Agree on basically all of this - very good assessment based on what we've seen so far, in terms of how you classified which teams are in which bucket (including the potential mine fields among non-top tier teams, which always pop up in CAA play), the top players to watch, and the wild-cards of the good players who've been out for UNCW and Charleston, which could ultimately make all the difference in the race for the top.dutchPride86 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:14 pm So with conference play about to start, figured it was a good time to post my too long semi deep dive as to how I see the conference stacking up so far that none of you asked for. Lol. Anyway...
The Favorite:
-UNCW: Underwhelming non conf schedule makes them a little hard to judge. But still have best coach and home court advantage in conference. And one of deepest rosters (even with a couple of the CAA transfers not having even played yet). If CJ Luster (remember him from Stony?!) ever plays for them watch out
The Contenders:
-Towson: Tyler Tejada and Dylan Williamson are still there and really good. But do they have enough offense to supplement them? Dropped them from co-favorite for that reason
- Hofstra: We 100% should be in the mix for a top 4 seed at worst off what we've seen to date
- Charleston: Crushed by injuries. But reportedly going to get Colby Duggan back eventually (remember him from Campbell?!), which should make a big difference
- William & Mary: No stars cause no one plays big minutes. But deep and good. Seems like they made the right hire at head coach last year
One of those 5 teams should win the conference imo.
Wild card:
Elon - Beat Richmond, took VA Tech to OT, climbing up the rankings. They could be in the mix.
Middle of the Pack (all these teams could easily beat you if not careful):
Stony, Monmouth, Hampton, Campbell, Northeastern
Fighting to avoid the Friday game:
Drexel (did NIL destroy them? Doesnt seem to be their year). NC A&T
As for individual players, this would be my First Team:
Cruz Davis (should be POY favorite)
Tyler Tejada (Self explanatory)
Nolan Hodge (made the leap for Uncw averaging nearly 16ppg),
Chandler Cuthrell (Elon. Averaging 21pts 7reb as transfer after only averaging 7ppg off the bench at Purdue Fort Wayne last yr)
Erik Pratt (Stony. Averaging 18ppg, 4reb and nearly 3 ast. Nice find for them from Milwaukee)
Other players to watch:
Dylan Williamson (Towson)
Jlynn Counter (Charleston)
Jason Rivera Torres (Monmouth)
Dj Smith and Dovydas Butka (Campbell)
Lewis Walker (NC A&T. Might be Edmeads biggest comp for rookie of the year)
Bottom line, it will not be easy for Hofstra (it never is) BUT I don't see this as a year in which there is anyone else to necessarily be wary of, a top team or two that HU can't quite reach (as in some past years). If Hofstra plays its game, continues to define its roles, and keep growing and improving, they should have a great shot to finish first and to win the CAA tournament. It'll be an interesting and hopeful year for HU in CAA play. And, as I say every year, one-third into CAA play - we'll have a decent idea where the season can be headed after the first six CAA games. Among that stretch, a huge bellwether test at Towson in the third CAA game. And later on, two other key stretches: two games to end the first half of CAA play (at W&M, vs. Charleston) and a huge three-game stretch in CAA games 12-14 (vs. Towson, at Charleston, at UNCW) should obviously reveal a lot and have a big say in seeding.
