2024-25 CAA Males’s Basketball Preseason Ballot
1.) Towson (10 first-place votes) – 166
2.) Charleston (3) – 157
3.) UNC Wilmington (1) – 143
4.) Hofstra – 122
5.) Delaware – 102
6.) Northeastern – 96
7.) William & Mary – 91
8.) Monmouth – 87
9.) Stony Brook – 80
10.) North Carolina A&T – 67
11.) Drexel – 66
12.) Elon – 46
13.) Campbell – 27
14.) Hampton – 24
The Favourite
Towson
Head coach Pat Skerry has but to return Towson to the NCAA Match in his 13 seasons with this system, however his Tigers are all the time aggressive within the ever-growing CAA.
Forward of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, he’s obtained doubtlessly one of the best roster of his tenure with Towson chosen as the highest workforce within the convention’s preseason with 10 first-place votes.
Although famous fifth-year ahead Charles Thompson departs this system, Skerry retains a core constant of Christian Could, Dylan Williamson, Tyler Tejada and Nendah Tarke.
To assist fill a few of Thompson’s misplaced minutes and manufacturing, Towson welcomes in a neighborhood product with the addition of IUPUI (now IU Indy) switch and Maryland native Abdou Samb.
“We can not exchange [Thompson], however I do imagine that he set a normal for these guys,” Skerry mentioned at CAA media day. “I don’t need to say this can be a player-led group since you’ve obtained to educate your guys and put them on a street map however these guys perceive about working. This has been one of the best group I’ve had so far as placing within the time exterior of observe.”
Whereas further returners like Tomiwa Sulaiman and Messiah Jones will proceed to play productive minutes, Skerry and Tejada each talked about the event of the freshman.
Notably, Caleb Embeya and Chike Ndefo (the brother of Saint Peter’s legend KC Ndefo) have impressed with early progress. Skerry spoke extremely about Embeya’s addition particularly.
Towson’s gifted returners will set the usual within the CAA this season, and if that group can keep wholesome, the Tigers have each shot to win this system’s second convention common season title underneath Skerry.
The Contenders
Charleston
Following the departure of head coach Pat Kelsey to Louisville, this program will look very completely different in the course of the 2024-25 season. Nonetheless, it felt like Charleston didn’t miss a beat this offseason.
It’s nearly as if the Cougars and the Cardinals swapped head coaches with Chris Mack taking up at Charleston following his latest stint on the helm of Louisville from 2018-2022.
Whereas Mack’s time within the high-major ranks ended abruptly, his expertise shall be invaluable, and it reveals in the best way he constructed out his preliminary Charleston roster this offseason.
He nonetheless has a pair holdovers from final season with Ante Brozovic and CJ Fulton, however Mack recruited the Switch Portal and located expertise that’ll translate to the CAA with ease.
This contains Derrin Boyd who averaged 17.6 PPG at Lipscomb, The Citadel’s main scorer in AJ Smith, 2023-24 MEAC Rookie of the Yr Deywilk Tavarez, Xavier’s Lazar Djokovic and extra.
“We’re going to look somewhat completely different [than last season],” Mack mentioned. “We actually tried to give attention to getting taking pictures at each place in order that we’re a workforce that may actually house the ground. On the similar time, we even have a entrance court docket that I believe can rival a variety of high-major entrance courts. If you herald a child like Lazar Djokovic together with the preseason Participant of the Yr in Ante, we’ve nice dimension.”
After all, it’s basically a model new look roster for Charleston, however one which maintains probably the convention’s high returner. If Mack can mesh his switch class into the fold, there’s an amazing probability the Cougars are dancing for the third straight season come March.
UNC Wilmington
Regardless of three consecutive seasons with 20+ wins together with a 2022 CAA Common-Season Championship, head coach Takayo Siddle has but to return this program to the NCAA Match.
UNC Wilmington will look a bit completely different this yr with all 4 of Siddle’s main contributors from the 2023-24 marketing campaign departing, however that doesn’t imply the Seahawks received’t contend.
Whereas there are nonetheless some returning items corresponding to Donovan Newby, Khamari McGriff and Nolan Hodge, this roster is primarily constructed across the Switch Portal. Veteran additions like Fairleigh Dickinson’s Sean Moore, Robert Morris’ Josh Corbin and Holy Cross’ Bo Montgomery will every decide up invaluable minutes in Siddle rotation.
Moreover, Milwaukee’s Elijah Jamison and Niagara’s Harlan Obioha had been strong contributors as sophomores and convey doubtlessly a number of years of eligibility to this system.
“Clearly we thought [the additions] had been gifted, and we wouldn’t have recruited them if we didn’t assume so,” Siddle mentioned. “Spending a little bit of time round them it turned extra obvious that we would have liked these guys in our program, not solely to assist a number of the youthful guys however to study from our returners as properly.”
