Duggan took his game to another level during CAA play, leading the conference in scoring last season averaging 19.9 points in league play. The 6-7 forward turned in eight 20-plus point games against CAA opponents and scored double figures in all 18 conference games.
The junior shot 46 percent from the floor and 33 percent from 3-point range.
“We felt like Colby was one of the best competitors in our league,” Mack said. “A guy who was a challenge to play against. When the portal opened up, he was one of the first guys we contacted.”
Dean earned a spot on the Preseason All-CAA second team after earning Big South rookie of the year honors. A Miami native, the 6-6 guard averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds a game last season at USC Upstate.
Dean was third in the Big South in field goal percentage, shooting 57 percent from the floor, while leading the league with 2.1 steals per game. He scored in double figures 24 times out of 31 games while scoring 20-plus points 10 times during the season.
“Mister is a freaky athlete,” Mack said. “He just has a different pop, a different bounce than anyone I’ve coached before and I’ve coached some good ones. He’s still learning the game and has to get better in a lot of areas.
“What he can do on both ends of the floor is unique. He can hound the ball handler; he can effect things at the rim with his shot blocking. He’s a freight train in transition. His ability to finish around the rim is as good as anyone I’ve been around. He is special.”
Charleston Cougars guard Taryn Barbot (5) was named the CAA preseason player of the year on Oct. 2.
Robert Scheer/Staff
CofC women picked to win CAA
College of Charleston women’s basketball team was picked to win the CAA, while Cougars guard Taryn Barbot was named the preseason player of the year, the league announced on Thursday.
Her sister, Taylor Barbot, was selected to the preseason All-CAA second team.
Taryn Barbot, the reigning CAA player of the year, led the conference in eight statistical categories, averaging 17.7 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per contest and shot 38.1 percent.