The MAAC has become somewhat of a transfer league, however the one place we don’t count transfers is to rule on our All-MAAC teams for the preseason. There is a good chance transfers like Iona’s Mike Poole, St. Peter’s Marvin Dominique, Canisius’ Chris Perez, Manhattan’s Ashton Pankey and many others will have their say on where they should be on the All-MAAC teams.

Our Preseason Player of the Year pick comes out later this week, which will be one of the five on the First Team All-MAAC. Here are the picks for the best contributors who are returning to play in the conference.

First Team All-MAAC

Billy Baron, Canisius, Sr. – Baron showed why he is one of the best players in the league last season. The major question for the season will be how will Baron play alongside Stetson graduate transfer Chris Perez, who averaged 15.1 points per game last year. Baron is the most physical guard in the MAAC, one opposing coach said last season said Baron is “built like a tank.” His physicality along with his ability to knock down shots with ease is unmatched amongst the guards in the conference. If Canisius is bound for as far a run as preseason polls are picking them, it’s hard not to bet on Billy being the front runner for the top award in March.

Sean Armand, Iona, Sr. – Head coach Tim Cluess said that Armand has been the unquestioned leader of the Gaels for the last two seasons. Gone is Player of the Year Momo Jones but Armand is known as a shooter, with very long range, but if the Gaels find other deep weapons that could open up Armand’s game. For a player who averaged 16.6 points per game and made 112 three pointers last year, seeing him get more opportunities will mean the Gaels are well on their way to another great season.

Antoine Mason, Niagara, Jr. – Despite missing time in February, one of the most consistent scorers for the Purple Eagles returns and will likely be even more of a focal point for this year’s team under head coach Chris Casey. The new coach worked with Mason’s brother, Anthony Jr., at St. John’s and knows how to put Mason in position to have success for his junior year. The way that Casey would like to get up and down will likely feature a lot of Mason with the ball in his hands to score and he has an outside shot at the league’s scoring title.

Rhamel Brown, Manhattan, Sr. – Brown continued his tenure as a superior defensive player in the conference, winning his second straight defensive player of the year. If things go right for the Jaspers, Brown will be able to coast to an unprecedented third straight award. Brown also carried the Jaspers last season on the offensive end, and with incoming depth, will likely not be asked to carry the whole load. His presence inside is an asset no other MAAC team currently boasts and gives the Jaspers another reason why they are the 2014 favorite.

George Beamon, Manhattan, Sr. – After suffering an ankle injury and never being the same to start the year, Beamon was forced to redshirt his senior year after appearing in four games. Despite missing the season, Beamon should be on track to be just as a prolific scorer for Steve Masiello as in his first year when he led the Jaspers with 19 points per game. On the trip to the Bahamas, Masiello said that he saw George was back and ready to go. We picked him as our Player of the Year favorite last season before his injury, if Manhattan is as dominant in this conference as some people expect, it is likely Beamon will be the pick come March.

Second Team All-MAAC

Chris Manhertz, Canisius, Sr. – His consistency has probably been overshadowed by the increase in the Golden Griffins guard play over the last year, but Manhertz is a rebounding machine and could easily break into the first team All-MAAC with a good senior year. He’s not the flashiest player, but after shooting 55% from inside, he presents another dimension for opponents opposite Baron.

Adam Kemp, Marist, Sr. – It was visible towards the end of last season, Adam Kemp became a dominant forward in the MAAC. In the months of February and March Kemp became a dominant inside player and showed to be more physical inside. Injuries bothered the start of his year last season but if Kemp can get off to a good start, he could break through and be one of the best forwards in the league.

David Laury, Iona, Jr. – Laury dominated at the conference tournament and showed what he could do after missing the first semester of play last season. It will be interesting to see what Laury can do, he can handle the ball like a guard but has the game as a forward to damage opponents nightly in the MAAC.

Chavaughn Lewis, Marist, Jr. – As the focal point for the Red Foxes for most of last season, regression was bound to happen for the sophomore. However with the emergence of Kemp, Bowie and other weapons, Lewis will be able to open up his game and slash to the basket more often. He probably can’t shoot it consistently enough to be a three-point threat, but his game usually needs to be to open up the lane. It will be interesting to see how first year head coach Jeff Bower puts Lewis in a position to have success, a slight improvement in some stats probably means a breakout season for Lewis.

Amadou Sidibe, Fairfield, Soph. – This call is probably a year too early but Sidibe, the sophomore captain of the Stags posted the team’s best offensive and defensive rebounding rates last year. He’s probably not going to stuff the stat sheet with points, but when Fairfield develops weapons around him that include Malcolm Gilbert inside and the figure out their guard situation, Sidibe will be a dangerous asset.

Ryan Restivo covers the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanarestivo or contact Ryan at rrestivo[at]nycbuckets.com.