For Siddle and his workers, the sport plan heading into the 2024-25 season is clear: fill out the roster with gifted mid-major transfers to assist alongside a number of the youthful merchandise.
The highest half of this roster is undoubtedly sturdy sufficient to compete with the likes of Towson and Charleston, and if the returners come alongside as properly, the Seahawks will cruise to a different 20+ win season.
Hofstra
Head coach Speedy Claxton shall be with out his high three contributors from this previous season, ushering in an nearly fully new look roster for Hofstra heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, Claxton has had a ton of success dipping into the Switch Portal and creating under-appreciated expertise. In simply three seasons on the helm, the Satisfaction have received three consecutive CAA Participant of the Yr awards with Aaron Estrada and Tyler Thomas, each of whom emerged from the portal.
So far as who might be Claxton’s subsequent success story, each Jaquan Sanders and Cruz Davis will deliver some high-major expertise to the backcourt arriving from Seton Corridor and St. John’s, respectively.
All-NEC freshman Carlos Lopez is an effective guess, bringing a number of years of eligibility to this system after averaging 9.2 PPG in his first season with Saint Francis (PA).
My guess could be Iona switch Jean Aranguren, a Venezuela native who averaged 8.1 PPG whereas taking pictures 48% from the sphere and primarily coming off the bench in his freshman season.
With the backcourt loaded up on developmental items, an skilled veteran in Loyola Marymount switch Michael Graham bolsters the frontcourt together with Canisius’ TJ Gadsden on the wings.
Simply weeks out from the season although, it’s a gaggle of returners that performed restricted minutes this previous season which Claxton has praised for main the expansion this offseason.
“Among the returners who noticed some restricted minutes are going to should step up and be extra constant,” Claxton mentioned. “[KiJan Robinson] goes to should take that subsequent step. [Silas Sunday] has had an amazing preseason to this point. We’re anticipating extra consistency out of [German Plotnikov]. Hopefully he will be the chief of this workforce.”
They’ll want to determine the rotation with so many new items and discover that one choice who can actually lead the offense, however there’s a ton of playmaking capacity for Claxton to work with right here.
Delaware
Forward of Delaware’s final season within the CAA earlier than a football-centric transfer to Convention USA, this system will seek for it’s second convention title of the Martin Ingelsby period.
The Blues Hens shall be with out each of final season’s main contributors in Jyare Davis and Gerald Drumgoole. Niels Lane, Cavin Reilly and Tyler Houser will all be requested to enhance.
Out of the Switch Portal emerges a category stuffed with skilled veterans together with Virginia Tech switch John Camden, Wagner’s Tahron Allen and Division-II star Erik Timko.
Trent Middleton Jr. arrives in Delaware after a powerful freshman marketing campaign with Ball State, the place he averaged 6.2 PPG and shot 43% from three.
Timko and Allen will each present dimension, scoring and athleticism within the backcourt with Middleton as extra of a developmental two-guard, and Camden’s high-major expertise bolsters the frontcourt.
“It’s a piece in progress, however I believe we’ve a variety of actually good gamers,” Ingelsby mentioned. “The good factor for us, we’ve [a few] who’ve been in this system for a pair years. They’ve executed an amazing job welcoming these new faces, main and exhibiting them how we do issues. However I believe I’ve a workforce with six or seven guys who can lead us in scoring any given night time.”
Whereas Delaware was chosen fifth within the CAA’s preseason ballot, the Blue Hens had been simply one among two applications with no Preseason All-Convention choice or Honorable Point out. It’s apparent the expertise is there, however how will it mesh collectively and who’s going to step as much as lead this program again into competition.
The Darkish Horses
Northeastern
Gone is program staple Chris Doherty after 4 seasons with this system however nonetheless, Northeastern is predicted to enhance this season behind a extra skilled returning class.
“Chris [Doherty] was an incredible younger man, and we’re going to overlook him, nevertheless it offers a chance for guys to step into management roles,” head coach Invoice Coen mentioned. “We’ve been working via that within the preseason, however its an thrilling time as a result of there’s alternatives for everyone to rise to the event and fill the void.”
Juniors Masai Troutman, Harold Woods and Rashad King are anticipated to hold the load, all of whom averaged 8.3 PPG or extra this previous season.
From the portal, Coen and his workers targeted on including some a lot wanted top and athleticism with the beforehand talked about three representing the backcourt and wings.
Youri Fritz from Canisius and Sam Thomson previously of Colgate are important additions to the frontcourt whereas 6-foot-5 Elon switch LA Pratt slots in properly with that junior group.
A number of Northeastern’s season shall be primarily based on how a lot that cohort of returning juniors grows and if the event is clear, these Huskies will show an issue in 2024-25.
William & Mary
Newly minted head coach Brian Earl brings his distinctive fashion down from Cornell to Williamsburg, Va. He has an intriguing first-year switch class.
