CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL Co-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Troy Franklin, Towson

So., G, 5-11, 160 – Baltimore, Md./Mt. Carmel

Franklin averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in leading Towson to a pair of victories last week. The sophomore guard poured in a career-high 27 points and handed out seven assists as the Tigers knocked off William & Mary 83-77, and followed with 14 points in a win over Delaware. For the week, Franklin shot 62.5% from the floor and hit 14-of-14 at the FT line.

CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL Co-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Charles Jenkins, Hofstra

Jr., G, 6-3, 220 – Queens, N.Y./Springfield Gardens

Jenkins had a great all-around week, averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in a pair of wins. The junior guard had 20 points, eight boards and seven assists as Hofstra beat Northeastern 73-62 and contributed 29 points and seven caroms in an 87-74 triumph over Georgia State. Jenkins is averaging 27.3 ppg during Hofstra’s six-game winning streak.

CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Halil Kanacevic, Hofstra

Fr., F, 6-8, 245 – Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis

Kanacevic averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in Hofstra’s 2-0 week. The freshman forward posted his fifth double-double with 16 points and 11 boards in a 73-62 win at Northeastern and had 16 points and seven rebounds in an 87-74 victory over Georgia State. For the week, Kanacevic shot 66.7% from the floor.

CONFERENCE NOTES:

ODU Captures Regular-Season Title: Old Dominion edged VCU 73-70 on Saturday to capture the CAA regular-season title and earn the top seed for this week’s Virginia 529 College Savings Plan CAA Men’s Basketball Championship. It’s the third time in the last six years that the Monarchs have won 15 conference games. The last time ODU was the #1 seed for the CAA Tournament was 2005, when it went on to edge VCU 73-66 in overtime to capture the championship.

Seven Teams With 10+ CAA Wins For First Time: For the first time in CAA history, seven teams finished the regular season with 10 or more conference victories. Six teams have reached the 10-victory mark on four previous occasions, including last year. Hofstra will the the first #7 seed to have a winning record in CAA play.

First-Round Rematches In CAA Tourney: In a strange twist, two of the four first-round CAA Tournament games will be rematches of regular-season finales. Hofstra and Georgia State will meet on Friday at 6 p.m. after the Pride defeated the Panthers 87-74 last Saturday. Drexel will face James Madison at 8:30 p.m. on Friday after the Dragons got past the Dukes 67-64 last Saturday.

Virginia 529 Becomes Title Sponsor Of CAA Basketball Championships: Virginia 529 College Savings Plan has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the CAA that includes the title sponsorship of the CAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The Virginia 529 College Savings Plan is the largest 529 plan in the country, with more than 2 million accounts and assets under management exceeding $27.8 billion.

Hofstra Extends Winning Streak To Six: Hofstra extended its winning streak to six after with victories over Northeastern (73-62) and Georgia State (87-74) last week. The Pride, which got off to a 2-7 start in CAA play, has won nine of its last 10 contests. Along with Hofstra, Old Dominion has won 14 of its last 17, VCU has claimed seven of its last 10, Northeastern is 17-4 in its last 21 games and William & Mary has won six of its last nine.

Earning The First-Round Bye: Old Dominion, Northeastern, William & Mary and George Mason earned the four first-round byes for the 2010 Virginia College Savings Plan CAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Since the tournament expanded to 10 teams (2002-05) and later 12 teams (2006-pres.), no team playing in the first round has won the championship. However, a team playing in the first round has made it to the finals in two of the past three years (#6 George Mason in 2007 and #5 William & Mary in 2008).

Top Seeds Have Tournament Success: The #1 seed has captured the CAA championship in seven of the past eight years. The lone exception came in 2008 when #3 George Mason beat #5 William & Mary in the finals.

ODU Extends Home Court Winning Streak: Old Dominion is tied with Xavier for the third-longest home winning streak in the nation at 23 games, including a 15-0 mark this season at the Constant Center. The Monarchs’ home court streak ranks behind only Kansas (58) and Siena (35).

Four CAA Teams In RPI’s Top 75: The CAA has four teams ranked among the top 75 in the latest RPI released by Collegiate Basketball News through games of Feb. 28. Old Dominion leads the list of CAA teams at #38, while William & Mary is #60, VCU is #66 and Northeastern is #72. The CAA is ranked 12th among the nation’s 32 Division I conferences.

