CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY REPORT - JAN. 12
CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Manny Adako, Northeastern
Jr., F, 6-8, 235 - Decatur, Ga./Towers
Adako averaged 17.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg while shooting 71.5% (25-35) from the floor in three CAA wins last week. The junior forward scored a team-high 16 points versus Hofstra and 13 at Georgia State before posting his first double-double of the year with a season-high 24 points and a career-best 12 rebounds against Towson.
Juwann James, James Madison
Sr., F, 6-6, 225 - Jacksonville, Fla./Raines
James averaged 18.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg off the bench in leading JMU to three straight CAA wins for the first time since 2002-03. The senior forward tied a career-high with 24 points against Drexel and followed with a team-best 23 points at ODU, including a stretch of 15 straight points in the first half. He added eight points in a victory at W&M.
Darryl Monroe, George Mason
Sr., F, 6-7, 275 - Virginia Beach, Va./Central Florida CC
Monroe averaged 15.0 ppg and 11.7 rpg while shooting 80% (20-25) from the floor as George Mason went 3-0 last week. The senior forward posted three straight double-doubles as Mason beat Georgia State (15 pts/11 reb), Towson (16 pts/10 reb) and ODU (14 pts/14 reb). Monroe tops the CAA in FG percentage and is second in rebounding.
CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Devon Moore, James Madison
Fr., G, 6-4, 165 - Columbus, Ohio/Northland
Moore averaged 10.3 points and 5.0 assists in James Madison’s three CAA wins last week. The freshman guard scored 10 points against Drexel, had 12 points and seven assists at ODU and chipped in nine points and five assists at W&M. He shot 52.9% for the week.
CONFERENCE NOTES:
Mason, Northeastern Stay Unbeaten In CAA Play: George Mason and Northeastern remained tied atop the CAA standings at 5-0 after posting three league victories last week. It’s the first time since joining the conference in 2005-06 that Northeastern has gotten off to a 5-0 start, while Mason matched the 1998-99 Patriots’ squad for the best CAA start in school history. VCU (4-1) also won its three league games last week to stay just a game back of the co-leaders.
Road Teams Have Success In CAA Play: Road teams have posted a 15-15 record in CAA play thus far after the visitors came out on top in half of the 18 league games played last week. Ten teams have already earned at least one conference road victory and nine squads have already lost a league game at home. Last year, home teams finished with a 71-37 (.657) record in CAA play and only two teams - VCU (7-2) and ODU (5-4) - had winning road marks in league action.
On A Roll: Four CAA teams enter the week on impressive winning streaks. George Mason and Northeastern have each won four straight and are 7-1 in their past eight contests, with the Patriots’ only loss coming at Dayton and the Huskies’ lone setback at Memphis. VCU has won three games in a row and eight of its last 10 and James Madison, which has captured seven of its past nine, has won three consecutive CAA contests for the first time since 2002-03.
Three CAA Teams In Top 70 Of Latest RPI: Three CAA teams are ranked in the top 70 of the most recent RPI report released by Collegiate Basketball News through games of Jan. 11. George Mason tops the list of CAA squads at #55, followed by VCU at #65 and Northeastern at #66. The CAA is ranked #16 among the nation’s 31 Division I conferences.
Delaware’s Egerson Posts Ninth Double-Double: Delaware senior guard Marc Egerson recorded his league-leading ninth double-double last Wednesday with 14 points and 12 rebounds at Hofstra. Egerson leads the CAA in rebounding with 10.6 per game and is 10th in the conference in scoring (15.0 ppg). Egerson is one of only 16 players in Division I to be averaging a double-double for the season and he and Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin are the only players to be averaging at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Hot Shooters: Several players have been on fire from the floor during the early part of CAA play. George Mason’s Darryl Monroe is shooting 75.7% (28-37) in five conference games, while Delaware’s Jim Ledsome is hitting 74.1% (20-27), Northeastern’s Manny Adako is shooting 72.9% (35-48) and JMU’s Juwann James is making 63% (34-54). VCU’s Joey Rodriguez is shooting an incredible 72% (18-25) from 3-point range in league play and 66.7% (28-42) overall.
Long Double Digit Streaks Come To An End: Four CAA players had double-figure scoring streaks of more than 10 games come to an end last week. VCU’s Eric Maynor saw his 30-game streak snapped at Drexel (8 pts) on Thursday, Hofstra’s Charles Jenkins had a 28-game streak end at Northeastern (3 pts) last Monday, Delaware’s Jawan Carter had a 14-game streak end at Hofstra (8 pts) last Wednesday and UNCW’s Chad Tomko had an 11-game streak end at VCU (2 pts) last Monday. ODU’s Gerald Lee is riding a league-best 16-game double-digit scoring streak, which is the only current streak longer than six games.