Whereas undoubtedly there’s been an adjustment interval, in accordance with his gamers, the transition hasn’t been a difficulty with this roster able to deliver Earl’s high-flying offensive recreation plan to the CAA.
“I’ve actually loved this new fashion of play as a result of it permits for extra creativity,” senior ahead Caleb Dorsey mentioned. “It’s a fairly easy fashion of basketball, making widespread sense performs, enjoying quick and taking pictures the ball. So, I believe all people’s adapting to that properly and making an attempt to ensure we’re doing the fitting issues on the proper time.”
Although this group shall be transfer-heavy, having returners like Caleb and his brother Gabe Dorsey, together with Trey Moss and Chase Lowe, undoubtedly ease the transition.
Nonetheless, Earl’s recruitment of the portal was intentional, bringing in guys a trio of Ivy League additions who’ll every have a minimum of a primary understanding of his teaching ideology. This contains Keller Boothby, who adopted Earl after three seasons at Cornell, in addition to Princeton’s Jack Scott and Brown’s Malachi Ndur.
Returning all 4 of your main contributors from final season is one thing you don’t see from a program that finishes seventh within the CAA. If Earl can really get this workforce to undertake his distinctive fashion, the Tribe will compete for a double-bye in 2024-25.
Monmouth
The lack of Xander Rice, son of Monmouth’s head coach King Rice, will undoubtedly loom giant for the Hawks this season. You may’t exchange 20+ PPG from a veteran senior, however nonetheless Rice and his workers must attempt.
Jack Collins, Monmouth’s second main scorer from a season in the past, immediately turns into the focus for this offense whereas returning All-Defensive choice Jaret Valencia will lead the protection.
Together with Valencia, fellow sophomores corresponding to Abdi Bashir Jr. and Cornelius Robinson Jr. may start to see starters’ minutes although Monmouth invested closely within the Switch Portal.
WAC All-Freshman choice Aric Demings arrived from Utah Tech and Madison Durr joined after two seasons spent at The Citadel. Each are anticipated to bolster the backcourt.
On the inside, Monmouth added 6-foot-11 Dok Muordar (who frolicked at each USF and Cleveland State), North Texas’ Chris Morgan and Georgia Tech grad switch Jordan Meka.
“[The transfers] have been superb and are working exhausting on a regular basis,” Rice mentioned. “Typically, I’m wondering if I’m pushing for an excessive amount of however they preserve responding as a result of we’re making an attempt to be tremendous aggressive on each ends of the ground. These guys have adjusted to it, and we’re actually getting after it in observe. We just like the course it’s going to this point.”
It is a youthful Monmouth workforce with none true veterans exterior of Meka, however that doesn’t imply the Hawks don’t have the expertise with developments projected throughout the roster.
Stony Brook
Following a formidable run to the Finals on the 2024 CAA Championship from seventh seeded Stony Brook, this season’s roster will look very completely different.
Out of eligibility or coming into the portal, the Seahawks depart all 4 of final season’s main contributors in Tyler Stephenson-Moore, Aaron Clarke, Keenan Fitzmorris and Dean Noll.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there aren’t some gifted items on this yr’s roster that may assist elevate head coach Geno Ford and Co. to a different upset latent season inside the CAA.
Joe Octave arrives from Holy Cross and is predicted to steer the offense, whereas Ben Wight spent this previous season at Toledo however brings some in-conference expertise after beginning his profession at William & Mary.
Moreover, the Seawolves added one of many nation’s high JUCO courses with a pair of top-100 recruits in CJ Luster II and Nick Woodard. Additionally they added Jeremiah Nyarko, a one-time Arizona State commit who’s impressed together with his early improvement.
Although Stony Brook will return contributors like Andre Snoddy, Jared Frey and Toby Onyekonwu, Ford and his workers understand it’ll be all in regards to the enchancment from the switch class.
“We want all of these new guys,” Ford mentioned. “We misplaced a variety of factors, rebounds and assists, however you may’t win with intangibles. Anyone has to place the ball within the basket, get a rebound in visitors, make an help so these are the issues I believe are key. I actually really feel these new guys may give us some firepower.”
The Relaxation
North Carolina A&T
Behind returning All-CAA Preseason First Group choice Landon Glasper, North Carolina A&T is sure to see enhancements on Monté Ross’ 7-25 document in his first season as head coach.
To keep away from consecutive Twelfth-place finishes, Ross constructed on his returning core with a pair of excessive upside additions like Maryland’s Jahnathan Lamothe and injury-plagued Northwestern State freshman Ryan Forrest.
Nonetheless, as Ross rightfully factors out, any improvement from the Aggies this season shall be due to the inspiration that returners like Glasper, Camian Shell and Jalal McKie are constructing.
