There may be an argument that I need some help.

In an effort to gauge our progress towards a second bid–and really, that’s what consumes us in December–I consulted my archives and dug up the 12/27/05 CAA Report. Yes, I kept it. Now shut it.

The point today is that the CAA has had a pretty good nonconference season. Not great, but better than the past two years for sure. The memory banks say its comparable to 2005-06–you may remember that season–but relying on my memory is dangerous.

Now, the key point: this is a comparison for “discussion worthiness.” Period. This is all relative, to frame our ability to have certain conversations in the future. It’s early to look at RPI, but relatively speaking, we can look at a previous season for a data point.

“Discussion worthiness” is specific because I don’t care about individual resumes, and I don’t care about what other conferences and other teams have accomplished. We’re not going to line-item accolades and bums. That’s not the point. There is too much that occurs inside that room in March, and there are too many games to be played between now and then.

What we’re doing is helping your holidays and your winter. This Christmas, when I’m at Aunt Elaine’s drinking scotch and my mind wanders, I want to evaluate if the CAA belongs in the at large conversation. Or not. Same for you.

This whole at large bid thing can be awfully distracting when your want to enjoy ODU/Mason, VCU/NU, or whomever. This allows us all to better compartmentalize January and February, when we get focused on each other.

Here’s what I found.

Side note: Interestingly, in 2005 ODU was the heavy preseason favorite but was scrapping in December 2005 at 7-4. They lost at Richmond and had a first team All CAA, senior, foreign center who started the season slowly. Just saying, that’s kinda ironic.

On 12/27/05: The CAA as a conference was 12th in RPI. Six teams were ranked among the top 85 in the nation. UNCW (#23), Drexel (65), Nor’easter (69), ODU (74), Mason (75), and VCU (83).

Today: The CAA is the 11th ranked conference. Four CAA teams are in the top 56. William & Mary (#14), VCU (19), Hofstra (40), and ODU (56).

On 12/27/05: Nonconference record was 51-33, with best wins over DePaul, Georgia, Houston, St. John’s, Butler, Wyoming, and NC State.

Today: Nonconference record is 56-51, with best wins over Georgetown, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Penn State, Indiana, and Richmond.

On 12/27/05: Five CAA teams were holding their opponents to under 40% FG shooting. All 12 CAA teams were limiting opponents to 34% shooting or less from three-point range, including three under 30%.

Today: Old Dominion is ranked #2 in scoring defense (54.5 ppg), while Georgia State is 14th (57.8 ppg). FG percentage defense: James Madison (37.9%), GSU (38%), Hofstra (38.4%) and Drexel (38.5%) are among the top 50 nationally. Six CAA teams are also ranked among the top 45 in the nation in 3-point FG defense, with Georgia State leading the nation (23%). VCU is 3rd (23.4%), UNCW is 8th (25%), Hofstra is 12th (26.0%), ODU is 22nd (27.7%) and JMU is 45th (29.5%).