OK, I promised not to mention the F-word around here; this blog is all hoops, all the time.

But maybe you've heard there's going to be a new team in helmet and pads stomping around ODU soon. If you're interested in that kind of thing, check out The Pilot's new site, ODUblitz.com. Maybe you've heard of the guy covering the team.

Now, back to basketball ...

The Colonial Athletic Association has released its 2008-09 prospectus.

A few tidbits to get you (and me) thinking hoops in the dog days of August :

* Ten of the CAA’s 12 teams welcome back at least three regulars.

Northeastern is the only squad that has its entire starting lineup back; Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison and ODU each have four starters back.

* Seven all-conference players return, led by VCU’s Eric Maynor, the reigning CAA Player of the Year.

Maynor, a point guard, flirted with turning pro after his junior season but decided to return. He led the league in assists (5.5 per game) and was second in scoring at 17.9 ppg. Also back are second-teamers Matt Janning (16.1 ppg) of Northeastern and ODU’s Gerald Lee (12.9 ppg, 5.8 boards).

Four third-team picks are back: Delaware G Marc Egerson (13.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg); Towson F Junior Hairston (12 ppg, 8.9 rpg); James Madison G Abdulai Jalloh (15.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg); and Georgia State G Leonard Mendez (16 ppg).

* The coaching carousel made only one stop, with Matt Brady replacing Dean Keener at JMU.

Brady led Marist to a 73-50 record over four seasons. Before that he was a college assistant coach for 17 seasons.

* Eleven D-I transfers are eligible to play this season, five of them at Georgia State.

Georgia State’s newcomers: G Dante Curry, soph., from South Florida; G Joe Dukes, jr., from Wake Forest; F Trey Hampton, jr., and F Xavier Hansbro, jr., from Ole Miss; and F Bernard Rimmer, jr., from Mississippi.

Delaware’s newcomer: G Jawan Carter, soph., from St. Joe’s

William and Mary’s newcomer: G Sean McCurdy, jr., from Arkansas

Towson’s newcomers: G Brian Morris, soph., from Richmond; F Jarrel Smith, soph., and G Jimmy Smith, soph., from Colorado State

UNC Wilmington’s newcomer :G Johnny Wolf, jr., from Xavier

****

I’ll drop some more league notes on you as the summer drags on.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.