1. Quinnipiac Bobcats (14-3, 6-0 MAAC), First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 94-53 vs. Monmouth, W 86-66 @ Canisius, W 71-68 @ Niagara
The Bobcats are cruising in the MAAC and are sitting alone in the penthouse at 6-0. If they can finish off the season sweep of Fairfield on Thursday, and take care of business on Sunday, Fabbri and Co. will be sitting at 8-0 entering the heavily awaited tilt against Marist at home on Jan. 22.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/15 vs. Fairfield, Sun. 1/18 vs. Manhattan, Thurs. 1/22 vs. Marist
2. Iona Gaels (8-7, 5-1 MAAC), Tied for second in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 85-75 vs. Canisius, W 79-62 @ Manhattan, W 77-43 vs. Saint Peter’s
The Gaels beat up on the bottom of the conference and sit at a comfortable 5-1 MAAC record. Friday’s affair will pose more challenges than the common fan expects. Ali Jacques’ team is on the verge of an upset victory over Iona. The Gaels must rely on its athleticism and run the floor against the slower Saints.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Siena, Sun. 1/18 vs. Rider, 1/23 @ Niagara
3. Marist Red Foxes (9-6, 5-1 MAAC), Tied for second in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 65-55 @ Fairfield, W 63-60 @ Monmouth, W 67-45 @ Manhattan
Madeline Blais and Sydney Coffey are the second-highest scoring tandem in the MAAC. Their experience will be relied on heavily throughout the next 10 days. Two games against middle-of-the-pack MAAC foes, in Poughkeepsie, are ahead. Brian Giorgis will not allow his Red Foxes to overlook them.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Canisius, Sun. 1/18 vs. Siena Thurs. 1/22 @ Quinnipiac
4. Fairfield Stags (5-10, 4-2 MAAC), fourth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 56-55 @ Marist, W 57-46 vs. Saint Peter’s, W 59-47 @ Rider
The Stags let a huge game slip away late against a senior-laden Bobcats squad on Dec. 7. Their chance at revenge against their in-state rival is Thursday. Will they be the team that gives Tricia Fabbri’s squad its first MAAC blemish?
Next three games: Thurs. 1/15 @ Quinnipiac, Tues. 1/20 @ Saint Peter’s, Thurs. 1/22 vs. Rider
5. Siena Saints (10-5, 3-3 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 65-40 @ Saint Peter’s, W 56-52 @ Niagara, W 71-70 @ Canisius
After finishing the 2013-2014 MAAC season with a 3-17 record, the Saints have been the biggest surprise thus far. A fourth-straight MAAC win over highly touted Iona would certainly open some eyes. Home court advantage sure helps.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Iona, Sun. 1/18 @ Marist Thurs. 1/22 @ Monmouth
6. Niagara Purple Eagles (7-8, 3-3 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 66-64 @ Fairfield, L 56-52 vs. Siena, L 71-68 vs. Quinnipiac
Three “big” games lie in-front of the Niagara. Without a scorer in the top 10 in the conference, the unselfish Purple Eagles will look to confidently, but methodically win three games in six days. A 6-3 MAAC record looks probable.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Rider, Sun. 1/18 @ Monmouth, Weds. 1/21 v. Canisius
7. Canisius Golden Griffins (5-10, 3-3 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 85-75 @ Iona, L 86-66 vs. Quinnipiac, L 71-71 vs. Siena
A gut-wrenching loss at home on Sunday has the Golden Griffs on its heels. How will they respond away from bleak Buffalo? Only time will tell, but something needs to happen soon for this team.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Marist, Sun. 1/18 @ Saint Peter’s, Weds. 1/21 @ Niagara
8. Monmouth Hawks (6-9, 2-4 MAAC), eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 94-53 @ Quinnipiac, W 66-62 @ Rider, L 63-60 vs. Marist
The Hawks will look to take care of business close to home. If they own a 4-4 record by Sunday, that is nothing to be disappointed about considering all four losses are to both Marist and Iona. Aside from one more game against Quinnipiac (in which they would be heavy underdogs), the Hawks have a legitimate chance to climb the standings in the upcoming weeks.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Manhattan, Sun. 1/18 vs. Niagara, Thurs. 1/22 vs. Siena
9. Manhattan Jaspers (2-13, 1-5 MAAC), Tied for ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 55-52 at Rider, L 79-62 vs. Iona, L 67-45 vs. Marist
Manhattan will try to strike early against the Monmouth on Friday, hoping the Hawks are still licking their wounds from a close defeat against Marist. Sunday’s matinee at Quinnipiac will be extremely difficult. The Jaspers are riding a five-game road losing streak.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 v. Monmouth, Sun. 1/18 @ QU, Sat. 1/24 @ Siena
10. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (1-14, 1-5 MAAC), Tied for ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 57-46 @ Fairfield, L 77-43 @ Iona, L 53-45 vs. Yale
The Peacocks do not have a player that averages more than eight points per game. It will be tough to compete with any opponent in the near future, let alone grab only their second win all season.
Next three games: Sun. 1/18 vs. Canisius, Tues. 1/20 vs. Fairfield, Sat. 1/24 @ Marist
11. Rider Broncs (3-13, 0-6 MAAC), 11th in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 55-52 vs. Manhattan, L 66-62 vs. Monmouth, L 59-47 vs. Fairfield
There’s not much to look forward to in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Expect the Broncs to play the Purple Eagles tough at home and throw the kitchen sink at Iona. Jan. 26 looks like a potential first MAAC win for Rider when it hosts Saint Peter’s.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Niagara, Sun. 1/18 @ Iona, Thurs. 1/22 @ Fairfield
