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AROUND THE HORNS PICKS ALL-CAA TEAMS
By Chris Kowalczyk
3-1-10
First, let me say that I don’t expect everybody to agree with all of these picks. That’s half the fun, debating who’s the best. I welcome it. Although my selections will look pretty on the internet, they’ll have no influence on the real voting, as they have the last two seasons. That doesn’t mean I mailed this in. I put the same effort I have the past two seasons into these teams.
Also, let it be known that I have not seen the actual selections. Typically, us sports info types get our hands on them a day or two in advance, but that’s not the case at the moment.
Lastly, these are not the actual All-CAA Teams. These are my picks and mine alone. They have no bearing on the teams that will be announced at Thursday’s banquet, although I feel like mine will be pretty close.
FIRST TEAM
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
Larry Sanders, VCU
Chaisson Allen, Northeastern
Denzel Bowles, James Madison
David Schneider, William & Mary
Comments: The first four were easy. Jenkins, Sanders, Allen and Bowles aren’t subject to debate, in my opinion. The battle for that fifth spot, however, required some thought. There was part of me that thought Lee deserved consideration, due in large part to Old Dominion’s regular season title, but frankly, the numbers aren’t there. He’s ninth in scoring and isn’t ranked in the top 20 in rebounding. Schneider is better on both fronts, ranking fourth in scoring (15.8 ppg) and 13th in rebounding (6.0), not to mention that he’s also 11th in steals and averages 2.7 assists per game. William & Mary’s do-everything guard gets the nod. That being said, I’d bet a lunch that Lee ends up with a first team spot on Thursday.
 SECOND TEAM
Gerald Lee, Old Dominion
Joey Rodriguez, VCU
Matt Janning, Northeastern
Jawan Carter, Delaware
Jamie Harris, Drexel
Comments: I feel pretty good about this second team. Some people might want to make arguments for Cam Long, but I don’t see it. He’s a guy with huge upside, but until he performs with more consistency, I’m not buying. I know Delaware is terrible, but Jawan Carter is pretty much their entire offense.
THIRD TEAM
Julius Wells, James Madison
Quinn McDowell, William & Mary
Joe Dukes, Georgia State
Robert Nwankwo, Towson
Cam Long, George Mason
Comments: Wells, McDowell and Long are all guys who have first team potential. I expect to see them move higher next year.
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion
Chaisson Allen, Northeastern
Robert Nwankwo, Towson
Nkem Ojougboh, Northeastern
Greg Washington, Hofstra
Comments: This is my least favorite part of the process. If you don’t watch film, it’s difficult to quantify defense. Steals and blocked shots are nice, but rarely do they paint the whole picture. I almost didn’t pick an All-Defensive team, but I thought that would be disingenuous. Plus, I’ve picked one the last couple of years, I can certainly do it now. This is one area especially where the coaches’ votes are particularly critical.
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Chris Fouch, Drexel
Chaz Williams, Hofstra
Halil Kanacevic, Hofstra
Luke Hancock, George Mason
Darren White, James Madison
Comments: Isaiah Philmore of Towson and Keith Rendleman of UNC Wilmington were also considered, but otherwise, these picks were pretty clear.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tony Shaver, William & Mary
Comments: The fact that Bill Coen of Northeastern hasn’t won a CAA Coach of the Year award yet is criminal. Coen inherited a nearly impossible situation in Boston and has turned the Huskies into a perennial contender. That said, William & Mary was 10-20 last season and was picked to finish 10th in the CAA Preseason Poll. Not only did the Tribe win 20 games, but they picked up victories at Maryland and Wake Forest and also beat Richmond. I doubt the vote will even be close.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Chris Fouch, Drexel
Comments: This is a pretty clear choice, although Williams may steal a few votes. On a team full of bricklayers, Fouch is absolutely essential to Drexel’s success.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chaisson Allen, Northeastern
Comments: The best defender on the best defensive team in the league.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
Comments: If it wasn’t for Hofstra’s seventh-place finish, this choice probably would’ve been easier. Still, Jenkins was huge for the Pride down the stretch as they won eight of nine. If Bowles improves even marginally – and James Madison, for that matter - next year, I think he wins POY easily. He’s the best low-post scorer in the league.
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