Season in Review
I hope you like offense, as the Colonial figures to put up a lot of points in this tournament. The conference was dominated by Hoftsra this season, who won 15 straight at one point this year on their way to a 15-3 conference record. There are plenty of other good teams in this tournament, however. Northeastern, the two seed, missed star point guard Vasa Pusica earlier in the year, but still managed to go 14-4 in the conference and played much better recently. Charleston is the reigning tournament champion and will have the advantage of the tournament being played in their home town. They also have two of the best players in the conference with Grant Riller and Jarrell Brantley, so they are definitely a threat. All of them are in the top 100 of adjusted offensive efficiency, and they can each pop off for big games on that end. It could come down to who can score the most, and the games should be a lot of fun.
Bracket
Contenders
Hofstra (25-6, 15-3)
The Pride had a great season as I mentioned earlier. They rolled through the CAA and went on a 15 game winning streak, including their first nine conference games. They are led by Justin Wright-Foreman, one of the best scorers in America. He is second in the country with 26.8 points per game, and scores with incredible efficiency. He makes 52.1% of his shots from the field, which is nearly unheard of for a guard who is shooting as much as he does. They also have some great role plays like Eli Pemberton and Desure Blue. They have one of the best offenses in the entire country, ranking thirteenth in the nation I adjusted offensive efficiency, and they do everything you'd want on that end. They don't turn it over, draw fouls, shoot it well inside and out, and play quickly. They have a great offense and I expect them to do very well in the tournament.
Northeastern (20-10, 14-4)
The Huskies came oh so close to going dancing last season, holding a 17 point lead in the conference championship game before choking down the stretch and losing to Charleston in overtime. This season was just as successful for Northeastern. They've been hit with multiple injuries to key players, including Sean Occeus, Tomas Murphy, and Vasa Pusica. Vasa is back and healthy, which is big for the Huskies, as the point guard is key to the Huskies offense. Speaking of which, very few teams share the ball as well as any team in the nation, and they hunt for the best shot. They average 14 assists per game as a team, and their offense will make basketball purists smile. They also have the best defense in conference play, while also having the second best offense. In a league with many weak defensive teams, that could be the advantage they need to win the tournament.
Charleston (23-8, 12-6)
As I mentioned earlier, the Cougars will be playing at home, where they are 13-2 this season. They have a very good duo in Riller and Brantley, who combine to average 41.8 points a game. Additionally, they are top three in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and are very good at forcing turnovers on the defensive end. While they aren't a prolific shooting team, they take care of the ball and are excellent around the rim, and play good defense. Their home court advantage and star duo should give them as good a shot as anyone of leaving Charleston with the tournament crown and a second straight trip to March.
Sleeper Team
James Madison (13-18, 6-12)
I needed to give the Dukes some love since they are the team of loyal blog reader and my good friend AJ. While they didn't have the best season, JMU has proven they can play with the big boys. They beat Radford, one of the top teams in the Big South, as well as Charleston and Hofstra this season. The health of Darius Banks is a big key, as the sophomore missed their last game, but is shooting 49.2% from three, seventh best in the nation. They are making 36.2% of their threes on the season, and if they catch a team at the right time, they could knock them off.
Players to Watch
Justin Wright-Foreman
Stats: 26.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 52.1/44.3/85.8
As I mentioned earlier, Wright-Foreman is the second leading scorer in the entire country, only trailing Chris Clemons in that regard. He has been ridiculously efficient, making over half his shots from the field and 44.3% of his attempts from behind the arc. The senior can beat pretty much anyone off the dribble and go right to the basket. He has put on some impressive performance in big games, like a 42 point outing during a 3 point victory over Northeastern. He also poured in 48 against William & Mary, and that was the start of a red hot streak. Starting with that game, he has averaged 32.7 points over the last seven contests. When you have this sort of elite level scorer, he can lead the Pride to a tournament victory.
Vasa Pusica
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 50/38.2/83.6
The Serbian transfer from San Diego has been excellent since arriving in Boston. Despite missing games this season, he has been a leader on and off the court for the Huskies. He shoots it very well from three all while creating for him teammates, top five in the conference in both points and assists. He really gives the offense that "it" factor, since he is a player defenses really pay a lot of attention to and gets his other talented teammates open shots. He's averaging 21.2 over his last five games, so he is hot and ready to go off in the tournament.
