2021–22 Drexel Dragons men's basketball team

2021–22 Drexel Dragons men's basketball
ConferenceColonial Athletic Association
Record15–14 (10–8 CAA)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Paul Fortier (6th season)
  • Justin Jennings (6th season)
  • Rob O’Driscoll (6th season)
  • Will Chavis (1st season)
MVPCamren Wynter (4th year)
CaptainMatej Juric
Home arenaDaskalakis Athletic Center
Seasons
2021–22 CAA men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Towson 15 3   .833 25 9   .735
UNC Wilmington 15 3   .833 27 9   .750
Hofstra 13 5   .722 21 11   .656
Drexel 10 8   .556 15 14   .517
Delaware 10 8   .556 22 13   .629
Charleston 8 10   .444 17 15   .531
Elon 7 11   .389 10 22   .313
James Madison* 6 12   .333 15 14   .517
William & Mary 4 14   .222 5 27   .156
Northeastern 2 16   .111 9 22   .290
*Ineligible for conference tournament due to changing conferences in 2022
2022 CAA tournament winner


The 2021–22 Drexel Dragons men's basketball team represented Drexel University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Dragons, led by sixth-year head coach Zach Spiker, played their home games at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as members of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Previous season[edit]

In a season limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Dragons finished the 2020–21 season 14–18, 4–5 in CAA play to finish in 6th place. They defeated Charleston, Northeastern, and Elon to win the CAA tournament championship. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 16 seed in the Midwest region.[1][2] There they lost to No. 1-seeded Illinois.

Offseason[edit]

Departures[edit]

Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Zach Walton 5 F 6'6" 205 RS Senior Morton, WA Graduated
Anto Keshgegian 12 G 6'3" 185 RS Senior Media, PA Graduated
Tim Perry Jr 13 F 6'10" 230 RS Junior Cherry Hill, NJ Left team
Julian Adams 20 G 6'1" 175 RS Senior York, PA Graduated
T.J. Bickerstaff 23 F 6'9" 207 Sophomore Atlanta, GA Transferred to Boston College[3]
Tadas Kararinas 32 C 6'10" 210 Senior Šilutė, Lithuania Signed to BC Kuršiai
Chuka Mekkam 55 C 6'1" 185 Junior Portland, OR Left team; Transferred to Neumann

Incoming transfers[edit]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Trevion Brown
PG
Tacoma, WA Colorado State–Pueblo 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Mar 30, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Melik Martin
SF
York, PA Monmouth 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Apr 20, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Drexel 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  • "Drexel Dragons". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.

Recruiting classes[edit]

2021 recruiting class[edit]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Terrence Butler Jr
SF
Upper Marlboro, MD Bishop McNamara High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jul 20, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Ata Can Atsüren
PG
Turkey Tofaş S.K. 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) N/A Aug 15, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

2022 recruiting class early commitments[edit]

US college sports recruiting information for 2022 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Kobe Magee
SG
Allentown, PA Executive Education Academy Charter School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) N/A Jun 23, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Justin Moore
PG
Wyncote, PA Archbishop Wood 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Sep 28, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Shane Blakeney
PG
Rock Hill, SC Legion Collegiate Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Oct 1, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Preseason[edit]

In a poll of the league coaches, media relations directors, and media members at the CAA's media day, Drexel was picked to finish in third place in the CAA.[4] Graduate student James Butler and senior guard Camren Wynter were selected to the Preseason CAA All-Conference First Team. Camren Wynter was also selected as the Preseason CAA Player of the Year.

Roster[edit]

2021–22 Drexel Dragons men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Coletrane Washington 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 183 lb (83 kg) RS Jr Quaker Valley HS Sewickley, PA
G/F 1 Lamar Oden Jr 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 211 lb (96 kg) So Greenforest McCalep Atlanta, GA
G/F 2 Melik Martin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) RS Sr York Catholic HS/Monmouth York, PA
G 3 Trevion Brown 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 173 lb (78 kg) RS Jr Gateway Legacy/Colorado State–Pueblo Tacoma, WA
G 4 Xavier Bell 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So Andover Central HS Wichita, KS
G 11 Camren Wynter 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Sr Holy Trinity HS/DME Academy Hempstead, NY
G 12 Dean Wang (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So Friends Select School Philadelphia, PA
F 14 Luke House 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr Archbishop John Carroll HS/Cal (PA) Norristown, PA
G 15 Matej Juric (C) 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sr Lake Forest Academy/Oakwood Toronto, ON, Canada
F 21 Mate Okros 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) Jr Myerscough College Debrecen, Hungary
C 22 Amari Williams 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) So Myerscough Nottingham, United Kingdom
G 23 Ata Can Atsüren 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) Fr Özlüce Doğa Koleji/Tofaş S.K. Nilüfer, Turkey
F 24 Terrence Butler Jr Current redshirt 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Fr Bishop McNamara HS Upper Marlboro, MD
F 51 James Butler (6th Year Sr) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) RS Sr Lake Braddock/Navy Fairfax Station, VA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 8 November 2021

