Preview: William & Mary at Monmouth
Monmouth Hawks Look to Upset William & Mary Tribe in Key Colonial Athletic Association Clash
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between two mid-major powerhouses as the Monmouth University Hawks (5-1) head to Williamsburg, Virginia to take on the William & Mary College Tribe (6-2). The CAA's top contender, William & Mary, will face a stiff test against a Hawks team looking to make some noise in the conference standings.
The Key Matchup: Rebounding Battle
The X-factor in this matchup is the battle for rebounds. Both teams boast high-powered offenses, but their respective rebounding numbers are telling of potential mismatches. Monmouth's strong inside presence, led by Jason Rivera-Torres (7.9 RPG), could give William & Mary's smaller interior corps fits. Meanwhile, William & Mary's Chase Lowe (4.8 RPG) will need to contain the Hawks' outside shooting threats and secure crucial boards against a more athletic Monmouth team.
Recent Form and Trends
William & Mary has been on fire lately, with four straight wins over quality opponents in Stony Brook, Towson, Radford, and Duquesne. The Tribe's offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 75.6 points per game during their winning streak. Monmouth, meanwhile, has shown flashes of brilliance against top CAA foes like Lehigh and Quinnipiac.
Storylines and Matchup Breakdown
As the Hawks look to upset a favored opponent for the first time in recent memory, they'll need to capitalize on their own strengths. Their high-powered offense, led by Jack Collins (4.9 APG), will need to find ways to exploit William & Mary's defense, which has struggled against outside shooting threats. For William & Mary, containing Monmouth's outside threat and securing crucial rebounds will be key.
Anticipation Builds for a High-Stakes CAA Clash
The stage is set for an instant classic in Williamsburg as the Hawks look to pull off the upset of the season. Will Monmouth's gritty defense and strong rebounding efforts be enough to take down the top-seeded Tribe? Or will William & Mary's offense continue its winning ways, leaving Monmouth with a bitter taste of defeat?
One thing is certain: this matchup promises to be an instant classic, with both teams eager to prove themselves as legitimate contenders in the CAA.