Drexel’s early-season success shows why a breakout season is possible after finishing eighth in the conference last season. 

The Dragons enter Saturday’s game against La Salle winners of three straight and an overall 3-1 record. Ken Pomeroy has Drexel ranked as the best team in CAA as of Friday. 

But their history, both recent and distant, is daunting. They haven’t had a winning season since 2014. Their last CAA title came in 2012. The last time they made the NCAA Tournament was 1996. 

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That team, which predated Drexel’s membership in the CAA, was led by future NBA champion Malik Rose. The Dragons ran off 27 wins, including their only NCAA Tournament victory in program history--a first-round upset of Memphis.

Last season they started well, but faded down the stretch, losing 11 of their last 13 games on their way to a 14-19 record and a second-round exit from the CAA Tournament. 

To get back to the tournament, the Dragons will rely on the duo of Camren Wynter and James Butler. Wynter is off to a strong start. Through four games he’s averaging 19.8 points and was named the CAA Player of the Week. Wynter has been effective from three-point range, shooting 9-17. He’s also distributing the ball well, averaging over five assists per game. 

A season ago, Butler was the conference’s top rebounder and one of the best in the nation. He ended the year fifth in the NCAA with 11.7 rebounds per game. Through four games, he’s almost averaging a double-double (11.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game).

After coming off the bench last season, sophomore T.J. Bickerstaff is making an impact as a starter. The 6’9 forward started the season scoring 19 in the loss to Pittsburgh. He’s a welcomed added scoring option for the Dragons and is also active on the offensive glass. 

Zach Walton, another senior, has also averaged double figures. 

Since dropping their first game to Pittsburgh, the Dragons have beaten Quinnipiac twice and took down Coppin State last Sunday. La Salle is 1-3 on the season. 

After last season’s struggles in the latter half of the season, there’s only so much to learn about Drexel before the conference season begins. But games like Saturday’s will help show if Drexel truly can contend with Hofstra, Delaware and Towson at the top of the CAA.