Grant Riller
Stats: 22.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0 BPG, 53.9/34.6/81.1
Riller and teammate Jarrell Brantley are both very good players, but it is Riller that is second in the conference in scoring and is more explosive. He is one of the best finishers at the rim I've seen, with a soft touch and a great understanding of angles that allows him to convert at the rim. He also can shoot from deep and make plays for others, as he is sixth in the conference in assists. He is able to go off, like he did with a 43/6/4 performance against Hoftstra, and he comes into the tournament averaging 27.6 over his last five games. Look for him to have some big performances in his home town.
Nathan Knight
Stats: 21 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 58.5/24.3/72.9
The lone big man to watch, Knight is part of an excellent front court with Justin Pierce for the Tribe. He is third in the conference in scoring and rebounds, and is very good on the defensive end of the floor, leading the CAA in blocks. He is the definition of an impact player, and given how guard centric the league is, Knight is difficult to guard for every team. Like seemingly all the other guys, he's hot coming into the tournament, scoring 28.3 points over his last six games, along with 9 rebounds. He could take over a game and lead William & Mary to the conference tournament title.
My All Conference Teams
First Team
G: Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra
G: Vasa Pusicsa, Northeastern
G: Grant Riller, Charleston
F: Nathan Knight, William & Mary
F: Jarrell Brantley, Charleston
Second Team
G: Brian Fobbs, Towson
G: Eli Pemberton, Hofstra
G: Ryan Allen, Delaware
F: Justin Pierce, William & Mary
F: Devontae Cook, UNC Wilmington
My Pick: Northeastern over William & Mary
I think Hofstra peaked too early, and despite Justin Wright-Foreman being good, Nathan Knight and Justin Pierce will prove to be deadly as the Tribe knock off the Pride. However, Northeastern's defense should be able to carry them through the tournament and into March, along with a big performance or two from Vasa Pusica and the rest of the Huskies. They have three of the team best three point shooters in the conference, so their combination of good defense with knockdown shooting should be more than enough to take them through the tournament.
I hope you like offense, as the Colonial figures to put up a lot of points in this tournament. The conference was dominated by Hoftsra this season, who won 15 straight at one point this year on their way to a 15-3 conference record. There are plenty of other good teams in this tournament, however. Northeastern, the two seed, missed star point guard Vasa Pusica earlier in the year, but still managed to go 14-4 in the conference and played much better recently. Charleston is the reigning tournament champion and will have the advantage of the tournament being played in their home town. They also have two of the best players in the conference with Grant Riller and Jarrell Brantley, so they are definitely a threat. All of them are in the top 100 of adjusted offensive efficiency, and they can each pop off for big games on that end. It could come down to who can score the most, and the games should be a lot of fun.
Bracket
Contenders
Hofstra (25-6, 15-3)
The Pride had a great season as I mentioned earlier. They rolled through the CAA and went on a 15 game winning streak, including their first nine conference games. They are led by Justin Wright-Foreman, one of the best scorers in America. He is second in the country with 26.8 points per game, and scores with incredible efficiency. He makes 52.1% of his shots from the field, which is nearly unheard of for a guard who is shooting as much as he does. They also have some great role plays like Eli Pemberton and Desure Blue. They have one of the best offenses in the entire country, ranking thirteenth in the nation I adjusted offensive efficiency, and they do everything you'd want on that end. They don't turn it over, draw fouls, shoot it well inside and out, and play quickly. They have a great offense and I expect them to do very well in the tournament.
Northeastern (20-10, 14-4)
The Huskies came oh so close to going dancing last season, holding a 17 point lead in the conference championship game before choking down the stretch and losing to Charleston in overtime. This season was just as successful for Northeastern. They've been hit with multiple injuries to key players, including Sean Occeus, Tomas Murphy, and Vasa Pusica. Vasa is back and healthy, which is big for the Huskies, as the point guard is key to the Huskies offense. Speaking of which, very few teams share the ball as well as any team in the nation, and they hunt for the best shot. They average 14 assists per game as a team, and their offense will make basketball purists smile. They also have the best defense in conference play, while also having the second best offense. In a league with many weak defensive teams, that could be the advantage they need to win the tournament.
