The Triangle

Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Aaron Walizer

Last season, the George Mason Patriots knocked off the "Cardiac Kids" of William & Mary in the Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball tournament championship game.

Which team will cut down the nets in Richmond in 2009?

This Triangle Co-Sports Editor tries to break down the field:

The favorite

The Virginia Commonwealth Rams are the clear-cut favorites in this year's tournament. The Rams, under the direction of head coach Anthony Grant, navigated their way to a CAA best 14-4 record and the top seeding.

VCU is by far the most complete team in the field.

Senior point guard Eric Maynor, who averages a CAA-best 22.4 points per game, leads the Rams' offense. Maynor, who won the CAA Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, commands so much respect from defenses due to his dynamic play-making ability and should be able to exploit any team that VCU faces.

Sophomore forward Larry Sanders anchors VCU's defense. Sanders, who averages a conference-high 2.6 blocks per game, intimidates opposing guards given his ability to come from the weak side and swat shots. His presence as a last line of defense also gives the Rams the ability to employ a full-court press, which has been successful for the team all season.

VCU also possesses the CAA's top 3-point shooter in Joey Rodriguez (41.5 percent). The Rams average a conference-best 72.8 points per game, while giving up just 64.5.

The only team that really stands in VCU's way is VCU itself.

Best of the rest

Far behind the Rams sit No. 2 GMU, No. 3 Northeastern and No. 4 Old Dominion.

The Patriots would be considered the team that could give the Rams the most trouble. GMU has the CAA's best coach in Jim Larranaga and a deep rotation. Sophomore forward Cam Long (11.8 ppg) and senior guard John Vaughan (11.5 ppg) lead a balanced scoring attack.

The Huskies are really hard to gauge as the postseason begins. They have been so inconsistent of late. However, led by guard Matt Janning (14.3 ppg) this is a team that plays a very physical style of basketball, always trying to grind it out. I wouldn't be shocked to see this team go out early. Then again, it wouldn't shock me if they reached the finals.

The Monarchs have the CAA's most talented inside player in junior forward Gerald Lee (15.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and play a gritty defense under head coach Blaine Taylor. But it doesn't feel like ODU has enough in support of Lee to pull an upset.

Continued...

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