2018–19 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season explained

2018–19 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season
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League:NCAA Division I
Sport:Basketball
Pixels:200px
Duration:November 6, 2018-March 22, 2019
No Of Teams:11
Season:2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
Season Champs:Iona Gaels
Second Place:Canisius Golden Griffins
Mvp Link:Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Mvp:Cameron Young (Quinnipiac)
Top Scorer:Cameron Young (Quinnipiac) 23.5
Finals:Tournament
Finals Link:2019 MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament
Finals Champ:Iona Gaels
Finals Runner-Up:Monmouth Hawks
Finals Mvp:Rickey McGill (Iona)
Finals Mvp Link:MAAC Men's Basketball Tournament
Seasonslistnames:Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball
Prevseason Link:2017–18 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season
Prevseason Year:2017–18
Nextseason Link:2019–20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season
Nextseason Year:2019–20

The 2018–19 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball season began with practices in October 2018, followed by the start of the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 6. Conference play started in January and concluded March 22, 2019. This season was the 38th season of MAAC basketball.

The MAAC season saw four teams spend considerable time being in first place; Rider, Monmouth, Canisius and Iona. Rider started MAAC play off strong, winning seven of their first eight MAAC games, and looking like they would prove the preseason #1 pick correct. But then a five-game losing streak left them at 7–6, and two games out of first place. Monmouth started the regular season 0–12 at one point, but rebounded when MAAC play started, posting a 9–4 conference mark by February 9. Then a four-game losing streak struck down the Hawks, knocking them out of first place. Canisius had a solid season, keeping up with Monmouth the whole way. Consecutive losses to Iona and Niagara late in the season struck down their first place hopes. Iona, which had won the MAAC Tournament three consecutive times coming into the season, started off 5–2, but like the others, a four-game losing streak left them at 5–6 in MAAC play. Sitting in sixth place, Iona found their new starting five combination, and reeled off seven straight wins to end the MAAC season, and take the regular season crown in 2019. It was the 11th MAAC regular season championship for the Gaels.

The 2019 MAAC tournament was held from March 7 through March 11 at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York. This marked the 20th time Albany has hosted the event.[1] No. 1 seed Iona defeated No. 6 seed Monmouth in the championship game 81–60 to win the conference's automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA tournament. With the win, Iona became the first MAAC team to win four consecutive MAAC Tournament championships.[2]

Quinnipiac was the first MAAC team of the season to see postseason action, as they accepted an invitation to participate in the 2019 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament,[3] losing to NJIT 81–92 in the first round.[4] Iona received a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region, and faced No. 1 seed North Carolina in the first round on March 22, 2019. Iona led 38–33 at halftime, but despite Iona making 10 of 21 3-point tries in the first half, North Carolina started the second half on a 32–11 run to take control of the game, winning 88–73.[5]

Head coaches

Coaching changes

On March 5, 2018, Marist head coach Mike Maker was fired.[6] He finished at Marist with a four-year record of 28–97. Marist hired Saint Peter's coach John Dunne as Maker's successor on April 3.[7] [8]

On April 10, 2018, Seton Hall assistant coach Shaheen Holloway was hired as the new head coach at Saint Peter's.[9]

On April 13, 2018, Siena head coach Jimmy Patsos resigned amid an investigation regarding abusive conduct and financial improprieties within the program.[10] [11] On May 2, the Saints hired Mount St. Mary's head coach Jamion Christian for the job.[12]

Coaches

TeamHead coachPrevious jobYear at schoolOverall recordMAAC recordMAAC Tournament championships
style= CanisiusReggie WitherspoonChattanooga
(asst.)
30
style= FairfieldSydney JohnsonPrinceton80
style= IonaTim CluessLIU Post94
style= ManhattanSteve MasielloLouisville
(asst.)
82
style= MaristJohn DunneSaint Peter's11
style= MonmouthKing RiceVanderbilt
(asst.)
80
style= NiagaraChris CaseyLIU Post60
style= QuinnipiacBaker DunleavyVillanova
(asst.)
20
style= RiderKevin BaggettRider
(assoc. HC)
70
style= Saint Peter'sShaheen HollowaySeton Hall
(asst.)
10
style= SienaJamion ChristianMount St. Mary's10
Notes:

Preseason

Preseason Coaches Poll

RankTeam [13]
1.Rider (11)
2.Canisius
T3.Iona
T3.Quinnipiac
5.Monmouth
6.Marist
7.Fairfield
8.Manhattan
9.Niagara
10.Saint Peter's
11.Siena

first place votes

Preseason All-MAAC teams

2018-19 MAAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAAC Teams
First TeamSecond TeamThird Team
  • †Isaiah Reese – Canisius
  • Rickey McGill – Iona
  • Cameron Young – Quinnipiac
  • Stevie Jordan – Rider
  • †Dimencio Vaughn – Rider
  • Takal Molson – Canisius
  • Roland Griffin – Iona
  • Pauly Paulicap – Manhattan
  • Brian Parker – Marist
  • Frederick Scott – Rider
  • E.J. Crawford – Iona
  • Deion Hammond – Monmouth
  • Marvin Prochet – Niagara
  • Rich Kelly – Quinnipiac
  • Jordan Allen – Rider

† denotes unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year

MAAC regular season

Conference matrix

This table summarizes the final head-to-head results between teams in conference play.

