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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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WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – JANUARY 9: Ayron Hutton #5 of the Quinnipiac Bobcats drives to the basket as Josh James #0 of the Monmouth Hawks defends during the first half of a college basketball game at the MAC on January 9, 2016 in West Long Branch, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – JANUARY 9: Ayron Hutton #5 of the Quinnipiac Bobcats drives to the basket as Josh James #0 of the Monmouth Hawks defends during the first half of a college basketball game at the MAC on January 9, 2016 in West Long Branch, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /

The Final

#3 Quinnipiac vs. #4 Rider

I really like both of these teams, and I would be very surprised if this game, if it were to happen, didn’t go down to the final few possessions. It would feature two great coaches in Baker Dunleavy and Kevin Baggett, and two teams with immense talent that were both picked to finish one and two in the preseason.

I’m picking Quinnipiac to raise the trophy on Monday. Ultimately, a team with an offense as powerful as Quinnipiac is built for runs in tournaments like these, and the Cam Young factor should be massive. This will be the senior’s last opportunity to get to a tournament with Quinnipiac, and I don’t think there’s a MAAC defense that will be able to contain him in this tournament. Rider has already shown difficulties handling the pressure as a young team, both by blowing their first tournament game last season after winning the league, and with the disappointing year they had this season with huge expectations weighing on them.

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This group of Broncs will have one more shot next year, and I don’t think anyone will get in their way in 2020, but it’s now or never for Cam Young and this Quinnipiac squad. I think they find a way to get it done and bring their program to their first ever tournament appearance.

Winner: Quinnipiac