After almost two months, it’s time to take a look at of the Non-Conference Hotel and Saloon.
The CAA’s keep, for as soon as, was surprisingly nice. It’s all the time low cost — some days, they even pay you to be right here — however the tradeoff tends to be getting caught with the worst rooms. You can discover larger, wealthier clients like these out of the ACC or the Big East in the penthouse (or at the soulless Players Era Festival, for the foreseeable future).
Advertisement
And, to make issues worse, these extra formidable patrons prefer to exert their will on the relaxation. Some would possibly name it bullying, however that’s a reasonably antiquated time period, should you ask me. All it’s, actually, is a extensively accepted custom round this time of 12 months to let the huge boys pad their egos earlier than they head again dwelling to select on somebody their very own dimension.
This run-around, although, was a bit totally different. Hofstra used its slingshot to ship each Pittsburgh and Syracuse tumbling off the prime ground. UNC Wilmington didn’t shock anyone, however methodically out-drank 10 of 12 opponents at the lodge bar. Towson and Elon each took their licks however made a reputation for themselves with a gritty, robust two-month run.
That isn’t even all of it. William & Mary introduced a mortar to a six-shooter struggle, taking down 9 opponents from lengthy vary; Charleston survived a lot of flesh wounds to take seven of 13, and Northeastern duked it out with the huge boys regardless of shedding their most potent weapon only a week into their residency. Even Stony Brook and North Carolina A&T threw a punch or two.
As is the case after most saloon brawls, no one is all that recognizable. These groups definitely don’t look the similar as they did when I ranked them two months ago. Some of them don’t even seem like they did two weeks in the past! Just a few of them (Hofstra, particularly) look far stronger than I’d anticipated, and several other of them (Hampton and Charleston, for 2) look weaker. Such is life.
Advertisement
Two months of pattern dimension make these groups a lot simpler (in concept, a minimum of) to stack up towards each other. I’ll rank em’, designate an x-factor for convention play, and write a fast paragraph. There’s a quiz at the finish, so I like to recommend studying fastidiously.
Without additional ado…
1. UNCW Seahawks (11-2, no change)
X-Factor: G CJ Luster II
This is admittedly a little bit of a cop-out, as a result of how Luster — a prolific 3-point shooter who has but to make his UNCW debut — returns from damage could be very clearly going to play a large function for the Seahawks in CAA play. He is the reply, although. In UNCW’s two losses, the group shot a mixed 10 of 44 from distance, and sits properly beneath the Division-I common with simply 30% of factors coming from past the arc. Luster, who netted 43% from distance on this similar convention a 12 months in the past, will do wonders for an offense that quietly hasn’t been all that nice if they’re not attending to the free-throw line. Through 13 video games, the NCAA’s eighth-tallest roster has gotten there loads, however Luster and fellow injury-ridden guard Johnathan Lamothe ought to complement that with a dynamic exterior assault.
Advertisement
2. Hofstra Pride (9-4, up 4 spots)
X-Factor: G Biggie Patterson
Hofstra hasn’t been simply a one-man present to date, however junior guard Cruz Davis has definitely been the Kermit the Frog of the operation, should you catch my drift. Davis’s 21.2 factors per recreation ranks fifteenth in the nation, and his 5.2 assists per recreation ranks second in the CAA. His supporting solid has been stable, however it’s unlikely Davis can keep these marks — together with taking part in a staggering 36.8 minutes per recreation — all through the convention gauntlet. Freshman guard Preston Edmead has been good, however his age and comparatively inefficient capturing splits make him a major candidate for a downturn. The senior Patterson, then, is the apparent option to step in. His 10 factors per recreation in the non-conference is nothing to sneeze at, but when he can go up a stage and take some load off Davis and Edmead, Hofstra will probably be a lot better-positioned to proceed its run by means of CAA play.
3. Towson Tigers (8-5, down one spot)
X-Factor: G Tyler Schmidt
I may write 10 pages nearly Towson, however I’ll simplify it: their offense is horrible. Outside of famous person ahead Tyler Tejada and mercurial star guard Dylan Williamson, there’s little or no in the method of dependable manufacturing right here. Towson is the fifth-slowest group in tempo, the Tenth-worst 3-point capturing group, and has the fourth-lowest help price in the nation, with a free-throw share in the backside 12%. Of course, these similar tendencies existed final 12 months, earlier than the Tigers ripped off a 16-2 CAA file en path to the prime seed in the convention match. But this 12 months feels totally different, with a a lot shallower, much less dependable roster and a 3-point share almost seven factors worse than a season in the past. Pat Skerry’s group wants another person to step up, and Schmidt is the splendid candidate, having posted a 38% 3-point clip on appreciable quantity for Valpo final season. He’s averaging simply 4.6 factors on a depressing 32% price from the perimeter, numbers that can each must rise for TU to reside as much as its preseason hype.
