MAAC Basketball Power Rankings: Jan. 7

Rank. Team. (Previous Ranking)

1. Siena Saints (2)

Record: 11-4, 4-0 MAAC

RPI: 44

The Saints have now won five straight games and seven out of their last eight. Edwin Ubiles is now back to full strength after an unspecified injury kept him out of a game against Georgia Tech and left him playing hurt in some other games. After seeing the Saints the last few weeks, they are the favorite to win the MAAC.

Next: Saturday vs. Niagara

2. Niagara Purple Eagles (1)

Record: 10-6, 3-1 MAAC

RPI: 114

After wins over Illinois State and Saint Bonaventure, Niagara picked up a tough loss to Air Force, followed by a loss to Iona. Iona is a solid team and this game was played on a "neutral" site in Buffalo, NY. Following the loss to Iona, the Stags beat Fairfield, another solid team.

Next: Saturday vs. Siena

3. Fairfield Stags (3)

Record: 10-4, 3-1 MAAC

RPI: 131

Fairfield picked up their first MAAC loss on the road Niagara. Fairfield still does not have a big, signature win, but after close games with Niagara and Rhode Island that resulted in losses, it is clear that the Stags could be the real deal.

Next: Friday vs. Loyola (MD)

4. Rider Broncs (4)

Record: 9-7, 2-2 MAAC

RPI: 144

Rider saved themselves from plummeting to No. 5 or even No. 6 with a come-from-behind win at Manhattan. The Broncs trailed by 16 points with one tick of the clock left in the first half. Ryan Thompson hit two free throws, and then Justin Robinson stole the inbounds pass and hit a buzzer-beater three to cut the lead to 11 at halftime. Rider stayed hot in the second half, and a tip in with 6.5 seconds left gave Rider the 65-64 win.

Next: Saturday vs. Iona

5. Iona Gaels (5)

Record: 9-6, 1-3 MAAC

RPI: 111

After beating Niagara in Buffalo, NY, Iona picked up a killer loss to Canisius. The Gaels' non-conference performance gave them the edge over Loyola (MD).

Next: Saturday vs. Rider

6. Loyola (MD) Greyhounds

Record: 8-6, 1-3 MAAC

RPI: 158

After winning four straight games, including wins over Indiana and Rider, Loyola was crushed by Siena, 76-56, on Monday.

Next: Friday @ Fairfield

7. St. Peter's Peacocks (9)

Record: 7-7, 2-2 MAAC

RPI: 230

Saint Peter's beat Marist on Monday to even their conference record at 2-2. They play a must-win at Manhattan on Friday. 

Next: Friday @ Manhattan

8. Canisius Golden Griffins (8)

Record: 7-8, 2-2 MAAC

RPI: 187

Following close losses to Saint Bonaventure and Fairfield, the Golden Griffins beat Iona on their home floor.

Next: Saturday @ Marist

9. Manhattan Jaspers (7)

Record: 6-8, 1-3 MAAC

RPI: 246

Manhattan has been miserable as of late. Following an embarrassing 86-48 loss to Vanderbilt, the Jaspers fell to Marist, giving the Red Foxes their first win of the season, and then blew a 16-point lead and lost to Rider.

Next: Friday vs. Saint Peter's

10. Marist Red Foxes (10)

Record: 1-13, 1-3 MAAC

RPI: 345

After picking up their first win against the Manhattan Jaspers, Marist lost games to Saint Peter's and Princeton. 

Next: Saturday vs. Canisius

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