Reaching The 20-Win Mark: Old Dominion, VCU and William and Mary have reached the 20-win mark this season. It’s the fifth time in the past six years that the Monarchs have reached the 20-win plateau, while the Rams achieved the milestone for the fourth year in a row. The Tribe hit 20 wins for the first time since 1997-98 and only the third time since 1951-52. The CAA is currently one of only seven conferences that features six teams with 17 or more victories. The others are the Atlantic 10, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten and SEC.

Close Games In CAA Play: Of the 108 CAA games played this season, 41 were decided by six points or less, and 10 others had margins of less than 10 points. William & Mary has had 10 of its 18 CAA games decided by three points or less, including five one-point contests. Delaware and Drexel both had six conference contests decided by four points or less.

Home Court Success In CAA Play: Home teams won 60.2% (65-43) of the CAA contests played this season. Five squads (ODU, Northeastern, George Mason, W&M and Hofstra) posted winning records on the road in conference action. Home teams went 66-42 (.611) in CAA play in 2008-09 and 71-37 (.657) in 2007-08.

Hofstra’s Jenkins In Select Company: Hofstra’s Charles Jenkins is one of only four players in Division I to be averaging at least 20 points (20.4 ppg), four rebounds (4.4 rpg) and three assists (3.8 apg) per game as of Feb. 28. The others are Marquez Haynes of Utah, Dominique Jones of South Florida and Michael Deloach of Norfolk State. Jenkins leads the CAA in scoring and is sixth in assists. He has averaged 27.3 ppg ove the Pride’s current six-game winning streak.

Dominant Defense: The CAA can make a case as one of the nation’s top conferences defensively. Through games of Feb. 28, two teams were among the top 20 in scoring defense – Old Dominion (56.9ppg/5th) and Northeastern (60.2ppg/17th). In FG percentage defense, Hofstra (39.3%/24th) and ODU (40.2%/45th) were among the top 50 nationally. Four CAA teams were also ranked among the top 30 in the nation in 3-point FG defense – Hofstra (28.5%/8th), UNC Wilmington (29.4%/17th), VCU (30.0%/23rd) and ODU (30.1%/29th). A complete list of NCAA stat leaders in included in this release.

Road Warriors: William and Mary won a school-record 10 road games this season, breaking the mark of nine previously set in 1949-50. Northeastern won six consecutive road games between Dec. 29-Feb. 6, matching the school record set in 1970-71 and 1972-73.

Four CAA Teams In Mid-Major Top 25 Poll: Four CAA teams are ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25 poll released on March 1 by CollegeInsider.com. Old Dominion tops all CAA squads at #7, followed by Northeastern at #17, VCU at #22 and William & Mary at #23. The CAA leads all conferences with four teams in the poll.

Northeastern’s Janning Reaches Impressive Milestone: Northeastern senior Matt Janning joined Dave Caligaris as the only players in school history with at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists in a career. Janning ranks fourth on NU’s career points list (1,781) and fifth in assists (342) while having grabbed 519 career boards.

W&M’s Schneider Moves To #10 On CAA Treys List: William & Mary senior David Schneider, who has made a school-record 262 three-pointers in his career, has moved past George Mason’s Donald Ross (1991-95) for 10th place on the CAA’s all-time treys list. Schneider also ranks fourth in CAA history in career three-point attempts with 818.

Block Party: The CAA features five of the nation’s top 29 players in blocked shots as of Feb. 25. Towson’s Robert Nwankwo is 10th (3.2 bpg), Hofstra’s Greg Washington is 15th (2.8 bpg) VCU’s Larry Sanders is 23rd (2.5 bpg), Northeastern’s Nkem Ojougboh is 28th (2.3 bpg) and UNCW’s John Fields is 29th (2.3 bpg).

Notable Non-Conference Wins: CAA teams have a 74-71 (.510) record against non-conference competition, with six of those victories coming against teams in BCS conferences. William & Mary knocked off Maryland 83-77 on Dec. 30, giving the Tribe a pair of road wins over ACC foes for the first time in school history. W&M also defeated Wake Forest 78-68 on Nov. 28, handing the Demon Deacons their first loss ever at Joel Coliseum in the month of November (50 games). Old Dominion gave #11 Georgetown its first loss of the season, winning 61-57 on Dec. 19. It was the third straight victory for the Monarchs over the Hoyas. VCU beat #17 Oklahoma 82-69 on Nov. 21 in the Rams’ first game ever against a nationally-ranked foe at Verizon Wireless Arena. UNC Wilmington downed defending NIT champion Penn State 80-69 on Nov. 19 and George Mason beat Indiana 69-66 on Nov. 22.

