Only five of the 16 players named to the All-MAAC teams at the end of last season will not make a return to the court. With plenty of young talent yet to reach their full potential, along with some fresh new faces by way of recruits and transfers, and there is sure to be a fight to secure those limited all-conference spots come March.
Ahead of the official announcement of the All-MAAC preseason teams and awards this evening, here is the NYC Buckets’ prediction. You can also check out our preseason prediction focusing on the teams themselves.
It’s difficult to have debate over the league’s Player of the Year award when the reigning recipient is returning for his senior year. Such is the case with Monmouth’s prodigious point guard, Justin Robinson. The Hawks’ unquestioned leader, Robinson helped guide Monmouth to an historic 29-win season and within arm’s reach of the NCAA tournament last year.
Now Robinson returns for his senior season the odds-on favorite to repeat as MAAC Player of the Year after averaging 19.3 ppg and 3.7 apg a year ago, and he returns with plenty of talent by his side. Backcourt mate Micah Seaborn joins Robinson on this predicted All-MAAC squad, appearing on the second team.
All-MAAC First Team
Justin Robinson – Monmouth (Player of the Year)
Brett Bisping – Siena
Khallid Hart – Marist
Javion Ogunyemi – Siena
Jordan Washington – Iona
Rich Williams – Manhattan
All-MAAC Second Team
Deyshonee Much – Iona
Tyler Nelson – Fairfield
Micah Seaborn – Monmouth
Quadir Welton – Saint Peter’s
Marquis Wright – Siena
All-MAAC Third Team
Nico Clareth – Siena
Matt Scott – Niagara
Kahlil Thomas – Rider
Phil Valenti – Canisius
Trevis Wyche – Saint Peter’s
One of Monmouth’s chief challengers this season is sure to be Siena, which checks in with four players on our All-MAAC squads. Brett Bisping and Javion Ogunyemi appear on the first team, point guard Marquis Wright checks in on the second team, and sophomore Nico Clareth gets the nod for third team. Wright and Clareth must put injury concerns to bed, but if playing up to their potential, any of the four can find their name on the first team list by season’s end.
Defending champions Iona are represented by forward Jordan Washington and guard Deyshonee Much, while local rival Manhattan sees senior Rich Williams on the first team. Washington and Much will be vital to the Gaels’ success this season, while Manhattan coach Steve Masiello recently said Williams should be more comfortable this year playing at the 3 on a consistent basis.
Marist’s Khallid Hart, a second team selection last season, rounds out the first team. Other players named to last year’s all-MAAC squad making repeat appearances here include Quadir Welton and Trevis Wyche of Saint Peter’s, Tyler Nelson of Fairfield, Kahlil Thomas from Rider, and Niagara’s Matt Scott.
Canisius, shut out of all-MAAC selections a season ago, gets on the board here with senior forward Phil Valenti. Quinnipiac is the lone team not to have a representative in our prediction.
As is usually the case with preseason predictions, players are going to get overlooked. When there are only 16 slots to be filled, not everyone will make the cut. So in the spirit of easing that heartbreak and providing something else to look forward to (or look back on in March), I leave you with a list of players from each team not named to these predicted All-MAAC teams who are most likely to earn a spot come season’s end.
All-MAAC “Most Likely” Team
Canisius: Kassius Robertson
Fairfield: Curtis Cobb
Iona: Schadrac Casimir
Manhattan: Calvin Crawford
Marist: Brian Parker
Monmouth: Je’lon Hornbeak
Niagara: Kahlil Dukes
Quinnipiac: Chaise Daniels
Rider: Jimmie Taylor
Saint Peter’s: Antwon Portley
Siena: Lavon Long
Vincent Simone covers the MAAC, Hofstra, and more for NYC Buckets. You can follow him on Twitter @VTSimone.
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