The 2019–20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball season began with practices in October 2019, followed by the start of the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 1. Conference play started in January and concluded March 11, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This season was the 39th season of MAAC basketball.
2019–20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season | |
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League | NCAA Division I |
Sport | Basketball |
Duration | November 1, 2019–March 11, 2020 |
Number of teams | 11 |
2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season | |
Season champions | Siena Saints |
Runners-up | Saint Peter's Peacocks |
Top scorer | E.J. Crawford (Iona) 18.8 |
Tournament |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Siena | 15 | – | 5 | .750 | 20 | – | 10 | .667 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saint Peter's | 14 | – | 6 | .700 | 18 | – | 12 | .600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rider | 12 | – | 8 | .600 | 18 | – | 12 | .600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monmouth | 12 | – | 8 | .600 | 18 | – | 13 | .581 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quinnipiac | 10 | – | 10 | .500 | 15 | – | 15 | .500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Niagara | 9 | – | 11 | .450 | 12 | – | 20 | .375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iona | 9 | – | 11 | .450 | 12 | – | 16 | .429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fairfield | 8 | – | 12 | .400 | 12 | – | 20 | .375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manhattan | 8 | – | 12 | .400 | 13 | – | 17 | .433 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canisius | 7 | – | 13 | .350 | 12 | – | 20 | .375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marist | 6 | – | 14 | .300 | 7 | – | 23 | .233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: The 2020 MAAC tournament was canceled during the quarterfinals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a most unpredictable season, all 11 teams had an equal shot at being the top team in the MAAC, but at the end, only one could emerge. The regular season crown came down to the final day. Siena, picked sixth, controlled their own destiny, beat Monmouth and clinched their first outright MAAC regular season championship in almost a decade. Siena would put the game away early and cruise to an 86–72 victory, clinching the MAAC regular season championship and the #1 seed in the 2020 MAAC tournament. Upstart Saint Peter's, picked ninth, would finish one game behind Siena, so close to their first conference championship since 1987. Iona, who was the preseason favorite in the MAAC, was without their coach Tim Cluess, who missed the entire 2019–20 season with an undisclosed illness, and finished in sixth place. It was their lowest finish in the standings since finishing seventh in 2008–2009.
The 2020 MAAC tournament was held on March 10 and March 11 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 2020 MAAC Basketball Championship moved to the historic Boardwalk Hall for the first time in MAAC history.[1] However, after the two quarterfinal games on March 11, the other two quarterfinal games, semifinals and finals were cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Siena, who was the #1 seed, and who had won their quarterfinal game, would have been the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament should it have been held. On March 12, the tournament, as well as all other NCAA championships for the remainder of the academic season, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time the tournament had been cancelled since its creation in 1939.
Head Coaches
editCoaching changes
editOn March 11, 2019, Fairfield head coach Sydney Johnson was fired.[2] He finished at Fairfield with an eight-year record of 116–147. On April 3, Rutgers assistant Jay Young was announced as Johnson's replacement.[3]
On March 11, 2019, Niagara head coach Chris Casey was fired.[4] He finished at Niagara with a six-year record of 64–129. On March 28, 2019, Niagara hired Patrick Beilein as their new head coach.[5] On October 24, it was announced that Beilein would be stepping down from his job, citing personal reasons.[6] That same day, assistant coach Greg Paulus was announced as interim head coach.[7]
On March 21, 2019, it was announced that Siena head coach Jamion Christian would be accepting the head coaching position at George Washington.[8] On March 25, it was announced that assistant coach Carmen Maciariello would be named as Christian's successor.[9]
Coaches
editTeam | Head coach | Previous job | Year at school | Overall record | MAAC record | MAAC Tournament championships |
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Canisius | Reggie Witherspoon | Chattanooga (asst.) |
4 | 54–45 | 36–20 | 0 |
Fairfield | Jay Young | Rutgers (asst.) |
1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 |
Iona | Tim Cluess | LIU Post | 10 | 199–108 | 124–46 | 5 |
Manhattan | Steve Masiello | Louisville (asst.) |
9 | 127–131 | 80–72 | 2 |
Marist | John Dunne | Saint Peter's | 2 | 12–19 | 7–11 | 1 |
Monmouth | King Rice | Vanderbilt (asst.) |
9 | 131–133 | 70–46 | 0 |
Niagara | Greg Paulus | George Washington (asst.) |
1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 |
Quinnipiac | Baker Dunleavy | Villanova (asst.) |
3 | 28–36 | 18–18 | 0 |
Rider | Kevin Baggett | Rider (assoc. HC) |
8 | 123–104 | 80–54 | 0 |
Saint Peter's | Shaheen Holloway | Seton Hall (asst.) |
2 | 10–22 | 6–12 | 0 |
Siena | Carmen Maciariello | Siena (asst.) |
1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 |
Notes:
- All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
- Year at school includes 2019–20 season.
