Wikipedia

2019–20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season


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
LeagueNCAA Division I
SportBasketball
DurationNovember 1, 2019–March 11, 2020
Number of teams11
2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
Season championsSiena Saints
  Runners-upSaint Peter's Peacocks
Top scorerE.J. Crawford (Iona) 18.8
Tournament
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball seasons
2019–20 MAAC men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
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

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Coaching changes

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On 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

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Team Head coach Previous job Year at school Overall record MAAC record MAAC Tournament championships
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

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Preseason Coaches Poll

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Rank 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

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2019-20 MAAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAAC Teams [10]
First Team Second Team Third Team
  • Tajuan Agee – Iona
  • †E.J. Crawford – Iona
  • Stevie Jordan – Rider
  • Rich Kelly – Quinnipiac
  • Jalen Pickett – Siena
  • Asante Gist – Iona
  • Deion Hammond – Monmouth
  • Malik Johnson – Canisius
  • Ray Salnave – Monmouth
  • Frederick Scott – Rider
  • Dimencio Vaughn – Rider
  • Jesus Cruz – Fairfield
  • Tyere Marshall – Rider
  • Pauly Paulicap – Manhattan
  • Jacob Rigoni – Quinnipiac
  • Landon Taliaferro – Fairfield
  • Warren Williams – Manhattan

† denotes unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year

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Recipient School
Jalen Pickett Siena

MAAC Regular Season

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Conference Matrix

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This 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

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Throughout 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

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2019–20 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

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MAAC Tournament

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Main article: 2020 MAAC men's basketball tournament
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

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Main article: 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

Honors and awards

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MAAC Awards

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2019-20 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
  • E.J. Crawford, Sr, G/F, Iona
  • Deion Hammond, Jr, G, Monmouth
  • Marcus Hammond, So, G, Niagara
  • Dimencio Vaughn, Jr, G, Rider
  • Manny Camper, Jr, G, Siena
  • †Jalen Pickett, So, G, Siena
  • Tajuan Agee, Sr, F, Iona
  • Ray Salnave, Jr, G, Monmouth
  • Rich Kelly, Jr, G, Quinnipiac
  • Kevin Marfo, Sr, F, Quinnipiac
  • Elijah Burns, Sr, F, Siena
  • Malik Johnson, Sr, G, Canisius
  • Pauly Paulicap, Sr, F, Manhattan
  • Tyere Marshall, Sr, C, Rider
  • Frederick Scott, So, F, Rider
  • Aaron Estrada, Fr, G, Saint Peter's
  • KC Ndefo, So, G, Saint Peter's
  • Jacco Fritz, Fr, F, Canisius
  • Chris Maidoh, Fr, F, Fairfield
  • Tyler Sagl, Fr, G, Marist
  • Darryl Banks III, Fr, G, Saint Peter's
  • Doug Edert, Fr, G, Saint Peter's
  • †Aaron Estrada, Fr, G, Saint Peter's

† denotes unanimous selection

2019–20 Season final statistic leaders

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[15]

References

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  1. ^ "2020 MAAC Men's & Women's Basketball Championships". Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  2. ^ "Fairfield Announces Change in Leadership of Men's Basketball Program". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jay Young Named Men's Basketball Head Coach". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Niagara Announces Change In Leadership For Men's Basketball Program". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  5. ^ "Niagara University Names Patrick Beilein As Men's Basketball Head Coach". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "Patrick Beilein resigns as Niagara men's basketball coach, citing 'personal reasons'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Greg Paulus Named Interim Head Coach". Niagara University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "Siena Athletics Announcement on Men's Basketball Program". Siena College Athletics. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Carmen Maciariello '01 Named Siena Men's Basketball Head Coach". Siena College Athletics. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Athlete Awards". MAAC Sports. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  12. ^ "Siena's Jalen Pickett Named Player of the Year, Saint Peter's Sweeps Remaining Major Awards". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  13. ^ "Shaheen Holloway Named The Rock MAAC Coach of the Year". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  14. ^ "2019-20 MAAC Announces Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "2019-2020 Men's Basketball - Overall Statistics". MAAC Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
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