Advertisement
4. William & Mary Tribe (9-3, up 4 spots)
X-Factor: The 3-point protection
I hate all the pieces about this. I hate that I’m placing the Tribe at 4. I hate that I’m copping out on selecting one other X-Factor. I hate that I’ve been lifeless flawed about Brian Earl’s anti-basketball, run-n-gun, observe meet fashion basketball is working, to this point. But…
With high-pace basketball comes excessive danger. Thus far, that danger is paying off. Opponents are capturing simply 26.6% from 3, the fifth-best mark for a protection in D-I. The Tribe’s opponents are capturing properly beneath common from the free-throw line, too. The catch? If these percentages pattern up, the Tribe are in hassle. And if final 12 months is any indication, they are going to. My prediction? Water finds its stage. But, if William & Mary’s protection is basically that good, the Tribe can have no drawback proving me flawed. This group goes as the photographs do.
Advertisement
5. Charleston Cougars (7-6, down two spots)
X-Factor: F Colby Duggan
It’s laborious to know precisely the place to start with the Cougars, who’ve seen their two most essential gamers (Duggan and switch guard Mister Dean) play a mixed three video games. Unfortunately for Charleston, although, Dean’s season is over after a torn ACL in the Paradise Jam. Duggan, who was first-team All-CAA for Campbell a 12 months in the past, has but to debut after a preseason fracture. As a consequence, the Cougars have struggled. Only one in all Charleston’s six losses — a six-point defeat at South Florida — has are available shut vogue. They’ve overwhelmed the groups they’re purported to beat, however the standing of Duggan will finally resolve if the Cougars can decide issues up in CAA play. Additionally, search for switch guard Connor Hickman to warmth up and assist CofC enhance on a 29.7% 3-point clip. Oh, and if 7-foot-2 middle Christian Reeves can keep wholesome, the Cougars can have a dimension edge in just about each recreation from right here on out.
6. Elon Phoenix (8-5, up six spots)
X-Factor: F Kacper Klaczek
Elon has been nice in the non-conference, buoyed by a top-tier offense that’s scoring at an environment friendly clip. It’s come from switch guard Chandler Cuthrell, who’s tied with Cruz Davis at 21.2 factors per recreation, in addition to a rebounding unit that secures offensive boards at a top-10% price nationally. However, the Phoenix don’t have any rotation gamers over 6-foot-8, and their bottom-quartile defensive rebounding numbers point out some regression is imminent in the rebounding division. Klaczek (6-foot-8) might want to each anchor a protection that ranks close to the backside of D-I and preserve opponents off the glass if Elon is to proceed its success.
Advertisement
7. Monmouth Hawks (7-6, down two spots)
X-Factor: G Jack Collins
This was a simple one, as Collins has underperformed after receiving preseason All-CAA Second Team honors. He’s averaging simply 8.1 factors per recreation — on tempo to be the lowest of his four-year profession — on ugly 35/34/65 splits. Others have picked up the slack, although, with Jason Rivera-Torres having a profession 12 months and freshman ahead Stefanos Spartalis stepping right into a lead function. If Collins can get going, Monmouth out of the blue has a high quality offensive engine to pair with an especially competent seven-man rotation. And, with each rotational participant bar the sharpshooting Justin Ray standing at 6-foot-5 or above, the Hawks have the capacity to stage up defensively, as properly.
8. Stony Brook Seawolves (8-5, up one spot)
X-Factor: G Collin O’Connor
Transfer guards Erik Pratt and Rob Brown III have lived as much as (or surpassed) expectations, however the remainder of the roster (exterior breakout star Robert Goods) continues to be eager for consistency. It’s proven, too, as the Seawolves have registered good wins over Columbia and Loyola Marymount but in addition fallen in blowout vogue to Albany, Marist, and Pacific. Preseason All-CAA honoree Collin O’Connor falls into that inconsistent class, having scored beneath eight factors per recreation on simply 28% from past the arc. O’Connor has been damage since the finish of November, and particulars about his damage are scarce (as they usually are at this stage), however assuming he returns, he’ll must step up and take a few of the burden off Pratt and Brown III. O’Connor’s talents as a connector are essential, too, and the Seawolves might want to use these to enhance on a reasonably ugly help price.
Advertisement
9. Northeastern Huskies (4-7, down two spots)
X-Factor: G William Kermoury
Northeastern being this excessive is an indictment of the backside of the CAA, greater than something. The Huskies misplaced star guard LA Pratt two video games in after a season-ending damaged foot, and have handled a bevy of accidents elsewhere, too. In response, Northeastern has reworked itself, morphing right into a Euro-style group that emphasizes ball motion, free capturing, and tempo. When the Huskies play properly, they rain 3s; Kermoury is the group’s finest shooter and infrequently serves as a barometer for his or her efficiency. When he’s on — like he was when he buried six treys towards Central Connecticut — the offense tends to move. When he isn’t, it forces another person from a very inexperienced solid of characters to step up and rating, which is much from a certainty.
