1. Iona Gaels (23-6, 16-2 MAAC) First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 60-57 @ Quinnipiac, W 72-68 @ Marist, W 69-68 vs. Monmouth.
Locked in as the number 1 seed.
Iona has locked up the number one seed and a first round bye in the MAAC Tournament, something that should come as no surprise to many. The Gaels are poised to win their second MAAC Championship in the last two years and they are getting healthy at the right time. According to SNY Basketball Insider, Adam Zagoria, Iona guard Isaiah Williams is set to return in the Gaels’ Friday night game against Manhattan.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 vs. Manhattan, Sun, 3/1 @ Saint Peter’s, Sat, 3/7 vs. #9 or #8 (MAAC Tournament).
2. Manhattan Jaspers (15-12, 12-6 MAAC) Tied for third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 79-70 vs. Fairfield, W 80-74 @ Siena, W 67-54 @ Marist.
Best scenario: second seed Worst scenario: fourth seed
Winners of seven out of their last nine games, the Manhattan Jaspers are rolling and what a time it is to be on a hot streak. A win in Friday’s game against Iona will give Manhattan an opportunity to gain even more momentum as they look to defend their MAAC title.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 @ Iona, Sun, 3/1 vs. Quinnipiac, Sat, 3/7 vs. #5, #6, #7, #10, or #11
3. Rider Broncs (19-10, 14-5 MAAC) Second in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 69-60 @ Niagara, W 94-83 vs. Quinnipiac, W 63-60 @ Monmouth
Locked in as the number 2 seed.
At this time last week Rider seemed to be the team most likely to beat Iona in the MAAC tournament. But with the loss of center Matt Lopez for the season to a torn ACL crushes Riders hopes of making it far in the MAAC tournament. The injury draws parallels to Quinnipiac losing Umar Shannon late last season as both players meant so much to their respective teams. Lopez lead the Broncs in points per game (12.3) and rebounds (7.7).
Next two games: Sun, 3/1 vs. Marist, Sat, 3/7 vs. #7 or #10
4. Monmouth Hawks (16-14, 12-7 MAAC) Third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 63-58 @ Saint Peter’s, L 69-68 @ Iona, L 63-30 @ Rider.
Best scenario: third seed Worst scenario: second seed
Monmouth squandered their chances of getting the second seed in the MAAC tournament after losing to Rider Thursday night 63-60. Despite the loss, the Hawks are still in good position as they have clinched a first round bye and Andrew Nicholas (7.6 points per game) is back from injury.
Next two games: Sun, 3/1 vs. Siena, Sat, 3/7 vs. #11, #10, #7 or #6
5. Canisius Golden Griffins (15-13, 10-9 MAAC) Fifth in the MAAC.
Previous three games: W 69-63 @ Siena ,W 65-63 @ Quinnipiac, L 82-71 vs. Niagara.
Locked into fifth seed
Jim Baron should win MAAC Coach of the Year as he has gotten everything out of the group of players that he has now. The Golden Griffins will be an interesting team to watch in the MAAC tournament as they are a very disciplined team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Canisius faces Iona in the semifinals of the MAAC tournament.
Next two games: Fri, /27 vs. Fairfield, 3/7 vs. #4.
6. Quinnipiac Bobcats (14-13, 8-10 MAAC) Sixth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 60-57 vs. Iona, L 94-83 @ Rider, L 65-63 Canisius
Best scenario: six seed Worst Scenario: eight seed
The Bobcats have been playing horribly of late and it has cost them a first round bye in the MAAC Tournament. Saturday’s 65-63 loss to Canisius effectively knocked Quinnipiac out of the fifth spot and facing a Thursday game, rather than a Saturday game. Also, Zaid Hearst has been terrible of late for the Bobcats, he is averaging only 10 points per game over his last six games. Hearst has been the go to guy on offense all season for the Bobcats, he will need to step up his game if Quinnipiac wants to have any shot to make it past the first round.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 vs. Siena, Sun, 3/1 @ Manhattan, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #11, #10 or #9.
7. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (13-16, 7-11 MAAC) Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 69-55 @ Canisius, L 63-58 vs. Monmouth, L 57-43 @ Fairfield.
Best scenario: sixth seed Worst scenario: ninth seed
The Peacocks will continue to be high on my list because they have the ability to shut down any team in the MAAC offensively, even Iona. In their 68-63 loss a few weeks ago, the Peacocks held the Gaels to 68 points on 35 percent shooting.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 @ Marist, Sun, 3/1 vs. Iona, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #11, #10, #9 or #8.
8. Siena Saints (10-17, 7-11 MAAC) Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 83-64 vs. Monmouth, L 69-63 vs. Canisius, L 80-74 vs. Manhattan.
Best scenario: sixth seed Worst scenario: ninth seed
The Saints are in shambles heading into the MAAC tournament as they have lost three in a row. They have been without big man Brett Bisping for most of the year, but the thing that have going for them is that they can score and are technically home for the MAAC tournament. Siena averages 70 points per game, the second most points per game in the MAAC.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 @ Quinnipiac, Sun, 3/1 @ Monmouth, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #11, #10, #9 or #8.
9. Niagara Purple Eagles (7-21, 6-13 MAAC) Ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 55-53 @ Fairfield, W 65-61 @ Rider, W 82-71 @ Canisius.
Best scenario: seventh seed Worst scenario: tenth seed
The Purple Eagles have come on strong towards the end of the season as they are winners of their last three games. The Purple Eagles will factor into the equation at the MAAC tournament.
Next two games: Sun, 3/1 vs. Fairfield, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #10, #9, #8, #7 and #6.
10. Fairfield Stags (6-20, 4-12 MAAC) Tenth in the MAAC
Previous three games: 79-70 @ Manhattan, L 55-53 vs. Niagara, W 57-43 vs. Saint Peter’s.
Best scenario: seventh seed Worst scenario: eleventh seed
Fairfield is similar to Saint Peter’s in that they really struggle to score, but play excellent defense. I could see the Stags giving a team in the first round a run for their money.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 @ Canisius, Sun 3/1 @ Niagara, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #10, #9, #8, #7 or #6.
11. Marist Red Foxes (5-23, 4-14 MAAC) Eleventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 69-65 @ Monmouth, L 72-68 vs. Iona, L 67-54 vs. Manhattan.
Best scenario: ninth seed Worst scenario: eleventh seed
Despite losing their last five games and being last place in the MAAC, the Marist Red Foxes could pose a threat in the MAAC tournament. In a league that struggles to score, Marist has two players in Chavaughn Lewis and Khallid Hart who can fill it up at any moment. Lewis averages 20 points per game, while Hart averages a solid 15 points per game. If both players get hot, I could see them advancing past the first round.
Next three games: Fri, 2/27 vs. Saint Peter’s, Sun, 3/1 @ Rider, Thurs, 3/5 vs. #8, #7 or #6.
