By Morey Hershgordon
Once a week, Q30 Television’s Sports Director and Quinnipiac basketball beat reporter Morey Hershgordon will publish the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Weekly, highlighting teams and players that have gone above and beyond his expectations.
Below is the second edition, with a 2016 theme.
Men’s Basketball
Team of the Week: Saint Peter’s
Fs just the sixth time in program history, Saint Peter’s is off to a 3-0 start in MAAC play and the first since 2010-2011. It travels to Niagara Thursday night looking for its first 4-0 start since the 2003-2004 season. Moreover, in Saint Peter’s three championship seasons, none of those teams started 4-0. I’m not saying Saint Peter’s is winning a regular season or post season championship anytime soon, but it has the pieces to make a surprise run – like its run to the semifinals last year – again this year.
Player of the Week: Shane Richards
Along with Rashawn Stores, Richards is spearheading Manhattan’s charge to a third consecutive MAAC title. And this past week Richards and Co. earned two much-needed wins to get back to .500 in conference play. The senior, who played 50 minutes in the Jaspers most recent win, a triple-overtime contest against Siena, contributed 21 points and seven rebounds.
Surprise of the Week: A triple-overtime game
Triple-overtime games rarely happen, so when Monday’s clash between Siena and Manhattan went down, it was only right to put it as the Surprise of the Week. Siena battled without star guard Marquis Wright, but Manhattan’s blue-collar work ethic proved to be the difference. It was the first MAAC triple-overtime game in nearly two years.
Game to Watch: Quinnipiac at Monmouth; Jan. 9
Monomuth is very good. Quinnipiac, when it gets Chaise Daniels back, could be very good. But for now, Justin Robinson has yet to defeat Quinnipiac. In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 2009-2010 season to find the last time Monmouth defeated its former NEC foe. Tensions will be high at the MAC on Saturday and expect a tighter game than most think.
Bold Statement: Saint Peter’s will win at Canisius
Most of the time when great defense meets great offense, it’s the defense that has the upper hand. That will be the case in Buffalo on Saturday. You might question why choosing an undefeated team to win is bold, but the Griffs have played as good as anyone on their home floor this year, losing two games by a total of six points. Saint Peter’s is known to lull offenses to sleep and force opponents into taking bad shots and capitalizing on the other end.
Morey’s 5 who’ve benefited from a New Year:
Tyler Nelson (Fairfield)
Abdulai Bundu (Quinnipiac)
Antwon Portley (Saint Peters)
Jordan Washington (Iona)
Shane Richards (Manhattan)
Women’s Basketball
Team of the Week: Siena
Ali Jacques’ team is immediately building off of last year’s success. With a 4-0 start, Siena is a clear choice for Team of the Week. It is one of just two undefeated teams remaining and has a favorable schedule for the next three weeks until a showdown against reigning MAAC champion Quinnipiac. Don’t be surprised if the Saints enter Hamden at 9-0.
Player of the Week: Hala Mostafa
What a week it was for the senior forward from Saint Peter’s. Mostafa registered a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing two assists and collecting two steals. She led her team to victory over Monmouth, the first conference win of the year.
Surprise of the Week: Iona destroying Marist
You just read it. Yup. A 20 point-win for the Gaels and a 17-point, 24-rebound performance from star Joy Adams. There’s not much to say other than Iona is back in the mix to win a MAAC title. Not just from one game, but from its 5-0 start in conference play. Last year Billi Godsey’s team underachieved, but Adams looks to make her senior campaign worth it.
Game to Watch: Niagara at Saint Peters; Jan. 8
Both squads are coming off crucial wins. Niagara beat Fairfield 56-55 at home and Saint Peters, as mentioned above, took down Monmouth. With both teams sitting at 1-3 in the MAAC, the winner is back in the mix, while the loser has a lot of work.
Bold Statement: Quinnipiac will win its next four games
While the Bobcats would rather be sitting at 2-2 wishing they would have defeated Monmouth on Saturday, the loss actually helps them going forward. It forces them to focus on the details. And by details I mean late game situations from making free throws to taking care of the ball, two aspects that hurt them. The loss will prove to be a turning point in the season. Quinnipiac handled Rider at home on Wednesday and should do the same against Canisius on Friday. Look out.
Morey’s 5 who’ve benefited from a New Year:
Maria Napolitano (Quinnipiac)
Hala Mostafa (Saint Peter’s)
Sam Lapszynski (Niagara)
Sydney Coffey (Marist)
Joy Adams (Iona)