Home Court Success In Non-Conference Play: CAA teams are 49-16 at home in non-conference play, but just 17-42 on the road and 8-13 on neutral courts.

Challenging Early Season Schedules: CAA teams have faced 12 Top 25 opponents this season The CAA is 2-10 against the Top 25 with the wins coming when VCU upset #17 Oklahoma 82-69 on Nov. 21 and Old Dominion beat #11 Georgetown 61-57 on the road on Dec. 19.

Newcomers Make An Impact: Several newcomers are making an impact in the CAA. JMU junior Denzel Bowles, a transfer from Texas A&M, is averaging 20.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg through 23 games and has recorded a league-best 10 double-doubles. UNCW junior John Fields, a transfer from East Carolina, ranks third in rebounding (8.7 rpg). Three freshmen are among the league’s top 20 in rebounding – Hofstra’s Halil Kanacevic (7.6 rpg/5th), UNCW’s Keith Rendleman (6.1 rpg/11th) and Delaware’s Jamelle Hagins (5.3 rpg/17th). Hofstra rookie Chaz Williams is 4th in assists (4.2 apg) and 6th in steals (1.6 spg), while Drexel guard Chris Fouch ranks 18th in scoring (11.0 ppg), 6th in 3-pointers (62) and 6th in 3-point FG percentage (38.3%).

Sanders, Washington On CAA Blocks Chart: VCU junior Larry Sanders ranks fourth on the CAA’s career blocked shots list with 254, recently passing W&M’s David Cully (248). Next up on the list is ODU’s Odell Hodge with 286. Sanders is third in the CAA in blocks this season with 67 in 27 games (2.5 bpg). Hofstra junior Greg Washington, who is the Pride’s career leader in blocks with 199, tied ODU’s Reggie Bassette (199) for 10th on the CAA’s career blocks list last Saturday.

Tickets On Sale For CAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Tickets are on sale for the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan CAA Men’s Basketball Championship, which will be held March 5-8, 2010 at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va. All 12 teams will participate in the four-day event. Tickets are $21 per session or $70 for a tournament book and can be purchased at the box offices of CAA member schools and the Richmond Coliseum, by calling TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by logging on to TicketMaster.com.

DELAWARE (7-23 overall, 3-15 in CAA)

The Blue Hens were beaten by George Mason (61-59) and Towson (81-66) last week and have dropped six in a row. Junior Jawan Carter scored 25 points versus Mason and had 26 points and six rebounds at Towson. He went over the 1,000-point mark (1,038) for his career and extended his double-figure scoring streak to a league-best 23 games, which is the fifth-longest in school history. Carter has 12 20-point efforts this season. Junior Alphonso Dawson added 10 points versus Mason and has scored double digits in 12 of his last 14 games. Junior Edwin Santiago scored a season-high 11 points against Mason and freshman Malcolm Hawkins grabbed a career-best nine rebounds. Hakim McCullar had 12 points at TU, which was his third double-digit effort in the last four games. UD has had seven CAA games decided by six points or less and is 2-4 in those games.

DREXEL (16-15 overall, 11-7 in CAA)

The Dragons fell 75-69 to UNCW, but earned a 67-64 road win at James Madison to end a three-game slide. Sophomore Samme Givens poured in a team-high 21 points at JMU, which was his top scoring effort since Dec. 13. He also grabbed 13 boards versus UNCW, which was his 12th double-digit rebounding effort of the year. Freshman Chris Fouch netted a team-high 15 points against UNCW and has scored double figures in nine of his last 11 games. Fouch leads all CAA freshmen in scoring (11.0 ppg) and is among league leaders with 62 three-pointers. Junior Jamie Harris averaged 12.0 ppg for the week and has 11 double-figure efforts in the last 12 games. Junior Gerald Colds scored 11 points and dished out a season-high eight assists against UNCW. Drexel shot a season-best 87.5% (21-24) from the FT line at JMU and out-rebounded the Dukes 40-28.

