By Dan Barrack
1. George Mason University: 17-5 (11-2)In a battle for the top spot in the CAA last Saturday, George Mason was just too much for conference rival UNC Wilmington, as the Patriots pulled out a 69-62 victory. George Mason had four players score in double figures and hit seven shots from down town.
2. UNC Wilmington: 17-7 (10-3)On Jan. 21, the Seahawks took care of George Mason, 69-63. The victory was short lived, as Wilmington faltered on Saturday in a game that could have placed them atop the CAA. Leading at the half, the Seahawks could not finish the job and were outscored 42-32 in the second half.
3. Virginia Commonwealth University: 15-6 (9-4)Virginia Commonwealth’s five-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday by Northeastern. Senior forward Nick George put up 28 points against the Huskies, but it was not enough. VCU is still a big threat to take the conference later in the season.4. Old Dominion University: 16-7 (9-4)After losing only four times in its first 17 games, Old Dominion has lost three of its last six contests. The Monarchs pulled off an impressive 87-69 victory over James Madison last Saturday to snap the team’s two-game skid.
5. Northeastern University: 13-8 (9-4)Since Jan. 14, Northeastern have been trendsetters. The Huskies win over VCU was the team’s second consecutive win. The team has won twice and then lost for three weeks in a row.
6. Drexel University: 12-12 (6-7)Drexel’s 84-80 loss to Towson was the Dragons fourth consecutive loss. Guard Bashir Mason had a stand out game with 21 points and six assists in the loss, as Drexel looks to get back on the winning track as it takes on Northeastern.
7. Towson University: 10-12 (6-7)Like Drexel, Towson was in the midst of a four-game losing streak coming into the game on Saturday, and that streak ended with a win over Drexel. Gary Neal put up 33 points along with a double-double from teammate Lawrence Hamm.
8. Georgia State University: 6-15 (3-10)Georgia State had its first winning streak of the season snapped last Saturday by William & Mary. The two consecutive wins were the first back-to-back wins all season for the Panthers.
9. The College of William & Mary: 7-14 (2-10)William & Mary played a solid 40 minutes of basketball in a 90-73 win over Georgia State last week. The win still keeps the Tribe eight and a half games out of first place but gives the team a chance to finish with a respectable record with all of its remaining opponents in conference.
10. University of Delaware: 6-16 (2-11)A three-point half time lead turned into a 15-point loss at the hands of the Pride last week. The loss was Delaware’s second double-digit loss to the Pride this season, but the team looks to finish off the season on a positive note, led by leading scorer and rebounder Harding Nana.
11. James Madison University: 4-17 (1-12)James Madison snapped a 12-game losing streak on Monday by defeating Delaware, 74-64. It was the Dukes’ first conference win, and they look to make it two in a row at Towson tonight.