2017–18 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season

2017–18 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball season
LeagueNCAA Division I
SportBasketball
DurationNovember 10, 2017-March 15, 2018
Number of teams11
2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
Regular season co-championsRider Broncs &
Canisius Golden Griffins
  Runners-upNiagara Purple Eagles
Season MVPJermaine Crumpton (Canisius) &
Kahlil Dukes (Niagara)
Top scorerTyler Nelson (Fairfield) 22.2
Tournament
ChampionsIona Gaels
  Runners-upFairfield Stags
Finals MVPZach Lewis (Iona)
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball seasons
← 2016–17
2017–18 MAAC men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Rider 15 – 3   .833 22 – 10   .688
Canisius 15 – 3   .833 21 – 12   .636
Niagara 12 – 6   .667 19 – 14   .576
Iona † 11 – 7   .611 20 – 14   .588
Manhattan 9 – 9   .500 14 – 17   .452
Fairfield 9 – 9   .500 17 – 16   .515
Quinnipiac 7 – 11   .389 12 – 21   .364
Monmouth 7 – 11   .389 11 – 20   .355
Saint Peter's 6 – 12   .333 14 – 18   .438
Siena 4 – 14   .222 8 – 24   .250
Marist 4 – 14   .222 6 – 25   .194
† 2018 MAAC tournament winner


The 2017–18 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball season began with practices in October 2017, followed by the start of the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 10. Conference play started in January and concluded on March 15, 2018. This was the 37th season of MAAC basketball.

On February 25, 2018, the last day of the MAAC regular season, both Rider and Canisius won their final game to claim a share of the MAAC Regular Season title. Rider and Canisius both split their regular season games, but Rider had a 1–0 record against third place Niagara and Canisius went 1–1, so Rider was awarded the No. 1 seed in the 2018 MAAC tournament, while Canisius secured the No. 2 seed.

The 2018 MAAC Tournament was held from March 1–5, 2018 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. No. 4 seed Iona defeated No. 6 seed Fairfield 83–71 to win the tournament championship, their third consecutive. They joined former member La Salle University (1988–90) and Siena College (2008–10) as the only teams to ever win three consecutive tournament championships. No team has won four consecutive as of 2018.[1] As a result, Iona received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. They earned a No. 15 seed and lost to No. 2 seed Duke 67–89 in the first round. Rider, a conference champion who failed to win its conference's tournament, received a bid to the National Invitation Tournament, losing 86–99 at Oregon. Canisius was invited to play in the College Basketball Invitational, and lost at home to Jacksonville State 78–80OT in the first round. Niagara was invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, and lost at Eastern Michigan 65–83.

Head coaches

Coaching changes

On March 7, 2017, head coach Tom Moore was fired.[2] He finished at Quinnipiac with a ten-year record of 162–146. On March 27, Villanova assistant coach Baker Dunleavy was hired as the Bobcats next head coach.[3]

Coaches

Team Head coach Previous job Year at school Overall record MAAC record MAAC Tournament championships
Canisius Reggie Witherspoon Chattanooga
(asst.) 		2 18–16 10–10 0
Fairfield Sydney Johnson Princeton 7 90–109 53–63 0
Iona Tim Cluess LIU Post 8 162–78 101–33 3
Manhattan Steve Masiello Louisville
(asst.) 		7 102–93 63–53 2
Marist Mike Maker Williams College 4 22–72 14–46 0
Monmouth King Rice Vanderbilt
(asst.) 		7 106–92 53–27 0
Niagara Chris Casey LIU Post 5 32–96 21–59 0
Quinnipiac Baker Dunleavy Villanova
(asst.) 		1 0–0 0–0 0
Rider Kevin Baggett Rider
(assoc. HC) 		6 85–79 54–44 0
Saint Peter's John Dunne Seton Hall
(asst.) 		12 139–207 86–120 1
Siena Jimmy Patsos Loyola (MD) 5 69–68 43–37 1

Notes:

  • All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
  • Year at school includes 2017–18 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

Preseason Coaches Poll

[4]

Rank Team
1. Iona (9)
2. Manhattan (2)
3. Monmouth
4. Fairfield
5. Niagara
6. Siena
7. Rider
8. Saint Peter's
9. Canisius
10. Marist
11. Quinnipiac

() first place votes

Preseason All-MAAC teams

2017-18 MAAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAAC Teams [5]
First Team Second Team Third Team
  • Zavier Turner – Manhattan
  • Brian Parker – Marist
  • Chaise Daniels – Quinnipiac
  • Stevie Jordan – Rider
  • Nick Griffin – Saint Peter's

† denotes unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year

Recipient School
Tyler Nelson Fairfield

MAAC regular season

Conference matrix

This table summarizes the final head-to-head results between teams in conference play.

