NO. 1 IONA (24-7) VS. NO. 8 SIENA (11-19), NOON
Regular-season results: Iona 86, Siena 72 (Jan. 4 at Albany); Iona 87, Siena 83 (Feb. 6 at New Rochelle)
Analysis: Iona tore through the MAAC schedule with an 11-game winning streak before a loss to Saint Peter's in the regular-season finale made the Gaels look at least a bit vulnerable. Now they run into the Saints, who will have the backing of a home crowd and growing confidence after blowing past No. 9 Niagara in a first-round game. The Gaels have better players in first-team all-MAAC selections David Laury and A.J. English. It will be interesting to see if a Siena defense that is improving late in the season can slow them down.
NO. 4 MONMOUTH (17-14) VS. NO. 5 CANISIUS (16-13), 2:30 P.M.
Regular-season results:Monmouth 73, Canisius 68 (Jan. 2 at Buffalo); Monmouth 44, Canisius 40 (Feb. 8 at Monmouth)
Analysis:Monmouth forced Canisius, a poor 3-point shooting team at 31.6 percent, into firing from long range in their two regular-season meetings. The Golden Griffins were 15-for-54 from beyond the arc in the losses. Canisius must get easier shots and have someone help Zach Lewis, the only Griff to score in double figures in either game. The Hawks rely on point guard Justin Robinson, who directs a balanced attack. Monmouth's size could pose problems for Canisius, which has two forwards sidelined by injury.
NO. 2 RIDER (21-10) VS. NO. 7 SAINT PETER'S (15-17), 5:30 P.M.
Regular-season results: Rider 68, Saint Peter's 55 (Jan. 10 at Rider); Rider 58, Saint Peter's 49 (Jan. 29 at Jersey City)
Analysis: The Broncs have had three games to adjust to losing first-team all-MAAC senior center Matt Lopez, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Quinnipiac on Feb. 19. Though the 7-foot Lopez didn't put up huge numbers against Saint Peter's (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) in the regular season, his presence had to draw attention. The Peacocks will try to build off a smothering defensive performance in Thursday's 63-33 victory over Fairfield in the first round. But Rider is harder to stop, led by guard Teddy Okereafor (11.3 ppg).
NO. 3 MANHATTAN (16-13) VS. NO. 11 MARIST (7-24), 8 P.M
Regular-season results:Manhattan 60, Marist 38 (Dec. 7 at Riverdale); Manhattan 67, Marist 54 (Feb. 23 at Poughkeepsie)
Analysis: Defending MAAC champion Manhattan opens the tournament with a tougher test than the records indicate. The Red Foxes surprised No. 6 seed Quinnipiac on Thursday with an 80-74 victory. Marist has two potent scorers in program career scoring leader Chavaughn Lewis (20.5 ppg) and Khallid Hart (15.1 ppg). Neither one played in Manhattan's blowout win on Dec. 7. However, the trapping Jaspers' defense held the duo to 10-for-29 shooting in the February rematch.
Regular-season results: Iona 86, Siena 72 (Jan. 4 at Albany); Iona 87, Siena 83 (Feb. 6 at New Rochelle)
Analysis: Iona tore through the MAAC schedule with an 11-game winning streak before a loss to Saint Peter's in the regular-season finale made the Gaels look at least a bit vulnerable. Now they run into the Saints, who will have the backing of a home crowd and growing confidence after blowing past No. 9 Niagara in a first-round game. The Gaels have better players in first-team all-MAAC selections David Laury and A.J. English. It will be interesting to see if a Siena defense that is improving late in the season can slow them down.
NO. 4 MONMOUTH (17-14) VS. NO. 5 CANISIUS (16-13), 2:30 P.M.
Regular-season results:Monmouth 73, Canisius 68 (Jan. 2 at Buffalo); Monmouth 44, Canisius 40 (Feb. 8 at Monmouth)
Analysis:Monmouth forced Canisius, a poor 3-point shooting team at 31.6 percent, into firing from long range in their two regular-season meetings. The Golden Griffins were 15-for-54 from beyond the arc in the losses. Canisius must get easier shots and have someone help Zach Lewis, the only Griff to score in double figures in either game. The Hawks rely on point guard Justin Robinson, who directs a balanced attack. Monmouth's size could pose problems for Canisius, which has two forwards sidelined by injury.
NO. 2 RIDER (21-10) VS. NO. 7 SAINT PETER'S (15-17), 5:30 P.M.
Regular-season results: Rider 68, Saint Peter's 55 (Jan. 10 at Rider); Rider 58, Saint Peter's 49 (Jan. 29 at Jersey City)
Analysis: The Broncs have had three games to adjust to losing first-team all-MAAC senior center Matt Lopez, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Quinnipiac on Feb. 19. Though the 7-foot Lopez didn't put up huge numbers against Saint Peter's (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) in the regular season, his presence had to draw attention. The Peacocks will try to build off a smothering defensive performance in Thursday's 63-33 victory over Fairfield in the first round. But Rider is harder to stop, led by guard Teddy Okereafor (11.3 ppg).
NO. 3 MANHATTAN (16-13) VS. NO. 11 MARIST (7-24), 8 P.M
Regular-season results:Manhattan 60, Marist 38 (Dec. 7 at Riverdale); Manhattan 67, Marist 54 (Feb. 23 at Poughkeepsie)
Analysis: Defending MAAC champion Manhattan opens the tournament with a tougher test than the records indicate. The Red Foxes surprised No. 6 seed Quinnipiac on Thursday with an 80-74 victory. Marist has two potent scorers in program career scoring leader Chavaughn Lewis (20.5 ppg) and Khallid Hart (15.1 ppg). Neither one played in Manhattan's blowout win on Dec. 7. However, the trapping Jaspers' defense held the duo to 10-for-29 shooting in the February rematch.
