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Cougar town?
Can anyone compete with Charleston in the CAA? We break it down. Plus: Purdue snags a prospect who can stretch the floor, St. Mary's adds a Top 100 recruit, UC San Diego's switching leagues, and college basketball loses a legend.
Sean Paul
September 03, 2025
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Good morning. Today’s Field of 68 Daily is written by Sean Paul (follow him at @SeanPaulCBB).
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1. Charleston’s great, but Towson’s still cream of CAA
Last week, I broke down the Ivy League — the mid-major league with the most retention. Now, I’ll take a look at the CAA — a league with very little retention.
If you asked people to pick the best Coastal Athletic Association team this season, most would probably say Charleston. It’s easy to see why. The Cougars crushed it in the transfer portal by adding high-flying USC Upstate transfer Mister Dean (15.7 ppg) and skilled wing Colby Duggan (15.7 ppg) from Campbell. Guards Jlynn Counter (10.5 ppg) and Connor Hickman (4.3 ppg) also should play big roles.
And don’t overlook freshman Martin Kalu. The German wing caught my eye in the FIBA U20 event this summer, averaging 15.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg. He can be more of a dirty work, glue-guy type as a freshman.
That said … I think league runs through Towson. Pat Skerry’s team allocated most of its NIL resources to retaining league POY Tyler Tejada (16.9 ppg) and Dylan Williamson (14.6 ppg). Few program can say they return their top-two scorers from a 22-11 squad that won the regular-season title.
The Tigers needed a reliable third scorer next to Tejada and Williamson, which they got in 6-3 guard Tyler Schmidt (10.1 ppg). The Valpo transfer had a strong year in the Valley and might be the difference atop the league this season.
Right behind these two are Takayo Siddle and UNC Wilmington. He’s guided the Seahawks to four straight 20+ win seasons. They should have another after snagging four stud guards from rival CAA programs. CJ Luster (16.8 ppg) shot 42% from 3 for Stony Brook, while Madison Durr (12.5 ppg at Monmouth), Jahnathan Lamothe (13.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg at NC A&T), and Christian May (7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg) should all play key roles. Wilmington also returns Nolan Hodge, Noah Ross, and Greedy Williams. This is a program that’ll be in the title mix.
The next best team could be William & Mary. The Tribe surprised in Brian Earl's first season, winning 17 games and going 11-7 in league play. They get back two of their top-four scorers in Chase Lowe (8.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Kyle Pulliam (9.9 ppg). Pulliam could easily put up 13+ ppg if he gets an expanded role. Cade Haskins (9.6 ppg at Dartmouth), Jo'el Emanuel (11 ppg, 5.1 rpg at FDU) and Tunde Vahlhberg Fasasi (5.9 ppg) will be important supporting players.
Campbell is the sleeper. New coach John Andrzejek brings a winning DNA as an assistant on Florida's staff last year. The Fighting Camels will face a full-on rebuild, but Andrzejek improved the talent base. Jeremiah Johnson (10.5 ppg at Green Bay) should be a monster in a more up-tempo offense. Sacred Heart transfer Amiri Stewart (12 ppg) and Western Kentucky transfer Enoch Kalambay (8.2 ppg) will start. Betting on the Camels is more of a bet on Andrzejek, and there are worse things you could do.
2. Purdue, St. Mary’s both land top 100 recuits
Matt Painter knows shooters. And with Fletcher Loyer ready to graduate in 2026, Painter has already locked in his next shooter.
