As far as Tier 2 conferences go, there may not be more interesting groups than the CAA. It's a conference that seems to be on the cusp of earning an at large bid to the Dance, has a history of upsets in March, and also produces NBA talent. This year's pre-season favorite, Old Dominion, didn't place anyone on the early season All-Conference team, and two folks who did (Hofstra's Charles Jenkins and JMU's Denzel Bowles) should be coming off draft boards very early regardless of your format. This really is a league that should garner attention throughout the season.
Delaware - We'll start with a boom, because the Blue Hens went 7-24 last season, and offer some terrific fantasy options with senior Jawan Carter leading the way. The 5-foot-11 senior averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 assists and 3.3 boards last season and will form a wonderful yet undersized backcourt with 5-foot-10 Brian Johnson, who sat out last season after tearing his ACL. Johnson averaged five assists in '08-'09, and will allow Carter to be even more of a scorer. Obviously undersized, the Hens' frontcourt will be led by often injured 6-foot-7 Kelvin McNeil's 6.2 rebounds, and off guard Alphonso Dawson's 12.1-point, 6.0-rebound averages. Dawson shot a putrid 35.8% last season - so maybe Johnson's return can lead to a few more buckets. Dynasty managers should remember the name Devon Saddler.
Drexel - From a team welcoming back a top guard, we head to Drexel, where the Dragons' top scorer and distributor is no more. Jamie Harris' 14.5 points and 3.4 assists are suspended and this team will be searching for a leader. Your best bet is the Samme Givens, who averaged 8.3 points and rebounds last year. The boards are especially impressive given his 6-foot-5 frame, and you have to assume his scoring will increase without Harris. Gerald Colds (9.3 ppg, 3.2 apg) will replace Harris on the perimeter while reigning Freshman of the Year Chris Fouch (11.3 ppg) will help replace some of Harris' scoring firepower.
George Mason - Mason has enough options to drive fantasy managers nuts, but this really boils down to two players: Senior guard Cam Long and junior forward Ryan Pearson. Long has been named to the preseason all-conference team, and averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 boards and 3.1 assists last season. He chipped in 1.3 steals as well, but shot a career low 38.1% in 2009-10. For him to fulfill his pre-season hype, he has to knock down more shots. Pearson appears to be more consistent, and is coming off a solid season where he averaged 11.9 points and 6.4 boards. If you are looking for a feast or famine type player, take a stab on Michael Morrison, and vent to me later.
Georgia State - This is the land of opportunity. GSU's top five scorers and rebounders are gone. Everything here is speculation, but someone has to produce, or the Panthers will score less than 30 points each night out! If you like gambling on journeymen or veterans, take a stab on Marques Johnson or James Vincent. Johnson is a transfer from N.C. State, thus clearly has some hope, while Vincent is an often injured 6 foot 10 baller praying for health. The Panthers bring in seven new bodies, so if youth and upside is your flavor, role with Devonta White.
Hofstra - Charles Jenkins. End of write up. The 6-foot-3, 220 pound guard averaged 20.6 points and 4.5 rebounds last season, and has the skill and frame to carry a team on his shoulders all year long. The Pride lost their second leading scorer, former frosh Chaz Williams, who transferred to Massachusetts, and you can see this is a one-man show waiting to happen. No one else here averaged ten points last season, and that probably won't change. Jenkins is a monster who will again see the brunt of opposing defenses; and it won't matter. He still warrants an early round selection.
James Madison - If you want a sleeper in this conference, here it is. It starts with Texas A&M transfer Denzel Bowles. The 6-foot-10, 260 pound monster should have no problem replicating last season's 20.8 point, 9.2 rebound averages. He even chips in over two assists, and is a top pick in any format. Forward Julius Wells is the Brett Favre of basketball - he averaged 16.3 points and 5.1 boards last year, but turned it over 3.2 times and shot a dismal 38.7 % from the floor. He gives the Dukes an outside compliment, but needs to knock down more shots. The glue here is the return of point guard Devon Moore, who missed last season after blowing out his ACL. If he can return healthy and build upon a terrific freshman season from two years ago, the Dukes have a legit shot at the league crown.
Northeastern - Chaisson Allen. As much talent as the CAA offers, there certainly isn't a shortage of one-man shows. The Huskies return Allen, the team's second leading scored from '09-'10, and absolutely nothing else. Allen's all around game will treat your fantasy roster well. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season, and you have to assume the scoring number will increase this year as there literally isn't any other returning scorer. When I say literally, I mean there are seven returning players who averaged a combined 10.7 points (thank you Blue Ribbon!)
Old Dominion - In the midst of one-man shows, we bring you ODU. They lose All-CAA forward Gerald Lee, yet are the pre season favorite to repeat as conference champs. Much is expected out of guard Kent Bazemore, who can certainly fill up a stat sheet (he averaged 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals last season.) But the Monarchs need forward Keyon Carter to elevate his game if they hope to go dancing again this spring. He's not a safe pick, but if you want to role the dice, do so on the 6 foot 8 forward
Towson - Yikes. On name recognition, the Tigers are the joke of the conference. But digging a little deeper, there is hope for this squad in 2010-2011. While their top two scorers from last year are gone, there is a sexy sleeper here for fantasy players. His name is Robert Nwankwo, and he averaged 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds last year. The scoring has to go up, and it's reasonable to expect a double-double average here. He also blocked 3.1 shots last year. Don't forget about him on draft day.
UNC Wilmington - The Seahawks are in full rebuilding mode under new head coach Buzz Peterson, and it's anyone's guess how things will shake out. Tiny (5 foot 11, 160 pound) leading scored Chad Tomko is back. He posted a respectable 12.8 points and 4.3 assists last season, but shot just 38.4% and turned the ball over 3.4 times. Undersized forward Keith Rendleman is probably the "best" bet on the blocks, but that is a relative statement as the 'Hawks may play three or four guards with regularity. Amongst the others who have a shot at relevance are Ahmad Grant and Trevor Deloach.
VCU - As a group, the CAA enjoys games played in the fifties or sixties. The Rams play much faster than that and averaged a league high 76.5 points last season. While Larry Sanders is enjoying life in beer and cheese country, VCU has plenty left in the tank to replicate last season, if not top it. Point guard Joey Rodriguez averaged a terrific 5.8 assists and 1.9 steals last season, and his 12.9 points don't hurt anything either. He runs with backcourt mate Bradford Burgess, who finished with an inconsistent 10.4-point, 5.1-rebound averages in '09-'10. Burgess isn't bashful, and can knock it down from anywhere inside half court. If he can be as much of a slasher as he is a shooter, you are looking at a breakout performer. Former Wake Forest forward Jamie Skeen figures to benefit the most from the departure of Sanders. If he can stay out of foul trouble; double-double averages are certainly available. And keep an eye on the six new faces for the Rams, headlined by Juvonte Reddic.
William & Mary - Optimism is abound in Williamsburg for a team that has never made the Big Dance. Last year's second leading scorer, guard Quinn McDowell is back with hopes of improving upon his 13.9 point, 4.3 rebound season from a year ago. Sometimes reluctant to pull the trigger however, McDowell will need more than just a healthy return from point guard Kendrix Brown. The 6-foot-3 junior broke his foot last season, and will need to penetrate and distribute to help McDowell become a go to scorer. The post will be anchored by Marcus Kitts who averaged 7.6 boards over the final eight games last year, and incoming freshman center Fred Heldring. The 6-foot-9, 240 rookie figures to be tough to handle in a conference with a shortage of big bodies.