CAA Standings

1. W&M (5-1): # 72 RPI
2. Hofstra (4-2): # 81
Elon (4-2): # 94
NU (4-2): # 118
Delaware (4-2): # 227
6. Towson (3-3): # 69
Charleston (3-3): # 121
8. UNCW (2-4): # 291
9. Drexel (1-5): # 255
10. JMU (0-6): # 316


Efficiency Ratings (kenpom.com)

Charleston

Adjusted Offense: # 124
Adjusted Defense: # 130
Overall: # 125

UNCW

Adjusted Offense: # 186
Adjusted Defense: # 328
Overall: # 282


Charleston Projected Starters

PG Joe Chealey (Sr.): 17.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 5.1 rpg
G Grant Riller (So.): 15.8 ppg, .508 FG %, 1.0 spg
G Cameron Johnson (Sr.): 8.8 ppg, .386 3-pt %, 3.4 rpg
PF Jarrell Brantley (Jr.): 17.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .429 3-pt %
C Nick Harris (Jr.): 6.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg


The Cougars, picked to win the league by the CAA coaches, are underachieving at the moment. Sitting in a tie for 6th with another predicted high finisher, Towson, is not where expectations rested for this team through 6 league games.

But all that means is this team is a sleeping giant, and could be about to go on a run. Brantley is finally healthy coming off a knee injury in mid-November, and has been on a tear ever since being activated. Along with Senior leader Chealey, Charleston are a dangerous squad, and it will be very surprising to see them finishing any lower than 3rd in the CAA. The numbers bear that out as well, as Charleston's RPI and Efficiency numbers suggest they're better than their record indicates.

The Cougars are more balanced than they've ever been, as previously they were more of a defense-first squad under Head Coach Earl Grant. At first glance, it doesn't appear that way, as the Cougars rank last in the league in points per game (71.3) and first in fewest points allowed (65.8). But much like Northeastern, Charleston still plays at a very slow pace and relies on offensive efficiency to help them outscore opponents. No team in the league has attempted fewer shots (987, 54.8 per game).

Not only does Coach Grant stress efficiency, he also has seen his team thrive at taking care of the ball. Charleston leads the league in Turnover Margin (+2.11). Thus far, this is a nice improvement from last season (+1.13).

The one area where Charleston can be taken advantage of is on the glass. Despite the presence of 6-10 Harris and big, physical guards, Charleston still sits last in the league in Defensive Rebounding Percentage (.714) and 8th in Offensive Rebounding Percentage (.249). Thus, as long as Devontae Cacok stays healthy, the Seahawks have an edge here. Missed shots and easy rebounds could mean a couple things for Coach McGrath to work with: Transition opportunities, and perhaps more zone looks.