STF Conference Reports: The CAA

To say it has been an "uneven" nonconference season for the CAA is like saying you love rainy days. There are high points to both (VCU over Maryland, George Mason over Kansas State) but in the end there are significant downsides (VMI over JMU, Winston Salem State over Georgia State, East Carolina over Mason). But what are you going to do?

Egg nog.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

VCU: The "honor" goes to the Rams if only because they were the only team in the conference to (1) win all the games they played; AND (2) look consistently good in doing so. Eric Maynor (see below) is cranking up the engine, and the VCU freshmen seem to be settling into their roles. The result was two fairly easy victories, 71-57 over William & Mary in their conference opener and 65-45 over Richmond. UNCW gets the silver medal. The Seahawks played well but lost at Missouri State and then overwhelmed Coastal Carolina 80-66. ODU is listed as "others receiving votes" for its expected annihilation of UMES.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Eric Maynor, VCU - You know, I keep talking about Junior Hairston at Towson. The College of Cremins transfer pulled down 21 rebounds...again. Only David Robinson has two same-season 20+ rebound games in the history of the CAA. I'm also a big fan of UNCWs freshman point guard Chad Tomko, who finished the 1-1 week with 11 assists and two turnovers. Then there's Antoine Agudio of Hofstra, who is leading the country in scoring. But Maynor has to get the nod here. Maynor was outstnading against William & Mary, with 15 points, nine assists, and one turnover. And then against Richmond Maynor scored 25 points, including a personal 14-1 run to stake VCU to a big lead.

TEAM WITH THE WORST WEEK

If you judge based on practice and take a player's perspective, George Mason is the choice. A bad loss to East Carolina, a lackluster victory over Hampton, and getting drilled by Kent State (when you play very little defense) has a way of angering a coach. I've seen some drills at practices that are brutal. I'm sure Jim Larranaga had the Patriots doing the difficult version of those drills. However Georgia State had the worst week in terms of game performance. The Panthers played inspired in a close loss to Georgia Tech, and followed that step forward with a lackluster effort in a loss to 1-5 Winston Salem State. You read that right...Winston Salem State.

GAMES TO WATCH

12/15: Drexel vs. Temple (A Big Five..er...Big Six Matchup)

12/15: Charlotte at Hofstra (Though there are no "must-win" games until March, this qualifies as a "boy-wouldn't-it-be-nice-to-win" game.)

12/16: Virginia Tech at Old Dominion (The only team Blaine Taylor missed scheduling this year was the 1972 UCLA Bruins.)