CAA Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Cameron Holden #55 of the Towson Tigers tries to dribble by Kevin Anderson #1 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens during the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Tournament at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on March 7, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

6 of 7

CAA Basketball Hofstra Pride guard Aaron Estrada Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

4. College of Charleston Cougars

Fair warning: the top tier is a scramble for the top. Any of the remaining teams may wind up at the top of the CAA by the beginning, middle, or end of the season. So don’t take these rankings as gospel.

After Earl Grant left for Boston College, Pat Kelsey took over last season. His first year was underwhelming, as the team went just 8-10 in conference play. They managed to upset Hofstra in the CAA Tournament but lost to UNC Wilmington in the semifinals.

The Cougars enter this season with an intriguing mix of old and new. All-CAA Rookie Team members Reyne Smith and Ben Burnham return, the former with a chance to lead the team in scoring. There are also four graduate transfers and five freshmen. Jaylan Scott, an all-around juggernaut at the NAIA level, will be one to watch as he makes the leap up.

3. Hofstra Pride

Speedy Claxton did a great job during his first year coaching his alma mater, leading the team to a third-place finish in the CAA. Much of last year’s talent is gone, but Hofstra should still have one of the best players in the conference.

The expectations the Pride have this season boil down to the play of Aaron Estrada, the reigning CAA Player of the Year. He had the best usage percentage and effective field goal percentage in the conference, along with one of the best free throw percentages in the nation. He can do it all and with a more subdued supporting cast, could be in line for a monster season.

There’s plenty of experience on the roster, but not a ton in the way of returning minutes. The biggest addition is Sacred Heart transfer Tyler Thomas, who won the NEC Most Improved Player award in 2020-21. Last season, he averaged 16.4 points per game, hitting 48.1 percent of his shots.