As the season winds down in the Colonial Athletic Association and teams from up and down the east coast converge on Richmond for the CAA tournament, the league has a unique opportunity to send three teams to the Big Dance. George Mason, darlings of 2006 tournament, enter the weekend at #25 in the polls, riding an NCAA-best 15 game winning streak. The Patriots have a strong resume for an at-large bid. Similarly, the Old Dominion Monarchs boast a strong out-of-conference record, including wins over Clemson, Xavier and Dayton. They are likely to get an at large bid if they don't hoist the trophy on Monday night. If another team can snatch the tournament title away from the Patriots or Monarchs, the CAA could have three teams in the NCAA tournament for the first time in its history. It's not likely to be Georgia State, who sent coach Rod Barnes packing earlier this week before the CAA tournament even started. Towson also will not likely have a long stay in Richmond, distinguishing themselves as the only team in America to go winless in their conference. Still, the CAA, whose teams went 4-1 in Bracket Busters games, is as strong as it has been in recent memory. Richmond is in for some high quality basketball this weekend.
Friday, March 4
G1 - #8 UNC Wilmington vs. #9 Georgia State - Noon
G2 - #5 Drexel vs. #12 Towson - 2:30 p.m.
G3 - #7 Delaware vs. #10 Northeastern - 6 p.m.
G4 - #6 James Madison vs. #11 William & Mary - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 5
G5 - #1 George Mason vs. UNCW/GSU winner - Noon
G6 - #4 VCU vs. Drexel/Towson winner - 2:30 p.m.
G7 - #2 Old Dominion vs. Delaware/Northeastern winner - 6 p.m.
G8 - #3 Hofstra vs. JMU/W&M winner - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
G9 - Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 - Noon
G10 - Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 - 2:30 p.m.
Monday, March 7
CAA Championship Game - 7 p.m.
Sleeper: Drexel Dragons
This was a tough decision, because I think coach Matt Brady's James Madison team has a chance to make some noise and probably an easier road to Monday's final. But coach Bruiser Flint's Dragons enter the CAA tournament having won seven of their last nine games, including wins over top CAA foes Hofstra and VCU. To still be standing on Monday night in Richmond, they'll have to get big production from sophomore Chris Fouch, who averaged 14.7 points, to complement their strong rebounding and defense. The Dragons are ninth in the country in rebounding, pulling down 40.4, and hold their opponents to a mere 59.3 points . Forwards Samme Givens and Daryl McCoy are two of the top five rebounders in the CAA, averaging 10 and 8.1 rebounds, respectively. Drexel knocked off #21 Louisville earlier in the season and has knocked off three of the top four teams in the CAA. They have a tough road to the CAA Championship with potential match-ups against VCU, George Mason and Old Dominion, but the Dragons defensive and rebounding abilities help them stay in games. If they can find some offense, they can be a dangerous team.
Bust: Virginia Commonwealth Rams
VCU limps into the tournament after a disappointing February. After completing a January month that saw the Rams win nine of ten and tied for first place with George Mason, the Rams won only three of their last eight games, including three home losses in row. Even scarier for the Rams is that it could have been worse had it not been for a timely basket from point guard Joey Rodriguez at James Madison, a double-overtime victory at Delaware, and some Rodriguez free throws with less than a second left during their Bracket Busters victory at Wichita State. Still, the Rams have a chip on their shoulder and it won't hurt that they are playing in their own backyard at the Richmond Coliseum. Since their path to a CAA Tournament Championship and a NCAA Tournament birth is about as hard as it can get with potential match ups with Drexel, George Mason, and Old Dominion, VCU will probably have to settle for the NIT or return to the CBI to defend their 2010 Championship.
Players to Watch
Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
Jenkins was on the front page of Yahoo.com weeks ago as being the only collegiate player that I've ever heard of to have jersey raised into the rafters before he was even finished playing. The recognition was well deserved for Jenkins, who will collect his second straight CAA Player of the Year Award this week. Jenkins is fourth in the nation at 23.2 points and also leads the CAA in assists with 4.8. He also ranks in the top five in the CAA in steals. This is Jenkins' last - and best - shot to sniff the NCAA tournament, and big players carry their teams in March. He and CAA Coach of the Year candidate Mo Cassara have defied the odds by leading the Pride to a third place finish in the CAA this season, and they are not a team anyone will want to face in this tournament.
Denzel Bowles, F, James Madison
The 6-foot- 10, 255 pound former Texas A&M Aggie is the CAA's most productive player not named Charles Jenkins and the MVP of many a fantasy league. Bowles was a dominant force this season, averaging 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. He led the CAA in double-doubles with 14. Look for Bowles to lead the Dukes to a Friday win over William and Mary, setting up a showdown with Jenkins and Hofstra on Saturday.
Cam Long, G, George Mason
Will George Mason end up being this year's George Mason? It's not often that a team enters the CAA tournament carrying a national ranking, but if any team is positioned to stay focused with the target on their backs, it's the Patriots. Senior Cam Long is the engine behind the Patriots 15 game win streak and #25 national ranking (ESPN/USA Today). Long leads Mason in scoring, averaging 15.1 points and he's only been held under double digits three times during the regular season. When the game is on the line and the Patriots need a bucket, expect the ball in Long's hands.
Jamie Skeen, F, VCU
The former Wake Forest Deamon Deacon has stepped into the hole left by NBA Draft Pick Larry Sanders to lead VCU in scoring with 14.8 points and rebounding at 7.6. He's battled through a slight knee sprain and a turf toe injury this season, but he scored a career-high 32 points in a double-overtime victory at Delaware on Feb. 9. He'll need to have a couple more performances like that this weekend for VCU to compete for the CAA Championship. Skeen will be eager to face George Mason and Old Dominion, after scoring only seven points in each game during the Rams' February struggles.
Kent Bazemore, G, Old Dominion
Old Dominion boasts a balanced scoring attack this year lead by Frank Hassell at 14.2 points. What truly sets Old Dominion apart is their defense and rebounding, and that all starts with Bazemore, the Monarch's defensive stopper. Bazemore leads a stingy Monarch defense that tops the nation in rebounding margin at 11.8 and is third in the country in scoring defense, holding opponents to 58 points. The 6'5" junior leads the conference in steals, averaging 2.4. On the offensive end, Bazemore pours in 12.5 points, second on the team. If the Monarchs can reach the final, a clash with George Mason would be an intriguing contrast of styles, as the Patriots lead the CAA in scoring margin, outscoring their opponents by an average of 12.4 points.