Men’s Basketball MAAC Power Rankings
By: Hannah Cotter
1. Iona (5-6, 2-0 MAAC), First in MAAC
Previous three games: L 80-76 @ UC Santa Barbara, L 78-64 @ Akron, W 77-70 vs. Drexel
When it comes to college basketball, there’s always a few exceptional players that come to mind. For Division I men’s college basketball, one of those player is senior guard A.J. English. He’s like the Gaels’ version of the New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Since he’s been out due to an injury the team suffered losses to UC Santa Barbara and Akron, two games that Iona could have potentially won. Though the team still has Jordan Washington and Deyshonee Much to fill the void, English is a key piece. Topping the team in scoring (25.0), free throws (7.3), and assists per game (6.8), English epitomizes leadership on the court. So far, the Gaels are undefeated in MAAC play.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Quinnipiac, 1/4 vs. Niagara, 1/7 vs. Rider
2. Monmouth (9-4, 1-1 MAAC), Third in MAAC
Previous three games: W 73-67 @ Rutgers, W 78-69 @ Cornell, L 91-84 @ Army
Is the attention from the famous Monmouth Bench getting in the players’ heads, or are they legitimate conference contenders? I never would have thought the Hawks would be doing as well as they are. Coming off of their fifth straight win, the Hawks lost to Army, Monday night. Suffering only one loss in MAAC play, Hawks fans need not to worry, for it appears that Monmouth will have a target on its back this season. With Justin Robinson averaging 20 points and about 50 percent from the three, Monmouth’s exceptional play will continue to scare its upcoming opponents.
Next three games: 1/4 vs. Canisius, 1/9 vs. Quinnipiac, 1/11 @ Fairfield
3. Saint Peter’s (4-6, 2-0 MAAC), Second in MAAC
Previous three games: L 87-74 @ George Washington, W 56-45 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, L 65-62 vs. Cornell
Neck-and-neck with Iona, the Peacocks, too, are undefeated in MAAC play. Averaging about 70 points per game, one would imagine that Saint Peter’s could top the standings, but since they’re only shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three, it’s clear that the team has to tighten a few things up to earn my number one spot. Overall, the Peacocks continue to rely heavily on their defense and rebounding which will lead to success.
Next three games: 1/4 @ Marist, 1/7 @ Niagara, 1/9 @ Canisius
4. Siena (8-4, 1-1 MAAC), Fourth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 81-68 vs. Hofstra, W 78-70 vs. Albany, W 73-70 vs. St. Bonaventure
The Saints have proven in their past three games that they can play well on the road, but their wins against Albany and St. Bonaventure were all by less than ten points. Individually, the team has some great players in Brett Bisping and Marquis Wright who dominate the pace of play up top and down low.
Next three games: 12/29 @ Vermont, 1/2 vs. Niagara, 1/4 @ Manhattan
5. Canisius (6-6, 1-1 MAAC), Sixth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 84-68 vs. BU, W 108-96 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, W 83-74 vs. Nicholls State
It’s clear that the Golden Griffins can beat any non-conference team that steps on their home court, but are they going to do well in MAAC play? We’ll see. Yes, they beat my No. 2 team Monmouth. Yes, their offense is unbelievable, but they’re going to have to buckle down. One stand-out player, for me, is junior forward Phil Valenti. The guy is shooting about 45 percent from the field and about 80 percent from the line. What also strikes me is that the team, overall, is shooting 73 percent from the line. That’s impressive. I’ll admit, they’re a good team, but not as good as they need to be.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Marist, 1/4 @ Monmouth, 1/7 vs. Manhattan
6. Fairfield (6-5, 1-1 MAAC), Fifth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 76-64 vs. Wagner, W 94-88 vs. Loyola Maryland, W 101-91 @ Bucknell
Freshman guard Jerry Johnson’s recent MAAC Rookie of the Week award is a confidence boost that this team needed. For the past few years, senior forward Marcus Gilbert has been leading the pack, but with new faces starting to breakout, Fairfield has a chance of doing well in the conference. Johnson is stepping into Tyler Nelson’s role last year averaging 9.3 points per game thus far. The Stags are shooting about 50 percent from the three, but have to work on their offense before they can move up.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Manhattan, 1/4 vs. Dartmouth, 1/7 @ Siena
7. Quinnipiac (4-6, 1-1 MAAC), Eighth in MAAC
Previous three games :W 86-66 @ Hartford, L 64-57 vs. BU, L 82-61 @ Oregon State
There is still optimism in Hamden. After a rough start to the season, the Bobcats finally begin to look like the team Tom Moore dreamed they’d be. Giovanni McLean is the only member of the team that’s scoring double digits per game, with Chaise Daniels gone. A surprise has been the inconsistent play of senior guard James Ford, Jr. In the first few games Ford was evidently the team leader, but in Oregon he only shot the ball three times. The Bobcat’s key to success will be when Daniels returns, and when Ford returns to his early season form. Since Daniels will most likely be out at least a few more games, Ford will need to step up.
