MAAC Basketball Power Rankings: Iona on Top, Loyola Next
MAAC Basketball Power Rankings: Iona on Top, Loyola Next
Iona was expected to win the MAAC, and so far, the Gaels have lived up to the hype.
The 13-3 Gaels have dominated their most recent opponents, and Scott Machado's 10.1 assists per game lead the nation.
After such an impressive start to the season, Iona sits atop the B/R MAAC Basketball Power Rankings. Read on to see where the rest of the league stands.
10. Canisius Golden Griffins
Record: 3-12, 0-5 MAAC
By all statistical measures, Canisius isn't just the worst team in the MAAC—it's one of the worst teams in Division I.
The Golden Griffins rank No. 319 in RealTime RPI, No. 298 in KenPom and No. 306 in KenPom defensive efficiency. There are 345 teams in D-I.
Keep in mind: the three opponents they've beaten have a combined 6-35 record.
9. St. Peter's Peacocks
Record: 3-13, 2-3 MAAC
St. Peter's has struggled offensively after losing several key players last offseason.
The Peacocks are averaging just 59.3 points per game, which ranks No. 320 nationally. KenPom's offensive efficiency pits St. Peter's at No. 317.
A home win against Siena is the Peacocks' best, and they've also beaten Canisius and winless Binghamton.
Losers of 9-of-10, the Peacocks will make the western New York road trip this weekend.
8. Marist Red Foxes
Record: 7-9, 2-3 MAAC
According to KenPom, Marist ranks No. 31 in tempo. The Red Foxes, in other words, have more possessions than most teams in Division I.
Fast tempos work well with teams that can score efficiently, like North Carolina. However, if you rank No. 215 in offensive efficiency and can't compensate with an effective defense—the Red Foxes are No. 298 in defensive efficiency—you won't have much success.
Marist has amassed seven wins, but it had one of the softest non-conference schedules after its season opener at Kentucky. The Red Foxes have been able to outshoot the likes of Colgate, Hartford and Radford, but how impressive are those wins?
7. Niagara Purple Eagles
Record: 6-11, 1-4 MAAC
Niagara has a worse record than Marist, but the Purple Eagles had a tougher non-conference strength of schedule and opened the MAAC with games against Fairfield, Iona (twice) and Loyola Md.
The Purple Eagles beat the Greyhounds on the road, and they have more close losses to better teams than do the Red Foxes.
Niagara's defense ranks No. 293, according to KenPom, but with freshman scoring leader Juan'ya Green, Joe Mihalich's offense can compete with any MAAC team.
6. Rider Broncs
Record: 6-11, 3-2 MAAC
After starting 1-10, Rider has won five of its last six.
The Broncs' defense is still one of the worst in Division I, but Novar Gadson has shown signs of his old offensive self recently, pouring in 21 and 19 points against Manhattan and Marist, respectively.
Rider has played five of its last six games away from home, and with road games at Siena, Fairfield and Iona up next, the Broncs won't return to Alumni Gymnasium until Jan. 22.
5. Siena Saints
Record: 7-8, 2-3 MAAC
Siena has won four of its last five games, picking up wins against Princeton, Florida Atlantic, Fairfield and Niagara.
The win over the Stags kept the Saints in front of Rider
4. Manhattan Jaspers
Record: 10-7, 3-2 MAAC
Manhattan earned a statement win over Fairfield at home, and if the Jaspers had pulled out a win at Loyola Md., they'd be ahead of the Stags in the power rankings. However, Dylon Cormier's last-second three prevented that from happening.
Entering the Fairfield game, Manhattan had lost 3-of-4.
3. Fairfield Stags
Record: 8-8, 3-2 MAAC
Fairfield had the second-toughest strength of non-conference schedule in the MAAC, but it played the bulk of its challenging opponents early in the season.
The Stags have lost four of five. While the first two of the four losses came at UConn and Drexel, Fairfield lost at Siena and Manhattan. The Stags beat Canisius for their only win during the skid.
Rakim Sanders had his worst game of the season against Siena, when he shot 1-10 from the floor and scored just two points, and Derek Needham averaged five points in Fairfield's last two losses.
2. Loyola Md. Greyhounds
Record: 11-4, 4-1 MAAC
After its 8-1 start, Loyola cooled down, going .500 over its next six games. Two of the losses over that stretch are acceptable—the Greyhounds weren't expected to win at Kentucky or Saint Bonaventure.
The home loss to Niagara, though, is a bit of a stain, but in comparison to Fairfield's struggles with Manhattan and Siena, Loyola is fine.
1. Iona Gaels
Record: 13-3, 5-0 MAAC
Though Iona fell at Hofstra—a loss that diminished the Gaels' at-large hopes—Tim Cluess' squad has won 6-of-7.
The Gaels appear ready to steamroll the MAAC, winning its last three conference games by an average of 24 points, but the competition—Manhattan and Loyola—will be more challenging this week. At least the Gaels finally have a string of home games after spending the majority of the last six weeks on the road.
Iona is currently No. 31 in RPI.