- Campbell seeks first NCAA bid since 1992 with 21-win season
- William & Mary aims to overcome -4 scoring margin in conference play
- 55% of games decided by single digits this CAA tournament
The Colonial Athletic Association championship game features a compelling contrast in narratives as the Campbell Camels (21-11) face the William & Mary Tribe (14-18) at Washington's Entertainment & Sports Arena. This Sunday afternoon showdown carries monumental implications, with the winner securing the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Campbell enters as the statistical favorite, boasting a 14-6 conference record anchored by the third-best scoring defense (62.1 PPG allowed) in CAA play. However, William & Mary's three-point shooting defense (27.9% allowed) could neutralize Campbell's perimeter attack that averages 6.3 made threes per game. The teams' previous meeting on March 8 saw Campbell dominate 73-55 behind Gianni Boone's 14-point, 8-rebound performance.
Regional economic impact studies show CAA Championship games generate $2.3M in local revenue for Washington businesses. Hotel occupancy rates near the arena typically spike 37% during tournament weekend, with restaurants reporting 22% higher sales compared to non-event weekends.
Coaching strategems will prove critical - Campbell's Kevin McGeehan employs a positionless offense that creates matchup nightmares, while William & Mary's Dane Fischer counters with hybrid zone defenses. The Camels' +4.8 rebound margin could decide this rubber match, particularly if second-chance opportunities materialize.