coreyschucky
11-08-2004, 12:49 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Manhattan
2. Fairfield
3. Rider
4. Niagara
5. Siena
6. Iona
7. St. Peter's
8. Marist
9. Canisius
10. Loyola (Md.)
It's a bit of a surprise to find Bobby Gonzalez still making things happen at Manhattan considering everyone had him off to a major conference by now, but sometimes things work out the way they're meant to.
Gonzalez's name surfaced for openings at Miami (Fla.) and St. John's, but both went in other directions. No worries. Odds are the Jaspers will be better than both teams this season, though Gonzalez does have to figure out how to replace standout guard Luis Flores, the reigning two-time player of the year.
Gonzalez is signed through 2010 and seems sincere about turning Manhattan into New York's program. The timing couldn't be better given the Red Storm's struggles, and recruiting hasn't been a problem; he hauled in another host of studs who should be ready to contribute immediately.
If Gonzalez can make winning the MAAC an annual occurrence, the opportunity exists that he can rally New Yorkers behind his team every March. In the big city, that's an opportunity only Manhattan affords at the moment.
Manhattan
Top three: F Peter Mulligan, F Mike Konovelchick, G C.J. Anderson.
On the decline: Losing Flores is painful, no buts about it. The lithe playmaker gave the team a sense of empowerment, and that type of spirit is difficult to replace. Anderson, who as a freshman should be among the league's best players, inherits his role on the court. Mulligan, the lone senior, must help supply leadership and will have mainstays Konovelchick, Kenny Minor and Jason Wingate around to help him keep the younger guys focused.
Fairfield
Top three: F/C Deng Gai, F/G DeWitt Maxwell, G Michael Bell.
On the rise: Gai will again be the main guy, returning for his senior year after briefly submitting his name for draft consideration. An imposing physical presence and dominant shot blocker, he'll step in and key a defense that is the Stags' strongest suit, making it a tough chore to deal with them for the rest of the conference.
Rider
Top three: PG Jerry Johnson, PF Edwin Muniz, C Steve Castleberry.
On the rise: The Broncs have to take advantage of the talents of Johnson and Castleberry before it's too late. The services of a skilled point guard and a legitimate 7-footer come around once in a blue moon at this level. With two other starters back, look for Don Harnum to make sure his team is hungry and desperate to succeed.
Niagara
Top three: F Juan Mendez, G Alvin Cruz, G David Brooks.
On the decline: The Purple Eagles have to wonder if they've missed their chance. The team has fallen to Manhattan by a single point in the MAAC Tournament in consecutive seasons and lost huge pieces James Reaves and Tremmell Darden to graduation. Mendez and Cruz will keep the team dangerous, and Joe Mihalich's fast-paced style will run some teams out of buildings, but some believe Niagara's opportunity to get to the NCAAs has passed.
Siena
Top three: C Michael Haddix, G/F Antoine Jordan, G Tommy Mitchell.
On the rise: After dipping into the bottom five of the MAAC, unfamiliar territory for this bunch, Siena should return to the win column more often this season. Haddix is unstoppable down low, while Jordan really has the potential to break out as a junior. A solid recruiting class will provide depth.
Iona
Top three: C Greg Jenkins, G Steve Burtt, G Ricky Solliver.
On the rise: Normally we'd be touting the Gaels as conference champs when you consider they return five starters, but last year's mediocre effort left a bad taste. The team definitely has the talent to contend, and should be stronger, but it has to be smarter and more consistent.
St. Peter's
Top three: PG Keydren Clark, PF Jamie Sowers, SF Ron Yates.
On the decline: Clark, the nation's leading scorer, returns. He has the ball in his hands nearly 100 percent of the time for Bob Leckie's Peacocks and will have another huge season as a junior. Unfortunately, backcourt mate Shane Nichols, last year's top MAAC rookie, transferred out, and that is expected to be a loss neither Clark nor St. Peter's depth can easily replace.
Marist
Top three: C Will McClurkin, G Jared Jordan, G Brandon Ellerbee.
On the rise: Matt Brady, an assistant at Saint Joseph's under Phil Martelli for close to a decade, takes the reins from long-time coach Dave Magarity. There's talent aboard, with McClurkin giving them a legitimate center and Jordan, a very sound sophomore guard, providing hope for the future.
Canisius
Top three: G Kevin Downey, G DeWitt Doss, F Darnell Wilson.
On the decline: Richard Jones, a starting forward for the Golden Griffins last year, died tragically following a workout in the spring. The team will look to honor his memory and persevere through a tough time, with solid guards Downey and Doss leading the way.
Loyola-Maryland
Top three: F/G Charlie Bell, G Shane James, F Michael Tuck.
On the rise: Jimmy Patsos has been a highly regarded assistant at Maryland for 13 years, and he finally gets a chance to prove what he can do with his own program. There's good news and bad news waiting for him. Good? All five starters are back. Bad? The team went 1-27 last year. To put a positive spin on it, at least multiple victories would be considered improvement.
Accolades
First team
F -- Juan Mendez, Niagara
F -- Peter Mulligan, Manhattan
F -- Michael Haddix, Siena
G -- Jerry Johnson, Rider
G -- Keydren Clark, St. Peter's
Second team
G/F -- Antoine Jordan, Siena
F/C -- Deng Gai, Fairfield
C -- Greg Jenkins, Iona
G -- C.J. Anderson, Manhattan
G -- Alvin Cruz, Niagara
Player of the year
Jerry Johnson, Rider
Newcomer of the year
C.J. Anderson, Manhattan
Breakthrough player
Mike Konovelchick, Manhattan
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Manhattan
2. Fairfield
3. Rider
4. Niagara
5. Siena
6. Iona
7. St. Peter's
8. Marist
9. Canisius
10. Loyola (Md.)
It's a bit of a surprise to find Bobby Gonzalez still making things happen at Manhattan considering everyone had him off to a major conference by now, but sometimes things work out the way they're meant to.
