In each of its first two seasons under coach Mike Schrage, Elon has made a habit of finishing strong. So, it should come as no surprise the Phoenix contributed to making the final few weeks of Colonial Athletic Association play just a little more frenzied. 

Elon handed UNC-Wilmington its first loss since mid-December and only blemish in CAA play through games played Feb. 3, in the process tightening the regular-season championship race. 

Coupled with Towson’s comeback win over Drexel and hot-shooting victory against Hofstra, the Colonial went into February’s first weekend with just one game of separation between first and second place. 

As for Elon, the Phoenix’s track record in the closing weeks since Schrage took over is a great reminder that the CAA offers zero off-days–even when a shoe comes off. 

SAM. SHERRY. HAMMER. ?@SamSherry9 #Team109 #HeatRises? pic.twitter.com/nAw0LO5Bij

— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) February 4, 2022

Hofstra Vs. Drexel

Five teams went into the Feb. 5 weekend with four or five conference losses. Two of them–Hofstra and Drexel–square off in a pivotal Thursday night matchup. 

The Pride and Dragons have the ingredients to win next month’s CAA Tournament, with Drexel in fact carrying the distinction of being the defending champion and Hofstra winning the 2020 edition. Both have been tripped up by a variety of misfortunes, but are still very much in the hunt. 

Drexel opens the week with a matchup against James Madison before welcoming Hofstra to Daskalakis Athletic Center, and the Dragons should be nearing full-strength in time for this critical stretch. 

James Butler is working his way back into the rotation, while Amari Williams continues to hold down the interior. Williams posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Feb. 3 defeat of Delaware. 

Hofstra’s Aaron Estrada has hit for 20-plus points six times since the calendar turned, and 30 twice. 

Elon Vs. Towson

Upset-minded Elon comes into Towson looking to finish what it started when these two teams last met. The Phoenix built a double-digit-point lead in the Jan. 15 meeting, but the Tigers rallied to pull off a 59-54 win. 

Towson has proven exceedingly tough in comeback scenarios, including a late-game flurry to avoid a sweep by Drexel Jan. 29. 

The Tigers have also flourished, showing off some of the greatest depth in the conference–to wit, Charles Thompson, who had a muted showing at Elon, had a monster game against Drexel and came through with some rim-rattling dunks at Hofstra. 

Charles Thompson with the hammer! @Towson_MBB #CAAHoops on @FloHoops:https://t.co/iakDWYEYBF pic.twitter.com/FeLfiGVtGc

— CAA Basketball (@CAABasketball) February 4, 2022

Depth is a quality Elon hopes to emphasize in its late-season push, as well. Mike Schrage pointed to Sam Sherry’s contributions in the upset of UNCW as an example. Zac Ervin, Torrence Watson, Michael Graham, Hunter McIntosh and Darius Burford are all averaging between around eight points and 13.2 points per game. 

Hofstra Vs. Delaware

Hofstra’s crucial weekend road swing continues at Delaware, where the Blue Hens look to finish off a four-game homestand strong. 

The Pride edged Delaware in the first meeting, 82-77, despite five Blue Hens scoring in double-figures. Delaware’s balance could not withstand the 30-point barrage Aaron Estrada unloaded. 

Both Hofstra and UD will be contenders for the NCAA Tournament’s automatic bid next month in Washington, D.C., but seeding in the conference tournament could go a long way in determining how far either advances. That puts a premium on this matchup. 

Charleston Vs. UNC-Wilmington

Trask Coliseum has been rocking as UNCW has surged to first place in the CAA. Expect more of the same against one of the first opponents to get acquainted with the Seahawks’ offensive explosiveness. 

UNCW knocked off Charleston in an 86-78 shootout on Jan. 17 behind 24 points from Jaylen Sims and 20 from Shykiem Phillips. The backcourt duo have been central to UNCW’s expectation-defying play, but Jaylen Fornes (who scored 16 points against Charleston) and Jamahri Harvey provide invaluable depth. 

Charleston rolls into February on a winning streak, finding its footing in time for the most important stretch of conference play. With four Cougars scoring in double-figures, Pat Kelsey’s squad have no shortage of options, but John Meeks carried much of the load last time against UNCW with 27 points.