Busting Brackets
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MAAC Basketball: Iona, Canisius top seeds in 2019 conference tournament

By Pan Karalis

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jon Severe #10 of the Iona Gaels shoots the ball against Jordan Bell #1 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jon Severe #10 of the Iona Gaels shoots the ball against Jordan Bell #1 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Rickey McGill #0 of the Iona Gaels dribbles against Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Rickey McGill #0 of the Iona Gaels dribbles against Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Key Players

Cameron Young – Quinnipiac
Cam Young made national headlines a few weeks ago with his 55-point performance in a huge game against Siena at Times Union Center. Young is easily the most prolific scorer in the league, leading the league in effective field goal percentage and free throw percentage, coming second in three-point percentage behind teammate Rich Kelly, and got to the line and put more field goals through the hoop than any other player during the regular season. If Quinnipiac makes a championship push, it will be on the back of one of their all-time greats in Cam Young.

Jalen Pickett – Siena
While Cam Young was going off for 55 against Pickett and Siena, Pickett was dropping 46 of his own in a huge effort in a game that would have bumped its winner to the top of the MAAC standings. While Pickett didn’t quite have the statistical year Young did, he wasn’t far behind. As a freshman, he led the league in assists, is fifth nationally in assist percentage, and is averaging almost 17 points per game. He also played more minutes than any other MAAC player, and is strong in many defensive categories, recording a top five season in blocks and steals in the league.

Tajuan Agee – Iona

The 6’9 junior college transfer was one of the best interior players in the MAAC this season, helping Iona to a regular season title. His biggest performance of the season was a 27-point 12-rebound effort away at Quinnipiac in a huge game down the stretch. He has nine double-doubles on the season.

Stevie Jordan – Rider

Kevin Baggett really put together a complete team with the Broncs, and no one’s numbers from the Rider roster really jump off the page. Stevie Jordan isn’t going to wow you with his point totals and rarely puts up gaudy numbers. He wasn’t named to the All-MAAC team. But Stevie might be one of the most important players in the league heading into this weekend’s tournament; he’s the veteran leader on this still-young Rider squad, and rarely will you see a player at any level command more respect from their teammates than Stevie does. He’s also one of the best and most creative playmakers in the Metro-Atlantic.

Rickey McGill – Iona

As important as Tajuan Agee is to Iona’s frontcourt, McGill was the most valuable player for the regular season champions. He averaged over 15 points and five assists on the season, and scored 30, and had seven boards, four assists, and four steals in a must-win game on the second-to-last day of the regular season against Canisius. The senior guard is looking to leave Iona having won the MAAC conference tournament every single season.