The CAA conference tournament begins on Friday, as regular-season champion George Mason rides its 15-game winning streak into Richmond. The Patriots' ticket to the NCAA Tournament is pretty much punched no matter what happens, but they will have to hold off a number of serious challengers if they hope to follow off their regular-season title with a tournament one.
The top challenger will likely be defending champion Old Dominion. The Monarchs earned the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament with a 14-4 record in the league, and are also likely good enough to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team if they do not win. The Monarchs were also the last team to defeat George Mason, winning 69-65 on January 8. George Mason won 62-45 in the rematch in Fairfax on February 5.
The other dangerous team to watch is No. 3 seed Hofstra, who also defeated George Mason this season. The Pride are 14-4 in the league, but do not have the at-large profile George Mason and Old Dominion possess, so they need to win the conference tournament. With likely CAA Player of the Year Charles Jenkins leading the way, they will be a tough out.
Here is how the rest of the teams are seeded.
- George Mason (16-2)
- Old Dominion (14-4)
- Hofstra (14-4)
- Virginia Commonwealth (12-6)
- Drexel (11-7)
- James Madison (10-8)
- Delaware (8-10)
- UNC-Wilmington (7-11)
- Georgia State (6-12)
- Northeastern (6-12)
- William & Mary (4-14)
- Towson (0-18)
Drexel vs. Towson, 2:30
Delaware vs. Northeastern, 6
James Madison vs. William & Mary, 8:30
Saturday, March 5
Game 5: George Mason vs. UNCW/Georgia State, noon
Game 6: VCU vs. Drexel/Towson, 2:30
Game 7: Old Dominion vs. Delaware/Northeastern, 6
Game 8: Hofstra vs. James Madison/William & Mary, 8:30
Sunday, March 6
Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, noon
Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 2:30
Monday, March 7
Championship, 7, ESPN