2024-25 MAAC Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 MAAC Basketball Preview, where we explore one of college basketball’s most exciting mid-major conferences, known for its down-to-the-wire games. The MAAC Tournament has been won by either Iona and Saint Peter’s since 2015, with last season looking like it might break this streak as Quinnipiac and Fairfield appeared to be the strongest teams in the conference. However, Saint Peter’s once again defied expectations, defeating Quinnipiac on a buzzer-beater and edging out Fairfield in a tight final. This season, the MAAC saw one of the highest transfer rates of any conference, bringing in a flurry of new players.

Leading the conference is Quinnipiac, returning four starters from last season’s #1-seeded team, including Amarri Monroe, Savion Lewis, and Paul Otieno who are all potential Player of the Year candidates. The team also boasts talented freshmen and strong reserve players from last season.

In contrast, Iona lost its entire roster but skillfully used the transfer portal and recruitment to acquire highly-rated freshman point guard Adam Njie and Division II standout James Patterson. Njie is expected to start at point guard, while Patterson, one of Division II’s leading scorers last season, has the potential to be a top player in the MAAC.

Merrimack, new to the MAAC from the NEC, returns three starters and brings in two Division II transfers known for scoring, led by point guard Adam “Budd” Clark, positioning them to compete at the top right away.

Fairfield saw three of its star guards transfer to high-major conferences, with leader Caleb Fields graduating. However, rising sophomore Peyton Smith, a Freshman of the Year contender before an ankle injury, is primed for a breakout season. The Stags also added prolific scorer Deon Perry, the highest-scoring Division I transfer to join the MAAC. Keep an eye on transfer guards Prophet Johnson from Southern Utah and Braden Sparks from JUCO Indian Hills, both poised to make a strong impact this season. As a Fairfield alum myself, I am excited about the versatility and depth they have brought in via the transfer portal. 

Marist, known for its strong defense, returns a large starting core but will need to address shooting depth to be competitive at the top. Rider, despite losing MAAC Player of the Year Mervin James, retains key players Tariq Ingraham and TJ Weeks, Jr. While the Broncs are a tough team on both ends, their three-point shooting remains a concern.

Saint Peter’s may not start as a top team but consistently exceeds expectations and remains one of the MAAC’s most defensively sound teams. Siena, who struggled last season, brought in talented guards Division II’s Justice Shoats and JUCO standout Major Freeman, though the inexperience in the frontcourt could pose challenges.

Mount St. Mary’s, after losing its top two scorers to Georgia, brings back a seasoned frontcourt, with success depending on guard development, particularly from second-year point guard Dallas Hobbs and injured returner Xavier Lipscomb.

Manhattan boasts a powerful backcourt but lacks experience in the frontcourt, relying on new contributors and freshmen. Sacred Heart, another newcomer to the MAAC, returns a core of guards aiming to make a successful conference debut.

Niagara, one of the Buffalo teams, rebuilt its team through the transfer portal, needing to uncover potential within its new lineup. Canisius, with a new coach and a mostly new roster, looks to surprise with transfers eager for larger roles.

The MAAC is one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences, with games often coming down to a single possession, making for an intense 2024-25 season. In our MAAC Basketball Preview, fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead. We’ll continue to bring you extensive MAAC content throughout the season as the conference is one we follow closely.

MAAC Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Quinnipiac
2. Iona
3. Merrimack
4. Fairfield
5. Marist
6. Rider
7. Saint Peter’s
8. Siena
9. Mount St. Mary’s
10. Manhattan
11. Sacred Heart
12. Niagara
13. Canisius

MAAC Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Amarri Monroe, Quinnipiac

Defensive Player of the Year: Paul Otieno, Quinnipiac

Newcomer of the Year: James Patterson, Iona

Freshman of the Year: Adam Njie, Iona

Coach of the Year: Tom Pecora, Quinnipiac

MAAC Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Savion Lewis, Quinnipiac

Adam “Budd” Clark, Merrimack

James Patterson, Iona

Amarri Monroe, Quinnipiac

Paul Otieno, Quinnipiac

Canisius Golden Griffins

Projected Starters:

PG: Paul McMillian IV (8.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Central Michigan)

SG: Cam Palesse (6.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Tana Kopa (12.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.1 apg @ LIU)

PF: Tyson Oghene (20.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg @ JUCO Allegany Maryland)

C: Jasman Sangha (6.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Cal State Northridge)

6M: Gianni Thompson (1.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.4 apg @ UMass)

Fairfield Stags

Projected Starters:

PG: Deon Perry (17.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg @ Loyola Maryland)

SG: Prophet Johnson (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg @ Southern Utah)

SF: Michael Rogan (5.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.5 apg)

PF: Kyle Jenkins (9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg @ Lafayette)

C: Peyton Smith (6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.9 apg)

