Starting this week, Q30 Sports will begin to rank each Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball team, men and women. This is the first edition.
1. Iona Gaels (12-5, 5-1 MAAC), Tied for first in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 81-73 vs. Quinnipiac, W 79-76 vs. Canisius, W 74-58 vs. Fairfield
The Gaels are an offensive juggernaut led by junior guard A.J. English and senior forward David Laury. English is averaging 20.8 points per game, while Laury is averaging 20.3 points per game alongside 8.7 rebounds per game. Iona averages 84.4 points per game and hold a plus 7.4 scoring margin, both first in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Tim Cluess’ squad is playing solid basketball as it has won its last three games. If there is a weakness to this team, it is that it lacks depth. Outside of their starting five no other player averages more than three points per game.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Niagara, Sun. 1/18 @ Canisius, Thurs. 1/22 @ Rider
2. Monmouth Hawks (8-8, 5-1 MAAC), Tied for first in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 66-50 @ Niagara, L 64-68 vs. Quinnipiac, W @ Rider 55-54
They have been the surprise team thus far in conference play and they haven’t showed any signs of slowing down. After suffering its first conference loss to Quinnipiac Friday 64-68 and a little controversy after the game between King Rice and Tom Moore, Monmouth responded with a gutsy come from behind 55-54 victory against in-state rival Rider Monday night. Monmouth has played four out of its first six MAAC games on the road, winning all four of them, including a sweep of the dreaded Western New York swing.
Next three games: Wed. 1/14 vs. Saint Peter’s, Sun. 1/18 vs. Fairfield, Wed. 1/21 @ Pennsylvania
3. Manhattan Jaspers (7-8, 4-2 MAAC), Tied for third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 63-60 @ Canisius, W 68-63 vs. Saint Peter’s, W 84-75 vs. Niagara
It seems as if the Jaspers are back and ready to challenge Iona and Monmouth at the top of the MAAC. Steve Masiello’s squad has quietly won three games in a row, while being led by the trio of Emmy Andujar, Shane Richards and Ashton Pankey. All three players are clicking at the right time averaging more than 13 points in their last three games. The trio’s experience in big game situations makes Manhattan a top four team in the conference.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Saint Peter’s, Sun. 1/18 vs. Rider, Fri. 1/23 @ Quinnipiac
4. Rider Broncs (10-7, 4-2 MAAC), Tied for third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 62-46 @ Fairfield, W 68-55 vs. Saint Peter’s, L 55-54 vs. Monmouth
Monday night’s 55-54 loss to Monmouth, a game in which Rider had the lead until the final minute, put a halt to Rider’s six-game win streak. Rider has perhaps its toughest stretch of games coming up, as it travels to play upbeat Quinnipiac and Manhattan this week followed by a showdown with Iona early next week. The Broncs will need center Matt Lopez and guard Zedric Sadler to continue to produce offensively as both players are averaging 14 points per game over the past two weeks.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/15 @ Quinnipiac, Sun. 1/18 @ Manhattan, Thurs. 1/22 vs. Iona
5. Quinnipiac Bobcats (8-7, 2-4 MAAC), Tied for eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 81-73 @ Iona, W 68-64 @ Monmouth, W 66-54 vs. Marist
Two much-needed wins against Monmouth and Marist get Quinnipiac out of the cellar in the MAAC standings. Zaid Hearst has been the anchor keeping Quinnipiac’s inconsistent season afloat, but the enigma that is Ousmane Drame continues to set this team back. However, Drame’s play has noticeably improved since coming off the bench. Drame started on the bench in Quinnipiac’s last game against Marist, he went for 15 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Ayron Hutton has provided a spark posting solid games this past week against Iona (16 points, eight assists) and Marist (15 points, three assists). Hutton’s contributions earned him MAAC Rookie of the Week.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/15 vs. Rider, Sun. 1/18 @ Marist, Wed. 1/21 @ Saint Peter’s
6. Canisius Golden Griffins (8-7, 3-3 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 63-60 vs. Manhattan, W 67-52 Monmouth, L 79-76 vs. Iona
The fighting Golden Griffs just can’t catch a break. Three out of their past four games have been close losses by a combined 11 points to Monmouth, Iona and Manhattan. Canisius currently sits in the middle of the MAAC standings when they could very well be sitting at the top. Sunday’s grudge match with Iona at home could be a defining game for this team that so many thought would be buried this season after losing Billy Baron.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Siena, Sun. 1/18 vs. Iona, Thurs. 1/22 @ Fairfield
7. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (8-9, 2-4 MAAC), Tied for eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 79-67 vs. Marist, L 68-63 @ Manhattan, L 68-55 @ Rider
A recent two-game skid puts the Peacocks at the bottom half of the MAAC standings. Saint Peter’s’ strong defense is its bread and butter, as it holds opponents to 59.8 points per game, good for first in the MAAC. But the true difference maker for Saint Peter’s is senior guard Desi Washington. When Washington scores in double figures the Peacocks are 5-1, they are 0-2 when he doesn’t. This Peacocks team has a lot of potential going forward, but their lack of scoring has hurt them so far.
