In what has been a rebuilding season for Virginia Union University basketball, Joshua Caine is a cornerstone.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound freshman from Waldorf, Md., is cause for optimism as VUU works toward the CIAA tournament in Baltimore Feb. 26-March 3.

“Joshua has an unbelievable motor,” VUU Coach Jay Butler said.

“He’s tough, he runs the floor and I think he has a chance to make the (CIAA) All-Rookie team.”

Caine flashed his star power Jan. 27 in a road victory over Bluefield State, scoring 24 points on 12-for-14 shooting from floor with nine rebounds.

For that, plus an 11-point outing against Bowie State, he was named CIAA Rookie of the Week.

On the season he averages six points and three boards, numbers that figure to grow.

Coach Butler’s squad went 50-15 the past two seasons but got caught short this go-round with only two returnees from last year’s NCAA tournament second round outfit.

“I’d compare Josh to Raemaad Wright (Class of ’23),” Coach Butler said of last year’s All-CIAA rebounding leader. “Raemaad was All-Rookie as a freshman.”

The Panthers’ 82-63 loss at Lincoln. Pa., Feb. leaves them at 9-14 overall, 4-7 in CAA and 3-2 in Northern Division. A No. 2 seed in Baltimore remains realistic.

Following the loss at Lincoln, the Panthers traveled to the District of Columbia for a Washington Wizards game Feb. 4 at Capital One Arena, courtesy of NBA.

VUU will play CIAA foe Winston-Salem State on Feb. 17 as part of the NBA All-Star Game festivities in Indianapolis.