It seems only fitting to get these released the day after The Oscars. There’s some commentary and reasoning sprinkled in as well. And as mentioned last week, we’re staying away from All Defensive team. It’s way too subjective.
Player of the Year
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra: Do I actually need to detail the reasons?
First Team, All CAA
Jenkins
Denzel Bowles, JMU
Frank Hassell, ODU
Cam Long, Mason
Ryan Pearson, Mason (huge February)
Second Team All CAA
Chase Allen, NU (razor thin margin between Allen and Pearson for the final spot)
Samme Givens, Drexel
Kent Bazemore, ODU
Jamie Skeen, VCU (was first team until around Valentine’s Day)
Chad Tomko, UNCW (lots of rebounds for a short guy)
Third Team All CAA
Quinn McDowell, William & Mary
Chris Fouch, Drexel
Jawan Carter, Delaware
Luke Hancock, Mason
Mike Moore, Hofstra
Others close, or, the fourth team: Keith Rendleman, Brad Burgess, Devon Saddler, Isaiah Philmore, Ben Finney.
All Freshman Team
Devon Saddler, Delaware (frosh of year and considered for third team)
Dartaye Ruffin, Drexel (this is a 1b pick. I’d have them share honors, but I’m not weenie-ing out)
Brandon Britt, W&M
Ryan Pierson, NU
Frantz Massenat, Drexel (razor thin over Donte Morales from UNCW. I went point guard being difficult and he has 94 assists)
Coach of the Year
Mo Cassara, Hofstra
This isn’t to take anything away from how Jim Larranaga has his team playing. Mason’s head man is a close second here, and I’d wager wins out when the votes are compiled.
However, here’s why I give the edge to Cassara. Hofstra finished 14-4–that’s 14-4–despite: the mess that Cassara walked into. That he didn’t get to start recruiting until May. That he lost Nat Lester completely and Brad Kelleher for eight games. That he lost his point guard (Dwan McMillian). That his second best player is a transfer. That Hofstra was pummeled in three January games but rallied to finish tied for second.
Oh, and the hammer reason: Cassara got them to 14-4, despite those obstacles, and Cassara is 37 years old in his very first year as a head coach.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:01 am
I’d agree with your choice of Larranaga as COY, but his choice of permanent partners makes me wonder…
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/lots-stake-lone-meeting-caas-top-2
I would also like to throw Bowles in as my POY. Jenkins is definitely the most deserving based on stats and individual performance, but if you take Jenkins away from HU, you get the same style of play. If you take Bowles away from JMU, they have no inside presence and go to a more W&M-style of play. Plus, Bowles backed up his game with a bigger defensive presence and was a monster on the glass.
Not taking anything away from Jenkins and what he has done this year, but I think Bowles did more for his team and had more influenced on the games in which he played.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:02 am
PS: I meant you choice of Larranaga as 2nd in the COY runnings.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:32 am
I think Pearson gets in but the battle should actually be between Cam Long and Chaisson Allen for that final spot. Both guards do more than your normal point guard. But without Allen, the Huskies are lost. Look at Long’s and Allen’s lines.
Long: 15.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg
Allen: 16.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.1 spg
In Allen’s last 11 games, 7 times he scored 20+. The other 4? 19, 15, 17, and a 14pt performance in which he had 12 rebounds.
In Cam Long’s last 11, he eclipsed 17pts just 3 times.
While we all know it’s not all about points you put on the board, Allen does more for the Huskies than Long does for Mason.
Just my opinion.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:45 am
I totally agree on all counts.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
More or less agree, although I have to say, I am a Mason fan, but Blaine has the fellas down in Norfolk playing well right now, the only difference between them and GMU is the drubbing up in Fairfax. (Maybe a good reason to toss it to Hofstra). Gonna be fun come the weekend.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Darren (although my blood runs Mason Green-and-Gold), you have a good point. Thanks for presenting it. It’s worthy of discussion.
February 28th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
[...] rest is here: Our All Conference Teams… Share [...]
February 28th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
My head is going to *@*#&*#@ explode if Larranaga wins over Cassara. But you all probably knew that!
February 28th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
I respectfully have to disagree with Darren. Cam doesn’t need to score 20 for his team’s success because they have so many weapons and distribute the ball. However, when the game is on the line, they ALWAYS turn to Cam. As you point out, their stats are similar. However, when the game is tight, NE HAS to turn to Allen, while Mason CHOOSES to turn to Cam. Allen is an exceptional talent, no doubt, but I have to give the edge to Cam when put side-by-side.
February 28th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
EShine, my two cents go with Darren, and for the very reasons you cite. Both Cam Long and Chase Allen are jaw-droppingly talented players. But C. Long gets to perform in an arena in which teams have to contend with at least 5 other very dangerous players (I’m inc’g in that count Tate and Vaughns off of the bench, and completely ignoring Morrison). C. Allen has to put up his numbers with only 1 or 2 reliable supporting cast members.
