By: Judy Ingram and Khalise Harris
Since the start of the season, every team in the MAAC has had one goal in mind – to punch their ticket to the big dance.
Day one is complete for the MAAC tournament, 10 teams came in, now eight remain.
QU Sports Page’s Khalise Harris and Judaea Ingram discuss the first round results and will break down the matchups in the remaining rounds to predict which squad will punch their ticket and which will fall short of their championship dreams.
So which team will prevail and head to March Madness?
First round results:
No. 8 Rider scrapes passed No. 9 Siena
Rider advanced to the quarterfinals after edging Siena 78-76 in a tightly contested battle. Siena held a narrow two-point lead at halftime. In the second half, Rider turned up the intensity as Zion Cruz stepped up and scored key buckets. It wasn’t the best shooting night from beyond the arc for either team. Rider dominated inside with 46 points in the paint to Siena’s 32 and capitalized on second-chance opportunities, scoring 23 points. The game featured 20 lead changes, with Tariq Ingraham leading the charge for Rider with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Flash Burton added 17 points on 8-for-16 shooting, including the game-tying shot to even the score at 69-69.
No. 7 Sacred Heart offense was too much for No. 10 Fairfield to handle
The nerves kick in when your season is on the line, but the jitters didn’t seem to bother Sacred Heart as they advanced to the quarterfinals, beating Fairfield 71 to 58. The Pioneers would open up with a 7-0 lead and would never look back. With the best scoring offense in the MAAC, the Pioneers fast paced scoring could not be stopped. With 22 total assists for the day, they moved the ball extremely well, making the extra pass and playing unselfish ball. They had 18 total fast break points, taking advantage of their quick transition offense.
Fairfield throughout the game would cut the lead back to single digits, going on scoring runs, but Sacred Heart responded each time with a run of their own. With so many three point snipers on their team, it was hard for Fairfield to defend. When the Stags closed out tight, Sacred Heart would make the extra pass to paint or penetrate to the basket. The Pioneers were able to stop the Stags biggest threat, Prophet Johnson, the junior guard would often get double-teamed whenever he touched the ball, he finished the night with eight points and 10 rebounds, going 3-for-12 from the field and 0-for-3 from the 3-point line. Amiri Stewart had a breakout game with 18 points, leading all players.
“That’s one down, we got another one tomorrow,” Stewart said to his teammates in the locker room after celebrating their win.
Quarterfinals:
Game 3: No. 1 Quinnipiac vs No. 8 Rider
A balanced assault and key position experience have helped the Bobcats recover from last year’s agonizing 62-60 buzzer loss to Saint Peter’s in the semifinals. Quinnipiac ranks third in the MAAC in scoring, averaging 73.8 ppg, thanks to Amarri Monroe, Savion Lewis, and Paul Otieno, who elected to stay. Monroe, the preseason MAAC Player of the Year, leads the league in rebounding with 9.2 boards and third in scoring with 17.7 points. Just behind him is Otieno, who averages 8.6 rebounds and has grabbed double-digit boards 13 times this season. Savion Lewis ranks second in the MAAC with 6.4 assists per game, powering the attack. Quinnipiac’s defense allows 71.4 points per game (6th in MAAC) and.418 field goals. The Bobcats lead the MAAC in team rebounds (38.5), offensive rebounds (11.6), and defensive rebounds (26). They rank third in MAAC thefts (8.52) and second in blocked shots (4.81). Quinnipiac will be tough to beat in the tournament if Monroe, Otieno, and Lewis keep scoring.
X-factor: The battle on the boards will be the key to this matchup. Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in team rebounds, while Siena relies on its defense and shot blocking to disrupt opponents. If the Bobcats can hold down the glass and generate second-chance points, Quinnipiac will have the edge. On the other hand, if Siena can protect the paint and limit Quinnipiac’s offensive rebounds, it could swing the momentum in its favor.
Prediction: Quinnipiac.
Game 4: No. 2 Merrimack vs No. 7 Sacred Heart
The Warriors use their tenacious defense to funnel their game. They focus on a tight zone defense. This focus on defense allows them to control tempo and make critical plays in crucial moments. This is a team that can score 50 points and still win the game. They play games on their own terms. It’s slow, dragged out, and winning the turnover battle. On the other side, the Pioneers boast a high powered offense. They run their transition offense effectively and challenge teams to match their pace. They are turnover prone and Merrimack will take advantage. The Warriors have proven to stop the Pioneers quick paced offense, having them shoot poorly from the field in their two outings against each other. This game will come down to the final possession and there is no one better to have the ball in their hands than junior guard Adam “Budd” Clark.
“Clark does not have a nervous bone in his body. He’s got a flare that’s made for March. He’s proven he can go out and win some games,” head coach Gallo said.
X-factor: Offensive possessions. Merrimack is known to stop offenses from flowing and controls the pace of the game. How well they can stop the Pioneers juggernaut offense for a third time will be crucial for them, as this game will come to the wire. The team that can get the most clean looks and gain time of possession during crunch time will come out on top.
Game 5: No. 4 Iona vs. No. 5 Manhattan
Iona overcame a three-game losing slump to win three straight. DeJour Reaves leads the Gaels with 16.7 ppg (4th in MAAC). Their three-point defense is exceptionally effective, limiting opponents to 33.1% shooting. Yaphet Moundi leads the MAAC with 7.2 rebounds per game (top 10). The Gaels are tough to beat when they play well, combining excellent defense, rebounding, and scoring. Manhattan is on a four-game winning streak entering the MAAC tournament. The Jaspers have one of the most balanced attacks in the MAAC, scoring 76.4 ppg. They are dangerous from three, ranking 4th in three-point percentage (35.1%) and 2nd in made threes (8.8) per game. Five players average double digits, led by Will Sydnor (14.3 ppg, 9th in MAAC) and Devin Dinkins (13.5 ppg, 11th). Manhattan is a tough tournament opponent since they score at all three levels and capitalize on second chances.
