1. Iona Gaels (21-6, 14-2 MAAC) First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 72-57 @ Fairfield, W 70-67 @ Manhattan, W 60-57 @ Quinnipiac.
Two wins against hot teams, Quinnipiac and Manhattan, keeps Iona two games ahead of Rider for first place in the conference. The scoring has been down over the past few games for the Gaels as they are averaging 67 points per game in their last three games. Isaiah Williams should be returning to the lineup sooner rather than later for the Gaels. Williams will certainly provide the offensive spark that has been missing of late for Iona as he is averaging 14 points per game.
Next three games: Thurs, 2/20 @ Marist, Sun, 2/22 vs.Monmouth, Fri, 2/27 vs. Manhattan.
2. Rider Broncs (18-9, 12-4 MAAC) Second in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 85-77 vs. Manhattan, W 60-59 @ Canisius, W 69-60 @ Niagara.
Rider is as well rounded of a team as there is in the MAAC. The Broncs are riding a four game win streak heading into their game Thursday night against Quinnipiac, two of the wins came in overtime. Rider ranks top five in scoring offense (65.1 points per game), scoring defense (63.6 points per game), and scoring margin (plus 1.6 points per game).
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 vs. Quinnipiac, Sat, 2/21 vs. Niagara, Thurs, 2/26 @ Monmouth.
3. Manhattan Jaspers (13-12, 10-6 MAAC) Fourth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 85-77 @ Rider, L 70-67 vs. Iona, W 79-70 vs. Fairfield.
After two tough losses to Rider and Iona, Manhattan bounced back with a 79-70 win over Fairfield. The Jaspers’ last two games of the season against, Iona and Quinnipiac, will give the team an opportunity to gain some much needed momentum heading into the MAAC tournament..
Next three games: Sat, 2/21 @ Siena, Mon, 2/23 @ Marist, Fri, 2/27 @ Iona.
4. Quinnipiac Bobcats (14-11, 8-8 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 91-69 vs. Niagara, W 60-59 @ Fairfield, L 60-57 vs. Iona.
A close win over Fairfield and a tough loss to Iona gave the Bobcats a split last weekend, something that they can’t afford this weekend as they are tied with Canisius for fifth place and the last first round bye in the MAAC tournament. Zaid Hearst needs to step it up offensively for the Bobcats as he is averaging 11 points over his last four games. Hearst has routinely scored 20 plus points per game this season and his sudden decrease in offensive production cannot continue if the Bobcats want to be a threat in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 @ Rider, Sat, 2/21 vs. Canisius, Fri, 2/27 vs. Siena.
5. Monmouth Hawks (15-12, 11-5 MAAC) Third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 44-40 vs. Canisius, W 83-64 @ Siena, W 69-65 vs. Marist.
As Andrew Nicholas and Josh James recover from injury, the Hawks have needed someone to step up offensively to help Justin Robinson and Max DiLeo. Collin Stewart has done just that, as he poured in a career high 21 points Saturday against Siena in Monmouth’s 83-64 win.
Next three games: Thu, 2/19 @ Saint Peter’s, Sat, 2/22 @ Iona, Thurs, 2/26 vs. Rider.
6. Siena Saints (10-15, 7-9 MAAC) Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 65-57 @ Saint Peter’s, W @ 66-64 Marist, L 83-64 vs. Monmouth.
Siena is one game behind Canisius and Quinnipiac for fifth place in the MAAC and they will play each team one more time before the end of the regular season. A first round bye in addition to “home court advantage” with the MAAC tournament being held at the Times Union Center will be huge for the Saints.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/19 vs. Canisius, Sat, 2/21 vs. Manhattan, Fri 2/27 @ Quinnipiac.
7. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (13-14, 7-9 MAAC) Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 65-57 vs. Siena, W 77-65 @ Niagara, L 69-55 @ Canisius.
A terrible loss to a struggling Canisius team Sunday leaves Saint Peter’s tied for seventh heading into Thursday’s game against Monmouth instead of tied for fifth. Desi Washington needs to score if this team wants to factor into the equation come March as the Peacocks are 0-4 in games that Washington scores less than 10 points.
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 vs. Monmouth, Sat, 2/21 @ Fairfield, Fri, 2/27 @ Marist.
8. Canisius Golden Griffins (13-12, 8-8 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 44-40 @ Monmouth, L 60-59 vs. Rider, W 69-59 vs. Saint Peter’s
Canisius’ win against Saint Peter’s stops the bleeding for now, but the injury to Phil Valenti severely handicaps this team. Canisius can’t afford to lose any more games as they are tied with Quinnipiac for the final first round bye in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 vs. Siena, Sat, 2/21 @ Quinnipiac, Tues, 2/24 vs. Niagara.
9. Marist Red Foxes (5-21, 4-12 MAAC) Tied for tenth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 89-67 @ Iona, L 66-64 vs. Siena, L 69-65 @ Monmouth
After winning four straight games just a few weeks ago, Marist has come back down to earth and is currently on a three game losing streak. They will be a non factor in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Fri, 2/20 vs. Iona, Mon, 2/23 vs. Manhattan, Fri, 2/27 vs. Saint Peter’s.
10. Niagara Purple Eagles (4-21, 3-13 MAAC) Eleventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 91-69 @ Quinnipiac, L 77-65 vs. Saint Peter’s, L 69-60 vs. Rider.
The Purple Eagles are in last place and will most likely be one and done in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 @Fairfield, Sat, 2/21 @ Rider, Tues, 2/24 @ Canisius.
11. Fairfield Stags (6-20, 4-12 MAAC) Tied for tenth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 72-57 vs. Iona, L 60-59 vs. Quinnipiac, 79-70 @ Manhattan.
The losing streak has now reached nine…
Next three games: Thurs, 2/19 vs. Niagara, Sat, 2/21 vs. Saint Peter’s, Fri, 2/27 @ Canisius.