Jerry, I’ve honestly never before seen a head explode. Any chance you can hold off on it happening ’til the (fingers crossed) ODU-Hofstra semifinal match? It might make for some interesting viewing during what should otherwise have been our ice-cream-and-cake timeout.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
No offense E-shine that’s a silly argument to make, and as Pete points out it only makes Allen’s achievements even stronger.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
“the only difference between them and GMU is the drubbing up in Fairfax”
Not sure I agree (although I’m a Monarch, so take this with a heap of salt). GMU picked the cupcakes as their permanent partners for the season. Also, the only OOC win of note is UNI (which is good, but let’s be honest, it’s underwhelming). The best talent GMU has seen is in conference, and only seen two of the top teams (VCU and Drexel) once each (not to mention GSU, who I think is going to be a dangerous tourny team).
Can’t say too much more to a 15 game win streak, especially when it includes my team. I like the love they’re getting for the CAA, but not sure I’d say that the ODU@GMU game is the “only” difference.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Last I checked, in terms of current rpi, Mason is also ODU’s best win. (You have to make some argument other than rpi for Xavier). I’m saying its more or less pick em, but this about regular season conference, and Mason won the conference. My guess is it will be Larranaga.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Point taken, but I am biased. Nonetheless, its fun to argue about two guys that anyone would be ecstatic to have on their team.
Juntin – While you could argue the merits of Mason’s OOC schedule, especially when compared to ODU’s, let’s not start casting stones concerning the scheduling of CAA opponents. ODU beat up on Towson and W&M, while Mason only played each once. Not only did those two teams finish at the bottom of the conference, but they combined to win only two more games (13)than a team that just fired their coach for not winning enough (11). Mason wasnt the only team to play Drexel once… ODU chose to do the same. Yes, Mason only played 4th place VCU one-time this year, but don’t forget that the reason ODU is a 2-seed in the CAA is because won in the only game they played against Hofstra. I’d argue that Mason’s conference schedule was more challenging and they still won the conference by 2 games.
Hopefully these two teams will settle this on Monday night…
February 28th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
O, definitely agreed. I’d like another shot at GMU and Hofstra
. Annnnd, ODU lost to Delaware and a tough one at Drexel. So, it’s fun to speculate and jab, but you’re right, I really can’t cast stones 
(not that I meant to, just raising a point).
And I imagine ODU would have a better RPI had Mizzou not choked down the stretch. Such is basketball. My “big issue” with Larranaga is he deliberately took the easy road out by asking neither for tougher opponents in conference (more forgivable) nor tougher opponents OOC (but apparently this didn’t hurt GMU) when he obviously was going to have a tough, talented senior-heavy team.
Who knows how highly ranked or how good GMU would be had they gotten some licks in on some top-25 talent in the beginning of the season.
So I agree, they proved themselves to be the best team in the regular season, and I’m glad they will get an at-large this season. Great for the conference.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Mason didn’t go for a tough OOC slate??? Sure, cause MD or G’Town or VT or even Queen Mum (aka UVa as Mason was a branch campus of UVa from 57 to 72) would ever agree to a trip to Fairfax. Wouldn’t be cool to see an ACC/CAA challenge? It is more likely I’ll sprout wings and fly…
February 28th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
There needs to be a better way of scheduling, but I don’t think Jimmy L did anything outside the rules. Give it to Cassara, fine with me. Only two seniors on Mason by the way, starter Long and 6th man Tate.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
I tell ya…these posts are fun to read. Tons of intelligent, logical arguments without resorting to name-calling or juvenile behavior. Keep it up, CAA fans.
Jerry: You’re classic, man.
March 1st, 2011 at 7:06 am
CAA Alum: I don’t know who GMU tried to get, so you’re right, I shouldn’t knock the scheduling effort when I wasn’t in the trenches promoting games. But I’d love to see the ACC/CAA Challenge. I think our top teams would surprise some folks.
Mason guy: Agreed. This whole permanent partners thing is bogus.
March 1st, 2011 at 9:58 am
FWIW, ODU’s best win (by RPI) was Xavier.
ODU has 9 Top 75 RPI wins. Only 1 loss outside the Top 100.
GMU has 8 Top 100 wins. Mason has 11 road/neutral wins. Mason won a tough conference by two games.
Bottom line: Both teams are locks. As crazy as it seems, the CAA will get a minumum of two bids this year.