Three CAA Teams In Mid-Major Top 25 Poll: Three CAA teams are ranked in the latest Mid-Major Top 25 poll released by CollegeInsider.com on Jan. 12. George Mason jumped six spots this to #6, while VCU moved up to #12 and Northeastern moved into the poll at #23. Old Dominion also received votes.
Maynor Ranked 14th Nationally In Scoring: VCU’s Eric Maynor (22.0 ppg) is ranked 14th in Division I in scoring according to the latest NCAA statistics through games of Jan. 11. In other individual categories, Delaware’s Marc Egerson is 13th nationally in rebounding (10.6 rpg), ODU’s Gerald Lee is 24th in FG percentage (59.4%) and VCU’s Larry Sanders ranks 10th in blocks (2.8 bpg). A complete listing of CAA teams and players in the national stats is included on page 7 of this release.
Coaches Teleconferences Each Monday: Members of the media are invited to participate in the CAA weekly telephonic press conferences, which take place from 10 a.m.-Noon each Monday morning through March 2. The phone number to participate is 866-809-6768. A list of the coaches’ teleconference times is included on page 4 of the release. Comments from the call are also available on the web (www.caasports.com) each Monday afternoon after 1 p.m.
Winning Record In Non-Conference Play: The CAA has a 67-63 non-conference record (.515) for the season with nearly half (32) of those victories coming on either neutral or road courts. Seventeen losses came against teams from the Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, SEC or ACC. The only regular-season non-conference games remaining for CAA teams will come on Feb. 21 when the league participates in ESPNU BracketBusters.
Young Guns: Young players continue to make an impact offensively in the CAA this season as there are only five seniors among the league’s top 20 in scoring. Four of the CAA’s top seven scorers are sophomores - Hofstra’s Charles Jenkins (17.1 ppg), UNCW’s Chad Tomko (16.8 ppg) and Delaware’s Jawan Carter (17.6 ppg) and Alphonso Dawson (15.8 ppg). Among the top 20 in points, there are nine juniors, six sophomores and five seniors.
Maynor Climbs CAA Assist List: VCU senior guard Eric Maynor moved up to sixth place on the CAA’s all-time assist chart (557) last Saturday, passing former ODU standout Drew Williamson (555). Maynor has also eclipsed the 1,500-point mark (1,545) for his career.
Piling Up The Points: Six CAA players have scored 30 or more points in a game this season after just seven reached the 30-point mark all of last year. VCU’s Eric Maynor has three 30-point efforts, including a career-high 35 points at East Carolina on Nov. 25. William & Mary’s David Schneider (31) and Danny Sumner (30) became the second duo in Tribe history to hit the mark in the same game on Nov. 22 against Navy. Also scoring 30 or more this season have been UNCW’s Chad Tomko, Hofstra’s Charles Jenkins and Delaware’s Jawan Carter.
DELAWARE (7-10 overall, 1-4 in CAA)
The Blue Hens lost three conference games by a total of nine points last week, falling to Towson, Hofstra and UNCW. Senior guard Marc Egerson averaged 13.7 ppg and 12.0 rpg for the week and increased his league-leading double-double total to nine after tallying 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds versus Towson and 14 points and 12 boards at Hofstra. Sophomore guard Alphonso Dawson grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds at HU before posting his first double-double (15 pts/10 reb) at UNCW. Senior center Jim Ledsome, who poured in a career-high 14 points versus Towson, shot 83.3% (15-18) from the floor last week and is contributing 9.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg over his last five games. Guard Brian Johnson, who tied a season-high with 19 points at Hofstra, moved into seventh place on the Hens’ career assists list with 365 and needs 11 more to enter the top five.
DREXEL (6-8 overall, 2-3 in CAA)
The Dragons picked up a 53-50 victory at Georgia State on Saturday following losses to James Madison and VCU. Drexel has won four of its last six, with all of those wins coming on the road. Junior forward Evan Neisler scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds at JMU and had a team-best 18 points and eight boards at GSU. Neisler has tallied double figures in four of his past six outings and ranks third in the CAA in rebounding (7.5 rpg). Leading scorer Scott Rodgers dished out a career-high nine assists at JMU, but didn’t play at GSU due to a death in the family. JUCO transfer Leon Spencer scored a career-high 12 points on 6-of-6 FG shooting and had six rebounds in the win over the Panthers. Samme Givens tallied a career-high 11 points and six boards versus VCU. Givens leads all CAA freshmen in rebounding with 6.3 rpg.
