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MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL
- Iona
- Rider
- Quinnipiac
- Monmouth
- Manhattan
- Siena
- Canisius
- Marist
- Saint Peter’s
- Niagara
- Fairfield
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jalen Pickett – Siena, SO G
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-MAAC 1ST TEAM
Tajuan Agee – Iona, SR F
E.J. Crawford – Iona, SR G/F
Stevie Jordan – Rider, SR G
Rich Kelly – Quinnipiac, JR G
Jalen Pickett – Siena, SO G
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-MAAC 2ND TEAM
Asante Gist – Iona, SR G
Deion Hammond – Monmouth, JR G
Malik Johnson – Canisius, SR G
Ray Salnave – Monmouth, JR G
Frederick Scott – Rider, JR F
Dimencio Vaughn – Rider, JR G/F
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-MAAC 3RD TEAM
Jesus Cruz – Fairfield, JR G
Tyere Marshall – Rider, SR C
Pauly Paulicap – Manhattan, SR F
Jacob Rigoni – Quinnipiac, JR F
Landon Taliaferro – Fairfield, SR G
Warren Williams – Manhattan, SO F
NOTES FROM DAVID. Iona has won the MAAC Tournament four years in a row. That streak appeared to be in jeopardy last year after some huge off the court distractions just prior to the beginning of the season, but they still finished in first place and still went on to win the MAAC Tournament. With four starters back from a team that won nine straight before losing in the NCAA Tournament, they once again look to be the league favorites. They like to play up-tempo and should once again be a fun team to watch.
Rider also has four starters back. For a time they looked like the strongest team last year, but hit a skid in the middle of conference play where they lost five straight. They rebounded down the stretch and should have some momentum and experience going into this year. They do have several guys that can score, and have talent in both the frontcourt and the backcourt.
Quinnipiac is another team that finished in a tie for second and that has a good core group of players coming back. They have some really solid outside shooters, and some pretty good frontcourt players as well.
Watch out for Monmouth this year! Their season got off to a horrendous start last year as they began 0-12 and the recent years of nearly making the NCAA Tournament seemed a long ways away, but they ended up winning 14 games and made it to the MAAC Championship game. With four starters back they should be much improved this year and could end up competing for the league title.
Manhattan won just 11 games a year ago, but with all five starters back they should be improved just due to experience alone.
Siena has a new head coach in Carmen Maciariello, and he’s got his work cut out for him as the Saints appear to be in a bit of a rebuilding mode. Jalen Pickett is one of the best guards in the conference and it’s nice to have him back, but they’ll need some from the other guys who are stepping in to bigger roles this year..
Canisius has three starters back, but lost what were probably their two best players from a year ago and appear to also be in somewhat of a rebuilding mode. They do have a solid JUCO transfer coming in Majesty Brandon, and they should get quite a bit of help from him.
Marist lost four seniors and has so many new players that it’s difficult to say anything about them. I’m assuming that it’s going to be a building year for them.
Saint Peter’s won just ten games a year ago and will likely struggle again this year as well. Niagara and Fairfield could be in for long seasons as well.