Busting Brackets
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MAAC basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament Preview

By Brad Cavallaro

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Head coach King Rice of the Monmouth Hawks reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Head coach King Rice of the Monmouth Hawks reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Head coach Tim Cluess of the Iona Gaels reacts in the second half while taking on the Brigham Young Cougars in the first round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Head coach Tim Cluess of the Iona Gaels reacts in the second half while taking on the Brigham Young Cougars in the first round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Favorite and Sleeper Teams

Favorite: Rider Broncs

Rider and Canisius tied for first place, but the Broncs should still be the favorite. They have the most well-rounded team in the MAAC and have five double figure scorers. Dimencio Vaughn is a future mid-major star on the wing. Jordan Allen is a big shot maker who had 28 points in a near win at Providence. Both players are only freshmen.

The Broncs can match opposing teams on the interior as well. Fredrick Scott is a DePaul transfer who has made a major immediate impact. The 6’8” forward is a good athlete and can hit perimeter shots. 6’9” Tyrere Marshall has also proven he can compete inside against even high major squads. Rider’s lead guard, Stevie Jordan, leads the MAAC in assists and is a perfect fit in this young five man core.

Overall, there is a lot to like from this Rider squad.

Sleeper: Iona Gaels

Whenever the Gaels are seeded this low, they should always be seen as a dangerous sleeper. Head Coach Tim Cluess has had great success in the MAAC Tournament as he has led Iona to three conference tournament victories and an at large bid in his tenure. If Iona wins this season that would be their third straight automatic berth which is an impressive feat.

Iona under-performed in the regular season based on their extremely talented roster. Rickey McGill was mentioned above, but EJ Crawford and Deyshonee Much are two additional skilled shot makers on the wing. Newcomers Roland Griffin and TK Edogi have solidified the frontcourt in their first year in the program and Schadrac Casimir adds more firepower to the backcourt.

The Gaels miss Jordan Washington who was a dominate interior scorer and will rely primarily on their collection of guards and wings. Defense is always a concern for Iona, but in a single elimination tournament, offensive explosiveness is crucial.