- Overall and MAAC records are from time at current school and are before the beginning of the season.
- Previous jobs are head coaching jobs unless otherwise noted.
Preseason
editPreseason Coaches Poll
editRank | Team [10] |
---|---|
1. | Iona (10) |
2. | Rider (1) |
3. | Quinnipiac |
4. | Monmouth |
5. | Manhattan |
6. | Siena |
7. | Canisius |
8. | Marist |
9. | Saint Peter's |
10. | Niagara |
11. | Fairfield |
() first place votes
Preseason All-MAAC teams
edit2019-20 MAAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAAC Teams [10] | ||
First Team | Second Team | Third Team |
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† denotes unanimous selection
Preseason Player of the Year
editRecipient | School |
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Jalen Pickett | Siena |
MAAC Regular Season
editConference Matrix
editThis table summarizes the final head-to-head results between teams in conference play during the regular season.
Canisius | Fairfield | Iona | Manhattan | Marist | Monmouth | Niagara | Quinnipiac | Rider | Saint Peter's | Siena | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vs. Canisius | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | |
vs. Fairfield | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | |
vs. Iona | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
vs. Manhattan | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | |
vs. Marist | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | |
vs. Monmouth | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
vs. Niagara | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | |
vs. Quinnipiac | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
vs. Rider | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | |
vs. Saint Peter's | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | |
vs. Siena | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | |
Total | 7–13 | 8–12 | 9–11 | 8–12 | 6–14 | 12–8 | 9–11 | 10–10 | 12–8 | 14–6 | 15–5 |
Player of the week
editThroughout the regular season, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference offices named player(s) of the week and rookie(s) of the week.[11]
Week | Player of the week | Rookie of the week |
---|---|---|
November 11, 2019 | Frederick Scott, Rider | Tyler Saint-Furcy, Marist |
November 18, 2019 | Malik Johnson, Canisius | Jacco Fritz, Canisius |
November 25, 2019 | Tyere Marshall, Rider | Jacco Fritz (2), Canisius |
December 2, 2019 | Landon Taliaferro, Fairfield | Jacco Fritz (3), Canisius |
December 9, 2019 | Rich Kelly, Quinnipiac | Gary Harris, Jr., Siena |
December 16, 2019 | Ray Salnave, Monmouth | Fousseyni Drame, Saint Peter's |
December 23, 2019 | Elijah Burns, Siena | Hassan Drame, Saint Peter's |
December 30, 2019 | Jalen Pickett, Siena | Armon Harried, Canisius |
January 6, 2020 | Tykei Greene, Manhattan | Daryl Banks III, Saint Peter's |
January 13, 2020 | Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac | Armon Harried (2), Canisius |
January 20, 2020 | Malik Johnson (2), Canisius | Hassan Drame (2), Saint Peter's |
January 27, 2020 | Jalen Pickett (2), Siena | Tyler Sagl, Marist |
February 3, 2020 | Dimencio Vaughn, Rider | Aaron Estrada, Saint Peter's |
February 10, 2020 | E.J. Crawford, Iona | Fousseyni Drame (2), Saint Peter's |
February 17, 2020 | Marcus Hammond, Niagara | Aaron Estrada (2), Saint Peter's |
February 24, 2020 | Jalen Pickett (3), Siena | Doug Edert, Saint Peter's |
March 2, 2020 | Marcus Hammond (2), Niagara | Aaron Estrada (3), Saint Peter's |
March 8, 2020 | Elijah Burns (2), Siena | Fousseyni Drame (3), Saint Peter's |
Records against other conferences
edit2019–20 records against non-conference foes. Records shown for regular season only.
