Men’s Basketball MAAC Power Rankings
By Tom Cunningham
1. Iona (7-6, 4-0 MAAC), First in MAAC
Previous three games: W 77-70 vs. Drexel, W 78-66 @ Quinnipiac, W 65-52 vs. Niagara
Over the past few seasons the Iona Gaels have proven they can win just about any regular season Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup. We have seen much of the same this season as the Gaels are off to a hot start in conference play, winning their first four. After missing five games with an injury, AJ English has returned to the lineup for the team’s last two conference victories notching a team high 21-points in a win over Niagara. The Gaels have yet to lose in MAAC play this season, and with one of the nation’s top players in English returning from the lineup, the Gaels are looking more and more like the team we all thought they would be. The Gaels will play four of their next five games at home, which gives the Gaels a good chance to continue their winning ways as conference play heats up.
Next three games: 1/7 vs. Rider, 1/9 vs. Marist, 1/15 vs. Monmouth
2. Monmouth (10-4, 2-1 MAAC), Third in MAAC
Previous three games: W 78-69 @ Cornell, L 91-84 @ Army, W 81-66 vs. Canisius
The Hawks had won five in a row before losing to Army, but it was nothing to worry about for this Monmouth team as they got right back on track with a dominating win over conference foe Canisius. Justin Robinson continues to dominate averaging over 20 points per game, including 25 points against the Golden Griffins. Monmouth has now split in two games against Canisius this season, that being the lone conference loss for the Hawks. If they play to the level they played throughout their non-conference schedule, look for them to be right near the top of the MAAC come tournament time. And who doesn’t love the entertainment the Monmouth bench has brought us this season?
Next three game: 1/9 vs. Quinnipiac, 1/11 @ Fairfield, 1/15 @ Iona
3. Saint Peter’s (5-7, 3-0 MAAC), Second in MAAC
Previous three games: W 56-45 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, L 65-62 vs. Cornell, W 68-60 @ Marist
While non-conference play was not too kind to the Peacocks, they have turned things up during MAAC play so far this season, winning their first three matchups. The Peacocks still rely heavily on their defense to win, allowing just 63.0 points per game in conference. While playing solid defense, Saint Peter’s still needs to sure things up offensively as the team is shooting just over 41 percent from the floor. In order to stay at the top, the defense needs to play at the level it has, and the offense needs to shoot the ball a little better.
Next three games: 1/7 @ Niagara, 1/9 @ Canisius, 1/17 vs. Marist
4. Siena (9-6, 2-2 MAAC), Fourth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 73-64 @ Vermont, W 75-63 vs. Niagara, L 92-87 (3 OT) @ Manhattan
The Saints put up a good fight against the Jaspers in their most recent matchup. The Saints have struggled on the road all season, going just 1-6 while going 6-0 at home. Brett Bisping is a solid player that can help this team stay in the top five in the conference, but he’ll have to take on a much bigger role with Marquis Wright sidelined with injury.
Next three games: 1/7 vs. Fairfield, 1/15 @ Quinnipiac, 1/17 @ Monmouth
5. Canisius (7-7, 2-2 MAAC), Fifth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 83-74 @ Nicholls, W 92-83 @ Marist, L 81-66 @ Monmouth
With four players averaging double digit points per game, the Golden Griffins have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the MAAC. They were also able to take down Monmouth once, and it was at a point earlier in the season when Monmouth was still riding high after defeating Southern California. Yes, Canisius was dominated in their most recent game against Monmouth, but with so few conference games so far this season, Canisius still gets my nod as a top five team.
Next three games: 1/7 vs. Manhattan, 1/9 vs. Saint Peter’s, 1/12 @ Dartmouth
6. Manhattan (5-8, 2-2 MAAC), Sixth in MAAC
Previous three games: 76-64 @ Eastern Kentucky, W 72-66 vs. Fairfield, W 92-87 (3 OT) vs. Siena
A little home cooking may be just what the Jaspers needed to get back to vintage Jasper form. With two straight victories at home against Fairfield and a triple-overtime thrilling victory against Siena, it may be enough to get Manhattan back on track. The Jaspers are allowing over 77 points per game, and in order to return to the team that won two straight MAAC Championships they will need to tighten things up defensively. A tough trip to upstate New York is next, and it will really show what this Jasper team is made of.
Next three games: 1/7 @ Canisius, 1/9 @ Niagara, 1/15 vs. Canisius
7. Fairfield (7-6, 1-2 MAAC), Eighth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 101-91 @ Bucknell, L 72-66 @ Manhattan, W 97-85 vs. Dartmouth
The Stags are shooting a conference best 46.4 percent from the field and averaging just over 80 points per game, good for second in the conference. The Stags have a high powered offense behind 19.5 points per game from Marcus Gilbert. In order for the Stags to get back in to the top half of the conference, their defense needs to pick up. They are allowing over 81 points per game, which is next to last in the conference. That can’t stay there if they want to win MAAC games.
