Spring Break
CAA teams prepare for conference tournament in Va.
By: Dan Crain
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: Sports
Originally published: 3/3/05 at 10:34 PM EST
Last update: 3/3/05 at 10:37 PM EST
Originally published: 3/3/05 at 10:34 PM EST
Last update: 3/3/05 at 10:37 PM EST
Coaching: B+
Team MVP: Nick George
Player to Watch: Jesse Pellot-Rosa
The Rams are the CAA's defending champions, and have managed to stay near the top of the pack all season despite losing the 2003-2004 CAA Player of the Year, Dom Jones, and their only true center, Troy Godwin, to graduation.
It's tough to single out any player on this year's team since they are probably the most balanced team in the CAA. It has become impossible to not mention the performance of Nick George however, the rising star junior who won the CAA scoring title this year averaging 18.3 points per game. He's assisted by a solid team all around including Pellot-Rosa, a walk on last year who plays with as much intensity at both ends of the floor as anyone could ask for. Odd fact: In the last 3 years, neither team has beaten the other on their home court. There have been six consecutive road wins in Drexel/VCU matchups. With the tournament hosted in their hometown, the fans will be on their side, and they'll be a tough team to beat. If Drexel plays them, it will be in the Finals Monday night on ESPN.
North Caolina-Wilmington
CAA Record (13-5)
Frontcourt: C+
Backcourt: A-
Coaching: A
Team MVP: John Goldsberry
Player to Watch: John Goldsberry
If there was any other team award to give, that would also go to John Goldsberry. He's complemented by sharpshooter Halston Lane and senior forward Aaron Coombs (who put up a career high 22 on Drexel in their meeting in Wilmington). In 8 career games against DU, Goldsberry has shot an amazing 56% from the field, and 57% from 3 point range, while averaging 4.6 assists per game. To put that in context, those percentages would lead all ACC guards this season. J.J. Redick is shooting 41% for the season from both 3 point range and the field. Goldsberry against Drexel crushes the best shooter that Duke has seen in a while. It's a force of nature. If we play UNC-W it will be in the Monday night Final.
Team MVP: Nick George
Player to Watch: Jesse Pellot-Rosa
The Rams are the CAA's defending champions, and have managed to stay near the top of the pack all season despite losing the 2003-2004 CAA Player of the Year, Dom Jones, and their only true center, Troy Godwin, to graduation.
It's tough to single out any player on this year's team since they are probably the most balanced team in the CAA. It has become impossible to not mention the performance of Nick George however, the rising star junior who won the CAA scoring title this year averaging 18.3 points per game. He's assisted by a solid team all around including Pellot-Rosa, a walk on last year who plays with as much intensity at both ends of the floor as anyone could ask for. Odd fact: In the last 3 years, neither team has beaten the other on their home court. There have been six consecutive road wins in Drexel/VCU matchups. With the tournament hosted in their hometown, the fans will be on their side, and they'll be a tough team to beat. If Drexel plays them, it will be in the Finals Monday night on ESPN.
North Caolina-Wilmington
CAA Record (13-5)
Frontcourt: C+
Backcourt: A-
Coaching: A
Team MVP: John Goldsberry
Player to Watch: John Goldsberry
If there was any other team award to give, that would also go to John Goldsberry. He's complemented by sharpshooter Halston Lane and senior forward Aaron Coombs (who put up a career high 22 on Drexel in their meeting in Wilmington). In 8 career games against DU, Goldsberry has shot an amazing 56% from the field, and 57% from 3 point range, while averaging 4.6 assists per game. To put that in context, those percentages would lead all ACC guards this season. J.J. Redick is shooting 41% for the season from both 3 point range and the field. Goldsberry against Drexel crushes the best shooter that Duke has seen in a while. It's a force of nature. If we play UNC-W it will be in the Monday night Final.