  Canisius Fairfield Iona Manhattan Marist Monmouth Niagara Quinnipiac Rider Saint Peter's Siena
vs. Canisius – 0–1 0–2 0–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1
vs. Fairfield 1–0 – 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 0–2
vs. Iona 2–0 1–1 – 0–2 0–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–1
vs. Manhattan 1–0 0–2 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 0–2
vs. Marist 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 – 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1
vs. Monmouth 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–1 – 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–2
vs. Niagara 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 0–2 1–0 1–1 0–1
vs. Quinnipiac 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–2 0–1 2–0 – 2–0 2–0 0–2
vs. Rider 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–1 0–2 – 0–2 0–1
vs. Saint Peter's 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 – 1–1
vs. Siena 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 1–1 –
Total 15–3 9–9 11–7 9–9 4–14 7–11 12–6 7–11 15–3 6–12 4–14

Player of the week

Throughout the regular season, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference offices named player(s) of the week and rookie(s) of the week.[6]

Week Player of the week Rookie of the week
November 13, 2017 Tyler Nelson, Fairfield Wassef Methnani, Fairfield
November 20, 2017 Isaiah Reese, Canisius Jordan Allen, Rider
November 27, 2017 Matt Scott, Niagara Jordan Allen (2), Rider
December 4, 2017 Matt Scott (2), Niagara Jordan Allen (3), Rider
December 11, 2017 Kahlil Dukes, Niagara Rich Kelly, Quinnipiac
December 18, 2017 Matt Scott (3), Niagara Roman Penn, Siena
December 26, 2017 Austin Tilghman, Monmouth Rich Kelly (2), Quinnipiac
January 2, 2018 Jermaine Crumpton, Canisius Takal Molson, Canisius
January 8, 2018 Frederick Scott, Rider Deion Hammond, Monmouth
January 15, 2018 Kahlil Dukes (2), Niagara Takal Molson (2), Canisius
January 22, 2018 Isaiah Reese (2), Canisius Aidas Kavaliauskas, Fairfield
January 29, 2018 Austin Tilghman (2), Monmouth Deion Hammond (2), Monmouth
February 5, 2018 Tyler Nelson (2), Fairfield Takal Molson (3), Canisius
February 12, 2018 Dimencio Vaughn, Rider Jordan Allen (4), Rider
February 19, 2018 Dimencio Vaughn (2), Rider Rich Kelly (3), Quinnipiac
February 26, 2018 Isaiah Reese (3), Canisius Takal Molson (4), Canisius

Records against other conferences

2017–18 records against non-conference foes. Records shown for regular season only.

Power 7 Conferences Record
American 0–4
ACC 0–4
Big East 0–6
Big Ten 1–4
Big 12 0–1
Pac-12 0–2
SEC 0–1
Power 7 Total 1–22
Other NCAA Division I Conferences Record
America East 4–8
A-10 3–6
ASUN 1–3
Big Sky 1–0
Big South 1–2
Big West 1–0
CAA 3–7
C-USA 0–1
Horizon League 2–2
Ivy League 8–4
MAC 1–3
MEAC 4–0
MVC 0–2
Mountain West 0–1
NEC 11–3
OVC 0–2
Patriot League 9–6
Pacific West 0–0
SoCon 1–0
Southland 1–0
SWAC 2–0
The Summit 0–0
Sun Belt 1–3
WAC 0–1
WCC 0–2
Other Division I Total 54–56
NCAA Division I Total 55–78

Postseason

MAAC Tournament

Main article: 2018 MAAC men's basketball tournament
First round
Thursday, March 1
ESPN3 		Quarterfinals
Friday/Saturday, March 2/3
ESPN3 		Semifinals
Sunday, March 4
ESPN3/ESPNU 		Championship
Monday, March 5
ESPN
            
1 Rider 55
9 Saint Peter's 66
8 Monmouth 58
9 Saint Peter's 60
9 Saint Peter's 62
4 Iona 65
4 Iona 72
5 Manhattan 60
4 Iona 83
6 Fairfield 71
2 Canisius 69
7 Quinnipiac 72
7 Quinnipiac 67
10 Siena 58
7 Quinnipiac 64
6 Fairfield 74
3 Niagara 77
6  Fairfield 90
6 Fairfield 71
11 Marist 57

* denotes number of overtimes

NCAA Tournament

Main article: 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
Seed Region School 1st Round
15 Midwest Iona L 67–89 vs. (2) Duke – (Pittsburgh)

Game summary

March 15, 2018
2:45 p.m.
(2 MW) No. 9 Duke 89, (15 MW) Iona 67
Scoring by half: 53–39, 36–28
Pts: Bagley III – 22
Rebs: Carter Jr. – 8
Asts: Allen – 9
Duval – 19 pts, 8 ast		 Pts: Griffin – 21
Rebs: Edogi – 9
Asts: Casimir – 6
McGill – 10 pts, 5 ast
NCAA tournament first round
PPG Paints Arena
Pittsburgh, PA
Attendance: 18,757
Referees: Chris Rastatter, Tim Comer, Courtney Green