Next three games: 1/7 @ Siena, 1/9 @ Rider, 1/11 vs. Monmouth
8. Quinnipiac (5-8, 2-2 MAAC), Seventh in MAAC
Previous three games: L 98-95 (OT) @ Maine, L 78-66 vs. Iona, W 64-60 vs. Rider
It has been an up and down year for Tom Moore’s squad so far this season. Junior college transfer Donovan Smith has began to play up to his preseason expectations filling in for injured Chaise Daniels. He notched 15 points and 14 rebounds in Monday’s win against Rider. The Bobcats have been outscored by opponents by nearly 50 points in the second half. The Bobcats will have to be stronger down the stretch of games to move up in the standings. A tough test is up next for Quinnipiac as it plays Monmouth in New Jersey.
Next three games: 1/9 @ Monmouth, 1/15 vs. Siena, 1/17 vs. Canisius
9. Marist (4-9, 1-3 MAAC), Ninth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 69-68 @ Jacksonville, L 92-83 vs. Canisius, L 68-60 vs. Saint Peter’s
One bright spot for the Red Foxes has been the play of Khallid Hart who is averaging a league best 21.6 points per game. Marist does shoot the three ball pretty well, and could end up stealing a few games from some top-tier MAAC teams if its shooters get hot, but other than that there is not much to get excited about. A three-game road trip is next, and things are not looking too great in Poughkeepsie.
Next three games: 1/9 @ Iona, 1/14 @ Rider, 1/17 @ Saint Peter’s
10. Rider (4-10, 0-3 MAAC), 11th in MAAC
Previous three games: W 71-49 @ Morgan State, W 82-80 (2 OT) vs. Hartford, L 64-60 @ Quinnipiac
The Broncs have the top defense in the MAAC, but that doesn’t do the team much good when their offense is almost last in the conference. The Broncs have a lot of work to do to get back to the team that finished last season with 21 wins, something that seems unreachable at this point.
Next three games: 1/7 @ Iona, 1/9 vs. Fairfield, 1/14 vs. Marist
11. Niagara (3-12, 1-3 MAAC), 10th in MAAC
Previous three games: L 82-68 @. St. Bonaventure, L 75-63 @ Siena, L 65-52 @ Iona
Yikes. Things have been rough for the Purple Eagles thus far. They’ve lost seven straight and own the league’s worst offense. There’s not much else to say other than the Purple Eagles need to turn things around ASAP if they want any shot at all to get toward the top part of the conference.
Next three games: 1/7 vs. Saint Peter’s, 1/9 vs. Manhattan, 1/15 @ Fairfield
Women’s Basketball MAAC Power Rankings
By John Franklin
1. Siena (7-7, 4-0 MAAC), Second in MAAC
Previous three games: W 81-65 @ Fairleigh Dickinson, W 59-51 @ Niagara, W 58-52 @ Canisius
Siena is the top dog this week. After winning three straight, Siena has opened up the opportunity to take over the top as it remains undefeated in the MAAC this season. With three conference home games to come, I can see the Saints with a stranglehold at the top of the MAAC.
Next three games: 1/8 vs. Rider, 1/10 vs. Manhattan, 1/15 vs. Monmouth
2. Marist (4-9, 3-0 MAAC), Third in MAAC
Previous three games: L 71-67 vs. Hofstra, L 77-44 vs. Princeton, W 66-54 vs. Rider,
The Red Foxes enjoy out-of-conference games about as much as Patriots fans like David Tyree, but with an undefeated conference record, the Red Foxes find themselves atop the conference this week. Three road games are ahead of Marist and I believe three wins should come with it. It’ll be a battle of undefeated squads when the Red Foxes travel to face Iona, and I see the Red Foxes going back to Poughkeepsie with another conference win. Don’t be surprised if the number one spot remains red the rest of the way.
Next three games: 1/7 @ Iona, 1/10 @ Monmouth, 1/10 @ Manhattan
3. Iona (8-7, 4-0 MAAC), First in MAAC
Previous three games: W 56-50 vs. East Tennessee State, W 67-56 vs. Manhattan, W 65-51 @ St. Peter’s
Iona climbed to the top of the MAAC this week after beating Manhattan and Saint Peter’s. The Gaels find themselves atop the conference for the first time this year, but don’t expect it to last long. With games against Marist both home and away, and a game against former MAAC number one Canisius, I see a quick drop in Iona’s ranking.
