Scoring & Rebounding Not Valued by All-CAA Voters

I am certainly no CAA basketball historian. With the improved coverage of the league and the increased availability of stats however, it’s been much easier to analyze teams and players from the past. In fact, I recently analyzed (and by “analyzed” I mean looked at) the CAA stats for all seasons since 1996-1997. One thing really jumped out at me. In that time there has never been a single All-CAA first team that didn’t include the league’s leading scorer OR leading rebounder. In fact, in 9 of those seasons BOTH the leading scorer and leading rebounder found themselves on the first team.

So it’s pretty odd that this year the league’s coaches, media, and sports information directors neglected to vote the CAA’s leading scorer and the CAA’s leading rebounder onto the All-CAA team. It’s even more shocking considering that a single player led the league in both categories. That’s right, Denzel Bowles, the CAA’s leading scorer and leading rebounder, got snubbed from the All-CAA first team. Oh, and Bowles also lead the league in FG percentage.

So what gives? Critics will point to the fact that Bowles’ defense doesn’t measure up to his offense. Well, yeah, but he’s absolutely dominating on offense. And it’s not as if Larry Sanders, a first team forward, is an two-way force. Others will point to the fact that Bowles wasn’t eligible for the first semester. Well, that only caused him to miss one league match-up.

Anyone who reads this blog, knows I’m in the tank for the big guy, but seriously is there anyone in the CAA that can stop Denzel? Maybe there is, but I certainly didn’t see anyone do it all season. And it’s not like he padded his stats against weaker opponents. He put up big numbers night in and night out. Going head to head against Larry Sanders, the aforementioned first teamer and CAA Defensive Player of the Year, Bowles put up 21 points in the first matchup. Then to prove it was no fluke, he dropped 31 points in the rematch!

In any case, Bowles got screwed. He seems to play better when he’s got something to prove, so I’m calling it now, Denzel Bowles will be CAA Player of the Year next season. Write it down.

Finally, congratulations to our buddy and frequent commenter, Uncle Ron, who just became Daddy Uncle Ron for the first time!