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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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 24: Dimencio Vaughn #14 and head coach Kevin Baggett of the Rider Broncs look on during the championship game of the 2017 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament against the Hampton Pirates at the Orleans Arena on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rider won 94-80. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 24: Dimencio Vaughn #14 and head coach Kevin Baggett of the Rider Broncs look on during the championship game of the 2017 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament against the Hampton Pirates at the Orleans Arena on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rider won 94-80. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Semi-finals

#1 Iona vs. #4 Rider

What a matchup this will be if it happens, the three-time defending champs against a Rider team unanimously picked to win the league and finished only a game back of the Gaels. It’s the balanced, hard-working Broncs against an Iona filled with stud players and all-conference selections. It’s a game Rider will have circled twice after dropping both games to Iona, including a pivotal matchup at Alumni Gym on the final Friday of the season that locked up at least a share of the title for the Gaels, eliminating Rider from contention. Ultimately, I think Rider will win this game and end Iona’s run. They’re just too good, and Kevin Baggett too good of a coach to not figure out how to beat Iona just once in three meetings.

Winner: Rider

#2 Canisius vs. #3 Quinnipiac

I’m going to give the edge to Quinnipiac much for the same reason as above; Canisius nabbed the Cats twice this year, and I think Quinnipiac will find a way to get past the Grifs on the third go. Despite a disappointing finish to the regular season, a loss to Manhattan that ultimately cost them a share of the title, I think Quinnipiac and Cam Young are ready for a big tournament run, and I think their high-powered offense will push them to the tournament finals.

Winner: Quinnipiac