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Nuts & Bolts
Dates: March 8-12
Venue: Entertainment and Sports Arena - Washington, D.C.
How to Watch: CBS Sports Network / FloSports
Bracket: Available HERE
Final League Standings: HERE
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House of College Hoops: https://twitter.com/CollegeHoopsHE
Trevor Everette: https://twitter.com/TrevorEverette
Zach Penrice - DMV Sports: https://twitter.com/Zach_DMVSports
The Coastal Athletic Association Conference Tournament gets started on Friday, as 14 teams prepare to make a run to the NCAA Tournament while only one will get to live out that dream.
In this article, Trevor Everette and Zach Penrice take a quick look at each team in the order in which they finished in the regular season standings, what to watch for, what to know, and how they might fare this week in D.C.
Make sure to follow House of College Hoops on Twitter to follow along all week. Trevor will be at the arena live on Saturday/Sunday and Zach will be there live on Monday/Tuesday for the semifinals and the final.
Head Coach: Pat Kelsey (3rd season, 72-26 record)
Record: 24-7 (15-3)
Last 10: 9-1
NET: 101
KenPom: 104
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 6 (1-6)
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2023
Player to Watch: Ante Brzovic
One Stat to Know: 46th in the country in Kenpom Adj Tempo (70.7) and 1st in CAA (68.9)
Next Game: 03/10 at Noon EST, Quarterfinal vs. TBD (Winner of Campbell vs. Monmouth)
This makes two straight seasons of dominance for Pat Kelsey and the Cougars. They won thirty-one games last season and were the CAA automatic qualifier, earning them a twelve seed in the NCAA Tournament.
This year's team led by Ante Brzovic and an incredible rotation of guards, excels when it can play quickly and generate offense in transition. They win with offense and just when you think you have them figured out, they have guys like Reyne Smith, Ben Burnham, and Frankie Policelli who can take over a game.
The key to stopping this team is shutting down the three-pointer but that is easier said than done. The CAA title goes through Charleston but it's not set in stone because of how incredibly talented this league is.
Head Coach: Zach Spiker (8th season, 113-129 record at Drexel)
Record: 20-11 (13-5 in CAA)
Last 10: 6-4
NET: 122
KenPom: 124
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 5
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2021
Player to Watch: Amari Williams
One Stat to Know: Amari Williams is the CAA Defensive Player of the Year
NEXT GAME: 3/10 quarterfinals vs. TBD
The Drexel Dragons have improved from last season to this year, finishing 2nd in the CAA in 2023-24, by playing significantly improved defense.
The Dragons were 2nd in the conference in points allowed per game (65.8), which is 29th nationally, while 8th in the conference in scoring offense.
Entering the conference tournament, Drexel has won five of six games, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of Amari Williams.
The 6’10” Forward out of England, Williams is now the back-to-back-to-back CAA Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12.3 PPG, nearly 8 RPG, and blocking almost 2 shots per game.
Head Coach Zach Spiker is now in his 8th season at the helm and has put together Drexel’s fourth straight winning season and its best year since 2011-12 when it won 29 games.
Before its first winning season under Spiker in 2021, the program had suffered through six consecutive losing campaigns.
Now, it’s on Spiker to get his team back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 and win a game in the Big Dance for the first time since 1996.
Head Coach: Speedy Claxton (3rd season, 65-33 record)
Record: 19-12 (12-6)
Last 10: 8-2
NET: 113
KenPom: 120
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4 (0-4)
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2001
Player to Watch: Tyler Thomas
One Stat to Know: Tyler Thomas led Hofstra in scoring with 22.3 points per game, which is good for 3rd in the country.
Next Game: 03/10 at 8:30 p.m. EST, Quarterfinal vs. TBD
The Pride of Hofstra battled adversity this year that ultimately helped them out down the stretch in CAA. They started conference play by going 1-3 in their first four games. Since then, Coach Claxton has led his squad to just three losses in their last fourteen games.
Certainly, Hofstra is playing its best basketball as of late and is led by its leading scorer, Tyler Thomas. Thomas can take over a game and has a talented group around him. The one knock I have on Hofstra is their lack of ability to get to the free-throw line. They are dead last in the country in percentage of points coming from the free throw line (12.9%) and second to last in free throw rate (21.9).
In a tight game in the second half, I worry they can’t create enough rim pressure to put them on the line and help generate points.
Head Coach: Takayo Siddle (4th season, 79-38 record at UNC Wilmington)
Record: 21-9 (12-6 in CAA)
Last 10: 7-3
NET: 113
KenPom: 114
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 6
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2017
Player to Watch: Trazarien White
One Stat to Know: Shykeim Phillips is 3rd in nation in assist/turnover ratio (3.9) and 1st in CAA in steals per game (1.83)
NEXT GAME: 3/10 Quarterfinal vs. TBD
UNCW Head Coach Takayo Siddle has been a tremendous hire for the program.
