CAA Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

3. Drexel Dragons

In Zach Spiker’s first season, Drexel failed to win ten games – not in CAA play, mind you, but overall. Back then, it was hard to imagine the Dragons emerging as one of the best teams in the conference. Even a year ago, the team finished in eighth place, going just 6-12 in conference play.

But the time for Drexel to take the leap up the standings has finally arrived. This will be the year the Dragons threaten to take the CAA regular-season crown for the first time since 2011-12.

That promise begins with junior guard Camren Wynter, who should be one of the best players in the conference. He averaged 15.7 points per game as a sophomore, which ranked in the top ten in the conference. He also dished 5.1 assists and recorded 1.6 steals per game, both of which ranked in the top five in the CAA. Wynter will be a serious contender for CAA Player of the Year.

So will forward James Butler, who might be the best big man in the conference. The Navy transfer recorded 20 double-doubles last year, averaging 13.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, the latter ranking fifth in the entire nation. He’s the conference player most likely to fill the hole left by Nathan Knight’s graduation.

The best news for Drexel? This fall, Butler was granted an extra season, meaning he now has two years of eligibility left. In other words, pencil Drexel in as the CAA favorites for 2021-22.