GEORGE MASON (17-13 overall, 12-6 in CAA)

The Patriots clinched a first-round bye with a 61-59 victory at Delaware, but dropped a 50-48 heartbreaker to Northeastern. Mason, which has lost three straight at home for the first time since 2006-07, is 6-5 in games decided by three points or less this season. Guard Andre Cornelius tallied a team-high 16 points at UD, which was his top scoring effort since Jan. 19. Cornelius hit 4-of-7 treys and is shooting 42.9% from three on the year. Junior Cam Long added 14 points and a season-high nine rebounds versus the Hens. Freshman Sherrod Wright scored a team-high 13 points against NU, which his third straight game in double figures. He’s averaging 11.7 ppg and is 12-for-15 from the floor and 4-for-5 on treys during that stretch. Mason limited both foes to under 37% FG shooting last week. Mason reached 12 wins in CAA play for the third year in a row and the fourth time in the past five years.

GEORGIA STATE (12-19 overall, 5-13 in CAA)

The Panthers suffered setbacks to Old Dominion (75-62) and Hofstra (87-74) last week. Senior Joe Dukes poured in a team-high 22 points in each contest. Dukes is averaging 19.8 ppg and shooting 58% from the floor over the past four games. He ranks ninth on GSU’s career assists (251) and steals (109) charts in less than two seasons. Senior Trey Hampton had 17 points and a team-high seven boards versus ODU. Hampton has tallied double digits in four of his last six games and is averaging 14.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg over that stretch. Junior Ousman Krubally is averaging 9.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg over his past seven contests. Sophomore Jihad Ali scored nine points off the bench versus ODU and is averaging 9.8 ppg over his last eight games. Senior Trae Goldston, who ranks 14th on GSU’s career scoring list with 1,033 points, set a school record by appearing in his 121st career game.

HOFSTRA (18-13 overall, 10-8 in CAA)

The Pride defeated Northeastern (73-62) and Georgia State (87-74) last week and has won six in a row and nine of its last 10. Junior Charles Jenkins averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the week. He has scored double figures in 22 straight games and is averaging 27.3 ppg over Hofstra’s six-game win streak. Jenkins moved up to 8th on the Pride’s career scoring list (1,698 pts). Senior Cornelius Vines averaged 15.0 ppg last week and has scored double digits in five straight games. Vines has hit 22 treys over the five-game stretch. Junior Greg Washington is now tied for 10th on the CAA’s career blocks list with 199. Freshman Halil Kanacevic averaged 16.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg for the week, including his fifth double-double (16pts/11reb) at NU. Freshman Chaz Williams tied a career-high with 10 assists versus GSU and added nine points and seven boards.

JAMES MADISON (12-19 overall, 4-14 in CAA)

The Dukes rallied past Longwood 96-86 last Monday, but lost CAA games to VCU (76-62) and Drexel (67-64). Junior Denzel Bowles averaged 21.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg for the week, including a team-high 31 points at VCU. Bowles, who averaged a league-best 21.1 ppg in CAA play, has tallied double figues in all 23 of his games and has 10 double-doubles. Senior Pierre Curtis averaged 17.0 ppg for the week and scored double digits in all three games. He had a season-best 25 points and 10 assists versus LU, which is a first in JMU history. Sophomore Julius Wells contributed 22 points and eight rebounds versus LU and has 20 double-digit efforts in the past 22 contests. Wells has made a CAA-best 87 treys this season and ranks sixth on JMU’s career threes list (165). Matt Parker scored 11 points on Senior Night against Drexel, which was his top output since Nov. 22.

UNC WILMINGTON (9-21 overall, 5-13 in CAA)

The Seahawks went 1-1 last week, winning 75-69 at Drexel before losing 62-51 to WIlliam & Mary. UNCW shot 47.3% from the floor at Drexel despite playing without top scorers Chad Tomko (ankle) and John Fields (knee). Senior Johnny Wolf, who had started 16 straight games, came off the bench at DU and scored a team-high 16 points. Wolf also scored a team-best 11 points against W&M. Sophomore Trevor Deloach hit 3-of-4 treys and poured in a career-best 15 points in his first start at Drexel. Junior Ahmad Grant chipped in 13 points at Drexel and has scored double digits in five of his last six games. He’s averaging 13.7 ppg over that stretch. Senior Darion Jeralds tied a career-high with nine points at Drexel. Freshman Keith Rendleman grabbed 10 rebounds against W&M, which was the third time in the past five games he’s had double-digit caroms.

