1. Quinnipiac Bobcats (21-3, 13-0 MAAC), First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 81-50 @ Saint Peter’s, W 96-54 vs. Rider, W 85-74 vs. Iona
Despite a scare against Iona in the first half, the Bobcats not only scored 53 second-half points but also held the nation’s third-leading scorer, Damika Martinez (24.2 points per game) to 19 points. They have now defeated every team in the conference. Ahead? A trip to Marist on Thursday night. ESPN3.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 @ Marist, Sun. 2/15 vs. Canisius, Thurs. 2/19 vs. Saint Peter’s
2. Marist (14-7, 12-2 MAAC), Second in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 63-58 @ Iona, W 75-66 @ Niagara, W 63-49 @ Canisius
A second place finish looks foreseeable for the second straight year. Revenge against Quinnipiac at home is a must for the Red Foxes in order to show they are true contenders to defend their crown.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 vs. Manhattan, Sat. 2/14 vs. Niagara, Fri. 2/20 vs. Niagara
3. Fairfield (11-13, 10-5 MAAC), Third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 63-54 @ Canisius, L 66-56 @ Niagara, W 43-26 vs. Manhattan
After a mediocre 5-4 start in MAAC play, the Stags are playing much better basketball as of late. They are 4-1 in their last five games and are sitting in a comfortable position atop the MAAC. A first-round bye is likely and a chance to even move to third place is probable.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/29 @ Iona, Sun. 2/1 vs. Monmouth, Thurs. 2/5 @ Canisius
4. Iona (12-11, 9-5 MAAC), Fourth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 63-58 vs. Marist, W 60-41 vs. Manhattan, L 85-74 @ Quinnipiac
Well, Iona is clearly not the team it was last year. Losing three of its last four coming to the top three teams in the conference does not bode well for March.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 @ Saint Peter’s, Sun. 2/15 vs. Siena, Fri. 2/20 @ Marist
5. Siena (14-9, 7-7 MAAC), Fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 87-62 vs. Quinnipiac, W 65-43 @ Rider, W 65-58 vs. Monmouth
Siena’s season lies heavily on the last six games. If the Saints want any shot at a post-season tournament, they must finish fifth or higher in the MAAC, and win at least two games in the MAAC tournament. If they finish with 20 wins, they’ll have a outside shot at the WNIT.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 vs. Niagara, Sun. 2/15 @ Iona, Thurs. 2/19 @ Manhattan
6. Canisius (8-15, 6-8 MAAC) Tied for sixth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 52-51 @ Rider, L 63-54 vs. Fairfield, L 63-49 vs. Marist
If the Golden Griffins can win two of their next four games, it would put them in a spot to potentially grab the fifth and final bye. The last two games of the regular season are against Niagara and Siena.
Next three games: Fri. 1/13 @ Fairfield, Sun. 2/15 @ Quinnipiac, Fri. 2/20 vs. Rider
7. Niagara (10-13, 6-8 MAAC), Tied for sixth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 53-46 @ Manhattan. L 75-66 vs. Marist, W 66-56 vs. Fairfield
Like I said for Canisius, above, the Purple Eagles have an outside shot of finishing in fifth place. Thursday they travel to Siena. A win for Niagara would put them in a tie for fifth. Anything can happen from there.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 @ Siena, Sat 2/14 @ Marist, Fri. 2/20 vs. Monmouth
8. Monmouth (9-14, 5-9 MAAC), Eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 54-52 (OT) @ Fairfield, W 67-52 @ Saint Peter’s, L 65-58 @ Siena
Three winnable games for the Hawks are ahead. An 8-9 record would put them in a great spot to win a game or two in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Fri. 2/13 vs. Rider, Sun. 2/15 vs. Saint Peter’s, Fri. 2/20 @ Niagara
9. Rider (7-16, 4-9 MAAC), Ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 65-43 vs. Siena, L 96-54 @ Quinnipiac, W 54-49 vs. Saint Peter’s
Friday’s game against Monmouth is a potential opening round game in Albany.
Next three games: Fri. 2/13 @ Monmouth, Sun. 2/15 vs. Manhattan, Fri. 2/20 @ Canisius
10. Saint Peter’s (1-17, 3-10 MAAC), 1oth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 67-52 vs. Monmouth, W 68-58 @ Manhattan, L 54-49 @ Rider
The win at Manhattan puts them one spot above last week, but that’s as high as this team will get the rest of the year.
Next three games: Thurs. 2/12 vs. Iona, Sun. 2/15 @ Monmouth, Thurs. 2/19 @ Quinnipiac
11. Manhattan (2-16, 1-12 MAAC), 11th in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 60-41 @ Iona, L 68-58 vs. Saint Peter’s, L 43-26 @ Fairfield
Ten-game losing streak. Period.
Next three games: Sun. 2/15 @ Rider, Thurs. 2/19 vs. Siena, Sat. 2/21 vs. Saint Peter’s