Schedule and results[edit]

The Dragons' November 12, 2021 game against Fairleigh Dickinson was postposed due to travel issues.[5] The game was rescheduled for December 2.[6]

Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Non-conference regular season
November 9, 2021*
8:00 pm
Neumann W 103–74  1–0
 16  J. Butler   7  Williams   8  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (1,846)
Philadelphia, PA
November 14, 2021*
5:00 pm, ESPN2
Syracuse L 60–75  1–1
 16  Okros   5  Williams   4  Brown  Carrier Dome (20,841)
Syracuse, NY
November 17, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
at Saint Joseph's W 78–75  2–1
 23  J. Butler   11  J. Butler   6  Wynter  Hagan Arena (1,669)
Philadelphia, PA
November 22, 2021*
2:30 pm, FloHoops
vs. Tulane
Nassau Championship quarterfinal
L 87–90 OT 2–2
 27  Martin   10  J. Butler   4  Bell  Baha Mar Convention Center 
Nassau, Bahamas
November 23, 2021*
2:30 pm, FloHoops
vs. Charlotte
Nassau Championship consolation
W 67–55  3–2
 20  Wynter   16  J. Butler   5  Wynter  Baha Mar Convention Center 
Nassau, Bahamas
November 24, 2021*
2:30 pm, FloHoops
vs. Jacksonville State
Nassau Championship 5th place game
L 64–72  3–3
 14  Tied   8  J. Butler   4  Wynter  Baha Mar Convention Center 
Nassau, Bahamas
December 2, 2021*
7:00 pm
Fairleigh Dickinson
Rescheduled from November 12
W 86–65  4–3
 25  J. Butler   14  J. Butler   6  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (852)
Philadelphia, PA
December 4, 2021*
4:00 pm, ESPN+
at Princeton L 79–81 OT 4–4
 18  Wynter   12  J. Butler   3  Okros  Jadwin Gymnasium (1,312)
Princeton, NJ
December 11, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
at Abilene Christian L 56–73  4–5
 12  Oden Jr.   13  J. Butler   2  J. Butler  Teague Center (603)
Abilene, TX
December 14, 2021*
8:00 pm
Coppin State W 76–69  5–5
 15  Oden Jr.   11  J. Butler   6  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (1,155)
Philadelphia, PA
December 18, 2021*
2:00 pm, ESPN+
at Temple Canceled due to COVID-19 protocols Liacouras Center 
Philadelphia, PA
December 21, 2021*
4:00 pm, ESPN+
at La Salle Canceled due to COVID-19 protocols Tom Gola Arena 
Philadelphia, PA
CAA regular season
January 3, 2022
6:00 pm, CBSSN
Towson W 65–61  6–5
(1–0)
 15  Okros   5  3 Tied   7  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (624)
Philadelphia, PA
January 11, 2022
7:00 pm, NBCSPHI+
Delaware L 77–81  6–6
(1–1)
 18  Bell   7  Tied   5  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (857)
Philadelphia, PA
January 15, 2022
2:00 pm
at Northeastern W 76–68  7–6
(2–1)
 26  Wynter   10  Willilams   9  Wynter  Matthews Arena (0)
Boston, MA
January 17, 2022
2:00 pm
at Hofstra L 68–71  7–7
(2–2)
 30  Bell   7  Williams   5  Bell  Mack Sports Complex (1,106)
Hempstead, NY
January 20, 2022
7:00 pm, NBCSPHI+
Elon W 77–49  8–7
(3–2)
 17  Tied   6  Martin   3  Tied  Daskalakis Athletic Center (788)
Philadelphia, PA
January 22, 2022
2:00 pm
William & Mary L 75–83  8–8
(3–3)
 26  Wynter   9  Tied   6  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (1,710)
Philadelphia, PA
January 27, 2022
7:00 pm
at James Madison W 88–82  9–8
(4–3)
 21  Williams   12  Williams   6  Wynter  Atlantic Union Bank Center (3,927)
Harrisonburg, VA
January 29, 2022
2:00 pm
at Towson L 62–66  9–9
(4–4)
 20  Wynter   8  Williams   3  Wynter  SECU Arena (1,587)
Towson, MD
January 31, 2022
7:00 pm
at UNC Wilmington
Rescheduled from December 31
L 63–70  9–10
(4–5)
 14  Washington   8  Butler   3  Wynter  Trask Coliseum (4,310)
Wilmington, NC
February 3, 2022
6:00 pm, CBSSN
at Delaware W 76–68  10–10
(5–5)
 21  Martin   10  Williams   5  Wynter  Bob Carpenter Center (2,844)
Newark, DE
February 7, 2022
7:00 pm, NBCSPHI+
James Madison
Rescheduled from January 5
W 72–66  11–10
(6–5)
 27  Wynter   13  Williams   6  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (743)
Philadelphia, PA
February 10, 2022
7:00 pm, NBCSPHI+
Hofstra L 73–83  11–11
(6–6)
 19  Williams   6  Martin   4  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (838)
Philadelphia, PA
February 12, 2022
2:00 pm
Northeastern W 67–51  12–11
(7–6)
 22  Bell   7  Wynter   7  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (872)
Philadelphia, PA
February 14, 2022
7:00 pm
at Charleston
Rescheduled from December 29
L 75–79  12–12
(7–7)
 21  Washington   11  Williams   8  Wynter  TD Arena (3,516)
Charleston, SC
February 17, 2022
7:00 pm
at William & Mary W 72–57  13–12
(8–7)
 14  Wynter   9  Butler   3  Tied  Kaplan Arena (2,295)
Williamsburg, VA
February 19, 2022
4:00 pm
at Elon W 71–60  14–12
(9–7)
 12  Martin   8  Williams   4  Wynter  Schar Center (2,456)
Elon, NC
February 24, 2022
7:00 pm, NBCSPHI
UNC Wilmington L 63–69  14–13
(9–8)
 20  Williams   19  Williams   4  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (690)
Philadelphia, PA
February 26, 2022
4:00 pm, NBCSPHI
Charleston W 80–79  15–13
(10–8)
 18  Wynter   11  Williams   5  Wynter  Daskalakis Athletic Center (1,184)
Philadelphia, PA
CAA Tournament
March 6, 2022
2:30 pm
(4) vs. (5) Delaware
Quarterfinal
L 56–66  15–14
 28  Wynter   10  Martin   2  Butler  Entertainment and Sports Arena (1,811)
Washington, D.C.
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Awards[edit]