National Invitation Tournament

Main article: 2018 National Invitation Tournament
Seed Bracket School 1st Round
6 Notre Dame Rider L 86–99 at No. 3 Oregon – (Eugene, OR)

Game summary

March 13, 2018
10:00 p.m.
(3) Oregon 99, (6) Rider 86
Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 21–23, 25–21, 38–21
Pts: Pritchard & Bailey Jr. – 23
Rebs: Wooten – 10
Asts: Pritchard – 8
E. Brown – 18 pts, 4 ast		 Pts: Vaughn – 25
Rebs: Marshall – 8
Asts: Jordan – 6
Scott – 16 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl
NIT First Round
Matthew Knight Arena
Eugene, OR
Attendance: 2,327
Referees: Doran Gotschall, Klaus Endrissat, Nate Harris

College Basketball Invitational

Main article: 2018 College Basketball Invitational
School 1st Round
Canisius L 78–80OT vs. Jacksonville State – (Buffalo, NY)

Game summary

March 14, 2018
7:00 p.m.
Jacksonville State 80, Canisius 78 (OT)
Scoring by half: 37–33, 34–38 Overtime: 9–7
Pts: Drumwright – 20
Rebs: Giga – 11
Asts: Drumwright – 6
Burnell – 16 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast		 Pts: Reese – 24
Rebs: Molson & Crumpton – 5
Asts: Molson – 5
Crumpton – 16 pts, 3 stl
CBI First Round
Koessler Athletic Center
Buffalo, NY
Attendance: 870
Referees: Ron Tyburski, Kevin O'Connell, Joseph Palacz

CollegeInsider.com Tournament

Main article: 2018 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
School 1st Round
Niagara L 65–83 at Eastern Michigan – (Ypsilanti, MI)

Game summary

March 14, 2018
7:00 p.m.
Niagara 65, Eastern Michigan 83
Scoring by half: 27–42, 38–41
Pts: Dukes – 16
Rebs: Prochet – 11
Asts: Dukes – 4
Prochet – 12 pts, 3 ast		 Pts: Minnie – 29
Rebs: Thompson IV – 16
Asts: Bond – 8
Bond – 11 pts, 12 reb
CIT First Round
Convocation Center
Ypsilanti, MI
Attendance: 1,138
Referees: Tim Stewart, Scott Siville, Ed Phillips

Honors and awards

MAAC Awards

2017-18 MAAC Men's Basketball Major Individual Awards [7]
Award Recipient(s)
Co-Players of the Year Jermaine Crumpton, Sr, F, Quinnipiac
Kahlil Dukes, Sr, G, Niagara
Coach of the Year[8] Kevin Baggett, Rider
Rookie of the Year Takal Molson, Fr, G, Canisius
Defensive Player of the Year Pauly Paulicap, So, F, Manhattan
Sixth Player of the Year Frederick Scott, Fr, F, Rider
2017-18 MAAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams [9]
First Team Second Team Third Team Rookie Team
  • Jermaine Crumpton, Sr, F, Canisius
  • Tyler Nelson, Sr, G, Fairfield
  • Isaiah Reese, So, G, Canisius
  • †Kahlil Dukes, Sr, G, Niagara
  • Dimencio Vaughn, Fr, G/F, Rider
  • Rickey McGill, Jr, G, Iona
  • Stevie Jordan, So, G, Rider
  • Rich Williams, Sr, G, Manhattan
  • Matt Scott, Sr, G, Niagara
  • Cameron Young, Jr, G, Quinnipiac
  • Zane Waterman, Sr, F, Manhattan
  • Brian Parker, Jr, G, Marist
  • Frederick Scott, Fr, F, Rider
  • Austin Tilghman, Sr, G, Monmouth
  • Jordan Allen, Fr, G, Rider
  • Takal Molson, Fr, G, Canisius
  • Deion Hammond, Fr, G, Monmouth
  • Rich Kelly, Fr, G, Quinnipiac
  • Jordan Allen, Fr, G, Rider
  • Prince Oduro, Fr, G/F, Siena

† denotes unanimous selection

References

  1. ^ "Iona Claims Third-Straight MAAC Men's Basketball Championship".
  2. ^ "Quinnipiac Bobcats Have Fired Coach Tom Moore". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Sources: Quinnipiac hires Baker Dunleavy". March 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Iona Men's Basketball Named MAAC Preseason Favorite; Stags' Tyler Nelson Tabbed Preseason Player of the Year".
  5. ^ "Iona Men's Basketball Named MAAC Preseason Favorite; Stags' Tyler Nelson Tabbed Preseason Player of the Year".
  6. ^ "Athlete Awards".
  7. ^ "Men's Basketball All-MAAC Awards".
  8. ^ "Rider's Kevin Baggett Named the Rock MAAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year".
  9. ^ "MAAC Announces 2017-18 Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams".