Return Of The MAAC: Can Monmouth Make NCAA Tourney Without Winning Conference Tourney, MAAC Game Of The Week

(Photo by Double G Media)

Monmouth Recovers From Slow Start To Lead MAAC

Early in the MAAC schedule, the Monmouth Hawks were struggling only going 2-2 in their first four conference game. In the first Return of the MAAC feature, the Hawks were headed into a nationally televised game against rival Iona. After defeating the Gaels on Jan. 6, the Hawks has run off eight straight wins. They now stand at 10-2 in the MAAC and 18-5 overall.

Guard Justin Robinson is leading the way as he is averaging 18 points a game and recently broke Monmouth’s Division I scoring record. King Rice has his guys playing at a high level and many are thinking that the Hawks could make the NCAA Tournament, even without winning the MAAC Tournament in March. It should be an interesting month of March for the men from West Long Branch.

MAAC Game of the Week

In this week’s MAAC Game of the Week, Iona travels to New Jersey to face Rider in a battle of teams fighting for seeding in Albany at the MAAC Tournament. Perennial contender Iona currently sits at 8-4 in the MAC, two games behind Monmouth. In order to keep pace, they have to continue to win and that begins on Friday against Rider who is in the middle of the pack at 6-6 in conference.

This game will  be broadcast on ESPNU and all eyes will be on Kahlil Thomas from Rider and Jordan Washington of Iona. Thomas is a double-double machine for the Broncos with a conference-leading nine this season and is nine points away from becoming the school’s 36th 1,000 point scorer. Washington is averaging almost 17 points per game for Iona, who has won five consecutive games. Tip-off is at 7pm from Lawrenceville.

MAAC Top Five Standings

Men

Monmouth: 10-2, 18-5 Overall

Iona: 8-4, 15-8 Overall

Saint Peter’s: 8-4,12-10 Overall

Siena: 7-5, 10-13 Overall

Canisius: 6-6, 13-10 Overall

Women

Quinnipiac: 10-2, 17-5 Overall

Rider: 9-3, 15-6 Overall

Iona: 8-4, 13-8 Overall

Siena: 8-5, 9-15 Overall

Fairfield: 7-5, 10-11 Overall

Players of the Week

Men

Matt Scott, Niagara: 18.7 PPG, nine rebounds and three assists in three games

Women

Kollyns Scarbrough, Siena: 23 points and 6.5 rebounds during week including a 34 point effort