VCU, Mason among favorites
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
CAA Preview
Just three years ago, the Colonial Athletic Association was just another mid-major. But George Mason's Cinderella Final Four run in 2006 and VCU's upset of ACC powerhouse Duke last season changed that perception.
Now in 2008 with the conference tournament slated to begin this March 7 at Richmond Coliseum, it's time to preview and breakdown the 12-team field. The CAA does not boast the type of out-of-conference resume it did in 2007 and therefore it will likely be just a one-bid league.
To win a team must have physical durability, mental stamina and frankly a will to be the best.
The Favorite
The VCU Rams have earned the right to be considered the odds-on favorite to cut down the nets in Richmond. VCU finished conference play with a league-best 15-3 record. Not to mention their campus is located within five minutes of the Coliseum.
The Rams sport the CAA's best backcourt. Veterans Eric Maynor (17.8 ppg, 5.3 apg) and Jamal Shuler (15.6 ppg) have been breaking down defenses all season. Maynor, the CAA preseason Player of the Year pick and Shuler not only pose the ability to dribble drive past defenders, but they can also knock down the three ball efficiently. Both are shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc.
In the frontcourt VCU plays big men who understand their roles. Michael Anderson (4.9 rpg) leads the team in rebounds while Larry Sanders, Will Fameni and TJ Gwynn will all see significant minutes for head coach Anthony Grant.
The Rams are also solid on the defensive end. They implement an effective full court press that has given opposing offenses nightmares trying to get into their half court sets. VCU has limited its opponents to just 58.6 ppg. Grant and his team have tasted the postseason before and have all the intangibles necessary to repeat as CAA champs.
Second Tier
Right behind VCU sits No. 2 UNC-Wilmington (12-6 CAA), No. 3 George Mason (12-6), No. 4 Old Dominion (11-7) and No. 6 Northeastern (9-9). All four of these teams have the potential to upset the No. 1-seeded Rams.
Just three years ago, the Colonial Athletic Association was just another mid-major. But George Mason's Cinderella Final Four run in 2006 and VCU's upset of ACC powerhouse Duke last season changed that perception.
Now in 2008 with the conference tournament slated to begin this March 7 at Richmond Coliseum, it's time to preview and breakdown the 12-team field. The CAA does not boast the type of out-of-conference resume it did in 2007 and therefore it will likely be just a one-bid league.
To win a team must have physical durability, mental stamina and frankly a will to be the best.
The Favorite
The VCU Rams have earned the right to be considered the odds-on favorite to cut down the nets in Richmond. VCU finished conference play with a league-best 15-3 record. Not to mention their campus is located within five minutes of the Coliseum.
The Rams sport the CAA's best backcourt. Veterans Eric Maynor (17.8 ppg, 5.3 apg) and Jamal Shuler (15.6 ppg) have been breaking down defenses all season. Maynor, the CAA preseason Player of the Year pick and Shuler not only pose the ability to dribble drive past defenders, but they can also knock down the three ball efficiently. Both are shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc.
In the frontcourt VCU plays big men who understand their roles. Michael Anderson (4.9 rpg) leads the team in rebounds while Larry Sanders, Will Fameni and TJ Gwynn will all see significant minutes for head coach Anthony Grant.
The Rams are also solid on the defensive end. They implement an effective full court press that has given opposing offenses nightmares trying to get into their half court sets. VCU has limited its opponents to just 58.6 ppg. Grant and his team have tasted the postseason before and have all the intangibles necessary to repeat as CAA champs.
Second Tier
Right behind VCU sits No. 2 UNC-Wilmington (12-6 CAA), No. 3 George Mason (12-6), No. 4 Old Dominion (11-7) and No. 6 Northeastern (9-9). All four of these teams have the potential to upset the No. 1-seeded Rams.
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