Next three games: Wed. 1/14 @ Monmouth, Fri. 1/16 vs. Manhattan, Wed. 1/21 vs. Quinnipiac
8. Siena Saints (6-9, 3-3 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 86-72 vs. Iona, W 76-69 vs. Niagara, L 79-67 vs. Fairfield
“One step forward, two steps back” seems like the mantra for the Saints right now. It certainly does not help big men Bret Bisping and Imoh Silas are out with injuries, but this team just seems lost at the moment. In its 79-67 loss to Fairfield on Sunday, Fairfield shot 55 percent from the field. The Stags came into the game as the worst shooting team in the MAAC at 38.7 percent. Give some credit to Fairfield as it moved the ball well around the arc, but Siena needs to put forth a better defensive effort than that. The Saints sit at 3-3 right now, tied for fifth in the MAAC. Head coach Jimmy Patsos must get on the same page with his players sooner rather than later, before it’s too late.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Canisius, Sun. 1/18 @ Niagara, Fri. 1/23 @ Marist
9. Fairfield Stags (5-11, 3-3 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 62-46 vs. Rider, W 79-67 @ Siena, L 74-58 @ Iona
Since starting 2-0 in conference play, the Stags have gone 1-3 against MAAC opponents. They surprisingly shot the ball well in those four games at 45 percent, but it’s the team’s lack of scoring options that holds it back. Junior guard Marcus Gilbert averages 15.5 points per game; no one else on the team comes close to averaging double digits. Freshman guard Tyler Nelson has had a solid season thus far and could be the Stags second scoring option down the road. Nelson is averaging 14.5 points over his past two games.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Marist, Sun. 1/18 @ Monmouth, Thurs. 1/22 vs. Canisius
10. Niagara Purple Eagles (3-12, 2-4 MAAC), Tied for eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 79-69 @ Siena, L 84-75 @ Manhattan, L 67-56 vs. Pennsylvania
After stringing together two nice wins against Albany and Manhattan just a few weeks ago, the Purple Eagles are spiraling, as they have lost four games in a row. Niagara is second-to-last in the MAAC in scoring margin at minus-9.5, only Marist is worse. It’s going to take a lot to turn things around in upstate New York for the Purple Eagles.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 vs. Iona, Sun. 1/18 vs. Siena, Fri. 1/23 @ Monmouth
11. Marist Red Foxes (1-15, 0-6 MAAC), 11th in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 79-67 @ Saint Peter’s, L 67-52 vs. Canisius, L 66-54 @ Quinnipiac
Getting defending MAAC Rookie of the Year Khalid Hart back from injury will help, but Marist is far from competing with the top half of the conference. Sunday’s 66-54 loss to Quinnipiac extended the team’s losing streak to 11 games. The Red Foxes are last in the MAAC in scoring offense (53.3 percent) and last in scoring margin at minus-13.
Next three games: Fri. 1/16 @ Fairfield, Sun. 1/18 vs. Quinnipiac, Fri. 1/23 @ Siena
