Busting Brackets
Fansided

MAAC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Pan Karalis

BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 07: (L-R) Ryan Bacon #4, Jeron Belin #5, Wesley Jenkins #15 and Nick Leon #22 of the St. Peter's Peacocks celebrate with the conference championship trophy after they won 62-57 against the Iona Gaels during the final of the MAAC men's conference basketball tournment at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard on March 7, 2011 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 07: (L-R) Ryan Bacon #4, Jeron Belin #5, Wesley Jenkins #15 and Nick Leon #22 of the St. Peter's Peacocks celebrate with the conference championship trophy after they won 62-57 against the Iona Gaels during the final of the MAAC men's conference basketball tournment at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard on March 7, 2011 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Andrija Ristanovic #10 of the Iona Gaels (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Andrija Ristanovic #10 of the Iona Gaels (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

First Round

Fairfield vs. Manhattan

The stumbling Jaspers have won only once since February 9th, and both of their meetings with Fairfield this season ended in fairly-lopsided losses. Landon Taliaferro, Fairfield’s leading scorer, has already torn apart Steve Masiello’s defense twice this year, scoring 42 points in Fairfield’s two victories over Manhattan. Vegas and BPI favor Manhattan, but as difficult as it might be to beat any team three times in one season, I’m giving the edge to Fairfield.

Iona vs. Canisius

It’s exceptionally unlikely Iona’s run in this tournament doesn’t end by the time this week’s festivities are done in Atlantic City, but I’m not going to be the one to predict the Gaels’ historic runs ends on the Tuesday of the MAAC tournament. Tajuan Agee and EJ Crawford should do enough to see Iona into the quarterfinals.

Niagara vs. Marist

Niagara’s 9-11 MAAC record is nothing short of remarkable considering the turbulence the program hit before the 2019-20 season even had the chance to tip. New coach Patrick Beilein, son of John, stepped down just a few weeks before the season started, leaving Duke legend Greg Paulus suddenly in charge of the program with no prior head coaching experience.

Just like they were last season, Niagara was especially effective against the top teams in the conference and beat every team that finished in the top four at least one time. Marist did notch two of their six league wins against Niagara, but I’d suspect the Purple Eagles will figure out the team that finished dead last in the MAAC standings in Atlantic City.