Next three games: 12/29 @ Maine, 1/2 vs. Iona, 1/4 vs. Rider
8. Marist (4-6, 1-1 MAAC), Seventh in MAAC
Previous three games: L 70-69 vs. Delaware, W 89-83 @ Army, W 84-83 (2OT) @ Brown
In the past few games, Marist has drastically improved its shooting, with a season best 52 percent (33-for-63) from the field against Army. Red-shirt junior guard Khallid Hart had 37 points for the Red Foxes in its win against Brown last week. Talk about a team MVP.
Next three games: 12/29 @ Jacksonville, 1/2 vs. Canisius, 1/4 vs. Saint Peter’s
9. Niagara (3-9, 1-1 MAAC), Ninth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 48-44 @ St. John’s University, L 80-79 vs. LIU Brooklyn, L 65-56 @ Albany
I’m not really sure what’s going on at Niagara. Players like Justin Satchell and Emile Blackman are having good seasons and Matt Scott’s racking up rebounds. The Purple Eagles have the pieces of a good team. They do. However, wins haven’t followed. Their next MAAC opponent, Siena, is hitting threes. And the Purple Eagles are only shooting it at 28 percent.
Next three games: 12/30 @ St. Bonaventure, 1/2 @ Siena, 1/4 @ Iona
10. Manhattan (3-7, 0-2 MAAC), Tenth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 89-57 @ Memphis, W 71-60 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, W 78-66 @ Morgan State
The team is shooting about 41 percent from the field, similar to the 2014-15 season, in which they won the MAAC championship. The team’s stats are almost identical to last season’s; I’d like to see another breakthrough. Though they started off slow, I have a feeling the Jaspers will fight through this. They aren’t going to lose sight of a third straight MAAC championship.
Next three games: 12/29 @ Eastern Kentucky, 1/2 vs. Fairfield, 1/4 vs. Siena
11. Rider (3-9, 0-2 MAAC), Eleventh in MAAC
Previous three games: W 82-72 @ Charleston Southern, L 73-65 @ Providence, W 71-49 @ Morgan State
The Broncs have a very strong defense for such a low ranked team. Though they have no MAAC wins, they played Fairfield close. Jimmie Taylor, Xavier Lundy, and Teddy Okereafor need to improve offensively. Once they do, Rider should be just fine. It’s still early for any team to be in the basement. A win puts the Broncs, potentially, one game out of the top spot.
Next three games: 12/20 vs. Hartford, 1/4 vs. Quinnipiac, 1/7 @ Iona
Women’s Basketball MAAC Power Ranking’s
By: John Franklin
1. Canisius (7-3, 2-0 in MAAC) First in MAAC
Previous three games: W 57-55 @ Lamar, L 92-62 @ Texas, W 68-57 @ Northeastern
The Golden Griffins are still in the top spot in this week’s power rankings. They have a tight grasp of the top spot in the conference, and can look forward to that. The Griffins take on undefeated St. Bonaventure on Dec 29, but don’t be surprised if the Griffins come out on top as they boast an undefeated record at home. The Golden Griffins should also stay undefeated in the conference as they take on Fairfield and Siena at home.
Next three games: 12/29 vs. St. Bonaventure, 1/2 vs. Fairfield, 1/4 vs. Siena
2. Manhattan (5-6, 2-0 MAAC), Second in MAAC
Previous three games: L 58-44 @ Holy Cross, W 61-53 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, L 52-48 @ American
Another team that’s maintaining their conference standing is Manhattan. Manhattan is off to a hot start for a team that only notched three wins just a season ago, but don’t expect to see them this high after the next three games. Manhattan takes on Iona, Fairfield, and Siena in the upcoming stretch, and they have been rather unimpressive on the road at 2-4 this season. I expect Manhattan to come out with a 1-2 record after its next three games.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Iona, 1/8 @ Fairfield, 1/10 @ Siena
3. Iona (5-7, 2-0 MAAC), Third in MAAC
Previous three games: W 62-51 vs. North Texas, W 81-75 @ Saint Joseph’s, L 70-65 @ George Washington
Iona has Fairfield nipping at its heels, but it remains at the three spot this week. Iona should continue its success through the next three games as it takes on East Tennessee State and Manhattan at home, and travels to New Jersey to take on Saint Peter’s. I see three wins in Iona’s future, and perhaps moving up the conference standings.
