Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Dylan Fearon
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Well it’s finally here, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament. What a regular season it was for the MAAC. Monmouth thrived in a crazy non-conference slate and an even crazier bench mob. Iona finished the conference regular season 16-4, but not before a few bumps and bruises along the way. We saw Fairfield go from 7-24 to 18-12 and a first round bye, and Saint Peter’s continue to use its defense to win games. Plus, Siena was without one of the best players in the MAAC for most of the season and still earned the three seed in the tournament. It was a very exciting four months, but it has only just started.
Tournament Favorite: Monmouth
Monmouth. So nice I had to say it twice. The Hawks are 25-6 and 17-3 in MAAC play. Four Power-5 wins, a hilarious bench mob and a No. 1 seed later, it’s Monmouth’s championship to lose. Justin Robinson and Co. have been like an 18-wheeler going downhill this season; they cannot be stopped. King Rice has done a terrific job and even though Monmouth has done so much, it has to win the tournament to move on to NCAA’s in my opinion. If not, it’s hello NIT.
Dark Horse: Fairfield
It was only a matter of time before Sydney Johnson turned around a struggling Fairfield program. It’s the fourth largest turnaround in Division I basketball this season (7-24 to 18-12). With the same core, Johnson took a 5-15 team in conference play last year to 12-8 this season, which was good enough for a five seed in the MAAC tournament. Everyone knows about Monmouth, Iona and even Siena, who has home court advantage, but Fairfield has the offense and coaching to go far in Albany. As Johnson says, their future is bright.
Best Championship Game: Monmouth vs. Iona
I think everyone and their mother would love to see Monmouth-Iona round three. In the first matchup, the Hawks snapped the Gaels’ 26-game home win streak, capped off with a post-game handshake scuffle. However, Iona got revenge in West Long Branch, taking down Monmouth by 16. Round three would be quite the battle on a neutral court. Two best teams. Two best players. Two top coaches. Can’t ask for more.
Predictions: Iona over Monmouth
Let’s get right to the semifinals. I’ve got Monmouth and Fairfield battling it out for a spot in the title game on the left side of the bracket. The Hawks seemed destined to at least get to the championship game, so they find a way to beat a tough Stags squad. On the right side, Iona and Siena will meet in the semis with the Gaels moving on. So yes, I have the top two seeds in the championship – sue me. AJ English and his boys will find a way to beat Monmouth for the second straight time and reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. Sorry Monmouth, NIT it is.
Tournament MVP: Jordan Washington?
I know I should pick AJ English, but that wouldn’t be any fun. If Iona’s Jordan Washington can stay out of foul trouble while in Albany, there is no reason why he can’t dominate this tournament. In the regular season, he averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in just 19 minutes per game. I know it’s hard not to foul sometimes, and believe me I’ve done my share in intramural basketball this year, but he is unstoppable when on the court. If Iona has any chance of winning three games at the Times Union Center, Washington has to play well, and play often.
So there you have it. Enjoy a magical and intense five days. Because I know I will.