Power 7 Conferences | Record |
---|---|
American | 0–3 |
ACC | 0–4 |
Big East | 0–3 |
Big Ten | 0–3 |
Big 12 | 0–2 |
Pac-12 | 0–2 |
SEC | ––– |
Power 7 Total | 0–17 |
Other NCAA Division I Conferences | Record |
America East | 6–5 |
A-10 | 3–7 |
ASUN | 3–1 |
Big Sky | ––– |
Big South | 2–1 |
Big West | 0–1 |
CAA | 1–6 |
C-USA | 0–1 |
Horizon League | 2–0 |
Ivy League | 2–6 |
MAC | 1–4 |
MEAC | 5–1 |
MVC | ––– |
Mountain West | ––– |
NEC | 5–5 |
OVC | ––– |
Patriot League | 8–3 |
Pacific West | ––– |
SoCon | 2–2 |
Southland | 0–1 |
SWAC | ––– |
The Summit | 0–1 |
Sun Belt | ––– |
WAC | ––– |
WCC | ––– |
Other Division I Total | 40–45 |
NCAA Division I Total | 40–62 |
Postseason
editMAAC Tournament
edit- 2020 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Tournament was canceled before the games of March 12 began due to COVID-19.
First Round Tuesday, March 10 ESPN3 | Quarterfinals Wednesday/Thursday, March 11/12 ESPN3 | Semifinals Friday, March 13 ESPNews | Championship Saturday, March 14 ESPNU | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Siena | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Manhattan | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Fairfield | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Manhattan | 61 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Siena | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | Monmouth | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | Quinnipiac | ||||||||||||||||||
2 | Saint Peter’s | 56 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Iona | 54 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Iona | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Canisius | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Saint Peter's | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Rider | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | Niagara | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | Niagara | 56 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Marist | 54 |
* denotes number of overtimes
NCAA Tournament
editHonors and awards
editMAAC Awards
edit2019-20 MAAC Men's Basketball Major Individual Awards [12] | ||||||
Award | Recipient(s) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player of the Year | Jalen Pickett, So, G, Siena | |||||
Coach of the Year[13] | Shaheen Holloway, Saint Peter's | |||||
Rookie of the Year | †Aaron Estrada, Fr, G, Saint Peter's | |||||
Defensive Player of the Year | KC Ndefo, So, G, Saint Peter's | |||||
Sixth Player of the Year | KC Ndefo, So, G, Saint Peter's |
2019-20 MAAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams [14] | |||
First Team | Second Team | Third Team | Rookie Team |
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† denotes unanimous selection
2019–20 Season final statistic leaders
edit
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References
edit- ^ "2020 MAAC Men's & Women's Basketball Championships". Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- ^ "Fairfield Announces Change in Leadership of Men's Basketball Program". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ "Jay Young Named Men's Basketball Head Coach". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ "Niagara Announces Change In Leadership For Men's Basketball Program". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Niagara University Names Patrick Beilein As Men's Basketball Head Coach". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Patrick Beilein resigns as Niagara men's basketball coach, citing 'personal reasons'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Greg Paulus Named Interim Head Coach". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Siena Athletics Announcement on Men's Basketball Program". Siena College Athletics. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "Carmen Maciariello '01 Named Siena Men's Basketball Head Coach". Siena College Athletics. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "Iona Selected as Men's Basketball Preseason Favorite; Siena's Jalen Pickett Named Preseason Player of the Year". MAAC Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Athlete Awards". MAAC Sports. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Siena's Jalen Pickett Named Player of the Year, Saint Peter's Sweeps Remaining Major Awards". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ "Shaheen Holloway Named The Rock MAAC Coach of the Year". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ "2019-20 MAAC Announces Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "2019-2020 Men's Basketball - Overall Statistics". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2020.