#CAAHoops MBB Notebook - Nov. 19
Rob Washburn
CAA WEEKLY RELEASE (NOV. 19)
CAA CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jean Aranguren, Hofstra
Sophomore | Guard | Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela / Upper Room Christian
Aranguren averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to lead Hofstra to impressive victories over Seton Hall and UMass. The sophomore guard scored a team-high13 points, handed out six assists and excelled defensively as the Pride edged Seton Hall, 49-48, for its first Big East win since 2006. He followed with his first career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds as Hofstra picked up a 75-73 overtime win at UMass to move to 4-0.
CAA CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Abdi Bashir, Jr., Monmouth
Sophomore | Guard | Omaha, Neb. / Phoenix Prep
Bashir averaged 31.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in Monmouth’s road games at Northern Illinois and #24 Rutgers. The sophomore guard scored a career-high 25 points and added five rebounds, two assists and two steals at NIU. He shattered the scoring mark three days later, pouring in 38 points on 10-of-17 shooting from 3-point against Rutgers. The 10 treys were a program record, the second-most in CAA history and the second-most ever at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ryan Williams, Northeastern
Freshman | Guard | Phoenixville, Pa. / Malvern Prep
Willams averaged 10.5 points on 53.0% FG shooting in Northeastern’s 2-0 week. The freshman guard came off the bench to score a team and career-high 21 points as the Huskies rolled past Harvard, 78-56, last Wednesday. He was 8-of-12 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, and added three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
BIG WEEK AHEAD
Several CAA teams face significant non-conference tests this week. UNCW visits #1 Kansas and Hofstra is at Florida State on Tuesday. On Friday, the Pride heads to #7 Houston, Campbell is at Ohio State, William & Mary visits NC State and Elon goes to Notre Dame.
HOFSTRA BEATS SETON HALL, UMASS
Hofstra’s 2,124-foot road trip to the Nassau Coliseum ended in the CAA’s signature win to this point in the 2024-25 season. The Pride grinded out a 49-48 victory over Seton Hall, thanks in part to 10 second-half points and a clutch three-pointer from Jaquan Sanders.
Hofstra’s win over Seton Hall was the CAA’s third over the Big East in the last two seasons, as Delaware beat Xavier and Drexel downed Villanova last season. The Pride followed with a 75-71 win over UMass on Saturday to move to 4-0. Jean Aranguren led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
BRZOVIC’S BUZZER BEATER
Charleston’s Ante Brzovic continued his steller start to the season, draining a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Cougars a 119-116 2ot win over FAU last Friday. Brzvoic finished with a career-high 39 points and 13 rebounds and is #2 nationally in scoring at 27.5 ppg for 3-1 Charleston.
Campbell (3-2)
• Jason Sinani poured in a team-high 24 points in Campbell’s win at Navy last Sunday. It was the first 20-point game of the season for the Camels.
• Campbell was 19-of-22 at the free throw line at Navy and the Camels rank 4th nationally in free throw percentage at 84% for the season.
Charleston (3-1)
•Ante Brzovic hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer as part of a career-high 39-point effort in Charleston’s 119-116 2ot win over FAU last Friday. He ranks 2nd nationally in scoring at 27.5 ppg.
• The 119 points and 42 made field goals vs. FAU were a school record for the Cougars in the Division I era.
Delaware (2-2)
•John Camden scored a career-high 27 points against Bryant, hitting 10-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
•Delaware shot a season-best 90.5% from the free throw line against Bryant, including a perfect 11-for-11 in the first half.
Drexel (2-2)
• Cole Hargrove posted his second straight double-double in Drexel’s loss to La Salle with 10 points and 15 rebounds. He had 15 points and 12 boards vs. Temple.
• Jason Drake poured in a team-best 17 points against La Salle on 7-of-11 FG shooting, including 3-of-4 from three.
Elon (1-2)
• Elon had five players score in double figures against Gardner-Webb, led by Nick Dorn and TK Simpkins with 17 points apiece.
• Four Elon players are averaging at least 13.0 ppg, led by TJ Simpkins at 17.3 ppg and Dorn at 16.7 ppg.
Hampton (1-3)
• Hampton led for over 15 minutes of an upset bid at Providence last Tuesday night and turned over the Friars 14 times.
• George Beale, Jr. came off the bench to score 12 points in the loss to Norfolk State on Saturday.
Hofstra (4-0)
• Hofstra’s win over Seton Hall was its first when scoring under 50 points since defeating Manhattan, 44-39, on Dec. 9, 2009. (Thanks to Jerry Beach for the note.)
• Hofstra is off to a 4-0 start for the second time in the past three seasons.
Monmouth (0-5)
• Abdi Bashir Jr. set a program record with 10 treys and scored a career-high 38 points in a setback to #24 Rutgers last Friday. Bashir, Jr. has tallied double figures in all five games, including 15 at Wichita State on Monday.
• Chris Morgan made a career-best four steals at Wichita State, which was the most for a MU player this season.
North Carolina A&T (2-2)
• Ryan Forrest scored a career-high 26 points in Sunday’s road win at The Citadel. He is averaging 23.5 ppg over the Aggies’ past two contests.
•Jahnathan Lamoth added 18 points at The Citadel, including 14 in the second half. He was 5-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three.
UNCW (3-0)
• UNCW had five players score double figures at USC Upstate on Friday, led by Donovan Newby with 20 points. It was the second time in three games that the Seahawks have had five in double digits.
• UNCW is off to a 3-0 start for the second straight season.
Northeastern (3-1)
• Rashad King scored a career-high 27 points and Harold Woods posted his 2nd double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the win over CCSU.
• Northeastern defeated both Boston opponents on the schedule to capture an unofficial city title.
Stony Brook (2-2)
• CJ Luster hit 6-of-11 treys and scored a career-high 30 points with nine rebounds in the win over St. Joseph’s (LI).
• Collin O’Connor’s basket with three seconds remaining lifted Stony Brook to a one-point win at Central Michigan.
Towson (2-2)
• Dylan Williamson poured in 22 points in Towson’s win over defending Sun Belt champ James Madison on Saturday. Williamson is shooting 52.6 (10-19) from three for the season.
• Towson got 24 points from its bench players in the victory over JMU.
William & Mary (3-3)
• W&M knocked down 16 three-pointers and scored 102 points in the win over Ga. Southern despite playing its third game in three days.
• Noah Collier scored a team-best 19 points on 7-of-7 FG shooting vs. GSU and added seven rebounds and three assists.