March 1st, 2011 at 10:03 am
Coach…you’re not crazy. Let’s hope it happens.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
No offense to Allen, who is a terrific player and one I’d want on my team any day of the week, BUT …
Any discussion of Cam Long being left off the first team is absolutely ludicrous. The best player on the best team is a first-team all-CAA pick 99.9 times out of 100, and Mason won the league by two games.
Oh, and to whoever suggested Bowles has done more for his team than Jenkins this season, you are as wrong as you can possibly be. Without Jenkins on the floor, Hofstra is much, much closer to Towson than Mason and Cassara isn’t even on the COY ballot much less a favorite to win it.
(P.S.: Would it be rude of me to also suggest I’d enjoy seeing a good ole fashioned head explosion at the CAA tournament? Jerry, you’d go viral in a heartbeat … of course, you wouldn’t know it because your gray matter would be all over Yeagermeister’s suit
March 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
OK, Xavier edged in front of Mason by a couple of spots in rpi for the moment… my original point was minus the loss in Fairfax, Taylor has almost as good an argument for COY in conference. Somehow it degenerated into a who has the better resume argument.
March 1st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Litos – I like your picks with the exception of Mo instead of Coach L.
Both are deserving and Mo has done a spectacular job with with Hofstra and I’m surprised ODU fans seem to have looked past Hofstra (not a jab, but if we Mason was playing HOF or JMU I’d be concerened as well).
The reason I would pick Coach L over Mo is that his total body of work this year warrants COY.
Coach L is taking the first team to be ranked while going into the CAAT since Navy in 1986, is on a nation leading active win streak, and won the rat race by two games.
I will concede it is close though and if they could have a co-COY I’d almost, almost be ok with that.
Looking forward to your updates this weekend – just downloaded the CAA app!
March 1st, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Litos you really didn’t jump into why you chose Pearson over Allen other then the fact that he had a huge feb. Allen clearly is one of the top 5 guys in the league. Stealing from DJC for a moment look at his feb stats:
Allen: 16.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.1 spg
In Allen’s last 11 games, 7 times he scored 20+. The other 4? 19, 15, 17, and a 14pt performance in which he had 12 rebounds.
How is that not huge? Are you not simply buying into the story of Chase simply being on a bad team and therefore not worthy of being on the first team? Is it that Pearson is a new name and therefore a “hot” story leading into the tourney?
I’m not trying to discount Pearson’s production but how can the guy who was preseason 1st team drop to 2nd team? which BTW hasn’t happend since a few years ago when Alex loughton was dropped after having a so-so year. More to that point he finished 2nd in POY last year and his production hasn’t dropped off, how does that merit 2nd team?
I think at a bare minimum you owe the fans an explanation for your “razor thin” margin.
March 1st, 2011 at 6:50 pm
First, I agree with whomever said it’s nice to have rational, fact-based discussions. Keep it up.
Second, the whole first team to second team thing is hollow. What he did last year has no bearing on where I vote people this year.
Third, you are right, and here is the margin: Pearson was big in big games, and that matters. 19/12 vs. HU; 18/11 vs. ODU; 21/15 vs. NI.
March 1st, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Litos…I think you agree with me. Whoa. I think we’re all growing up (Jerry: Stay young, buddy.) Even as a Mason guy, I won’t be crushed if Pearson’s not a 1st teamer. After all…I think we all want our TEAM to have the best weekend instead of individual players…(I know that’s been said before, but I thought I’d say it again). Yet, Litos has a great point. I watched all those big games of Mason’s during this 15-game run, and it’s hard to discount how important Long and Pearson were to the Patriots when the game was on the line. It’s hard to pick which player I’d want with the ball if it came to needing a game-winning shot; knowing this balanced and teamwork-oriented squad, the pass that creates the score would be just as important.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:30 am
For those talking about Mason not being able to schedule ACC, I believe that they scheduled a home-and-home with UVA starting next year. I want to say that Mason gets them in the Patriot Center in 2012. Kind of sucks for them with Pearson, Mo, DJ, etc graduating. But still. Respect to UVA for doing that. The good news is that they go to JPJ Arena next year with a decent little team still.
March 2nd, 2011 at 1:04 pm
[...] /Coach_Cassara. I think the voters will still elect Mason’s Jim Larranaga. Frankly I can see Larranaga, Cassara, and Buzz Peterson at UNCW getting votes. Buzz has done an incredible job with a team that many (myself included) predicted to finish dead last. To bring the Seahawks to a #8 seed is quite a feat. To make basketball matter again is even more impressive of a feat. But I am more impressed with what Cassara has done with the Hofstra program. Granted he came into a program that features one of the best players in the country in Charles Jenkins, but he has been able maximize production from really a bunch of nobodys. Mike Litos and the BT over at CAAHoops offers why their vote goes to Mo and I completely agree…http://www.caahoops.com/2011/02/our-all-conference-teams/ [...]