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Press MAAC Index, Week 8: Down the stretch we go
Last week, dramatic change came to the Press MAAC Index. Niagara moved up three spots to No. 3 -- the biggest single-week movement this year.
This week, it's the status quo. That isn't because the blog is resistent to change -- it's because nothing happened on BracketBuster Saturday that was earth-shattering enough to move anyone around.
But with a crucial final weekend approaching, the rankigns are no less fun to examine.
1. Siena: Records: 22-6, 15-1; RPI: 37; Position: Same
I understand Butler is an extremely tough place to play, but I was amazed at how out of sorts the Saints looked Saturday in the second half, when it looked like the last thing any Siena player wanted to do was score. But does that mean they're likely to lose Friday at Rider? I don't think so.
2. Fairfield: Records: 18-9, 11-5; RPI: 107; Position: Same
After he made somewhat of a splash early in the year, I was surprised to see freshman Colin Nickerson relegated to an end-of-the-bench role for a good portion of the season. Now, though, Nickerson appears to be back in full swing. He's scored 33 points over his last two games, picked up the Rookie of the Week award, and looks poised to contribute down the stretch.
3. Niagara: Records: 16-13, 8-8; RPI: 153; Position: Same
When the MAAC appared destined for a dreadful showing on BracketBuster Saturday, the red-hot Purple Eagles delivered with a much-needed win at Milwaukee. When the game tipped, the league had only one win for the day (Manhattan over Towson) and two overall, including Iona's Friday night win over William & Mary. Canisius' win over James Madison helped, but Niagara's was bigger given it came on the road.
4. Iona: Records: 20-8, 11-5; RPI: 87; Position: Same
A great deal of credit is due to the Gaels, who won convincingly Friday against a William & Mary team that had won four striaght coming in. Iona has been erratic over the last three weeks, but with the deepest bench and best assemblage of 3-point shooters in the league, they have the ingredients to make a run in Albany.
5. Rider: Records: 15-14, 8-8; RPI: 156; Position: Same
How well the Broncs do down the stretch depends largely on how well Ryan Thompson plays, and that may be a good sign for Rider. He's been as good as ever over the past four weeks, when he's gone from a disappointent to a strong first-team all-league candidate.
6. Saint Peters's: Records: 15-12, 10-6; RPI: 156; Position: Same
Saturday's BracketBuster loss to Buffalo was hardly devastating, but it's a good example of why the Peacocks still aren't a reliable, top-tier MAAC team. Nick Leon's 3 sent the game to overtime, but even at home, Saint Peter's couldn't finish the job. The Peacocks are 3-4 in their last seven games -- not the kind of stretch that inspires confidence.
7. Canisius: Records: 13-15, 7-9; RPI: 204; Position: Same
Saturday's BracketBuster win over James Madison was hardly invigorating, but it could end up providing a much-needed jolt to the Golden Griffs, who had lost four of their previous five. It's been an up-and-down year for Frank Turner and Co., but at least the Griffs control their own destiny. If they win at Loyola and Rider -- or simply beat Rider if Rider loses to Siena -- they'll avoid the play-in round.
8. Loyola: Records: 12-15, 5-11; RPI:205; Position: Same
I was high on the resurgent Hounds in early February, but they've lost three straight after a one-point setback Saturday against New Hampshire. With Manhattan showing signs of life, the gap between the 8 and 9 spots is shrinking.
9. Manhattan: Reocrds: 10-17, 4-12; RPI: 226; Position: Same
Who were those guys in the white uniforms Saturday and what did they do with the Jaspers? In a 78-62 thumping of Towson, Manhattan scored the game's first 20 points, delivering a rare statement for a bottom-of-the-pack team. With a good recruiting class expected, Barry Rohrssen's job is likely same for at least another year.
10. Marist: Records: 1-26, 1-15; RPI: 333
Surprisingly, there's some form of good news to report about the Red Foxes: After losing by only one point Saturday at UC-Irvine, two of their last four losses are by five points or fewer.
This week, it's the status quo. That isn't because the blog is resistent to change -- it's because nothing happened on BracketBuster Saturday that was earth-shattering enough to move anyone around.
But with a crucial final weekend approaching, the rankigns are no less fun to examine.
1. Siena: Records: 22-6, 15-1; RPI: 37; Position: Same
I understand Butler is an extremely tough place to play, but I was amazed at how out of sorts the Saints looked Saturday in the second half, when it looked like the last thing any Siena player wanted to do was score. But does that mean they're likely to lose Friday at Rider? I don't think so.
