FREDERICK, Md. - Hood College will once again be hosting one of the premier tip-off basketball tournaments in the region, kicking the season off on this weekend on November 8 and 9 with the Rotary Club of Frederick Tip-Off Tournament.
 
This season's slate features national powerhouse Randolph-Macon College (ranked No. 7 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll), traditional power Salisbury University, an upstart program in their second year of competition, Notre Dame of Maryland University, and the host Hood College Blazers.
 
Hood is coming off it's second NCAA Tournament in three years, with head coach Chad Dickman's squad finishing 19-7 against one of the toughest schedules in the country.  The Blazers return two All-Conference selections in point guard Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) with first team honors and forward Garrett Cox (Glen Allen, VA/Glen Allen) with second team.  Hood is ranked No. 2 in the MAC Commonwealth Preseason Poll. 
 
Randolph-Macon College (Va.), led by Frederick native Josh Merkel, has been an iconic basketball program at the Division III level for decades.  In 2022, Merkel was named National Coach of the Year, leading Randolph-Macon to a 33-1 record and the national title.  Last season, the Yellow Jackets lost in the Sweet 16, finishing 25-5 and ranking No. 7 in the final D3hoops.com Top 25 ranking.  This year's squad returns their top two scorers, All-ODAC guards Keishawn Pulley Jr and Jabril Robinson, to form one of the best backcourts in the nation. 
 
Salisbury University (Md.) brings back four of their five leading scorers from a battle-tested team that went 14-13 against a difficult schedule.  Head Coach Mo Williams' Seagulls are led by 6'4 power forward, Jordan Oates, who averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds per game.  They have also added Team All-Centennial Conference transfer, Kedrick Frink.
 
Notre Dame (Md.) sits in a similar position as Hood did 20 years ago.  The once all-female school went co-ed in 2023, as the Blazers did in 2003.  They didn't waste time getting up to speed with their basketball program, as first year head coach TJ Jordan established a team that kept most games on the schedule competitive.  The Gators lost 14 games by ten points or less in their inaugural season.  They will be led by scoring guard K'Won Johnson, who averaged 15 points per game last year.

Game Schedule: All games hosted in Frederick, Md. at the Woodsboro Bank Arena.
                Friday, November 8^th:
                Game 1                  5:30pm             Hood College (Away) vs Notre Dame of MD (Home)
                Game 2                  7:30pm             Salisbury (Away) vs Randolph-Macon College (Home)
 
                Saturday, November 9^th:
                Game 1                 2pm                   Consolation Game
                Game 2                 4pm                   Championship Game

Tickets:

Tickets are available at the door for $10 a day or online on the Rotary's website.

Parking:

Parking will be available along Magnolia as well as the Frederick Health parking deck.

Official Booklet:

Official Booklets of the tournament are printed and will be sitting near the tick counter. The online version can be found here.