Charleston (23-8, 12-6)
As I mentioned earlier, the Cougars will be playing at home, where they are 13-2 this season. They have a very good duo in Riller and Brantley, who combine to average 41.8 points a game. Additionally, they are top three in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and are very good at forcing turnovers on the defensive end. While they aren't a prolific shooting team, they take care of the ball and are excellent around the rim, and play good defense. Their home court advantage and star duo should give them as good a shot as anyone of leaving Charleston with the tournament crown and a second straight trip to March.
Sleeper Team
James Madison (13-18, 6-12)
I needed to give the Dukes some love since they are the team of loyal blog reader and my good friend AJ. While they didn't have the best season, JMU has proven they can play with the big boys. They beat Radford, one of the top teams in the Big South, as well as Charleston and Hofstra this season. The health of Darius Banks is a big key, as the sophomore missed their last game, but is shooting 49.2% from three, seventh best in the nation. They are making 36.2% of their threes on the season, and if they catch a team at the right time, they could knock them off.
Players to Watch
Justin Wright-Foreman
Stats: 26.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 52.1/44.3/85.8
As I mentioned earlier, Wright-Foreman is the second leading scorer in the entire country, only trailing Chris Clemons in that regard. He has been ridiculously efficient, making over half his shots from the field and 44.3% of his attempts from behind the arc. The senior can beat pretty much anyone off the dribble and go right to the basket. He has put on some impressive performance in big games, like a 42 point outing during a 3 point victory over Northeastern. He also poured in 48 against William & Mary, and that was the start of a red hot streak. Starting with that game, he has averaged 32.7 points over the last seven contests. When you have this sort of elite level scorer, he can lead the Pride to a tournament victory.
Vasa Pusica
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 50/38.2/83.6
The Serbian transfer from San Diego has been excellent since arriving in Boston. Despite missing games this season, he has been a leader on and off the court for the Huskies. He shoots it very well from three all while creating for him teammates, top five in the conference in both points and assists. He really gives the offense that "it" factor, since he is a player defenses really pay a lot of attention to and gets his other talented teammates open shots. He's averaging 21.2 over his last five games, so he is hot and ready to go off in the tournament.
Stats: 22.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0 BPG, 53.9/34.6/81.1
Riller and teammate Jarrell Brantley are both very good players, but it is Riller that is second in the conference in scoring and is more explosive. He is one of the best finishers at the rim I've seen, with a soft touch and a great understanding of angles that allows him to convert at the rim. He also can shoot from deep and make plays for others, as he is sixth in the conference in assists. He is able to go off, like he did with a 43/6/4 performance against Hoftstra, and he comes into the tournament averaging 27.6 over his last five games. Look for him to have some big performances in his home town.
Stats: 21 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 58.5/24.3/72.9
The lone big man to watch, Knight is part of an excellent front court with Justin Pierce for the Tribe. He is third in the conference in scoring and rebounds, and is very good on the defensive end of the floor, leading the CAA in blocks. He is the definition of an impact player, and given how guard centric the league is, Knight is difficult to guard for every team. Like seemingly all the other guys, he's hot coming into the tournament, scoring 28.3 points over his last six games, along with 9 rebounds. He could take over a game and lead William & Mary to the conference tournament title.
My All Conference Teams
First Team
G: Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra
G: Vasa Pusicsa, Northeastern
G: Grant Riller, Charleston
F: Nathan Knight, William & Mary
F: Jarrell Brantley, Charleston
Second Team
G: Brian Fobbs, Towson
G: Eli Pemberton, Hofstra
G: Ryan Allen, Delaware
F: Justin Pierce, William & Mary
F: Devontae Cook, UNC Wilmington
My Pick: Northeastern over William & Mary
I think Hofstra peaked too early, and despite Justin Wright-Foreman being good, Nathan Knight and Justin Pierce will prove to be deadly as the Tribe knock off the Pride. However, Northeastern's defense should be able to carry them through the tournament and into March, along with a big performance or two from Vasa Pusica and the rest of the Huskies. They have three of the team best three point shooters in the conference, so their combination of good defense with knockdown shooting should be more than enough to take them through the tournament.
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