1. Iona Gaels (19-6, 12-2 MAAC) First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 68-61 vs. Saint Peters, W 87-83 vs. Siena, W 72-57 @ Fairfield.
Iona has distanced itself from the rest of the conference, as it is two games ahead of Rider and is the clear favorite heading down the stretch. According to Sports Illustrated senior writer Pete Thamel, 18 NBA scouts will be in attendance at Draddy Gymnasium tonight for the highly anticipated rivalry game between Iona and Manhattan. A.J. English will certainly be the center of attention as the junior guard is averaging 19.6 points per game.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 @ Manhattan, Sun, 2/15 @ Quinnipiac, Fri, 2/20 @ Marist.
2. Rider Broncs (16-9, 10-4 MAAC) Second in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 79-72 @ Siena, W 54-52 vs. Fairfield, W 85-77 vs. Manhattan.
Rider is 9-2 since the New Year including two overtime wins against a well-coached Manhattan team. The Broncs carry a lot of depth and experience with them down the closing stretch of the regular season, something invaluable in the MAAC. The one drawback to Rider is their abysmal 60 percent free throw percentage, which needs to improve if Rider wants to win games in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 @ Canisius, Sun, 2/15 @ Niagara, Thurs, 2/19 vs. Quinnipiac.
3. Manhattan Jaspers (12-11, 9-5 MAAC) Tied for third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 56-53 @ Quinnipiac, W 82-79 vs. Manhattan, L 78-68 vs. Iona.
Since suffering a 73-59 drubbing at the hands of the Quinnipiac Bobcats three weeks ago, the Manhattan Jaspers have been on a roll. The Jaspers are 4-1 in their last five games, 6-1 at home and big man Ashton Pankey is playing his best basketball since transferring over from Maryland three years ago. The 6-10 forward is averaging 12.6 points per game along with 6.7 rebounds per game.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 vs. Iona, Sun, 2/15 vs. Fairfield, Sat, 2/21 @ Siena.
4. Quinnipiac Bobcats (13-10, 7-7 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 105-100 @ Niagara, W 72-52 vs. Monmouth, W 91-69.
After a very disheartening trip to western New York that resulted in two losses to Canisius and Niagara, the Quinnipiac Bobcats have been playing angry. The Bobcats blew out Monmouth by 20 points last Thursday 2/5 and annihilated Niagara by 22 points last Sunday. After tonight’s game against Fairfield, Quinnipiac has a very tough schedule ahead of it. The Bobcats will have to play the current top three teams in the conference one more time in Iona, Rider and Manhattan.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 @ Fairfield, Sun, 2/15 vs. Iona, Thurs, 2/19 @ Rider
5. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (12-13, 6-8 MAAC) Eighth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 68-61 @ Iona, W 69-58 vs. Fairfield, W 65-57 vs. Siena.
I put the Peacocks in the fifth spot by default because they haven’t been as bad of late as the other teams remaining in my power rankings. The Peacocks will be a stingy team to play in the MAAC tournament, as they are capable of slowing down any team offensively, even Iona.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 @ Niagara, Sun, 2/15 @ Canisius, Thurs, 2/19 vs. Monmouth.
6. Siena Saints (10-14, 7-8 MAAC) Seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 87-83 @ Iona, L 65-57 @ Saint Peter’s, W @ 66-64 Marist.
The roller coaster ride of a season continues for the Saint, as they can’t seem to string wins together. The Saints are my dark horse to make it to the MAAC Championship game due to the fact that they can keep up offensively with Iona and that they are technically “hosting” the MAAC tournament as it will be played at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. An unfair advantage if you ask me.
Next three games: Sat, 2/14 vs. Monmouth, Thurs, 2/19 vs. Canisius, Sat, 2/21 vs. Manhattan
7. Monmouth Hawks (13-12, 9-5 MAAC) Tied for third in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 87–76 vs. Manhattan, L 72-52 @ Quinnipiac, W 44-40 vs. Canisius.
The injuries to Andrew Nicholas and Josh James have taken a huge toll offensively on the Hawks over the past two weeks. It was evident in their 44-40 win against Canisius last Sunday.
Next three games: Sat, 2/14 @ Siena, Mon, 2/16 vs. Marist, Thu, 2/19 @ Saint Peter’s.
8. Marist Red Foxes (5-20, 4-11 MAAC) Tenth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 63-61 vs. Niagara, L 89-67 @ Iona, L 66-64 vs. Siena.
It’s the time of the season for the Red Foxes as Chavaughn Lewis and Khallid Hart are finally healthy and the results are showing as they are 4-2 in their past six games.
Next three games: Mon, 2/16 @ Monmouth, Fri, 2/20 vs. Iona, Mon, 2/23 vs. Manhattan.
9. Canisius Golden Griffins (12-11, 7-7 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 75-67 vs. Marist, L 78-69 @ Manhattan, L 44-40 @ Monmouth.
Phil Valenti’s injury has completely derailed Canisius’ season. Just a few weeks ago the Golden Griffins were second on my power rankings. This team is in a lot of trouble as it is unclear when Valenti will return from injury.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 vs. Rider, Sun, 2/15 vs. Saint Peter’s, Thurs, 2/19 vs. Siena.
10. Niagara Purple Eagles (4-19, 3-11 MAAC) Eleventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 100-105 vs. Quinnipiac, L 63-61 @ Marist, L 69-61 @ Quinnipiac.
The Purple Eagles played their best game of the season two weeks ago by defeating the Quinnipiac Bobcats 105-100. They followed up that effort by losing to Marist and Quinnipiac. The Purple Eagles will not be a factor in the MAAC tournament.
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 vs. Saint Peter’s, Sun, 2/15 vs. Rider, Thurs, 2/19 @Fairfield.
11. Fairfield Stags (4-18, 4-10 MAAC) Ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 54-52 @ Rider, L 69-58 @ Saint Peter’s, L 72-57 vs. Iona.
The Stags have lost seven in a row…
Next three games: Fri, 2/13 vs. Quinnipiac, Sun, 2/15 @ Manhattan, Thurs, 2/19 vs. Niagara.