  CanisiusFairfieldIonaManhattanMaristMonmouthNiagaraQuinnipiacRiderSaint Peter'sSiena
FF IONA MAN MAR MON NIA QUIN RID SPU SIE -->vs. Canisius0–2 2–0 1–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–1 0–2
vs. Fairfield2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–0
vs. Iona0–2 1–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 1–1
vs. Manhattan0–1 1–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0
vs. Marist1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–1 0–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0
vs. Monmouth2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2
vs. Niagara0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–0 0–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0
vs. Quinnipiac2–0 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1
vs. Rider1–1 0–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–0
vs. Saint Peter's1–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1
vs. Siena2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–1 FF IONA MAN MAR MON NIA QUIN RID SPU SIE -->
Total11–76–1212–68–107–1110–86–1211–715–36–1211–7

Player of the week

Throughout the regular season, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference offices named player(s) of the week and rookie(s) of the week.[14]

WeekPlayer of the weekRookie of the week
November 12, 2018Brian Parker, MaristNeftali Alvarez, Fairfield
November 19, 2018Marvin Prochet, Niagara Neftali Alvarez (2), Fairfield
November 26, 2018Dimencio Vaughn, RiderJalen Pickett, Siena
December 3, 2018Jalen Pickett, SienaJalen Pickett (2), Siena
December 10, 2018James Towns, NiagaraTyrese Williams, Quinnipiac
December 17, 2018Marvin Prochet (2), NiagaraCalvin Whipple, Fairfield
December 24, 2018James Towns (2), NiagaraNeftali Alvarez (3), Fairfield
December 31, 2018Evan Fisher, SienaJalen Pickett (3), Siena
January 7, 2019Rickey McGill, IonaJalen Pickett (4), Siena
January 14, 2019Cameron Young, QuinnipiacJalen Pickett (5), Siena
January 21, 2019Isaiah Reese, CanisiusJalen Pickett (6), Siena
January 28, 2019Cameron Young (2), QuinnipiacJalen Pickett (7), Siena
February 4, 2019Cameron Young (3), QuinnipiacSamir Stewart, Manhattan
February 11, 2019Evan Fisher (2), SienaJalen Pickett (8), Siena
February 18, 2019Cameron Young (4), QuinnipiacJalen Pickett (9), Siena
February 25, 2019Rickey McGill (2), IonaJalen Pickett (10), Siena
March 4, 2019E.J. Crawford, IonaJalen Pickett (11), Siena

Records against other conferences

2018–19 records against non-conference foes. Records shown for regular season only.

Power 7 ConferencesRecord
American0–3
ACC1–4
Big East0–4
Big Ten0–1
Big 120–2
Pac-120–1
SEC0–2
Power 7 Total1–17
Other NCAA Division I ConferencesRecord
America East8–10
A-102–8
ASUN1–0
Big Sky1–0
Big South2–1
Big West1–3
CAA1–8
C-USA0–3
Horizon League0–3
Ivy League6–7
MAC0–3
MEAC5–0
MVC0–3
Mountain West1–1
NEC5–9
OVC0–0
Patriot League5–13
Pacific West0–0
SoCon0–0
Southland0–1
SWAC0–1
The Summit1–0
Sun Belt1–0
WAC0–1
WCC0–0
Other Division I Total40–75
NCAA Division I Total41–92

Postseason

MAAC Tournament

See main article: 2019 MAAC men's basketball tournament.

NCAA Tournament

See main article: 2019 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Game summary

CollegeInsider.com Tournament

See main article: CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Game summary