X-factor: The key will be which team can impose its style of play — if Iona’s defense can disrupt Merrimack’s offensive rhythm, it could swing the game in their favor. However, if Merrimack can maintain its scoring pace and find ways to break down Iona’s defensive schemes, it will put pressure on Iona to keep up offensively. The team that can adjust and excel on both ends of the court will likely come out on top.
Prediction: Iona.
Game 6: No. 3 Marist vs No. 6 Mount St. Mary’s
Offensively, Marist is middle of the pack, this is not a team that will blow you out with their offensive schemes. Defense is their bread and butter. They force long possessions and do not allow good looks or second chances, as they are ranked 1st in the MAAC in rebounds. They have great on-ball defense at multiple spots. The Mountaineers are a good all-around team, offensively averaging 70.7 points per game. They are top five in the MAAC scoring, field goal percentage, and three point percentage. They get many second chance opportunities due to the presence of Jedi Cordelia and Dola Adebayo. Teams do not shoot well against the Mountaineers. It does not hurt that they also have the conference’s best outside shooter, Carmelo Pacheco, who shoots 46.4% from the arc and he can hit big shots when needed.
“Our guys respond every time, no matter what has happened to us this year, good or bad, we have responded” Coach Donny Lind said after their win against Marist.
X-factor: On-ball pressure. These are two on-ball pressure teams. Both teams will find it crucial to take care of the ball and make crisp moves when moving up and down the court. They will be in each other’s space and will try to dictate the opponents pace. Keeping themselves in front of the player, limiting penetration and kick outs will be important for both teams.
Prediction: Mount St. Mary’s.
Semifinal Round:
Game 7: No. 1 Quinnipiac vs. No. 4 Iona
Quinnipiac managed to control the pace in both matchups against Iona this season, and its balanced attack is difficult for the Gaels to stop. If Quinnipiac stays disciplined defensively and continues to spread the scoring load, the Bobcats should have the upper hand. Iona scored 32 points in bench production and scored 33 points off turnovers against Quinnipiac both times. If they can capitalize on Quinnipiac’s mistakes and force the Bobcats into turnovers, it will be crucial to their success. Iona forced Quinnipiac to commit 18 turnovers over the two previous games, and they will need to replicate that pressure to stay competitive. Taking advantage of turnovers and bench contributions could swing the game in Iona’s favor.
X-factor: In this game will be the offensive execution from both teams. With both Quinnipiac and Iona having strong offensive presences, the ability to execute efficiently could lead to a high-scoring affair. Quinnipiac’s balanced scoring and Iona’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and fast breaks will be crucial in dictating the tempo. If both teams can maintain their offensive rhythm and avoid defensive lapses, this could turn into a high-scoring, back and forth battle.
Prediction: Quinnipiac.
Game 8: No. 2 Merrimack vs No. 6 Mount St. Mary’s
With Budd Clark at the point, Matt Becht and Devon Savage on the wings, both of them shooting with confidence, and the front court duo of Bryan Etummu and Sean Trumper, Merrimack has one of the conference most complete starting five. Defense anchoring this team, in the last matchup against the Mountaineers, they forced 19 turnovers. The Mountaineers forced the Warriors to shoot poorly from the field and behind the arc. The Warriors will make adjustments to continue to play their style. Winning seven of their last 10 games, the Mountaineers are on a run. Unlike many MAAC teams, the Mountaineers were able to shoot well from the 3-point line against the Warriors. They were 9-17 from the 3-point line and shot over 50 percent from the field.
“Because we’re so unique, we spend a lot more use on ourselves than we do our opponents,” Joe Gallo said.
X-factor: Rebounding. Merrimack is one of the worst rebounding teams in the MAAC, Mount St. Mary’s is one of the best rebounders. In their last matchup, the Warriors were outrebounded 43-23. 10 of those 43 rebounds were offensive boards, accumulating 11 second chance points. The Warriors lost by 10 in their last matchup.
Prediction: Merrimack.
Final:
No. 1 Quinnipiac vs No. 2 Merrimack
The Bobcats are hungry for redemption after a tough season, but with a mix of experienced returners and the added energy from freshman Jaden Zimmerman, they are poised for success. The team has been here before, but this time they have the right blend of hustle, grit and leadership to go all the way.
Merrimack has solidified their reputation with an elite defense that shuts down opponents and forces turnovers. However, while their defense remains a strength, don’t expect the same offensive performances as in previous matchups. Merrimack will certainly adjust, but Quinnipiac’s offensive firepower and depth will challenge their defensive focus.
X-factor: Merrimack’s defense. They thrive on their tight zone defense, forcing turnovers, blocking shots, and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. Their ability to control tempo and disrupt offensive rhythm will be key in limiting Quinnipiac’s offensive firepower. Bryan Etumnu’s dominance in the paint and the aggressive defense led by Adam Clark could force Quinipiac into uncomfortable situations, especially if the Warriors can capitalize on turnovers.
However, Quinnipiac’s depth and offensive versatility provide them with the tools to overcome Merrimack’s defensive pressure. The Bobcats’ ability to adjust their offense-mixing inside play with perimeter shooting-while managing the pressure from Merrimack’s defense, will determine the outcome. The X-factor will be how well Quinnipiac can handle Merrimack’s defensive intensity and still execute their balanced offense, leveraging their depth to exploit mismatches.
Prediction: Quinnipiac.