NORTHEASTERN (19-11 overall, 14-4 in CAA)

The Huskies rebounded from a 73-62 setback to Hofstra by winning 50-48 at George Mason. Northeastern’s 14 CAA wins are its most since joining the league. Senior Matt Janning, who averaged 15.0 ppg and 4.0 spg for the week, scored a team-high 18 points at Mason, including a game-tying trey with 24 seconds left. Janning ranks fourth on NU’s career scoring list with 1,781 points and has scored double figures in 10 of his last 11 games. Junior Chaisson Allen averaged 10.5 ppg last week and has scored double digits in 13 straight contests. Allen made a pair of FT’s with 0.5 seconds left to win the Mason game. Senior Nkem Ojougboh led the Huskies with 15 points and seven rebounds versus Hofstra. Senior Manny Adako chipped in 10 points versus Hofstra and has 12 double-digit efforts in the last 15 games. The Huskies allowed a league-low 55.7 ppg in CAA games and held four conference foes under 50 points.

OLD DOMINION (23-8 overall, 15-3 in CAA)

The Monarchs captured their first CAA regular-season title since 2004-05 following victories over Georgia State (75-62) and VCU (73-70) last week. ODU has won 14 of its last 17 and has reached the 23-win mark for the fifth time in the last six years. Senior Gerald Lee poured in 21 points against VCU, which was his sixth straight game in double figures and his top scoring output since Dec. 30. Lee ranks 14th on ODU’s career scoring list (1,548 pts). Junior Frank Hassell added 17 points on 8-of-9 FG shooting in the VCU win. Sophomore Kent Bazemore averaged 11.5 ppg and 5.0 apg for the week while shooting 77% (10-13) from the floor. Bazemore is contributing 12.5 ppg over his last four games. Junior Keyon Carter tallied 14 points off the bench at GSU and senior reserve Marsharee Neely added 13 points. The Monarchs rank fifth nationally in scoring defense (56.9 ppg) and have held 11 teams under 50 points.

TOWSON (9-20 overall, 6-12 in CAA)

The Tigers topped William & Mary (83-77) and Delaware (81-66) last week and have won five of their last nine games. Sophomore Troy Franklin scored a career-high 27 points at W&M, with 13 coming in the final seven minutes. He also dished out seven assists at W&M and was 14-of-14 at the FT line for the week. Junior Robert Nwankwo posted his team-leading eighth double-double of the season at W&M with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Nwankwo leads the CAA in rebounding, FG percentage and blocks. Senior Josh Thornton scored a team-high 18 points against Delaware and made 8-of-14 from 3-point range for the week.   Junior RaShawn Polk averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg for the week and has scored double digits in six of his last seven outings. Towson, which shot 49.5% from the floor and made 20 treys last week, set a season-high for points at W&M.

VCU (20-8 overall, 11-7 in CAA)

The Rams beat James Madison 76-62 to improve to 15-1 at home, but fell 73-70 at rival ODU. Junior Joey Rodriguez tied a season-high with 24 points versus JMU and also had five assists and four steals. It was Rodriguez’ fifth 20-point effort of the season. Sophomore Bradford Burgess tallied 16 points versus JMU and a team-high 13 points at ODU. Burgess, who shot 60% (12-20) for the week, is averaging 12.0 ppg over his last four games. Junior Larry Sanders ranks among the CAA’s top six in scoring, rebounding, FG percentage and blocks. Junior Ed Nixon has reached double digits in six of his last nine games and is averaging 10.0 ppg over that stretech. Senior T.J. Gwynn set a record for most career wins (96) by a Rams’ player. VCU reached the 20-win mark for the fourth year in a row. Shaka Smart’s 20-8 record is the second-best of any first-year coach in the nation.

WILLIAM & MARY (20-9 overall, 12-6 in CAA)

The Tribe bounced back from an 83-77 loss to Towson to win 62-51 at UNCW and earn a bye in the CAA Tournament for the first time. Senior David Schneider averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the week, including a double-double (15pts/10reb) at UNCW. Schneider has made a school-record 262 career treys, which ranks 10th on the CAA’s all-time list. Sophomore Quinn McDowell poured in a team-high 23 points at UNCW, which was his eighth 20-point effort of the year and his 12th double-digit outing in the last 15 games. Junior Marcus Kitts averaged 9.0 ppg and 9.5 rpg last week and he’s averaging 8.8 rpg over his last five contests. The Tribe is 5-1 in one-point games this season and 9-4 in games decided by three points or less. W&M reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 1997-98 and only the third time since 1951-52. They also set  a school record for road wins (10) and their 12 CAA victories are the second-most in school history.

– The information above was provided by Rob Washburn, Associate Commissioner of the CAA.