GEORGE MASON (12-3 overall, 5-0 in CAA)
The Patriots tied their best start ever in CAA play at 5-0 after beating Georgia State, Towson and ODU last week. Mason’s 12-3 overall mark is its best record after 15 games since 1983-84. Senior forward Darryl Monroe averaged 15.0 ppg and 11.7 rpg for the week and posted double-doubles in all three games. Monroe, who is second in the CAA in rebounding (8.9 rpg), hit 20-of-25 from the floor in the wins and leads the league in FG percentage (64.6%). Sophomore Cam Long averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the week, including a team-high 18 points versus State. Mason tops the CAA in scoring defense (59.9 ppg) and ranks second in FG percentage defense (39.9%). The Patriots have held seven of their last eight foes to 60 points or less and haven’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 43% from the floor in the past 10 contests.
GEORGIA STATE (4-12 overall, 2-3 in CAA)
The Panthers dropped into a tie for fifth in the CAA after losses to George Mason, Northeastern and Drexel last week. Junior guard Joe Dukes was the lone State player in double figures versus NU (17 pts) and Drexel (13 pts), and he also dished out eight assists at Mason. Dukes is the only player to rank among the CAA’s top 20 in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounding (5.1 rpg), assists (4.5 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Senior guard Leonard Mendez drained 4-of-5 from 3-point range and finished with 16 points at Mason, which was his first double-figure outing since Nov. 25. Mendez is 12th on State’s career scoring list with 1,100 points. Junior forward Xavier Hansbro tied a career-high with 16 points at Mason. Senior Rashad Chase, who tallied nine points and five boards off the bench against NU, moved into fifth on the Panthers’ career rebounds chart with 597. He is 19 shy of fourth-place Mike Nalls.
HOFSTRA (10-6 overall, 2-3 in CAA)
The Pride went 1-2 last week, defeating Delaware but losing at Northeastern and VCU. Hofstra shot just 29.7% from the floor in the win over UD, but made 24-of-26 at the line, including 20-for-20 in the second half. Hofstra had no players score in double figures at NU for the first time in coach Tom Pecora’s eight-year tenure. Junior Cornelius Vines netted a career-high 23 points against the Hens, including two buckets that broke a 64-64 tie down the stretch. Sophomore guard Charles Jenkins, who had his 28-game double-digit scoring streak snapped at NU, was 10-for-10 at the FT line against UD and finished with 18 points. He also contributed 15 points and eight boards at VCU. Senior Greg Johnson scored a season-high 10 points at VCU and dished out seven assists against the Hens. Jenkins (14-14), Vines (9-9) and Johnson (6-6) have been perfect at the line over the past two games.
JAMES MADISON (11-6 overall, 3-2 in CAA)
The Dukes won three straight CAA games for the first time since 2002-03 after beating Drexel, ODU and William & Mary last week. JMU’s victory over Drexel was its first in 13 all-time meetings and it was the Dukes’ first win at ODU since 2000. Senior forward Juwann James averaged 18.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg for the week, including a career-high tying 24 points against DU and 23 points at ODU. James is now 14th in career scoring (1,272 pts) and 10th in rebounding (579) at JMU. Senior Kyle Swanston drained four threes and scored a team-high 21 points at W&M. He leads the CAA with 47 treys. Freshman guard Devon Moore averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.0 apg last week. JMU set a Constant Center record by shooting 66.7% from the floor at ODU. It was the top FG performance by the Dukes since 1993-94. JMU’s 11-6 overall mark is its best after 17 games since 1999-2000.
UNC WILMINGTON (4-13 overall, 1-4 in CAA)
The Seahawks fell to VCU and William & Mary, before ending a 10-game losing streak by rallying past Delaware. Freshman guard Kevon Moore averaged 14.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg last week, including a career-high 17 points at VCU and 14 points in his first start against W&M. Junior Johnny Wolf (15.8 ppg) scored 13 first-half points at VCU before suffering an ankle injury that slowed him for the rest of the week. Sophomore guard Chad Tomko was held to two points at VCU, ending his streak of 11 straight games in double figures, but rebounded with a team-high 17 points against W&M and 15 second-half points versus Delaware. Tomko remains among the CAA’s top five in scoring (16.8 ppg), assists (4.9 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). Freshman Jerel Stephenson has scored double digits in five of his last six games. Walk-on Daniel Mercer scored a career-high 10 points against UD.
