2020-21 CAA Power Rankings

1. James Madison 

Record: 13-5, 8-1 CAA 

Because of COVID-19 protocols prompting a series of cancelations in the regular season’s final weekend, James Madison officially locks up first place in the CAA. Mark Byington’s first season could not have gone any better, completing a worst-to-first transition behind the conference’s front-runner for Player of the Year (Matt Lewis) and one of the best freshmen corps in the entire country. 

2. Northeastern 

Record: 9-8, 8-2 CAA 

An impromptu game with North Carolina set up via Twitter officially concludes Northeastern’s regular season. The Huskies raced out ahead of the CAA before losses to James Madison and Towson. Despite the defeats and COVID-19-related hiatus, Northeastern could still be the team to beat at the CAA Tournament. Tyson Walker has a strong case for Player of the Year, and the supporting cast has featured several standouts emerging over the case of the campaign. 

3. Hofstra 

Record: 12-9, 8-6 CAA 

The reigning CAA champions coming into 2020-21 were hard-pressed to get back into the conference title race heading into its last series at James Madison, but dropping both games to the Dukes officially eliminated Hofstra from contention. Still, the Pride have enough firepower to make a push in the CAA Tournament — especially if Jalen Ray catches fire. 

4. Charleston 

Record: 9-9, 6-4 CAA 

The Cougars ripped off three straight CAA wins earlier this month before dropping the second half of a weekend back-to-back with Elon. An overtime win over Columbus State in a replacement game scheduled against Hofstra sends the Cougars into their season finale series with UNC-Wilmington. 

5. Elon

Record: 6-8, 3-7 CAA 

Since opening CAA winless, Elon has caught fire late. The Phoenix won three straight over Charleston and William & Mary, all by double-digits. Mike Schrage’s young roster is positioning itself well both as a potential CAA Tournament spoiler, and team to watch in the 2021-2022 regular-season Colonial championship chase. 

6. Drexel 

Record: 8-7, 3-5 CAA 

An extended COVID-19-related hiatus stalled Drexel just as it was coming off a critical split with Hofstra. The Dragons have an opportunity to make a statement heading into the CAA Tournament when they travel to James Madison to close out the regular season. 

7. Delaware 

Record: 7-7, 5-4 CAA 

Ranking a team in the precarious spot Delaware’s been left in is especially challenging. The Blue Hens have not played since January, though they finished the month on a three-game winning streak. Martin Ingelsby’s roster has the pieces to compete with any opponent in the CAA, building around one of the best bigs in the conference, Dylan Painter. How much court rust will impact Delaware in the CAA Tournament will be a key plot point. 

8. William & Mary  

Record: 6-9, 4-6 CAA 

Returning to action from hiatus on the wrong end of a sweep against Elon slowed the positive momentum William & Mary had going. Still, with explosive scorer Connor Kochera, the Tribe have shown they can get hot and be dangerous to any CAA opponent. 

9. Towson 

Record: 4-13, 3-9 CAA 

A trying regular season due to COVID-19 protocols ends with Towson’s last two series cancelled. Nevertheless, Pat Skerry’s Tigers concluded on the high note of beating Northeastern — proof Towson is a dark horse to watch in the CAA Tournament. With a scorer the caliber of Zane Martin, don’t overlook the Tigers’ postseason potential. 

10. UNC-Wilmington 

Record: 7-8, 1-5

On hiatus since the end of January, UNC-Wilmington gets an opportunity to finish Takayo Siddle’s first regular season on a high note in a home-and-home series against Charleston. The Seahawks dropped 5-of-6 before the layoff.