Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Notebook
by Matthew Moll
The MAAC is now fully in its conference schedule. Here is how each team has fared up to this point.
1. Siena Saints (8-5 overall, 4-0 MAAC)
Four straight: The Saints’ four-win-to-no-loss conference start has been done so convincingly. As conference play kicks into its longest stint, the Saints are poised to play this season’s best ball. Siena has been consistent all year with the only losing streak occurring after losing the first two games of the season. Comeback player of the year candidate Michael Haddix leads the Saints in scoring putting in 18.8 points per game.
Can it continue: Loyola and Canisius travel to Albany this week.
2. Loyola Greyhounds (7-6, 3-1)
Been here for years: The Greyhounds looked to be in a tailspin heading into conference tilts, but rather than continue the previously poor play the ‘Hounds are now surging. Loyola won consecutive MAAC games decisively. The Greyhounds are led by junior Gerald Brown, who is averaging 22.2 points per game.
Which will show? It will be one versus two when they travel to Albany to play Siena and later welcome Niagara to Reitz Arena.
3. Marist Red Foxes (10-4, 2-1)
Pough-pough: The Red Foxes’ early season five-game winning streak has highlighted the season. That streak included a convincing non-conference win over Minnesota. Marist lost at Loyola last week and defeated Rider to round out their 1-1 week. Jared Jordan leads the team with 18.4 points per game.
A winless and an unbeaten: Iona and Siena are on tap this week.
4. Manhattan Jaspers (5-8, 2-1)
Moving Up: The Jaspers opened the season 4-1, but lost seven of the next eight contests to fall to 5-8. They have temporarily stymied the flow of losses with a two game winning streak. Devon Austin and Arturo Dubois average 12.0 points per game to lead Manhattan.
Conference road: The Jaspers will visit Canisius and Iona next week.
5. Rider Broncos (8-6, 2-2)
Rollercoaster: After starting the season 5-1, the Broncos’ longest winning streak is two and switched between Ws and Ls the past five contests. The Broncos have struggled against larger conference teams, losing by 50 at Notre Dame and by 47 to Villanova, but are proving they can play within the conference. Junior Jason Thompson leads the team in points and rebounds 18.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Home and the road: The Broncos play St. Peter’s and at Fairfield.
6. Niagara Purple Eagles (7-8. 2-2)
Solid start: The Niagara Purple Eagles are winners of five of the last seven, but fell to conference leader Siena in their most recent match. The Eagles managed to recover from a 1-7 start while players worked off preseason suspensions from an off-court incident. The Purple Eagles five starters are all averaging double figures, led by Charron Fisher with 21.6 points per game.
Purple Patrol: Niagara hosts Fairfield, then travels to Baltimore to battle Loyola this week.
7. Fairfield Stags (3-13, 1-3)
Stagnant: Fairfield has lost three consecutive games and six of their last seven. The last two losses have been conference road games where the difference has been but two possessions. Marty Van Schaick is the only Stag averaging double figures at 12.4 points per game.
Conference calls: This week, they are at Niagara and then the Stags host Rider.
8. Canisius Golden Griffins (6-8, 1-3)
Tough times in conference: After losing their first three MAAC contests by double digits, the Griffs got on the conference board with a win over St. Peter’s as they head into heightened conference play. Canisius is led in scoring by senior guard Chuck Harris, who is averaging 14.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Freshman Frank Turner has twice been named MAAC Rookie of the Week. Turner averages 11 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Tom’s first try: Coach Tom Parrotta is slated to meet the meat of the MAAC in his freshman coaching campaign. The Griffs face St. Peter’s and Manhattan as conference play is in full swing.
9. Saint Peter’s Peacocks (3-10, 1-2)
New feathers: The Peacocks are losers of their last five games after winning the first conference game of the season over Loyola. St. Peter’s suffered a 33-point loss to Niagara and a three point loss to Canisius last week. Raul Orta leads the team in scoring at 16.0 points per game while Todd Sowell leads the team in rebounds, grabbing 9.1 per game.
More MAAC: Rider and then a chance at redemption when Canisius travels to Jersey City.
10. Iona Gaels (0-13, 0-3)
From first to worst: The pendulum cannot swing to either extreme further than it has for the Gaels from the welcome sheen of tourney bliss to the dark encasement of an 0-fer. The Gaels are off to an 0-13 start with only the bitter rivals remaining on the schedule. Jeff Ruland and his young club have lost all 13 games by a considerable margin and their closest game ended minus 11 points. Tourney holdover Anthony Bruin leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.7 and 6.6 respectively.
Unlucky 13? The Gaels are forced to start their restoration project on the road against Loyola and this season’s preseason power, Marist.
