On Sept. 30, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference head coaches chose the Quinnipiac Bobcats as the No. 1 team in the preseason conference rankings. 2024-25 Conference Player of the Year Amarri Monroe was also recognized as the preseason Player of the Year for the second season in a row. Finally, the coaches named Jaden Zimmerman to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team. All that being said, Quinnipiac has the tools on this roster to avenge a disappointing loss to Iona back in March this upcoming season. Q30’s Men’s Basketball beat staff poses one question: Does each player have to answer for the team to get back atop the MAAC?
#1 Jayden Reid, First Year Forward – How much playing time will Reid see in year one?
Despite the return of Amarri Monroe, there is still plenty of opportunity in the Bobcats frontcourt; the 6-foot-9 Reid will have a chance to show that he was the No. 4-ranked player in Connecticut for a reason. He could split minutes between power forward and center.
#2 Amarri Monroe, Senior Forward – What more does he have to prove?
Monroe is already one of the all-time greats in Hamden. There is only one thing he hasn’t done…cut down the nets in Atlantic City. Simply put, all that’s left for Monroe to accomplish is to win a MAAC Championship
#3 Asim Jones, Senior Guard – Can he add playmaking to his arsenal?
The Bobcats are going to miss Savion Lewis and his veteran play in the backcourt, but the FIU transfer will be entrusted with the primary point guard duties this season. He’s much more of a scorer than Lewis was and will likely be the third option in the Bobcats’ offense. He’ll have to step up as a playmaker to replace Lewis’s 163 assists from a year ago.
#4 Tai Turnage, First Year Guard – Will his size limit his incredible skill?
Listed at six feet tall, the fact is he’s going to be smaller than the majority of his competition. Despite that, he was the No. 6 player in New York during the most recent recruiting cycle. The talent is hard to doubt, but his size raises questions as to how he fits into the rotation.
#8 Grant Randall, Sophomore Forward – What does his year one to year two jump look like?
He has the measurables to be an impact starter in the MAAC, but streaky shooting and spotty defense kept him off the floor in his first season. With more playing time this season, Randall could slot into the role Alexis Reyes held in his time at Quinnipiac if everything clicks.
#9 Nate Guerengomba, Sophomore Guard – Can he jump anyone and find a role in the rotation?
Coming over from UMass in the portal this offseason, Guerengomba files into a crowded guard room, but his ability to attack the rim off the dribble differentiates him from a few players who are more comfortable on the perimeter. If Pecora is eyeing for a fresh look stylistically, he could turn to Guerengomba.
#10 Ronell Giles, Graduate Guard – After nearly two seasons off the floor, what will Giles’ role look like?
Before coming to Quinnipiac, Giles only played three games in 2023-24 at Prairie View A&M after injuring his back. Then, when he transferred to Quinnipiac, he was unable to play last season due to an issue with his transfer credits. In his first three years of college ball at Saint Francis (PA), he averaged over eight points a game on 35% shooting. If the Bobcats decide to go with a three-guard rotation, he could earn some meaningful minutes.
#11 Samson Reilly, Redshirt First Year Guard- Can he be a consistent source of three-point shooting?
Despite back-to-back highly successful seasons, one knock on the Bobcats has been their inability to shoot the three. Insert Samson Reilly. Reilly is a quick point guard with ELITE shooting ability. He shot over 40% from deep in his first three high school seasons, and the Bobcats sure could use that range this year.
#12 Spence Wewe, Sophomore Center – Is he ready to compete with other MAAC bigs?
After losing Paul Otieno to St. Louis in the transfer portal, the Bobcats are going to need a breakout from Wewe to replace even a fraction of Otieno’s production. He looked promising in his seven games last year before his season ended with a fractured foot but there are parts of his game that are still rough around the edges.
#13 Braylan Ritvo, Redshirt First Year Forward – What is his ceiling in year two?
Ritvo was Quinnipiac’s lone three-star recruit in 2024 and should be one of the first big men off the bench. He dealt with back issues last season that contributed to him redshirting, but he is an extremely well-rounded player. He should be an effective contributor in his sophomore season.
#21 Keith McKnight, First Year Guard – Could McKnight be an everyday starter as a freshman?
“Obviously, he’s not anywhere near as good, but he moves like Michael Jordan,” said Bobcats Head Coach Tom Pecora earlier this offseason. After that kind of praise before his first year, McKnight is going to have high expectations. With his break-running ability and smooth athleticism, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the starting five in Hamden.
#24 Jaden Zimmerman, Sophomore Guard – How will he score his points?
The high-flying wing spent most of his time off the ball as a first year, but the natural step for an All-Rookie talent is to handle the ball more often as he gets more game experience. Will Zimmerman take advantage of the increased ball handling duties en route to a scoring jump in his sophomore season?
#32 Sam Nosakhare, First Year Forward – What could Nosakhare’s usage look like?
Nosakhare was the Power 5 AAA Defensive Player of the Year with Putnam Science Academy last year and is excellent on the glass. He plays with energy, and his size and length make him formidable, but he’s a little rough around the edges offensively. He’ll probably split time with Wewe at center this season. With their young depth, that’s a position the Bobcats should approach with a platoon mentality.