“We did have a lot of returners that I believe helps us [because] they know what we need to do and the way we go about our enterprise,” Ross mentioned. “It’s additionally us figuring out them as properly, it goes each methods as a result of we all know their tendencies and issues they’re sturdy at however we all know their weak spot as properly.”
With a returning core main this program in the fitting course, its straightforward to see North Carolina A&T bettering on seven wins in Ross’ second season down in Greensboro, N.C.
Drexel
On the heels of a 20-win season and subsequent second-place end within the CAA, Drexel head coach Zach Spiker loses all 5 of his main contributors headlined by Amari Williams transferring to Kentucky.
Even with an early harm to a projected starter in Garfield Turner, Spiker is optimistic about what this program can obtain a yr faraway from essentially the most profitable marketing campaign of his tenure.
“We’ve obtained a plan on what we’re making an attempt to do and as we add new names, personalities and items to the puzzle we need to make sure that they perceive what’s made us profitable,” Spiker mentioned. “We’re going to should study on the fly somewhat bit, however I’m actually excited in regards to the promise of this season.”
With a youthful roster and offseason additions primarily constant of JUCO recruits corresponding to Victor Panov and Deuce Jones, it’s trying extra like a developmental season for the Dragons.
Elon
After managing simply eight wins in his first season as head coach earlier than bettering to 13 in his second on the helm, Elon’s Billy Taylor has proven regular progress in his quick tenure as head coach.
Nonetheless, heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign, that progress is threatened with a pair of key losses on the roster and a scarcity of recent additions to fill in a number of the misplaced manufacturing.
TK Simpson is again for his second straight season with the Phoenix, and he’ll have a brand new thrilling frontcourt piece to work with in Division-II switch Matt Van Komen. Whereas he spent this previous season at Hawaii Pacific battling accidents, the 7-foot-4 Van Komen brings some high-level expertise with stints at Utah and Saint Mary’s to various levels of success.
He might be an actual dominant drive within the CAA this season if wholesome, however in accordance with Taylor this program might want to see some maturation from a protracted checklist of inexperienced returners.
“We weren’t hit as exhausting as another applications when it comes to the Switch Portal [and look] to develop out program via the four-year mannequin,” Taylor mentioned. “So, we’re excited in regards to the guys we’ve returning [in Simpkins, Sam Sherry,] Nick Dorn as properly coming off CAA All-Rookie. We predict we’ve a chance to have a particular group.”
Campbell
The Switch Portal took a big toll on Campbell this offseason with the departure of this system’s two main scorers in Anthony Dell’Orso and Laurynas Vaistaras out the door after.
Nonetheless, heading into the Combating Camels second season of CAA competition, head coach Kevin McGeehan feels he has a a lot better understanding of the convention’s general strengths.
“Any time you’re becoming a member of a brand new convention there’s a variety of adjustment,” McGeehan mentioned. “One distinction we noticed from the Massive South to the CAA was simply the physicality and athleticism is greater. In a 14-team league, all people has depth of expertise, athleticism and physicality, and I believe we adjusted to a variety of that this offseason.”
All that studying reveals in the best way McGeehan and his workers constructed out the roster this offseason behind some key returning contributors corresponding to Jasin Sinani and Elijah Walsh.
Within the backcourt, the Camels added such a lot wanted dimension and scoring with a duo of 6-foot-5 guards in Penn State’s Bragi Gudmundsson and Saint Francis’ Cam Gregory.
Within the frontcourt, we’ll see new additions like, 6-foot-9 Eric Van Der Heijden, 6-foot-9 Israel Yaw, 6-foot-8 Terren Frank and 6-foot-8 Division-II switch Caleb Zurliene, one of many nation’s main shot blockers.
If all of the items come along with some improvement from the returners, it’s troublesome to see Campbell ending within the backside two of the CAA’s standings this season.
Hampton
Beneath first-year head coach Ivan Thomas, many have labeled this a rebuilding season for Hampton, however that doesn’t imply the Pirates can’t trigger some upsets within the CAA.
Whereas this roster will look very completely different from final yr’s, returning to steer this rebuild is All-CAA Preseason First Group choice Kyrese Mullen, who averaged 14.8 PPG this previous season regardless of Hampton’s struggles.
Nonetheless, the portal will play an integral function in filling out Thomas’ first roster as head coach. West Virginia graduate Noah Farrakhan highlights the brand new additions.
Mullen was chosen to the Preseason All-Convention First Group. Whereas Hampton was picked to complete final within the standings, Thomas isn’t putting an excessive amount of inventory in any preseason plaudits.
“It’s a testomony to what [Mullen] has executed previously, however I all the time say the pre is the pre,” Thomas mentioned. “You need to have your identify referred to as in that postseason. It means you really did what they predicted you to do. It a kudos to him for the work he’s put in previous to this yr, however we’re trying ahead to extra and higher from [Mullen].”