Honors and awards

MAAC Awards

2018-19 MAAC Men's Basketball Major Individual Awards [16]
AwardRecipient(s)
Player of the YearCameron Young, Sr, G, Quinnipiac
Coach of the Year[17] Tim Cluess, Iona
Rookie of the YearJalen Pickett, Fr, G, Siena
Defensive Player of the YearJonathan Kasibabu, Sr, F, Fairfield
Sixth Player of the YearRyan Funk, Sr, G/F, Marist
2018-19 MAAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams [18]
First TeamSecond TeamThird TeamRookie Team
  • †Cameron Young, Sr, G, Quinnipiac
  • Rickey McGill, Sr, G, Iona
  • Jalen Pickett, Fr, G, Siena
  • E.J. Crawford, Jr, G/F, Iona
  • Takal Molson, So, F, Canisius
  • Rich Kelly, So, G, Quinnipiac
  • Stevie Jordan, Jr, G, Rider
  • Tajuan Agee, Jr, F, Iona
  • Marvin Prochet, Sr, F, Niagara
  • Evan Fisher, Sr, F, Siena
  • Brian Parker, Sr, G, Marist
  • Davauhnte Turner, Sr, G, Saint Peter's
  • Malik Johnson, Jr, G, Canisius
  • Frederick Scott, So, F, Rider
  • Diago Quinn, Sr, C, Monmouth
  • †Jalen Pickett, Fr, G, Siena
  • Neftali Alvarez, Fr, G, Fairfield
  • Tyrese Williams, Fr, G, Quinnipiac
  • Warren Williams, Fr, F, Manhattan
  • Sloan Seymour, Fr, F, Siena

† denotes unanimous selection

2018–19 Season final statistic leaders

[19]

Scoring leaders

Name Points per game
Cameron Young (Quinnipiac)
E.J. Crawford (Iona)
Takal Molson (Canisius)
Davauhnte Turner (Saint Peter's)
Evan Fisher (Siena)

Rebound leaders

Name Rebounds per game
Tajuan Agee (Iona)
Kevin Marfo (Quinnipiac)
Jonathan Kasibabu (Fairfield)
Marvin Prochet (Niagara)
Tyere Marshall (Rider)

Assist leaders

Name Assists per game
Jalen Pickett (Siena)
Rickey McGill (Iona)
Malik Johnson (Canisius)
Rich Kelly (Quinnipiac)
Stevie Jordan (Rider)

Block leaders

Name Blocked shots
Dominic Robb (Niagara)
Samuel Idowu (Saint Peter's)
KC Ndefo (Saint Peter's)
Diago Quinn (Monmouth)
Jalen Pickett (Siena)

Steal leaders

Name Steals
Rickey McGill (Iona)
Jalen Pickett (Siena)
Nick Rutherford (Monmouth)
Stevie Jordan (Rider)
Malik Johnson (Canisius)

3PT % leaders

Name 3FG 3FGA 3FG%
Cameron Young (Quinnipiac)
Landon Taliaferro (Fairfield)
Marvin Prochet (Niagara)
Ryan Funk (Marist)
Sloan Seymour (Siena)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 MAAC Men's Basketball Championship. MAAC Sports. 16 February 2019.
  2. Web site: Iona Becomes First Team to Win Four Straight Men's Basketball Championships. MAAC Sports. 23 March 2019.
  3. Web site: NJIT Set to Host Quinnipiac in First Round of CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. ASUN Sports. 23 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Quinnipiac falls to NJIT in opening round of CIT. Q30TV. 23 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Iona vs. North Carolina-Game Recap-March 22, 2019. ESPN. 23 March 2019.
  6. News: Marist fires Mike Maker; search for men's basketball coach begins. Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, NY. A.J.. Martelli. 5 March 2018. 5 March 2018.
  7. Web site: Marist Hires John Dunne As Head Men’s Basketball Coach. MAAC Sports. 3 April 2018.
  8. News: LIVE UPDATES: New Marist coach John Dunne introduced. Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, NY. 5 April 2018. en.
  9. News: Carino. Jerry. 10 April 2018. Saint Peter's to hire Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway as basketball coach. 10 April 2018. Asbury Park Press. Neptune, NJ.
  10. Web site: Jimmy Patsos resigns as Siena coach after verbal abuse allegations surfaced from team manager. CBS Sports. 13 April 2018.
  11. News: Singelais. Mark. 13 April 2018. Jimmy Patsos out as Siena basketball coach after five years. Times Union. Albany, NY. 13 April 2018.
  12. News: Men's Basketball: Christian leaving Mount St. Mary's for Siena College. The Baltimore Sun. Pat. Stoetzer. 2 May 2018. 2 May 2018. 3 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042233/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/mens/cc-sp-msm-jamion-christian-050318-story.html. dead.
  13. Web site: Rider Selected as Men’s Basketball Preseason Favorite; Canisius’ Reese Named Preseason Player of the Year. MAAC Sports. 23 October 2018.
  14. Web site: Athlete Awards. MAAC Sports. 18 February 2019.
  15. Web site: NCAA Tournament preview: The Iona Gaels are back for the fourth year in a row. Mid-Major Madness. 15 March 2019.
  16. Web site: MAAC Men's Basketball Major Award Winners Announced. MAAC Sports. 8 March 2019.
  17. Web site: Iona's Cluess Named The Rock MAAC Coach of the Year. MAAC Sports. 8 March 2019.
  18. Web site: 2018-19 MAAC Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams Revealed. MAAC Sports. 4 March 2019.
  19. Web site: 2018-2019 Men's Basketball - Overall Statistics. MAAC Sports. 22 March 2019.