Hoops Fan, I agree with your assessment of the MASCAC and the CCC.  However, the cold numbers from last year tell us differently:

The CCC was 2-8 against the MASCAC last year with the two CCC wins coming from Nichols and Wentworth.

So the bottom teams of the CCC were the ones that had success which kind of throws your theory about the MASCAC's bottom being better than the CCC's bottom. 

Personally, I think last year's numbers were a fluke.  I think the CCC is a stronger conference because they don't possess the drop off the MASCAC does after their top teams:  Teams like Salve can beat a Curry but Worcester State and Bridgewater still get swept by Salem.

Thanks to Hoops Fan for keeping the room active with some good leading questions...

In terms of posted schedules, the CCC is really looking to step up to many challenges.  Endicott, Curry, and CSC are all playing tough non league slates.  So is RWU (Conn, Lasell, Brandeis, WPI).  I even think WIT's is very challenging (Coast Guard, RPI, Marymount, and Farmington who is traditionally solid).

Maybe with these schedules, the CCC can surpass a league like the NEWMAC in terms of consistent strength.

I wouldn't be surprised if UNE is vastly improved.  They have a number of seniors who have played significant minutes (McManus, Regis) as well as solid players in Farynaz and Oliver.