Wash U is #1 in D3 poll and every preseason poll

Rochester and Brandeis are both very highly ranked

Chicago is recieving votes

Great year ahead in the UAA.  I'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves as one of the best (maybe the best) conference in the nation.  No other conference can give kids the type of experience they get from schools like Wash U, NYU, Rochester, Chicago, Brandeis, etc.  Hopefully the trophy is not far behind.

I must say I'm a bit surprised about the optimism towards Brandeis this season.  DeLuca is a nice player and they can be in games with anybody, but I can't see them doing as well as everyone thinks.  They didn't really ever seem to put an organzied game on the floor that you would expect to see from a top team.  Do they have a stud freshman?  Someone present their case for me. 

Well WU sweeps all the preseason polls (at least the four I've seen).  And if I may say so, it means someone had to see something big in them if a NESCAC school is the defending champ, bringing pack the POY and overtaken by a Midwestern school who has never won the whole thing.

They certainly do seem to have all the pieces.  Everyone knows about All-Americans Ruths and Wallace, but Nading might be their MVP.  I will go on record as saying he is the BEST DEFENDER IN DIII, as well as a go-to guy on offense.  Solid bench, great shooters - but they won't be overlooked to start this year like last.

Not many teams who start at number one end up there, but I know I'll be routing for the Bears to do it.  Potentially an unbelievable championship matchup in WU v Amherst.  I'd say we have two classes to start this year: Wash U/Amherst - and everybody else.  Not to say someone else couldn't win it, but they will be the heavy favorites and garner all the attention to start the year.

Good luck to both teams (but especially the Bears!  )