Drexel Dragons
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #78
Conference Rank: #1 CAA
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Drexel was supposed to be the team to beat in the CAA last season. However, they ended up with a 9-9 record in conference play and totaled a mere 13 wins all year long. The young squad did lose a lot of close games and the hope is the experience they gained last season will help take them over the top. This team does have plenty of scorers on the perimeter, but they will need to balance things out with a scorer in the frontcourt to have a dynamic offense. But even one of the more talented backcourt trios in the country can keep the Dragons towards the top of the CAA.
2012-13 Record: 13-18, 9-9
2012-13 Postseason: None
Coach: James “Bruiser” Flint
Coach Record: 212-159 at Drexel, 298-231 overall
Who’s Out:
Depth all over the court could be a problem for Coach Bruiser Flint without Derrick Thomas, Daryl McCoy and Aquil Younger. Thomas, who started 29 games as a senior, led the Dragons’ defensive effort. He also turned into a quality scorer and passer. McCoy was the best rebounder on the squad, averaging 8.6 boards to go along with his 4.4 points. He was never a scorer, but McCoy was a tough and scrappy forward who would do the dirty work.
Who’s In:
Drexel needs talent in the frontcourt and depth on the perimeter and this class should at least be able to provide the help necessary on the perimeter. The lone true frontcourt player is Mohamed Bah. The 6-9, 225 pound freshman is tough, but quite raw. Rodney Williams and Khris Lane are not terribly undersized by CAA standards, yet they do not have the size of Bah. Yet, if either can turn into a solid rebounder or consistent interior scorer, their size will not matter at all. The backcourt depth will be provided by Major Canady and Freddie Wilson. Wilson, a transfer from Seton Hall, will be eligible following the fall semester. He barely played during his two seasons with the Pirates, but he will be capable of backing up the point.
Who to Watch:
Until Wilson is eligible, Drexel may find some tired legs on the perimeter. If there is anybody the Dragons want out on the floor for 40 minutes a game though it is Frantz Massenat, Damion Lee and Chris Fouch. It would be easy to call Massenat a true point guard if he was not such a great scorer too. The 6-4 senior averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 assists and 2.3 turnovers in 2012-2013 and his assist-to-turnover ratio was much better back in 2011-2012 when he did not have to do quite as much scoring. Lee, a 6-6 wing, led the Dragons with 17.1 points and added 5.1 rebounds. He can use his length to defend extremely well and shoot over most opposing guards in the conference. The loss of Chris Fouch early last season did cause some problems for the offense. He played in just three games and is back for yet another senior season. Two years ago Fouch came off of the bench and averaged 10.8 points per contest. He is a great option off of the bench since he can spark the offense with his outside shooting, but this team needs him in the starting lineup. Tavon Allen is the only experienced option the backcourt will have on the bench until Wilson is available. The 6-5 wing showed plenty of potential in a similar situation during his freshman campaign, averaging 6.6 points and shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Final Projection:
The backcourt will be great from day one and will only get better by the time conference play rolls around. They were good last season too, but got very little help from the frontcourt. Dartaye Ruffin, a 6-8, 250 pound senior, is a tough rebounder, yet he is not going to score much except off of offensive rebounds. Kazembe Abif and Goran Pantovic have been around for a while and have yet to prove that they can be more than roleplayers off of the bench. Both will be given the chance to turn into regular starters and with a little improvement of production from the frontcourt and a healthy Fouch, this team will win the CAA.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Frantz Massenat, Senior, Guard, 14.7 points per game
Chris Fouch, Senior, Guard, 16.7 points per game
Damion Lee, Junior, Guard, 17.1 points per game
Kazembe Abif, Junior, Forward, 4.4 points per game
Dartaye Ruffin, Senior, Forward, 6.9 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 63.0 (276th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.1 (81, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.2 (272, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.4 (204, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (203, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.5 (191, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.5 (28, 3)
Rebound Margin: 3.5 (68, 2)
Assists Per Game: 11.7 (250, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (55, 3)
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