RTC Conference Primers: #15 – MAAC
Posted by Brian Goodman on October 21st, 2010
Ray Floriani of NBE Basketball Report and College Chalktalk is the RTC correspondent for the NEC and MAAC.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Fairfield (14-4)
- Siena (13-5)
- St.Peter’s (11-7)
- Iona (10-8)
- Niagara (9-9)
- Loyola (MD) (8-10)
- Canisius (7-11)
- Manhattan (7-11)
- Rider (6-12)
- Marist (5-13)
All Conference Team
- Derek Needham (G) – Fairfield
- Ryan Rossiter (F) – Siena
- Wesley Jenkins (G) – St.Peter’s
- Scott Machado (G) – Iona
- Julius Coles (G) – Canisius
Top Newcomer
Mike Glover (F) – Iona. Glover, a 6’7 transfer from Seton Hall is eligible at Iona this season and is the newcomer pick here. He’ll certainly get the opportunity to excel as the Gaels need steady contributions up front.
Averaging 16.4 points per game as a freshman last season, Fairfield's Derek Needham may be the MAAC's best player. (Brian A. Pounds/Connecticut Post)
Predicted Champion: Fairfield (NCAA Seed: #14) – They nearly won the conference in 2010 and are the favorite entering this campaign. The Stags were twenty minutes away from an upset and ticket to the Big Dance, but Siena rallied to capture the MAAC Tournament crown in overtime. If the Stags won the game, it would have been labeled an upset by traditional fans, but not in the eyes of those who follow the MAAC closely. Fairfield was that good. They return a big reason for their success last year in point guard Derek Needham. The freshman prodigy was one of the best players in the MAAC and will play a vital role in the Fairfield attack. Anthony Johnson, a solid inside player, is gone. Coach Ed Cooley hopes some of the injury problems of last year have exited as well. Newcomers Maurice Barrow and Keith Matthews will inject some fresh talent. Read the rest of this entry »