Next three games: 12/29 vs. East Tennessee State, 1/2 vs. Manhattan, 1/4 @ St. Peters
4. Marist (3-8, 2-0 MAAC), Fifth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 72-57 @ Fairfield, W 73-54 @ Boston University, L 71-67 vs. Hofstra
From their record The Red Foxes seem out of the mix, but like I said last week, don’t count them out. Three winnable games are next for the Red Foxes beginning with the Princeton Tigers and then the Rider Broncs at home. The true test will be taking on the Iona Gaels on the road, but I see the Red Foxes getting the job done.
Next three games: 12/29 vs. Princeton, 1/3 vs. Rider, 1/7 @ Iona
5. Fairfield (5-5, 0-2 MAAC), Eigth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 74-62 vs. IPFW, L 73-54 @ St. Johns, W 67-50 @ Harvard
The Stags continue to improve their overall record, but the question is: when will they turn their conference play around? With a big win at Harvard, I believe the Stags will improve their conference record to 2-3 after their next three games. I see the Stags suffering a loss at the hands of the Golden Griffins of Iona, but beating the Purple Eagles of Niagara and the Jaspers of Manhattan.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Canisius, 1/4 @ Niagara, 1/8 vs. Manhattan
6. Quinnipiac (5-5, 0-2 MAAC), Seventh in MAAC
Previous three games: W 71-60 @ Northeastern, L 62-49 @ Drexel, L (OT) @ FGCU 71-70
The Bobcats suffered a tough loss on the road against Florida Gulf Coast in overtime Monday. The three ball has not been quite there for the Bobcats this season, and if that doesn’t change, Tricia Fabbri’s team will see itself drop into the depths of the MAAC standings.
Next three games: 1/2 @ Monmouth, 1/6 vs. Rider 1/8 vs. Canisius
7. Siena (4-7, 2-0 MAAC), Fourth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 57-53 @ New Hampshire, L 61-42 vs. Albany, 52-50 @ Colgate
Siena lost by a bucket to Colgate, but look to turn it around against a 3-7 Farleigh Dickinson team. Siena should beat Niagara, but will have a very difficult matchup on the road against Canisius. I see Siena sitting in the middle to upper part of the pack throughout the rest of this season.
Next three games: 12/30 @ Fairleigh Dickinson, 1/2 @ Niagara, 1/4 @ Canisius
8. Monmouth (2-7, 1-1 MAAC), Sixth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 81-70 vs. Princeton, L 78-68 vs. Eastern Michigan, L 81-75 @ Fairleigh Dickinson
The Hawks are still 2-7 overall and 1-1 in the MAAC after this week. The future looks bright for the Hawks with two very winnable games against St. Francis Brooklyn at home, and Saint Peter’s on the road. The true test for the Hawks will be a home game against the Quinnipiac Bobcats on Jan 2. A win agains the defending champs would turn the season around for the Hawks, and make the top of the conference just a little tighter moving forward.
Next three games: 12/29 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, 1/2 vs. Quinnipiac, 1/6 @ Saint Peter’s
9. Rider (3-7, 0-2 MAAC), Ninth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 61-60 OT vs. Lehigh, L 75-44 @ Pittsburgh, L 76- 58 vs. Central Michigan
The Broncs continue their struggles with a loss to Central Michigan. The Broncs face two tough conference foes Marist and Quinnipiac, bothof which areon the road. The Broncs have a chance to get their season moving in the right direction against the Siena Saints. The Broncs should finish in the middle of the pack this season.
Next three games: 1/3 @ Marist, 1/6 @ Quinnipiac, 1/8 @ Siena
10. Niagara (1-9, 0-2 MAAC), 10th in MAAC
Previous three games: W 60-47 @ Dartmouth, L 57-48 @ Buffalo, L 67-55 @ Saint Bonaventure
Niagara still sitting in the back seat of the conference as the team still only has one win this season. After losing to St. Bonaventure on the road, Niagara is moving in the wrong direction. The future looks pretty dark for Niagara, as it takes on three difficult opponents.
Next three games: 12/29 @ Mount St. Mary’s, 1/2 vs. Siena, 1/4 vs. Fairfield
11. Saint Peter’s (1-9, 0-2 MAAC), 11th in MAAC
Previous three games: L 59-58 OT @ Siena, L 73-52 @ Fairleigh Dickinson, L 81-65 @ Seton Hall
The Peacocks still remain at the back of the pack this week. With no games played in the past week, the Peacocks did not have much of a chance to make a push out of the bottom.
Next three games: 12/30 vs. Brown, 1/4 vs. Iona, 1/6 vs. Monmouth
