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 first edition, with a holiday theme.
Men’s Basketball
Team of the Week: Monmouth
Or … team of the year?? The Hawks were in the nation’s capital last Tuesday and dismantled name-brand opponent, Georgetown. Then, the Hawks followed that up with an in-state game against Rutgers. Another game, another power-5 opponent, another win. Monmouth registered six votes in this weeks Associated Press Top 25 poll. Despite it not even being January, many national college basketball analysts believe Monmouth is on its way to an at-large bid. Justin Robinson is one of the best point guards in mid-major hoops.
Player of the Week: Kassius Robertson
Nothing like choosing an athlete that scores, distributes, and wins. Robertson did just that this past week. He led his team to two solid wins in Las Vegas posting 28 and 20 points respectively. The sophomore guard shot 64 percent from the field, including more than 57 percent from deep. Robertson will thrive in MAAC play as teammate Malcom McMillan scores the rock. Defenses will spend time focusing on McMillan and Phil Valenti, which will give Robertson chances to drain big shots.
Surprise of the Week: Canisius’ Comeback
This might have been one of the best comebacks in NCAA Division I basketball history. Down 13 points with 1:02 remaining, the Golden Griffins scored 14 points in 50 seconds while the University of Louisiana-Monroe went one-for-six from the charity stripe. The Warhawks even had the ball with 12 seconds left, but missed a game-winning three. Canisius’ late-game heroics aren’t uncommon. Although it didn’t pull off the win against Quinnipiac, Canisius trailed by 11 points with 39 seconds remaining. The Bobcats missed two free throws, committed two fouls, and had two turnovers leading to a Golden Griffins wide-open three for the win at the final buzzer. The never-say-die mentality will result in many close games against tough conference opponents.
Game to Watch: Siena at Vermont; Dec. 29
Siena is 5-0 at home, but just 3-4 on the road. Currently riding a three-game winning streak, the Saints travel north to face a dominant mid-major foe. Burlington is traditionally a tough place to play, and the Saints will have their hands full with an experienced and talented group. The big question: Can Siena hang with Vermont’s size and length in the frontcourt? It’ll be up to Brett Bisping and Javion Ogunyemi. The two have combined to shoot 57 percent from the field during the winning streak. Bisping is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds in that span. Point guard Marquis Wright will also need to lower his turnover numbers.
Bold Statement: Marist will have 3 conference wins on Jan. 5
The Red Foxes have begun to put the pieces together. The pieces are still far from earning a bye in Albany for the MAAC Tournament, but second-year head coach Mike Maker has made progress. Khalid Hart is one of the best pure scorers in the conference. After him, the next four leading scorers are freshmen. When two and three game winning streaks occur, young teams thrive. With 13 of 15 players returning next year, the Red Foxes are going to surprise some people in the near future.
Morey’s Nice List
Kassius Robertson (Canisius)
Justin Robinson (Monmouth)
Marcus Gilbert (Fairfield)
Jahaad Proctor (Iona)
Quadir Welton (Saint Peter’s)
6th Man – Marquis Wright (Siena)
Women’s Basketball
Team of the Week: Canisius
A whole lot of Canisius basketball this week, eh? But the Golden Griffins women’s team deserves some recognition, too. They are 7-3 overall with a perfect 2-0 conference record. Yes, Saint Peter’s and Rider reside in the basement of the MAAC, but wins are wins. You can only play who is on your schedule. Canisius won a total of 10 games all of last year. It also has a bright future not only for 2015-2016, but beyond. It has three senior leaders and two freshman, sophomores, and juniors that make up Terry Zeh’s rotation. Also, I shouldn’t forget to mention the Griffins are shooting about 40 percent from three (14th nationally) and are holding opponents to 34.6 percent from the field (34th nationally).
Player of the Week: Sam Lapszynski
The Niagara University senior center recorded her third career double-double on Wednesday night against St. Bonaventure, her third in the past seven games. Despite a 1-9 overall record, Lapszynski is balling in her final season. Never having averaged more than three points per game, Lapsyznki is playing at an all-MAAC level with 11.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. She ranks in the top 10 in the MAAC in rebounds, field-goal percentage, and blocks. The Jefferson, N.J. native, who dreams of a career in education, might have a good chance to play for a pay check if progression continues.
Surprise of the Week: Joy Adams
The heart and soul of Iona’s program turned in an extremely disappointing performance against George Washington. Adams had a chance to show all of mid-major basketball that she is one of the best post players, but failed to do so. Against Jonquel Jones, an All-American Honorable Mention selection last year, Adams contributed just 13 points and 8 rebounds in a 70-65 overtime loss. Jones, who leads Division I in rebounds per game, had 21 points and 14 rebounds. Most would say the game against GW is a microcosm of Adams’ senior season to date. Her points and rebounds per game as well as her field-goal and free-throw percentage are the lowest they have been since her freshman year. However, Adams should bump her numbers up significantly when MAAC play resumes. Life without Damika Martinez has been anything but easy.
Game to Watch: Quinnipiac at Florida Gulf Coast; Dec. 28 on ESPN3
Quinnipiac, is not Quinnipiac of last year. The Bobcats lost their entire starting lineup, but do return a formidable core that is expected to reach the MAAC semifinals and/or championship game for the third straight year. However, one game stands between the Bobcats and MAAC play. A rematch from last years Saint Joseph’s Hawks Classic championship that will take place in Fort Myers on Dec. 28. Quinnipiac has lacked an inside presence all season. Aryn McClure, Sarah Shewan, and Paula Strautmane need to establish themselves in the paint to alleviate pressure from their guard-dominated offense. While the Bobcat faithful isn’t expecting a “W”, improved shooting and team defense will be measured before the New Year.
Bold Statement: Canisius will beat St. Bonaventure
A western New York trip is never easy for any team, let alone one that is riding an eight-game winning streak with its focus on conference play. The Bonnies haven’t lost in over a month and their eyes are set on the Atlantic-10 opener at Rhode Island, a team that the Bonnies led by only three points with less than six minutes to play last year. On the other side, Canisius plays up to its opposition. It almost stunned a 31-win Quinnipiac squad last year in Hamden. The Golden Griffins have the offense to compete with any mid-major in the country, which is why they’ll come away victorious on Tuesday Dec. 29.
Morey’s Nice List
Tori Jarosz (Marist)
Marina Lizarazu (Iona)
Robin Perkins (Rider)
Kollyns Scarbrough (Siena)
Sam Lapszynski (Niagara)
6th man – Amani Tatum (Manhattan)
