The road to March Madness unofficially begins for the Coastal Athletic Association on Oct. 19 with the 2023 edition of media day. 

Each member of the Coastal looks ahead to a 2023-24 campaign full of promise, with several teams capable of breakout runs. In anticipation of what should be an exciting season, here are five storylines to follow and questions to be addressed at CAA media day. 

How Does Charleston Adjust to Being The Hunted? 

A year ago at this time, Pat Kelsey's College of Charleston Cougars loomed under the radar. The preseason poll tabbed defending regular-season CAA champion Towson as the overwhelming favorite — and why not? Coach Pat Skerry has done a terrific job with the Tigers, and returned a talented roster with key veterans like Nicolas Timberlake and Charles Thompson. 

Towson garnered every first-place vote in the preseason poll, except one. The lone exception went to Charleston. Whomever submitted that ballot, take a bow. 

Despite its one first-place vote, however, Charleston was slotted fourth overall behind Hofstra and Delaware, as well as favored Towson. Coming into 2023-24, there's no question the Cougars are the team wearing the bull's eye after winning both a share of the regular-season CAA championship and representing the league in the NCAA Tournament. 

The always energetic Kelsey certainly won't shy away from Charleston's place as the team to beat, but learning more about the veteran Cougars' approach to an offseason when they came a few possessions away from beating the eventual Final Four runners-up will provide some detail into the season ahead. 

Which Will Be This Season's Breakout Team? 

In much the same way Charleston's rise last season defied expectations, 2021-22 regular-season champion Towson emerged after being picked eighth in the preseason poll. The 2020-21 poll tabbed regular-season co-champions James Madison and Northeastern No. 9 and No. 7. 

After three straight seasons of surprise teams emerging to set the pace in the CAA, the 2023-24 version of the league's depth could lend itself to yet another unexpected turn in the championship race. 

Some choices are obvious, like Drexel with its tough, defensive approach under coach Zach Spiker. Having the two-time Defensive Player of the Year and potential NBA draft pick Amari Williams as the centerpiece doesn't hurt the Dragons' outlook, either. 

Northeastern endured a trying 2022-23, but the program's all-time winningest coach, Bill Coen, won't let the Huskies stay down for long. Plenty of other options loom in a league that's looking increasingly competitive from top-to-bottom. 

Life After Aaron at Hofstra

The 2022-23 CAA Player of the Year Aaron Estrada shot 54.5 percent from inside the 3-point arc, almost 37 percent from beyond the line and averaged 20.2 points a contest for perennial contender Hofstra. 

He's gone, leaving a considerable void for Speedy Claxton to fill in the Pride backcourt. 

Fortunately for Hofstra, Claxton's proven himself an outstanding head coach in his short time leading his alma mater, and adept at attracting perimeter talent. Last season's marquee new addition, Tyler Thomas, proved himself an explosive scoring option. 

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Hear what Head Coach Speedy Claxton, Tyler Thomas, and Nelson Boachie-Yiadom had to say about Tuesday's HISTORIC #Hofstra win over Rutgers in the NIT. #PrideOfLI pic.twitter.com/ez66o8r668

— Hofstra Men's Basketball (@HofstraMBB) March 15, 2023

With Thomas back and rejoining Darlinstone Dubar and Jaquan Carlos in the Hofstra backcourt, the Pride boast plenty of firepower despite Estrada's exit. But how much of the considerable scoring load left unaccounted for will be distributed among Thomas, Dubar and Carlos, and who will emerge to support them? 

Year 2 Adjustments for Last Year's Newcomers

At March's CAA Championship in Washington D.C., a recurring theme among the conference newcomers — Hampton, Monmouth, North Carolina A&T and Stony Brook — was the head coaches for each emphasizing the need to step up against the Coastal's overall level of competition. 

Each of the four finished in the lower-half of the conference standings, including play-in round winner Monmouth. After beating fellow first-year conference member Hampton on the standalone first game of the CAA Championship, Hawks coach King Rice said he "told my team...'This is the last time we'll be in this game.'" 

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^^^^ tell the story of Jack Collins: Mic'd Up 👀@MonmouthBBall || #FlyHawks pic.twitter.com/ftP3dMDJPJ

— Monmouth Hawks (@MonmouthHawks) October 13, 2023

Monmouth and the rest of the newcomers are now CAA sophomores; Campbell comes aboard as the new proverbial freshman. With a season of Coastal competition under its belt and firsthand experience, the forecast entering the season might look different than when they were each embarking on the unknown. 

Can The CAA Be A Multi-Bid Conference in 2024?

College of Charleston's nation-leading winning streak last season powered the Cougars into the Top 25, a highlight of a postseason resume worthy of NCAA Tournament at-large consideration. 

Charleston didn't need to lean on that resume, or the mysterious whims of the selection committee, thanks to its dramatic championship-game win over UNC Wilmington. But last year's success and the bevy of experienced talent returning to the Cougars — including Ante Brzovic and Reyne Smith, headliners of Charleston's strong international contingent — coupled with key additions like Stony Brook transfer Frankie Policelli has the defending champions starting this season just outside the Top 25. 

The strong opening positioning could be a boon by season's end in terms of national recognition and perception. It also provides the entire CAA the proverbial rising tide for other teams in the postseason hunt. 

Takayo Siddle's remarkable head-coaching job at UNCW could reach a crescendo this season. The Seahawks have arguably their best roster in Siddle's tenure, welcoming back Shykeim Phillips, Maleeck Harden-Hayes, Nick Farrar and potential CAA Player of the Year Trazarien White. 

Always-tough Towson builds around veteran Charles Thompson as linchpin for a team capable of winning the conference. Likewise, Drexel retains the outstanding big man Amari Williams. Claxton's outstanding work at Hofstra ensures the Pride will again factor into the championship picture. 

This year's CAA may be the best the conference has been in several years. With some marquee non-conference dates — including Charleston's matchup with 2023 Final Four participant FAU on Dec. 2 — the Coastal has plenty of opportunities to prove itself worthy of multiple-bid consideration come March.