNC-Wilmington
Top three: G John Goldsberry, G Ed Spencer, F Halston Lane.
On the rise: After taking a major step back last season, the Seahawks will take a small step in the right direction with four starters back. That step would be considerably bigger if Lane, the explosive Georgia Tech transfer, can return to full strength after battling a series of injuries.
Hofstra
Top three: C Wendell Gibson, G Loren Stokes, G Carlos Rivera.
On the rise: Star forward Kenny Adeleke has transferred to Hartford after being kicked off the team this summer, but Gibson is back after missing the final month of last season with a knee injury. His return, coupled with a strong backcourt, means Hofstra should have a shot against anyone in the league.
Delaware
Top three: G Mike Slattery, F Harding Nana, G Rulon
Washington.
On the decline: The Blue Hens lost two-thirds of their starting backcourt from last season, though Slattery is a pretty good one-third to have back. He and Nana give Delaware a fighting chance, but the season could hinge on the productivity of the newcomers, led by junior-college transfer Andrew Washington on the wing.
Williams & Mary
Top three: F Corey Cofield, G Nick D'Antoni, C Nate Loehrke.
On the decline: The Tribe's quest to move up the CAA won't be fulfilled this season, not with the losses of double-figure scorers Adam Hess and Zeb Cope, who combined for almost 32 points and 12 rebounds per game. Still, Temple transfer Hawley Smith will help. Keep an eye on freshman Edwin Ofori Attah, who set all kinds of scoring records at his small private school outside Charlotte, N.C.
James Madison
Top three: G Daniel Freeman, G Ray Barbosa, F David Cooper.
On the decline: Former Georgia Tech assistant Dean Keener takes over here, and he doesn't take over much in the way of returning talent. The Dukes went 3-15 last season in the CAA and don't look to be much improved. Keener was a solid hire, though he'll need some time.
Towson
Top three: G Mike Green, F Lawrence Hamm, C Tony Dixon.
On the decline: Why did Pat Kennedy leave Montana for this job? Your answer here. It's a bad team, bad program. Bad move, Coach Kennedy, unless you just wanted to be
closer to the big city.
Accolades
First team
F -- Jai Lewis, George Mason
F-- Alex Loughton, Old Dominion
C -- Wendell Gibson, Hofstra
G -- Nick George, VCU
G -- Mike Slattery, Delaware
Second team
F -- Harding Nana, Delaware
F -- Corey Cofield, Williams & Mary
C -- Sean Brooks, Drexel
G -- Phil Goss, Drexel
G -- Isaiah Hunter, Old Dominion
Player of the year
Alex Loughton, Old Dominion
Newcomer of the year
Edwin Ofori Attah, William & Mary
Breakthrough player
Nick George, VCU
Colonial Athletic Association preview
By Gregg Doyel
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gregg your opinion!
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Drexel
2. Old Dominion
3. VCU
4. George Mason
5. UNC-Wilmington
6. Hofstra
7. Delaware
8. Williams & Mary
9. James Madison
10. Towson
The best thing to happen to the CAA last season came in April, when its hottest rising star, Virginia Commonwealth coach Jeff Capel, turned down overtures from UAB and Miami.
Capel's team won't be the juggernaut that won the league title last season, but his return gives a nationally known face to a league that plays better basketball than people realize. This season's "it" program? Drexel.
Drexel
Drexel is poised for a big year with rising star coach Bruiser Flint leading the way. (Getty Images)
Top three: C Sean Brooks, G Phil Goss, G Bashir Mason.
On the rise: Enjoy Bruiser Flint while you can, Drexel fans. The gifted, popular coach might not be long for the Colonial, but while he's here, he has the Dragons looking at a breakthrough season thanks to a strong returning core that will be supplemented in midseason by N.C. State transfer Dominick Mejia, a big combo guard. Mason last season became the first freshman in CAA history to be named defensive player of the year.
Old Dominion
Top three: F Alex Loughton, G Isaiah Hunter, F Arnaud Dahi.
On the rise: Loughton is a future pro, and by no means is he a one-man team for the Monarchs. ODU hasn't won a conference championship in seven years, but this team could break that skid.
VCU
Top three: G B.A. Walker, F Nick George, F Michael Doles. On the decline: The Rams and wunderkind coach Jeff Capel will come back to earth this season after winning 23 games and almost beating Wake Forest in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Still, the landing won't be all that rocky. Plenty of talent remains, and Capel has monster recruiting potential in the CAA.
George Mason
Top three: F Jai Lewis, G Lamar Butler, G Tony Skinn.
On the decline: Jim Larranaga is a coaching gem, so look for the Patriots to recover better than you might expect from a team needing to replace two starters. Lewis was very good last season (14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds), but with his body and skill, he could become a 20-and-10 guy.
UNC-Wilmington
Top three: G John Goldsberry, G Ed Spencer, F Halston Lane.
On the rise: After taking a major step back last season, the Seahawks will take a small step in the right direction with four starters back. That step would be considerably bigger if Lane, the explosive Georgia Tech transfer, can return to full strength after battling a series of injuries.
Hofstra
Top three: C Wendell Gibson, G Loren Stokes, G Carlos Rivera.
On the rise: Star forward Kenny Adeleke has transferred to Hartford after being kicked off the team this summer, but Gibson is back after missing the final month of last season with a knee injury. His return, coupled with a strong backcourt, means Hofstra should have a shot against anyone in the league.
Delaware
Top three: G Mike Slattery, F Harding Nana, G Rulon
Washington.
On the decline: The Blue Hens lost two-thirds of their starting backcourt from last season, though Slattery is a pretty good one-third to have back. He and Nana give Delaware a fighting chance, but the season could hinge on the productivity of the newcomers, led by junior-college transfer Andrew Washington on the wing.
Williams & Mary
Top three: F Corey Cofield, G Nick D'Antoni, C Nate Loehrke.
On the decline: The Tribe's quest to move up the CAA won't be fulfilled this season, not with the losses of double-figure scorers Adam Hess and Zeb Cope, who combined for almost 32 points and 12 rebounds per game. Still, Temple transfer Hawley Smith will help. Keep an eye on freshman Edwin Ofori Attah, who set all kinds of scoring records at his small private school outside Charlotte, N.C.
James Madison
Top three: G Daniel Freeman, G Ray Barbosa, F David Cooper.
On the decline: Former Georgia Tech assistant Dean Keener takes over here, and he doesn't take over much in the way of returning talent. The Dukes went 3-15 last season in the CAA and don't look to be much improved. Keener was a solid hire, though he'll need some time.
Towson
Top three: G Mike Green, F Lawrence Hamm, C Tony Dixon.
On the decline: Why did Pat Kennedy leave Montana for this job? Your answer here. It's a bad team, bad program. Bad move, Coach Kennedy, unless you just wanted to be
closer to the big city.
Accolades
First team
F -- Jai Lewis, George Mason
F-- Alex Loughton, Old Dominion
C -- Wendell Gibson, Hofstra
G -- Nick George, VCU
G -- Mike Slattery, Delaware
Second team
F -- Harding Nana, Delaware
F -- Corey Cofield, Williams & Mary
C -- Sean Brooks, Drexel
G -- Phil Goss, Drexel
G -- Isaiah Hunter, Old Dominion
Player of the year
Alex Loughton, Old Dominion
Newcomer of the year
Edwin Ofori Attah, William & Mary
Breakthrough player
Nick George, VCU