Gonzalez's name surfaced for openings at Miami (Fla.) and St. John's, but both went in other directions. No worries. Odds are the Jaspers will be better than both teams this season, though Gonzalez does have to figure out how to replace standout guard Luis Flores, the reigning two-time player of the year.
Gonzalez is signed through 2010 and seems sincere about turning Manhattan into New York's program. The timing couldn't be better given the Red Storm's struggles, and recruiting hasn't been a problem; he hauled in another host of studs who should be ready to contribute immediately.
If Gonzalez can make winning the MAAC an annual occurrence, the opportunity exists that he can rally New Yorkers behind his team every March. In the big city, that's an opportunity only Manhattan affords at the moment.
Manhattan
Top three: F Peter Mulligan, F Mike Konovelchick, G C.J. Anderson.
On the decline: Losing Flores is painful, no buts about it. The lithe playmaker gave the team a sense of empowerment, and that type of spirit is difficult to replace. Anderson, who as a freshman should be among the league's best players, inherits his role on the court. Mulligan, the lone senior, must help supply leadership and will have mainstays Konovelchick, Kenny Minor and Jason Wingate around to help him keep the younger guys focused.
Fairfield
Top three: F/C Deng Gai, F/G DeWitt Maxwell, G Michael Bell.
On the rise: Gai will again be the main guy, returning for his senior year after briefly submitting his name for draft consideration. An imposing physical presence and dominant shot blocker, he'll step in and key a defense that is the Stags' strongest suit, making it a tough chore to deal with them for the rest of the conference.
Rider
Top three: PG Jerry Johnson, PF Edwin Muniz, C Steve Castleberry.
On the rise: The Broncs have to take advantage of the talents of Johnson and Castleberry before it's too late. The services of a skilled point guard and a legitimate 7-footer come around once in a blue moon at this level. With two other starters back, look for Don Harnum to make sure his team is hungry and desperate to succeed.
Niagara
Top three: F Juan Mendez, G Alvin Cruz, G David Brooks.
On the decline: The Purple Eagles have to wonder if they've missed their chance. The team has fallen to Manhattan by a single point in the MAAC Tournament in consecutive seasons and lost huge pieces James Reaves and Tremmell Darden to graduation. Mendez and Cruz will keep the team dangerous, and Joe Mihalich's fast-paced style will run some teams out of buildings, but some believe Niagara's opportunity to get to the NCAAs has passed.
Siena
Top three: C Michael Haddix, G/F Antoine Jordan, G Tommy Mitchell.
On the rise: After dipping into the bottom five of the MAAC, unfamiliar territory for this bunch, Siena should return to the win column more often this season. Haddix is unstoppable down low, while Jordan really has the potential to break out as a junior. A solid recruiting class will provide depth.
Iona
Top three: C Greg Jenkins, G Steve Burtt, G Ricky Solliver.
On the rise: Normally we'd be touting the Gaels as conference champs when you consider they return five starters, but last year's mediocre effort left a bad taste. The team definitely has the talent to contend, and should be stronger, but it has to be smarter and more consistent.
St. Peter's
Top three: PG Keydren Clark, PF Jamie Sowers, SF Ron Yates.
On the decline: Clark, the nation's leading scorer, returns. He has the ball in his hands nearly 100 percent of the time for Bob Leckie's Peacocks and will have another huge season as a junior. Unfortunately, backcourt mate Shane Nichols, last year's top MAAC rookie, transferred out, and that is expected to be a loss neither Clark nor St. Peter's depth can easily replace.
Marist
Top three: C Will McClurkin, G Jared Jordan, G Brandon Ellerbee.
On the rise: Matt Brady, an assistant at Saint Joseph's under Phil Martelli for close to a decade, takes the reins from long-time coach Dave Magarity. There's talent aboard, with McClurkin giving them a legitimate center and Jordan, a very sound sophomore guard, providing hope for the future.
Canisius
Top three: G Kevin Downey, G DeWitt Doss, F Darnell Wilson.
On the decline: Richard Jones, a starting forward for the Golden Griffins last year, died tragically following a workout in the spring. The team will look to honor his memory and persevere through a tough time, with solid guards Downey and Doss leading the way.
Loyola-Maryland
Top three: F/G Charlie Bell, G Shane James, F Michael Tuck.
On the rise: Jimmy Patsos has been a highly regarded assistant at Maryland for 13 years, and he finally gets a chance to prove what he can do with his own program. There's good news and bad news waiting for him. Good? All five starters are back. Bad? The team went 1-27 last year. To put a positive spin on it, at least multiple victories would be considered improvement.
Accolades
First team
F -- Juan Mendez, Niagara
F -- Peter Mulligan, Manhattan
F -- Michael Haddix, Siena
G -- Jerry Johnson, Rider
G -- Keydren Clark, St. Peter's
Second team
G/F -- Antoine Jordan, Siena
F/C -- Deng Gai, Fairfield
C -- Greg Jenkins, Iona
G -- C.J. Anderson, Manhattan
G -- Alvin Cruz, Niagara
Player of the year
Jerry Johnson, Rider
Newcomer of the year
C.J. Anderson, Manhattan
Breakthrough player
Mike Konovelchick, Manhattan