Since inheriting a program that had endured three straight losing seasons after back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, Siddle has put together three consecutive 20+ win seasons after a 7-10 overall record during the COVID year.
This season, his Seahawks finished 4th in CAA, equaling last year’s 12-6 conference record. However, the team enters the tournament having lost three of its last five games after a tremendous streak of 10 wins in 11 games earlier this season.
The Seahawks have gotten to this point largely due to a potent offense. UNCW ranks 2nd in the conference in points per game (80.2) and has the top scoring margin in the league (9), while also being the best free throw shooting team in the league (76%).
Junior Forward Trazarien White is 4th in the conference in scoring (19.6 PPG) to lead the way for the Seahawks, while Senior Guard Shykeim Phillips has one of the best assist/turnover ratios in the conference and leads the conference in steals.
The Seahawks can score, make free throws, and take care of the ball exceedingly well. It’s a strong recipe for Coach Siddle’s team and one that could finally get them over the hump and back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Head Coach: Pat Skerry (13th season, 211-198 record)
Record: 18-13 (11-7)
Last 10: 5-5
NET: 156
KenPom: 159
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (0-2)
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1991
Player to Watch: Tyler Tejada
One Stat to Know: 3rd in the country in offensive rebounds per game (14.9)
Next Game: 03/09 at 2:30 p.m. EST, Second Round vs. TBD (Winner of North Carolina A&T vs. William & Mary)
Towson started the season playing four of their first six games against Kenpom's top eighty or better teams, including three of those against Houston (1), Wake Forest (21), and North Texas (80) at the Charleston Classic.
This team is led by the awesome trio of Charles Thompson, Christian May, and Tyler Tejada. Where you will feel the impact Towson has on a game the most is on the offensive glass. Charles Thompson and Messiah Jones are the two top offensive rebounders on the team and are a large part of why Towson is 2nd in the country in offensive rebounding percentage (40.6%). This allows the Tigers to generate offense when their shot-making guards aren’t having an efficient shooting day.
A tough team that likes to grind it out in low-scoring battles and can give the CAA tournament field some trouble.
Head Coach: Martin Ingelsby (8th season, 130-116 record at Delaware)
Record: 18-13 (10-8 in CAA)
Last 10: 6-4
NET: 164
KenPom: 170
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 6
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2022
Player to Watch: Jyare Davis
One Stat to Know: Won the 2022 CAA Tournament
NEXT GAME: 3/9 second round vs. TBD
Delaware won the CAA Tournament just two years ago before bowing out in last year’s quarterfinal against Towson.
Now, the Blue Hens look to advance back to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in ten years, and the second time under Head Coach Martin Inglesby.
Delaware has had an up-and-down season, largely winning and losing the games it should. In CAA play, the Blue Hens went 10-8, two games better than last season. However, only one of those ten wins came against a team that finished in the five spots above them in the standings (74-62 win @ Towson), going 1-6 against the top five teams in the conference.
For Delaware to get back to the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need to change that narrative. The Blue Hens shoot an efficient 47% from the field as a team, the 2nd best mark in the league. Where they struggle is at the free throw line, shooting just over 70% as a team, which is second-worst in the conference.
Throughout the year, the Blue Hens have been the epitome of average to slightly above average in the league.
For Delaware to surge for a conference tournament title, senior forward Jyare Davis is going to have to have a monster weekend. He averages 17.5 PPG and nearly 8 RPG, but those numbers will only have to increase for his team to get back into the Big Dance.
Head Coach: Geno Ford (5th season, 75-76 record)
Record: 17-14 (10-8)
Last 10: 6-4
NET: 193
KenPom: 184
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (0-1)
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2016
Player to Watch: Tyler Stephenson-Moore
One Stat to Know: 14th in the country in BLK% (6.5) and 1st in CAA (6.0)
Next Game: 03/09 at 6 p.m. EST, Second Round vs. Northeastern
The CAA is chock-full of teams with uber-talented guard play. Stony Brook is no exception to that. They are led by a three-headed monster of Tyler Stephenson-Moore, Aaron Clarke, and Dean Noll.
The Seawolves play a balanced style of offense that has the personnel to adapt to the type of defense the opponent is playing. The player that changes the game for them on both ends is big man Keenan Fitzmorris. He is an effective shot blocker who affects attackers at the rim even if he can’t get the block. At 7’0” and 250 pounds, he uses his size to get high-percentage shots near the rim and control the glass.
A team that can catch someone off guard and has a talented guard group to make a run.
