Conference champion

With Craig "Speedy" Claxton leading the way, Hofstra won the regular-season title, conference tournament and went on to lose to Oklahoma State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

That said, it was anything but easy for the Flying Dutchmen, who were handed a pair of losses in conference play and had to fight it out with Delaware for the right to go to the Big Dance.

Biggest disappointment

Dealware had everybody back from a team that won the 1999 NCAA Tournament team but could not be as dominant as many expected. Sure, they were fine with Mike Pegues leading the way, but they finished behind Hofstra and Maine in the AE standings and eventually lost in the conference tourney final.

They did earn an NIT bid, a nice coup for an AE team. But this team had a chance to make it consecutive NCAA Tournaments and let it slip away.

Biggest surprise

They had the best point guard in the league as everybody knew about Craig "Speedy" Claxton, but the Flying Dutchmen were still expected to spend their days fighting an uphill battle against Delaware and Maine.

Instead, with Claxton running the show the Dutchmen took control of the AE and earned a No. 14 seed into the NCAA Tournament.

Player of the year

Claxton had an amazing season, averaging 25.8 points, six assists and 5.4 rebounds. He also played great defense, averaging 3.3 steals. He could be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.

Coach of the year

His team won the regular-season title. The conference tournament and went to the NCAA Tournament. It's gotta be Hofstra's Jay Wright. Now, if the school can just keep him around for a while.

The future

The league should be wide open next year as the traditional powers have to make some moves. Delaware is always in the mix, but losing Mike Pegues and a host of other senior, the Blue Hens have some work to do. Hofstra, too, has to have some breaks replacing Claxton. Don't be surprised if Drexel gets back into the mix after a pair of quiet years.