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) /

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Cameron Holden #55 of the Towson Tigers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens

Delaware represented the CAA in the NCAA Tournament last season. Martin Ingelsby is looking to lead the program to back-to-back appearances this year.

It’s worth noting that Delaware was a mediocre team until the conference tournament came around. They could potentially be lower in the pecking order if they were knocked out of the CAA Tournament. Alas, advancing to the Big Dance fosters bigger expectations.

George Washington transfer Jameer Nelson Jr., son of the NBA baller, averaged 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game during his first season with Delaware. He was named to the All-CAA Second Team and should have a good chance at the top squad this year.

Another player to look out for is young forward Jyare Davis. The Providence transfer was named both CAA Rookie of the Year and CAA Tournament MVP, getting into a hot zone that lasted for virtually the entire second half of the season, plus the conference tournament.

1. Towson Tigers

Towson won a share of its first regular season conference championship in 28 years last season. They failed, however, to break a streak of 30 years without an NCAA Tournament trip. That could change in 2023.

Cam Holden was nearly a double-double caliber player last season, averaging 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The brilliantly named player has the inside track at an All-CAA honor this season.

All-CAA First Team guard Nicolas Timberlake is back too. He led the team in points, field goals, and three-pointers. A former CAA Sixth Man of the Year, Timberlake averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game last year.

All-CAA Second Team forward Charles Thompson returns as well. He was an All-CAA Defensive Team player for the second straight year and constantly made his presence felt on the boards and in blocking.

Virtually all of the core members of this team’s roster are upperclassmen and seniors. They’ve been through their fair share of battles and know what it takes to win in this league.

Next. Top-25 mid-major preseason power rankings for 2022-23. dark

Pat Skerry is entering his 12th year at Towson. His first saw the team win one single game all year. Last year marked the first time he took the Tigers to the NIT. It’s about time he takes them to the NCAA Tournament, too.