6M: Louis Bleechmore (7.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 apg)

Iona Gaels

Projected Starters:

PG: Adam Njie (FR)

SG: Dejour Reaves (14.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg @ Northern Colorado)

SF: James Patterson (23.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 apg @ D2 St. Thomas Aquinas)

PF: Yaphet Moundi (14.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.2 apg @ JUCO Panola)

C: Clarence Rupert (7.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 apg @ Southern Illinois)

6M: Comeh Emuobor (1.9 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.1 apg @ UCF)

Manhattan Jaspers

Projected Starters:

PG: Jaden Winston (9.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.0 apg)

SG: Shaquil Bender (13.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg)

SF: Brett Rumpel (9.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.6 apg)

PF: Wesley Robinson (3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.6 apg)

C: Alijah Curry (FR)

6M: Devin Dinkins (3.1 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.8 apg @ George Mason) 2022-2023 Stats

Marist Red Foxes

Projected Starters:

PG: Jadin Collins-Roberts (9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.0 apg)

SG: Josh Pascarelli (10.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Travis Roberts (3.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Jacksonville State)

PF: Jaden Daughtry (5.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Jackson Price (8.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Elijah Lewis (16.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.9 apg @ D2 Adelphi)

Merrimack Warriors

Projected Starters:

PG: Adam “Budd” Clark (13.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.9 apg)

SG: Devon Savage (10.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 apg)

SF: Matt Becht (16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg @ D2 Southern New Hampshire)

PF: Sean Trumper (18.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.4 apg @ D2 Franklin Pierce)

C: Bryan Etumnu (7.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Malik Edmead (5.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Albany) 2022-2023 Stats

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

Projected Starters:

PG: Dallas Hobbs (7.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Xavier Lipscomb (5.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

SF: Carmelo Pacheco (12.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 apg @ D2 Virginia Wise)

PF: Dola Adebayo (6.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 apg)

C: Jedy Cordilia (6.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg)

6M: Terrell Ard, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.1 apg)

Niagara Purple Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Jahari Williamson (7.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Valparaiso)

SG: Josiah Davis (12.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg @ Tennessee Tech)

SF: Olumide Adelodun (13.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 0.9 apg @ D2 Winona State)

PF: Justice Smith (4.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.6 apg @ East Tennessee State)

C: Jhaylon Martinez (2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.2 apg @ UC Riverside)

6M: Justin Page (5.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg 0.9 apg @ Cal Poly)

Quinnipiac Bobcats

Projected Starters:

PG: Savion Lewis (8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.3 apg)

SG: Ryan Mabrey (6.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Miami Ohio)

SF: Alexis Reyes (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg)

PF: Amarri Monroe (12.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Paul Otieno (11.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Doug Young (6.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Rider Broncs

Projected Starters:

PG: Ruben Rodriguez (2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.9 apg)

SG: Zion Cruz (14.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 apg @ JUCO Pratt CC)

SF: T.J. Weeks, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 apg)

PF: Jay Alvarez (15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Houston Christian)

C: Tariq Ingraham (9.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)

6M: Andre Young (13.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg @ JUCO Gulf Coast State)

Sacred Heart Pioneers

Projected Starters:

PG: Aidan Carpenter (9.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.5 apg)

SG: Amiri Stewart (17.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.5 apg @ D2 Wilmington)

SF: Tanner Thomas (10.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.4 apg)

PF: Bryce Johnson (1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Northeastern)

C: Anquan Hill (1.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ St. Bonaventure) 2022-2023 Stats

6M: Keyishon Miller (18.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.0 apg @ JUCO Northwest Kansas Technical)

Saint Peter’s Peacocks

Projected Starters:

PG: Tyreck Morris (10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.9 apg @ JUCO Indian Hills)

SG: Armoni Ziegler (6.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.2 apg)

SF: Marcus Randolph (6.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.7 apg)

PF: Mouhamed Sow (5.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Stephon Roberts (2.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Brett Bland (5.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 apg)

Siena Saints

Projected Starters:

PG: Justice Shoats (20.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.7 apg @ D2 Lock Haven)

SG: Major Freeman (15.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.4 apg @ JUCO Spartanburg Methodist)

SF: Marcus Jackson (5.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Albany)

PF: Reid Ducharme (0.4 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 0.0 apg @ Xavier)

C: Myles Wilmoth (0.7 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Butler)

6M: Michael Ojo (3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 MAAC Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the MAC. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
• American Athletic Conference Preview
• ACC Conference Preview
• ASUN Conference Preview
• A10 Conference Preview
• Big East Conference Preview
• Big Sky Conference Preview
• Big South Conference Preview
• Big Ten Conference Preview
• Big 12 Conference Preview
• Big West Conference Preview
• CAA Conference Preview
• CUSA Conference Preview
• Horizon Conference Preview
• Ivy Conference Preview

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)