2. Fairfield: Records: 18-9, 11-5; RPI: 107; Position: Same
After he made somewhat of a splash early in the year, I was surprised to see freshman Colin Nickerson relegated to an end-of-the-bench role for a good portion of the season. Now, though, Nickerson appears to be back in full swing. He's scored 33 points over his last two games, picked up the Rookie of the Week award, and looks poised to contribute down the stretch.
3. Niagara: Records: 16-13, 8-8; RPI: 153; Position: Same
When the MAAC appared destined for a dreadful showing on BracketBuster Saturday, the red-hot Purple Eagles delivered with a much-needed win at Milwaukee. When the game tipped, the league had only one win for the day (Manhattan over Towson) and two overall, including Iona's Friday night win over William & Mary. Canisius' win over James Madison helped, but Niagara's was bigger given it came on the road.
4. Iona: Records: 20-8, 11-5; RPI: 87; Position: Same
A great deal of credit is due to the Gaels, who won convincingly Friday against a William & Mary team that had won four striaght coming in. Iona has been erratic over the last three weeks, but with the deepest bench and best assemblage of 3-point shooters in the league, they have the ingredients to make a run in Albany.
5. Rider: Records: 15-14, 8-8; RPI: 156; Position: Same
How well the Broncs do down the stretch depends largely on how well Ryan Thompson plays, and that may be a good sign for Rider. He's been as good as ever over the past four weeks, when he's gone from a disappointent to a strong first-team all-league candidate.
6. Saint Peters's: Records: 15-12, 10-6; RPI: 156; Position: Same
Saturday's BracketBuster loss to Buffalo was hardly devastating, but it's a good example of why the Peacocks still aren't a reliable, top-tier MAAC team. Nick Leon's 3 sent the game to overtime, but even at home, Saint Peter's couldn't finish the job. The Peacocks are 3-4 in their last seven games -- not the kind of stretch that inspires confidence.
7. Canisius: Records: 13-15, 7-9; RPI: 204; Position: Same
Saturday's BracketBuster win over James Madison was hardly invigorating, but it could end up providing a much-needed jolt to the Golden Griffs, who had lost four of their previous five. It's been an up-and-down year for Frank Turner and Co., but at least the Griffs control their own destiny. If they win at Loyola and Rider -- or simply beat Rider if Rider loses to Siena -- they'll avoid the play-in round.
8. Loyola: Records: 12-15, 5-11; RPI:205; Position: Same
I was high on the resurgent Hounds in early February, but they've lost three straight after a one-point setback Saturday against New Hampshire. With Manhattan showing signs of life, the gap between the 8 and 9 spots is shrinking.
9. Manhattan: Reocrds: 10-17, 4-12; RPI: 226; Position: Same
Who were those guys in the white uniforms Saturday and what did they do with the Jaspers? In a 78-62 thumping of Towson, Manhattan scored the game's first 20 points, delivering a rare statement for a bottom-of-the-pack team. With a good recruiting class expected, Barry Rohrssen's job is likely same for at least another year.
10. Marist: Records: 1-26, 1-15; RPI: 333
Surprisingly, there's some form of good news to report about the Red Foxes: After losing by only one point Saturday at UC-Irvine, two of their last four losses are by five points or fewer.
posted by Kyle Franko at
2:49 PM
6 Comments:
POY is at stake this week. If Rider beats Siena and RT plays like POY the last two games he should take the honors. Otherwise, Franklin from Siena will be the strongest candidate.
Expect a competitive game against Siena but the bench must contribute if Rider expects to win.
Lets go Rider!
How can you possibly say that RT is back in the mix for POY? he's had a couple dominant games (all on the road), but at this point, he's still not even on the first team. it would take 2 wins and huge performances to overcome the dreadful start.
RT single-handidly put Rider in the position they're in - barely out of the play-in game. His play over a 6 or 7 week period was unbelievably bad and ruined Rider's regular season. Siena might be the first MAAC team to win 17 conference games - I'd say Franklin is an easy pick.
so i think that we can all finally agree that RT was the main cause of rider's problems this season (evidenced by how they have played when he plays like he did last year).
Yes, it's all RT's fault. He's only 2nd in the MAAC in scoring, 19th in rebounding, 7th in FG%, 11th in assists, 3rd in FT% and 2nd in minutes played. And since back-to-back poor performances against Monmouth and Siena in December, he's averaging 19.5 pts., 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals.
if he plays good, they win. if he plays bad, they lose.
don't care what he's averaging....he played awful twice against loyola (combined 4-25 from the field); was awful at Canisius; and was awful at home against iona and SPC....all games that they lost.
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