Brett Harvey, Marquis Sullivan, and Brian Rudolph win need to run the offense and attempt to pick up the slack left by last year’s seniors. However, Harvey and Rudolph did not average double-digits in scoring last season. Behind them, Joe Miles has the next highest average of 4.6 points per game.
Loyola did not sign any recruits and is in serious trouble for this upcoming season.
Do not expect the Greyhounds finish in the upper half of the MAAC.
Marist College Red Foxes (18-14, 11-7)
Matt Brady left Marist for James Madison University. Louie McCroskey, Spongy Benjamin, Ryan Stilphen, Ben Farmer, and Shae McNamara all graduated. If that wasn’t enough of a blow to the Red Foxes, Jay Gavin and David Devezin transferred upon Brady’s departure.
In total, Marist lost seven players, and compensated by signing three recruits, two of whom are expected to be good. However, Marist does not return any of their top six scorers, rebounders, and assisters from last season.
The Red Foxes are left in a hole that will be nearly impossible to climb out of this season. Their starting lineup will consist of inexperienced bench players and their two freshmen guards, R.J. Hall and Dorvell Carter.
There is no point in discussing the Red Foxes any further because a team with zero experience cannot be expected to finish in the top half of the MAAC.
Fairfield College Stags (14-16, 11-7)
Like Siena, the Stags return their best players from last season.
Fairfield led a balanced offensive attack, in which seven players scored between 6 and 12 points per game, led by Jonathan Han. Han also led the MAAC in assists with 6.2 per game.
After starting 2-8 last season, the Stags figured out their problems, getting hot in MAAC conference play. It was evident that Fairfield’s players finally learned how to gel together. Being able to gel as a team is crucial, and the Stags will bring that team chemistry into the 2008-09 season.
Along with experience, the Stags bring back three starters who all shot over 40% from three-point range. The Stags weakness is defense, finishing near the bottom of the MAAC with 6.6 team steals per game and 32 rebounds per game.
The Stags know that they have a chance to compete for the MAAC title this season, but they will have to beat Siena. It is not out of the question, but Siena would probably win the matchup eight times out of ten.
Iona College Gaels (12-20, 8-10)
Since Steve Burtt Jr. and Ricky Soliver graduated after the 2005-06 season, the Gaels combined for a 14-47 record over the next two years. Now, the rebuilding process has been completed. Kevin Willard brought in two Big East transfers, in shooting-guard Kashif Pratt and 7-foot center Jonathan Huffman, who will be eligible to play for Iona this season.
11 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete