Conference Tournament Preview: The Colonial

Where: Richmond Coliseum -- Richmond, VA

When: Friday, March 5th - Monday, March 8th

Championship: 3/8 - 7:00 pm: ESPN


The Favorite: #1 Old Dominion

ODU is a team built for tournament play. They don't rely on three point shooting, a high powered offense, or the ability to force turnovers and get out in transition. No, what the Monarchs do well is force their opponent's into take difficult shots, getting the defensive rebounds, then pounding the ball inside at the offensive end, whether it is via a Gerald Lee post-up, a drive to the rim, or an offensive rebound - something the Monarchs do very well. ODU is the biggest team in the CAA, playing quite a few minutes with no one shorter than 6'5" on the court. Old Dominion is a team that imposes their will on their opponents, winning via offensive and defensive execution.

Gerald Lee is Old Dominion's best player.
(photo credit: CAA)

And if they lose?: #5 VCU Rams

VCU may have lost Eric Maynor last season, but his replacement -- Joey Rodriguez -- has filled in quite nicely, to the tune of 12 points and 6 dimes per game. Larry Sanders is better than he was as a sophomore as he continues to develops the skills to match his lottery-pick tools. Shaka Smart also has a number of talented role players at his disposal. That's all well and good, but remember this: VCU is 15-1 at home with wins over Oklahoma, URI, Richmond, and Old Dominion. VCU is in Richmond, across town from the site of the CAA Tourney. Its very likely that the winner of the CAA's auto-bid will be determined by a semi-final game between VCU and ODU.


Don't discount: #3 William & Mary

The Tribe run a modified Princeton offense, using four guards to spread the floor, attack gaps, and create open perimeter jumpers. When those jumpers are going down, they can beat anyone in the country. Ask Maryland, Wake Forest, and Richmond. If the W&M gets hot this weekend, they are capable of winning three games in three days.


Sleeper: #7 Hofstra

The Pride struggled to begin the CAA season, losing seven of their first nine games. But there are not many teams that are as hot as Hofstra is right now. They've won nine of their last ten games and have the player of the year in the CAA on their roster.


Names you need to know:

• Charles Jenkins, Hofstra: Jenkins has carried the Pride. He's averaging over 20 ppg as the only player on Hofstra's roster scoring in double figures. He is averaging almost 25 ppg in the last 10 games, a stretch Hofstra has gone 9-1 in.
  


• Denzel Bowles, James Madison: Bowles transferred in from Texas A&M and did not get eligible until the midway post of the season. Since then, Bowles has been a monster, averging 21 points and 9 boards. But the Dukes get Drexel in the first round, a team Bowles has struggled against this year - he is only averaging 16 and 7 as the Dragons swept the Dukes.
  


• Matt Janning and Chaisson Allen, Northeastern: The Huskies play a slowed-down, controlled style of play, but Janning and Allen are still able to averaged almost 30 ppg combined. If Northeastern is going to make a run through the CAA, these two guys are going to be counted on carry them.