ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — For the first time ever, not every team qualified for the MAAC Tournament. With expansion taking the league to 13 teams, the tournament contracted from 11 to 10, meaning three teams miss out. But even with the added stakes at the bottom of the league, the top of the MAAC has been the story all season long.
Fairfield’s chase of two consecutive undefeated MAAC seasons is over – but back-to-back titles remain the goal. Meanwhile, Quinnipiac – who just became the first MAAC team in nearly two full years to defeat the Stags – has every capability of doing it again, and spoiling the Stags party.
From November and December, it was clear that if you could fast forward to Saturday afternoon in Atlantic City, the Stags and Bobcats would likely be the last two standing, but will they?
Here’s what you need to know
Bracket
Schedule
All games played at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
First Round – Tuesday, March 11 | ESPN+
Game 1: No. 9 Canisius vs No. 8 Manhattan | noon
Game 2: No. 10 Iona vs No. 7 Saint Peter’s | 2:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals – Wednesday, March 12 | ESPN+
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs No. 1 Fairfield | noon
Game 4: Game 2 Winner vs No. 2 Quinnipiac | 2:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals – Thursday, March 13 | ESPN+
Game 5: No. 5 Marist vs No. 4 Mount St. Mary’s | noon
Game 6: No. 6 Merrimack vs No. 3 Siena | 2:30 p.m.
Semifinals – Friday, March 14 | ESPN+
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs Game 5 Winner | noon
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs Game 6 Winner | 2:30 p.m.
Championship Game – Saturday, March 15 | ESPNU
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs Game 8 Winner | 1:30 p.m.
Teams
1. Fairfield (25-4, 19-1)
Even after losing Nellie Brown in December, Fairfield plowed through the MAAC. While sophomore studs Meghan Andersen and Kaety L’Amoreaux lead the way, the Stags have a deep group where almost anybody can step up on a given night. Looking for a second straight NCAA Tournament bid under Carly Thibault-DuDonis, Fairfield had the top offense and defense in MAAC play, and didn’t lose until the last day of the regular season.
2. Quinnipiac (26-3, 18-2)
The only MAAC team to defeat the Stags over the last two years, Quinnipiac finished the regular season 26-3 and 18-2 in the conference. Freshman guard Gal Raviv has been incredible all year, but has stepped up even more over the last few weeks. QU finished with the second ranked offense and second ranked defense in conference play.
3. Siena (17-12, 14-6)
Siena’s duo of Teresa Seppala and Ahniysha Jackson is dynamite on the offensive side of the ball. The Saints finished with the third best offense in the conference, and play a physically tough, interior focused brand of basketball on that end.
4. Mount St. Mary’s (14-15, 12-8)
The trio of Anna LeMaster, Jo Raflo and Gabrielle Kennedy all made at least 50 outside shots at a high percentage this season. The Mount is a fast-paced offense that topped the conference in 3P% because of that triumvirate.
5. Marist (16-14, 11-9)
With 6-foot-5 big Morgan Lee patrolling the paint, Marist is one of the top two-point defenses in the conference, which bleeds out to make life difficult for opposing guards on the perimeter as well.
6. Merrimack (13-16, 9-11)
All three of Merrimack’s top scorers are sophomores, led by guard Thalia Shepard, who averaged 14.1 points per game in conference play.
7. Saint Peter’s (11-18, 9-11)
Fatmata Janneh has taken a sophomore leap, averaging 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, but she’ll need the rest of the Peacocks’ team to step up in order to make waves in Atlantic City.
8. Manhattan (15-14, 9-11)
The Jaspers made a statement on the final day of the regular season, taking down Siena 62-43 on the road. Three of Manhattan’s last four games have been blowout wins.
9. Canisius (10-20, 9-11)
First-year coach Tiffany Swoffard and a new roster won the final three games of the season to secure a spot in the MAAC Tournament.
10. Iona (10-20, 8-12)
From 8-6 and competing for a bye in mid-February, Iona lost its last six games of the regular season but still qualified for the dance in Atlantic City.