Head Coach: King Rice (13th season, 206-207 record at Monmouth)
Record: 17-14 (10-8 in CAA)
Last 10: 6-4
NET: 191
KenPom: 196
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2006
Player to Watch: Xander Rice
One Stat to Know: #1 team in CAA in steals (7.2 SPG)
NEXT GAME: 3/9 second round vs. Campbell
The team that finished dead last in the conference last year, Monmouth has emerged as a significantly improved team in 2023-24.
Last season, in the school’s first year in the CAA, Monmouth started the year 1-20, eventually finishing 7-26 overall and 5-13 in the league, good for a last place finish in the standings.
This year, 13-year Head Coach King Rice led his team to a 17-14 regular season campaign and a 10-8 record in the conference.
The significantly improved Hawks shoot the three well, are smart defensively, and take good care of the basketball while forcing copious turnovers, ranking 2nd in the league in turnover margin and 1st in the league in forced steals.
Although Rice has been with the program for 13 years, he has never taken it to the NCAA Tournament.
Monmouth has not made the Big Dance since 2006, and have suffered through multiple close shaves in trying to get back, but have failed to do so.
Of all the teams in D.C. this week, the turnaround from last year to this year if the Hawks win this tournament would be one of the biggest stories across March Madness.
Head Coach: Kevin McGeehan (11th season, 169-181 record)
Record: 14-17 (8-10)
Last 10: 4-6
NET: 297
KenPom: 303
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (0-1)
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1992
Player to Watch: Anthony Dell’Orso
One Stat to Know: 12th in the country in Defensive Free Throw Rate (24.0) and 1st in CAA (22.5)
Next Game: 03/09 at Noon EST, Second Round vs. Monmouth
Campbell is a team that the national audience watching this tournament may be unfamiliar with as this is their first year in the CAA after spending twelve years in the Big South.
Their star player to watch out for is Anthony Dell’Orso is a dynamic scoring guard with great size at 6’6” and 190 pounds. Dell’Orso has averaged 21.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field, 41.3% from three, and 80.9% from the free throw line. He leads the Fighting Camels in all of those major statistical categories except assists.
A player who has been the Camel's x-factor in conference play is Jasin Sinani. His defensive ability combined with the shot-making and passing on offense make him someone the Camels will rely on if they want to win some games in this tournament.
Their path won’t be easy as they play a rematch with Monmouth, who beat them on a ridiculous buzzer-beater by Xander Rice, and Charleston, who dominated them in both matchups. Certainly an uphill battle.
Head Coach: Bill Coen (18th season, 282-283 record at Northeastern)
Record: 12-19 (7-11 in CAA)
Last 10: 4-6
NET: 244
KenPom: 247
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 9
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019
Player to Watch: Chris Doherty
One Stat to Know: Has seven different players that average at least 7.8 PPG
NEXT GAME: 3/9 second round vs. Stony Brook
Since Head Coach Bill Coen last took the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, Northeastern has suffered through one season that ended in a pandemic and four more that ended with a record below .500.
In fact, this season, Northeastern won the most games as a program since 2019-20, finishing 12-19 overall and 7-11 in the conference.
Despite the tough season, the Huskies have emerged as one of the more well-rounded teams offensively in the CAA.
Northeastern has had seven unique leading scorers in games this year and all seven of those players average at least 7.8 PPG and play at least 23 minutes per game.
They have a good starting lineup, and they have good depth, which is the recipe for winning this time of year.
It’s a tall task, but it’s March Madness. Can Northeastern put together its best week of basketball and make its first tournament since 2019?
Head Coach: Billy Taylor (2nd season, 21-42 record)
Record: 13-18 (6-12)
Last 10: 4-6
NET: 309
KenPom: 317
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: N/A
Player to Watch: Max Mackinnon
One Stat to Know: 37.3% of Elon’s points are scored from three, which ranks 31st nationally and 3rd in CAA (38.8%)
Next Game: 03/08 at 4:30 p.m. EST, First Round vs. Hampton
Elon’s success this season has come from playing zone and hitting threes. The Phoenix features a roster with six players who are averaging greater than 35% from three-point range with a minimum of thirty attempts on the season.
The guy that can take control of a game for Elon is Zac Ervin. Ervin fills his role with efficient shooting and solid defense in the Elon zone. They have beaten some of the top teams in the CAA this year with wins over UNCW and Delaware so if they can control the game early and disrupt their opponent's offense with their zone, they have upset potential.
Head Coach: Monte Ross (1st season, 7-24 record at N.C. A&T)
Record: 7-24 (5-13 in CAA)
Last 10: 1-9
NET: 338
KenPom: 343
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2013
Player to Watch: Landon Glasper
One Stat to Know: Landon Glasper is the 17th in the nation in scoring
NEXT GAME: 3/8 first round vs. William & Mary
It has been far from a smooth transition for North Carolina A&T coming into the CAA from the Big South and the MEAC.