10. Hampton Pirates (6-7, down six spots)
X-Factor: Head Coach Ivan Thomas
I’m not promoting my Hampton inventory simply but. After all, it was solely a season in the past that the Pirates struggled mightily by means of this portion of the season earlier than placing it collectively in the again 9. There’s nonetheless a variety of expertise on this roster, and though notable names like Etienne Strotheres, Eunique Rink, and Josh Ogundele seem like they’ve taken a step again, there’s loads of time for Coach Thomas to repair it. It’ll begin with ball motion — Hampton ranks in the backside half in help price — however as soon as that goes, prefer it did final 12 months, look out for the floodgates to open. (Of course, issues may very properly keep as they’re. That’s why they’re ranked ninth.)
Advertisement
11. Drexel Dragons (6-7, up one spots)
X-Factor: F Martin De Laporterie
Like most groups at the backside of the CAA, there’s nothing specifically that stands proud about Drexel. It once more pains me to place them this excessive, however there may be some expertise right here. Shane Blakeney has had a profession 12 months as lead guard, and Kevon Vanderhorst has complemented him properly. Victor Panov has been very stable at swing, and native product Josh Reed has regarded potential-laden. However, the key right here is 7-foot-1 Martin De Laporterie, who’s slowly began to look extra snug with every passing recreation. If he will be playable for 20-25 minutes per recreation in convention play, it’ll unlock a brand new dimension for the Dragons, significantly defensively.
12. North Carolina A&T Aggies (7-4, up one spot)
X-Factor: Cs KJ Debrick and Will Felton
NC A&T’s file is a bit deceptive, as the Aggies have overwhelmed two non-DI groups and 4 groups in KenPom’s backside 5%. They do have a few proficient scorers; the Walkers (Lewis and Lureon, not associated) and Trent Middleton Jr. are combining to common almost 40 factors an evening. It hasn’t actually spurred the offense on, although, with the Aggies rating in the backside 15% efficiency-wise. In-conference, these three scorers will want high quality middle play to grease the group’s gears. That’s the place Debrick and Felton are available; neither man performed a complete lot in the non-conference, however the dimension and grind of the CAA ought to drive them into motion. If they will mix to anchor the Aggies on either side of the ball, there’s a path to legitimacy right here.
Advertisement
13. Campbell Fightin’ Camels (6-7, down 4 spots)
X-Factor: G Cam Gregory
Ranking Campbell right here in all probability isn’t truthful. After all, they’ve received six video games. To make up for it, I’ll provide you with an additional few strains of research. You deserve that a lot, Camels followers.
The analytics hate this group. Campbell ranks in the backside quartile in a bevy of main classes, with the exception of offensive rebounding. They don’t shoot properly, they don’t defend the paint, they don’t drive turnovers, and their ball motion is putrid. Opponents get to the rim at will, and the Camels don’t have the offensive firepower to reply.
Advertisement
A significant a part of the drawback has been senior guard Cam Gregory, who was tabbed as the group’s chief heading into the season. After a breakout 2023-24 marketing campaign, Gregory regressed a 12 months in the past, seeing a diminished function on an excellent Campbell group. In 2025-26, although, Gregory’s function has elevated, however he’s regressed once more. His scoring numbers are down throughout the board, and he’s capturing simply 25% from vary.
Even with Campbell having 4 gamers in double figures (Chris Fields Jr., Dovydas Butka, DJ Smith, and Jeremiah Johnson) the group is lacking a two-way star to flesh it out. Gregory has the potential to be simply that, however he must recapture his 2023-24 type. Maybe his final outing towards Green Bay (18 factors, three assists) can get him going, as a result of the floundering Camels are going to wish it.
Wrapper
I spent a very good chunk of this piece trashing the backside half of the CAA, however as I went group by group, I discovered it surprisingly simple to speak myself into just about each group in the league. To be utterly trustworthy, there actually might be some legitimately aggressive groups there. The convention is ranked sixteenth in KenPom, seven spots up from a season in the past, which provides you an thought of how the analytics view the Coastal: a lot improved. There received’t be many walkover video games this 12 months, which is totally different than in years previous.
Advertisement
At the prime, it’s UNCW and everybody else. What they’ve performed with out Luster and Lamothe has been spectacular, even when they’ve performed nearly no one. If these two guys combine easily? Look out. It’s laborious for me to see anybody taking them down when it counts, though Towson can have a shot in any recreation as a consequence of their sheer defensive prowess and star duo.
Anyways, I’m prepared for this rating to be lifeless flawed, in all probability by the first week of January. That’s all the time a part of the enjoyable, and you may’t take your self too severely.
Let the video games start!