Next three games: 1/7 vs. Marist, 1/10 vs. Canisius, 1/10 @ Marist
4. Manhattan (5-6, 2-1 MAAC), Fourth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 61-53 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, L 52-48 @ American, L@ Iona 67-56
The Jaspers continue to make me eat my words as they continue to stay among the upper echelon of teams in the MAAC. Finding themselves in fourth in the current conference standings, the Jaspers have three conference games to prove whether or not they deserve to be this high. The toughest upcoming tests are against the undefeated Siena Saints, and a home matchup against the Marist Red Foxes.
Next three games: 1/8 @ Fairfield, 1/10 @ Siena, 1/12 vs. Marist
5. Monmouth (4-8, 2-1 MAAC), Fifth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 81-75 @ Fairleigh Dickinson, W 63-54 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, W 63-60 vs. Quinnipiac
The Hawks are continuing to win games in the MAAC. After squeaking out a win at home against the Quinnipiac Bobcats, the Hawks are in the upper half of this week’s power rankings. Monmouth should beat Saint Peter’s on the road on Jan. 6, but it looks like its winning streak will end when it takes on conference juggernauts Marist and Siena.
Next three games: 1/6 @ Saint Peter’s, 1/10 vs. Marist, 1/15 @ Siena
6. Canisius (7-6, 2-2 in MAAC) Sixth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 59-47 vs. St. Bonaventure, L 51-50 vs. Fairfield, L 58-52 vs. Siena
The biggest thing on New Year’s Eve is getting to watch the ball drop, and if anyone watched Canisius this week, they caught an early glimpse. A very unexpected skid from the former number one team in the conference puts Canisius at sixth in the MAAC. This three game slide has left me dumbfounded, but Canisius should be able to bounce back in this upcoming stretch. With games against two struggling teams in Quinnipiac and Saint Peter’s, Canisius will have a chance to redeem itself. The true test for this group is whether or not they can get a win on the road in New Rochelle against Iona.
Next three games: 1/8 @ Quinnipiac, 1/10 @ Iona, 1/15 vs. Saint Peter’s
7. Fairfield (6-7, 1-3 MAAC), Seventh in MAAC
Previous three games: W 67-50 @ Harvard, W 51-50 @ Canisius, L 56-55 @ Niagara,
Inconsistency has been the word to describe the Fairfield Stags thus far. With a big win against previously unbeaten Canisuis on the road, it seemed like the Stags were ready to charge for the top of the conference. Then, a loss against Niagara put the Stags in a similar position this week. I’m not sure what is coming from this Stags team, but one thing is for certain. They are going to keep MAAC fans on their toes the rest of the way.
Next three games: 1/8 vs. Manhattan, 1/10 @ Saint Peter’s, 1/14 @ Rider
8. Niagara (3-10, 1-3 MAAC), Eighth in MAAC
Previous three games: W 53-51 @ Mount St. Mary’s, L 59-51 vs. Siena, W 56-55 vs. Fairfield
Niagara added two tallies to the win column, including one against a streaky Fairfield team. The win gave Niagara a little nudge towards the middle of the pack as it sits at eighth in the MAAC, but don’t expect big moves anytime soon.
Next three games:1/8 @ Saint Peter’s, 1/10 @ Rider, 1/15 vs. Quinnipiac
9. Quinnipiac (5-7, 0-3 MAAC), Ninth in MAAC
Previous three games: L 62-49 @ Drexel, L (OT) @ FGCU 71-70, L 63-60 @ Monmouth,
Another road loss for the Bobcats keeps them winless in the MAAC this year. After being MAAC champions just a year ago, the Bobcats are now riding the slide into the bottom of the conference. The road ahead sees three conference matchups against three struggling teams. There is a possibility for the Bobcats to even their record to .500 in the MAAC, which could spark the turnaround that the Bobcats need.
Next three games: 1/6 vs. Rider 1/8 vs. Canisius, 1/15 @ Niagara
10. Rider (3-9, 0-3 MAAC), 10th in MAAC
Previous three games: L 75-44 @ Pittsburgh, L 76- 58 vs. Central Michigan, L 66-54 @ Marist
Another loss keeps the Broncs of Rider from moving up in this week’s power rankings. The season looks meek for the Broncs as they gear up for the heart of conference play. The next three games are toss-ups for the Broncs in my opinion, and could really set the tone moving forward.
Next three games: 1/6 @ Quinnipiac, 1/8 @ Siena, 1/10 vs. Niagara
11. Saint Peter’s (2-10, 0-3 MAAC), 11th in MAAC
Previous three games: L 81-65 @ Seton Hall, W 79-67 vs. Brown, L 65-51 vs. Iona
The Peacocks got a win against the Brown University Bears this week. With little to no success from this Peacocks team, they still have yet to make a move from the rear.
Next three games: 1/6 vs. Monmouth, 1/8 vs. Niagara, 1/10 vs. Fairfield
