St. Mary's probably has the best environment out of all the CAC schools when the students are at the school. 

I would disagree with that statement about the NBA being a street ball mentality league.  I think the NBA has shifted and has started looking for more athletic guys with potential then solid players who aren't as athletic.  The NBA game is still very much about X's and O's.  Those guys know the game, but all the highlights and stuff you see on TV is all about dunking and blocked shots.

D1 talent play D3 for a number of reasons.  Height, strength, and athleticism play a part in a lot of cases, but I have seen time and time again guys that play D3 roast guys that play D1 in high school.  D3 guys seem to be more cerebral bc of their lack of certain skills they have to make up for it somehow to still be able to compete.  In regards to D1 talents playing D3 ball I can name a lot of players from the CAC that would have contributed at the D1 level not just sit the bench.  Camonte Griffin from SMCM  a few yrs ago would have fit in great at a lot of D1 schools but they overlooked him bc of his height. Rashawn Johnson from Wesley would have been a very good D1 player.  I think Don Hill and Nick Laguerre from SMCM this yr should have been D1 out of high school.  Alex Irmer who was a 6'8 wingman for SMCM a few yrs ago had D1 offers but turned them down to play D3.  Chad McGowan from York back in the day could have played D1.  The list could go on and on for certain programs in the league.

I do agree that D3 does not market itself well enough though especially in the urban areas.  People look down on D3 and because they may have to pay they don't see the bigger picture.  The opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament, The quality academics most D3 schools provide, and the freedom to enjoy college not feeling like playing sports is a job like most D2 and D1 schools are.   This is why I think the Hoopsville Classic is so important to be played in Baltimore because most of the kids in that area believe its either scholarship or nothing.  When in reality there is a ton of options outside of a scholarship where you can compete in collegiate sports. This weekend will be an opportunity to show off D3 basketball to a very saturated D3 athlete area.  I'm excited to see these quality teams get after it. 

Salisbury loses to Virginia Wesleyan last night and CNU beat Randolph Macon.  CNU with a quality win early in the season.  Good for them.  Virginia Wesleyan is a tough game no matter what.  They have quality athletes that probably should not be playing D3 but somehow slip through the cracks of scholarship schools.  I would say the front runners for the league will be St. Mary's and CNU.  We will get to see what St. Mary's has to offer this wknd.  Two tough games against Cabrini and Middlebury.  St. Mary's is another school that seems to land talent that scholarship schools should have picked up. 

Salisbury has a huge test tonight against Virginia Wesleyan.  Good luck to them! Can't wait for the Hoopsville Classic event this wknd.  #10 St. Mary's vs #19 Cabrini on Fri. is the headliner.  Great showcase of quality D3 hoops in a very talent rich Baltimore area.  Ill be checking some of those games out this wknd.  Should be good for recruiting for the MD teams involved.  I know Salisbury is also in the event from the CAC.

Saw St. Mary's is ranked 10th in the D3 hoops preseason poll while Christopher Newport and Wesley are receiving votes.  Congrats to the CAC for getting some national recognition.  Ready for things to get started.  Any news on how teams are doing with scrimmages or anything?  I know St. Mary's scrimmaged Howard Community College last night not sure how it turned out.  Howard Community College Head Coach Mike Smelkinson is a St. Mary's alum and was part of their CAC championship team and sweet 16 appearance in 2008. 

Anybody who know brought in what in terms of freshmen and transfers this year?

Any preseason predictions this fall??? I saw St. Mary's is ranked preseason #2 in a magazine.  Returning four starters from an elite 8 run last year.  Hope the rest of the league brought in some quality transfers or recruits.  St. Mary's starting to run the table much like Catholic did back in the early 2000's.  Christopher Newport is usually a very tough team and with that long commute could have some serious home court advantage. Could also be tough for them on the road.  Wesley brings in athletes that cant get into any other college so I think they will be tough.  Salisbury being a public school in Maryland should compete considering MD is one of the better states in the country to land D3 guys.  2nd yr head coach at York should have brought in some of his guys and starting his own era there. Mary Washington is always going to be in the playoff mix.   Marymount, and Frostburg seem to never get anything done as of late.  Not sure about Penn State Harrisburg.

What about POY candidates?

Any news on incoming recruits for CAC schools?  I hear St. Mary's has reloaded with some quality bmore talent.  How about some of the other schools?

Assistant Men's Coach Matt Hunter at DeSales was just hired as the next head coach at York College of PA.  Congrats to him and good luck! Great hire for YCP. 

Heard Matt Hunter got the job at YCP.  He was an assistant at Desales for the last few years and also had a year as the interim coach at The College of New Jersey.  He was also an assistant TCNJ before he got the interim tag.  Hunter is a Salisbury University alum and played basketball for three years there.  Great hire he should do well in the CAC.  Good luck to him! 

DMac its a dangerous comment but its true.  Everybody knows it but people are afraid to say it. Guess what this guy isnt.  you sound like a
Salisbury hater. Give credit where credit is due. They have earned a top 25 ranking.  Whether they keep it is up to them but they have earned that ranking. last time i checked rankings arent made on the future its the present.  St Mary's will be fine they just need to fine tune some things and they will be ready to roll once conference play starts. They have a really hard out of conference schedule this year.  Glad to see Mary Washington getting votes as well. Been a long time since CAC had three teams getting votes.  The league sounds like the good ole days.  Hopefully it brings back some life to the board.  Miss the old Catholic fans. 

Big 4-0 start by Salisbury.  Nobody predicted that but congrats to Merkel and the team.  They will probably receive votes now for top 25 after defeating number 1 team, and Hopkins who defeated St Mary's.  Cant wait for conference play to start.  Glad Gamber is retiring maybe now York will get more diversity on its roster next year.  Maryland is a great state for D3 basketball lots of quality student athletes to recruit that can play at a high level. 

Salisbury University takes Pride of MD championship for first time in tourney history.  Seagulls are 3-0. St Marys is 2-1, heard Mary Washington beat a tough Christopher Newport team tonite. CAC is rolling right now.  Hopefully the league is competitive this year.

St Marys dominates this conference again this year.  SMCM is on a level that nobody can compete with.  They are the new Catholic of this conference.  Its ashame this board is so dead it used to be a good spot in the early 2000's.  Bring it back to life people. Maryland has best D3 kids in the country if you cant get kids in this conference from MD then you need to reevaluate coaching strategies. 

You guys are all just jealous of how the students at SMCM have embraced the basketball team and show their support for them.  They are not D1 wannabes they are simply the best D3 crowd in the nation.  There is not a more intimidating atmosphere in the country except for maybe at Duke or College Park.  You don't like the fans then don't come to the games. SMCM went farther then any ODAC team did this year.  And you guys keep talking about the past like it actually means something.  Sorry those times are gone and we like to live in the present.  Im so proud of my St Mary's boys if you have not already figured it out.  SMCM is now a d3 powerhouse and it is scary to think what next year will bring for them Final Four or even National Championship.  I don't think any ODAC teams want to play against SMCM come tourney time or even the regular season.  I would love to see EM play SMCM next year.