Photo by ohad*.

Leaves have fallen and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. You know what that means — turkey! Also, it’s time to get back to the hardwood. Welcome to the first edition of The Hi-Lo, DCist’s new roundup of the week that was in DMV college hoops.

College basketball — unlike any other widely beloved American sport — opens with such little fanfare that you could be forgiven for completely forgetting about it. Most big schools open with patsies, teams are still finding a rhythm, and scores are routinely in the 60s. But that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty happening that you should be aware of.

For instance, the increasing quality of the Colonial Athletic Association has proven itself again. Sure, current Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel probably scheduled Virginia Commonwealth this year as a favor. After all, he had helped to build the program, one which now boasts three straight years with 24 or more wins and a first-round upset of Duke in the tournament. But the fact that the Rams put a licking on the Sooners, coming up with an inspired performance in a 82-69 victory, shouldn’t come as a shock. It’s yet another reminder that the CAA’s reputation as simply “that conference which sent George Mason to the Final Four” is outdated.

The Hi:

• Say what you will about VMI‘s tactics, but they are one damn entertaining team to pay attention to. Here was their week: a seven-point win over Army, getting smoked at Richmond by 44, then beating D-II West Virginia Wesleyan 111-92. Watching the Keydets is like watching an NBA Jam game come to life. (This writer understands you, basketball purists: The “who needs defense?” ethos makes you want to cry.)
• George Washington, on the back of Lasan Kromah’s 21 points, dominated Maryland-Baltimore County 94-51 yesterday. GW is now 3-0; though, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. The Colonials started last season 6-2 before dropping 11 straight games in mid-season en route to a 10-18 record.