James Butler
  • Preseason CAA All-Conference First Team
  • "Sweep" Award (team leader in rebounds)
Luke House
  • Donald Shank Spirit & Dedication Award
Matej Juric
  • CAA Dean Ehlers Leadership Award
  • Team Academic Award
Melik Martin
  • City of Basketball Love All–City 6 Second Team
Amari Williams
  • CAA Defensive Player of the Year
  • CAA All-Conference Third Team
  • CAA All-Defensive Team
  • City of Basketball Love Most Improved Player
  • CAA Player of the Week
  • Dragon "D" Award (team's top defensive player)
  • Samuel D. Cozen Award (team's most improved player)
Camren Wynter
  • CAA All-Conference First Team
  • City of Basketball Love All–City 6 First Team
  • Preseason CAA Player of the Year
  • Preseason CAA All-Conference First Team
  • Team Most Valuable Player[7]
  • Assist Award (team leader in assists)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Washburn, Rob (March 9, 2021). "DREXEL TOPS ELON, 63-56, TO CAPTURE FIRST CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP". CAASports.com. Harrisonburg, VA: CAA. Archived from the original (Web) on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Dragons Top Elon For CAA Championship". DrexelDragons.com. Harrisonburg, VA. March 9, 2021. Archived from the original (Web) on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  3. ^ Goodman, Jeff (April 16, 2021). "Jeff Goodman on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  4. ^ McQuiggan, Miles (October 28, 2021). "DELAWARE SELECTED AS CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON FAVORITE; DREXEL'S CAMREN WYNTER NAMED PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR". CAASports.com. CAA. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "Non-Conference Game at Drexel Postponed" (Web). Philadelphia, PA. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Dragons and FDU Rescheduled for Dec. 2" (Web). DrexelDragons.com. Philadelphia, PA. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Men's Basketball Announces Team Award Winners" (Web). DrexelDragons.com. Philadelphia, PA. May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.