Coastal Athletic Association Men’s Tournament Preview
| March 05, 2024 | Sports,
The Coastal Athletic Association is set to host their annual tournament from our nation’s capital. The league’s regular-season title came down to the final day, and the men’s tournament should be every bit as exciting.
Favorite:
College of Charleston – The Cougars are coming off their most successful campaign in school history last season where they won both the regular season and tournament titles, clinching an NCAA Tournament bid. Just like last year, they get it done with their quick tempo and devastating offense. Readers may remember names like Reyne Smith and Ben Burnham who are still key contributors and could be a key part of the Cougars going dancing once again. While the champions have not had the smooth ride they had last year, this team is catching fire at the right time. They have not lost a game since February 1 and have won 11 of their last 12. It will be a huge burden on any team in the league to try and shut the Cougars down.
Contenders:
Drexel – The Dragons came out of the gates flaming. Their hot start catapulted them to an impressive 7-0 in conference play before the rest of the league could blink. Some scoring woes in the middle of the season cooled them off; however, Drexel rallied to win their final three regular-season games. The Dragons field perhaps the conference’s best inside-out tandem with Justin Moore and Amari Williams giving coaches nightmares on a daily basis. While the scoring has been hit or miss, this team has built its identity on the defensive side of the basketball. If they can get hot, they can go dancing like they did in 2021.
Hofstra– The Pride are looking to notch their first tournament appearance in over two decades. The formula is there as this team shoots the ball from deep better than anybody in the league despite taking the secondmost 3-point attempts. Shooters like Tyler Thomas, Darlinstone Dubar and Jaquan Carlos put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. While the defense can be suspect at times, this offense can threaten just about anybody in the league. Should Hofstra be able to catch fire from deep, they could beat anybody in the field. Speedy Claxton’s Pride are certainly a team to keep your eye on in D.C.
UNCW – The Seahawks have already put their own stamp of madness on this season when they went to Lexington in December and handed the Kentucky Wildcats an 80-73 loss in Rupp Arena. The Seahawks may be the only team in the league that can run with the Cougars as they are the only other team averaging more than 80 points per game. While the defense has been touch and go, they have shown up in some big games holding Drexel to 56 and College of Charleston to 69. If they can get enough from their defense, Takayo Siddle’s team could be poised for a deep run. With an anchor in the post like Trazarien White, the Seahawks will pose a difficult match-up for any team.
Darkhorse:
Monmouth – While the Monmouth Hawks had a slightly disappointing league campaign, if there is any team that could come out of the early rounds and make a run at the championship, it is certainly the Hawks. Their hopes rest on one player and one player only, Xander Rice. Rice is perhaps the most dynamic scorer in the entirety of the CAA. Rice is a big game player, and this tournament will be the biggest stage of the year. In wins against West Virginia, Drexel and Hofstra; Rice scored 30, 22 and 31 respectively. He also had 34 points in a losing effort in Charleston. If Xander Rice can catch fire, the Hawks can beat anybody in the league.
Champion:
College of Charleston – The Cougars are playing too well right now. They have the championship pedigree, the easiest path, the scoring and the momentum. While the league is very tight at the top, it will be so hard to slow this team down and for that reason, I think that the Cougars will repeat as tournament champions.