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CAA Tournament Preview and Postseason Awards

William & Mary v North Carolina

Marcus Thornton (Getty Images)

Getty Images

William & Mary v North Carolina

Marcus Thornton (Getty Images)

Getty Images

The CAA was one of the wilder league races of the season. Heading into the final week of the season, there were four teams tied for first place in the conference. In that final week, all four teams split their two games, meaning that there was a four-way tie for first place: William & Mary, UNC Wilmington, James Madison and Northeastern. If the year should tell you anything, it’s that the conference tournament is going to be wild.
READ MORE: NBC Sports’ latest Bracketology | The updated top 25

The Bracket

CAA Bracket

When: March 6-9

Where: Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD

Final: March 9, 7:00 p.m. (NBCSN)
READ MORE: NBCSports.com’s 2015 Conference Tournament Previews

Favorite: William & Mary

For me, William & Mary is the favorite to win what should be a wild CAA tournament, and the reason that I’ll pick them here is, simply, because they have the best player in the conference. No one can take over a game like Marcus Thornton can, and if the Tribe are ever going to get that elusive first NCAA tournament bid, it’s going to be this season.

And if they lose?: UNC Wilmington, Northeastern and James Madison

Your guess is as good as mine here. James Madison has played well despite losing their most talented player midway through the season. Northeastern was a favorite in the preseason that earned their share of the league title. And UNCW? They were led by a Rick Pitino disciple to a surprising first place finish.

Sleepers:


  • Hofstra: The Pride have the best one-two punch in the conference in Juan’ya Green and Ameen Tanksley.
  • Delaware: The Blue Hens are young this season, but they rallied late in the year when Kyle Anderson got healthy to end the year 9-9 in the league.

Player of the Year: Marcus Thornton, William & Mary

Thornton was the most dynamic player in the conference this season, helping to lead the Tribe to a four-way tie for first in the conference. Thornton averaged 19.6 points this season, shooting 40.9 percent from three while carrying his team for much of the season. Thornton is the kind of player that can lead the Tribe through the league tournament and to a win in the NCAA tournament.

Coach of the Year: Kerry Keatts, UNC Wilmington

No one expected much from the Seahawks this season, as they were coming off of a year where they finished just 9-23 overall and 3-13 in the league. But Keatts turned things around, as UNCW finished in a four-way tie for first.

All-CAA Team:


  • Thornton
  • Scott Eatherton, Northeastern – Northeastern was a favorite to win the conference entering the season and they finished tied for first thanks in large part to Eatherton, who led the team in scoring and rebounding.
  • Juan’ya Green, Hofstra – Hofstra didn’t quite have the season they were expected to, but Green was as good as advertised, finishing the season averaging 17.0 points and 6.5 assists, the latter of which led the conference.
  • Damion Lee, Drexel – Lee was having a terrific season, averaging 21.4 points on the year when he broke his hand two weeks ago.
  • Addison Spruill, UNC Wilmington – Spruill led UNCW in both scoring and rebounding this season, the anchor for the league’s most surprising team.

CBT PREDICTION: William & Mary reaches their first NCAA tournament with a win over Delaware in the final.

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