The Aggies went 8-10 in the conference last year and finished 13-19 overall, while falling in its first CAA tournament game to Stony Brook.
This year, things have gotten worse; the team finished a league-worst 7-24 overall and 5-13 in the conference, good for a 12th place finish.
To start the season, A&T lost nine straight games and entered conference play with a 2-11 record.
Entering the CAA Tournament, the Aggies have again lost nine straight games, last winning a game on February 1 against last place Hampton.
For Head Coach Monte Ross, he’ll look to the player he’s looked to all season in order to try and pull off the unthinkable and win the tournament: Landon Glasper.
The 6’2” sophomore guard is averaging nearly 21 PPG, good for 2nd best in the conference and 17th in the nation.
For North Carolina A&T to make any sort of noise in D.C, it’ll most assuredly start and finish with Glasper. With a prolific scorer like him on your side, anything is possible this time of year.
Head Coach: Dane Fischer (5th season, 55-90 record)
Record: 9-22 (4-14)
Last 10: 1-9
NET: 325
KenPom: 323
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: N/A
Player to Watch: Gabe Dorsey
One Stat to Know: 19th in the country in three-point attempts per game (27.5)
Next Game: 03/08 at 2 p.m. EST, First Round vs. North Carolina A&T
This year was not what head coach Dane Fischer and company were hoping for in the win column after returning 49.6% of their minutes and 46.2% of their scoring from last season.
With three double-digit scorers on the year, the Tribe had some talent to pick up some quality wins in CAA play. However, their only wins have come against the 10th (Northeastern), 11th (Elon), and 14th (Hampton twice) best teams in the conference. The Tribe aren’t great on defense so controlling the pace on offense is key to this team's success.
If they are going to make any noise in this tournament, Chase Lowe, who leads the Tribe in rebounding and assists, is going to have to play a vital role on the offensive end of the floor.
Head Coach: Edward Joyner (15th season, 221-256 record at Hampton)
Record: 8-23 (3-15 in CAA) Last 10: 4-6
NET: 335
KenPom: 336
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 6
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2016
Player to Watch: Kyrese Mullen
One Stat to Know: Ja’Von Benson had 7 blocks in a game this year
NEXT GAME: 3/8 first round vs. Elon
The Hampton Pirates have not won ten or more games in each of the past three seasons, last finishing above .500 in 2019.
Since Edward Joyner became head coach before the start of the 2009-10 season, Hampton has gone to three NCAA Tournaments, including back-to-back appearances in 2015 and 2016.
Since then, however, the Pirates have put together just two winning seasons in eight years, with the latest season finishing in dead last in the CAA with a 3-15 conference record.
From mid December until early February, Hampton lost 13 games in a row. Since, it has won four of nine entering the CAA Tournament.
Although it’s not at the standard of many other teams in the league, Hampton is currently playing its best basketball of the season.
Regardless of where a team lies in the standings, once it’s March and you’re playing your best ball, all bets are off.
Predictions
Sleeper Pick
Trevor: Elon Phoenix
My sleeper for this year's CAA tournament is Elon. Their unique style of play, as mentioned above, when executed properly is a combination that can put them in a strong position to win games deep into this tournament. Their path to a potential semifinal appearance will feature some familiar foes that they have already defeated this year. Three of their six conference wins this year came against the three teams in their path in this tournament, Hampton, Delaware, and UNCW. Max Mackinnon is a heck of a player and is capable of putting this team on his back and potentially carrying them deep into this tournament.
Zach: Monmouth Hawks
My sleeper for this year's CAA tournament is Monmouth. Why? They have Xander Rice.
Tournament Champion
Trevor: UNCW Seahawks
If you believe in UNCW like I do, you believe they have four attributes that can win tournament games. Those four things are having the best player on the floor in a game (Trazarien White), a balanced offense, an incredible rotation of experienced guards, and a great coach. Not to mention their incredible free throw stats and lack of turnovers. However, if you are picking against them, it's likely due to their recent slump to end the year so momentum is not on their side. They lost three of the last five games to end the season versus Elon, Campbell, and Hofstra. This is a battled-tested team that has been through adversity. They lost to Charleston three times last year including in the CAA championship game. This year they have won in big spots including at Kentucky and sweeping Charleston in the regular season. This is the year head coach Takayo Siddle and his team get over the hump and earn the automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament from the CAA.
Zach: Hofstra Pride
Hofstra has Tyler Thomas, the #3 scorer in the country, and they should have been the team to get it done last year. Well, in 2024, Speedy Claxton is going to get the Pride back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.
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