NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest takeaways from opening week of 2021-22 season

MAAC can get a tourny win

The MAAC has not had two teams invited to the NCAA National Championship Tournament since the 2001-12 season when Iona lost to BYU by six and Loyola (MD) lost to Ohio State by 19. While it will be difficult for MAAC to field two teams in the tournament, it could be possible and it is probable if there is only one, that one can get a victory.

St. Peter’s who was picked to finish second in the MAAC had a tough three-point loss to Virginia Commonwealth and also lost to, but played well against a revamped St.John’s squad who has aspirations of competing in the Big East this season. Marist who is returning 82 percent of their scoring is projected to finish third by the MAAC media and have split their two games by losing the first game in overtime to American then bounced back by defeating Columbia 82-67.

The most impressive of the MAAC teams after the first weekend is Manhattan. The Jaspers are returning 88 percent of their scoring from last season, yet were picked to finish seventh, they have started the season 2-0 by blowing out Manhattanville then by defeating Fordham by six.

The MAAC’s biggest fish is of course the Rick Pitino led Iona Gaels after a – at best – average 2020-21 which they turned into a No. 15 seed when they won the conference tournament. Even though they suffered a 13 point loss to Alabama and are returning 49 percent of their scoring, Nelly Joseph, Tyson Jolly, and Dylan Van Eyck are three players to be wary of come tournament time.