NORTHEASTERN (10-5 overall, 5-0 in CAA)
The Huskies posted double-digit wins over Hofstra, Georgia State and Towson last week. NU is 5-0 for the first-time ever in CAA play. The Huskies held all three foes to under 39% FG shooting and limited their opponent to 55 points or less for the fifth time in the past six games. Junior Manny Adako averaged 17.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg for the week, including a season-high 24 points and a career-best 12 rebounds against Towson. Adako is shooting 74.5 (38-51) from the floor over the past five games. Junior Matt Janning tallied 12.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for the week and posted his first career double-double at GSU with 11 points and a career-best 14 boards. Junior Nkem Ojougboh had a season-high 13 points and eight caroms in the win over Hofstra. Sophomore Chaisson Allen averaged 10.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 3.3 spg in the three wins. Eugene Spates hit 8-of-12 from 3-point range last week.
OLD DOMINION (9-6 overall, 2-3 in CAA)
The Monarchs topped William & Mary before losing back-to-back games to JMU and George Mason. Junior center Gerald Lee averaged 15.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg for the week, including a team-best 20 points versus JMU. Lee has tallied double digits in 16 straight games and ranks second in the CAA in FG percentage (59.4%) and FT percentage (87.3%). Sophomore Keyon Carter netted a career-high 17 points at W&M, which included 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, and added 13 points and eight boards against JMU. Sophomore Ben Finney posted his first double-double of the year at W&M (10 pts/career-high 11 reb) and scored a team-high 16 points at Mason. Finney ranks 6th in the CAA in rebounding. Senior Jonathan Adams scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed seven boards off the bench at Mason. ODU leads the CAA in rebound margin (+6.7 rpg).
TOWSON (7-10 overall, 2-3 in CAA)
The Tigers edged Delaware 62-61 to start 2-1 in CAA play for the first time ever before losing games to league leaders George Mason and Northeastern. Towson’s victory at UD snapped a 12-game CAA road losing streak. Freshman guard Troy Franklin, who has scored double figures in three of his past four games, banked in the game-winning shot with 2.1 seconds left at UD. Senior Junior Hairston came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points versus the Hens and had 11 rebounds and four blocks against Mason before being held scoreless for the first time in his Towson career at NU. Hairston is fifth in career blocks (99). Junior Josh Thornton hit 6-of-10 from 3-point range and scored a career-high 25 points at NU. Thornton is already fourth in career treys (113) at Towson in only 38 games. Sophomore Jarrel Smith is averaging 14.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg over his past six games.
VCU (11-5 overall, 4-1 in CAA)
The Rams have won eight of their last 10 following victories over UNCW, Drexel and Hofstra. VCU shot 54.1% (20-37) from 3-point range while holding its opponents to 30% (12-40). Sophomore Joey Rodriguez tallied a career-best 25 points versus UNCW and had a team-high 16 points at DU. He hit 9-of-13 treys last week and leads the CAA in 3-point percentage (48.7%) and steals (2.6 spg). Senior Eric Maynor posted his first double-double of the year (16 pts/12 asts) versus UNCW and scored 21 against Hofstra, but saw his 30-game double-figure scoring streak end at Drexel. Maynor is ninth on VCU’s all-time scoring list (1,545 pts) and needs five points to reach seventh. Sophomore Larry Sanders averaged 15.0 ppg and 10.7 rpg for the week, including double-doubles against UNCW and Hofstra. The Rams held all three foes under 39% from the floor last week.
WILLIAM & MARY (6-9 overall, 1-4 in CAA)
The Tribe dropped home games to ODU and JMU, but picked up their first road victory of the season at UNCW. W&M shot 72.7% in the second half and a season-best 57.4% for the game at UNCW to erase a four-point halftime deficit. It was the third time under coach Tony Shaver that the Tribe shot better than 70% in a half. Junior guard David Schneider scored a team-high 17 points against ODU and UNCW and has posted 11 double-figure outings in the past 13 games.Freshman Quinn McDowell had 12 points on 6-of-7 FG shooting at UNCW and is averaging 10.2 ppg over the past six games. Junior guard Sean McCurdy scored a season-best 13 points versus ODU. Junior forward Danny Sumner netted a team-high 16 points against JMU after being held to just 10 points in the first two games last week. Freshman Kendrix Brown had a career-high 10 points versus the Dukes.