Taking a Look at the MAAC Player of the Year Candidates

With only two MAAC games left, it is time to take a look at the conference's Player of the Year candidates.

Alex Franklin, Siena, Sr.

2009-10: 16 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.5 turnovers per game, 1.4 spg, 57.3 percent FG, 67.9 percent FT, 1.63 points per shot

MAAC: 16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 56.9 percent FG

Considered by many as a POY sleeper in the preseason, in the shadows of Ryan Thompson and teammate Edwin Ubiles, Siena's versatile power forward has emerged as a favorite to collect the MAAC Player of the Year award.

Franklin is a special player whose value to Siena extends beyond his statistics. Athletic and 6'5", the senior can defend a variety of positions well. He also has developed into an adept ball-handler, who has the confidence and ability to dribble up the court or drive from the wing. 

His versatility also makes it hard for opposing coaches to plan on defending Franklin.

Edwin Ubiles, Siena, Sr.

2009-10: 14.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2 turnovers per game, 1.1 spg, 47.6 percent FG, 61 percent FT, 37.5 percent 3 PT, 1.14 points per shot

MAAC: 16.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 50.8 percent FG, 48.6 percent 3 PT

Edwin Ubiles' struggles during out-of-conference play are irrelevant now. The senior Saint caught fire and produced one of the conference's best statistical campaigns. Hitting more than half his shots and averaging 16.8 points per MAAC game, Ubiles is clearly one of the best players in the league.

Siena hasn't played many close MAAC games, but Ubiles has provided for the Saints in the clutch. He extended Siena's lead to four points with 21 seconds remaining against Loyola-Md. with a trey as the shot clock expired. Less than three weeks later, his jumpshot with 25 seconds left against Fairfield put the Saints up five and forced the Stags to foul.

Some Siena fans say they're disappointed by Ubiles' "underachieving" season, but he has really stepped up his game in MAAC play.

Ronald Moore, Siena, Sr.

2009-10: 6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 7.6 apg, 2.8 turnovers per game, 1.8 spg, 30.7 percent FG, 61.2 percent FT, 20 percent 3 PT, .87 points per shot

MAAC: 7.1 apg, 1.4 spg

When it comes to scoring, Moore is not a threat. But, the senior's court vision and distributing skills more than make up for his scoring inability. Moore leads both the MAAC and the nation in assists and changes games by beating the defense down the floor.

Chances are he won't take home the award because of his miserable shooting percentages and inefficiency, but his value to Siena will be crystal clear, if it isn't yet, when the Saints are Moore-less next season.

Ryan Thompson, Rider, Sr.

2009-10: 17.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 turnovers per game, 1.1 spg, 42.6 percent FG, 81.2 percent FT, 33.6 percent 3 PT, 1.41 points per shot

MAAC: 16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 35.9 minutes per game

As his statistics show, Thompson played better in non-MAAC games. He has struggled from the floor in most of Rider's losses, costing his team elite status in the MAAC. He simply has not performed at the level expected of him.

Because he underperformed immensely as the Preseason Player of the Year, Thompson will likely not receive the postseason accolade.

Frank Turner, Canisius, Sr.

2009-10: 16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.7 apg, 3.5 turnovers per game, 2.1 spg, 48.7 percent FG, 71.3 percent FT, 32.8 percent 3 PT, 1.47 points per shot, 38.5 mpg

MAAC: 16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.7 turnovers per game, 1.8 spg, 45.9 percent FG, 70.4 percent FT, 38.9 mpg

Turner rebounded from a dreadful junior season to assemble the best campaign of his career. The senior is among the league's top five scorers, second in assists, and first in steals and minutes played. 

He has only scored in single-digits once in MAAC play.

Unfortunately for Turner, his Canisius Golden Griffins are currently in seventh place and can finish no higher than fifth, severely inhibiting him from receiving the award.

Rico Pickett, Manhattan, Jr.

2009-10: 17.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg, 2 turnovers per game, 1.3 spg, 43.6 percent FG, 69.6 FT, 33.3 percent 3 PT, 1.09 points per shot

MAAC: 20.9 ppg, 47.7 percent FG, 36.9 percent 3 PT

Playing for ninth place Manhattan, Pickett likely won't garner enough votes to win the accolade. However, his first season as a Jasper is worthy of recognition.

The junior started slow, but improved in conference play, leading the league in scoring.

Ryan Rossiter, Siena, Jr.

2009-10: 14.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.1 bpg, 58.7 percent FG, 76.4 percent FT, 1.62 points per shot

MAAC: 15.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.2 bpg, 60 percent FG, 79.8 percent FT

Rossiter leads the MAAC in a few major categories, including rebounding and field goal percentage.

The fundamentally-sound center won't win Player of the Year in 2009-10 because he is a junior on the same team as senior candidates Franklin, Ubiles, and Moore.  However, he could be a favorite as a senior.

Derek Needham, Fairfield, Fr.

2009-10: 16 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg, 3.9 turnovers per game, 1.9 spg, 38.9 percent FG, 71.5 percent FT, 29.8 percent 3 PT, 1.17 points per shot

MAAC: 16.6 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.1 turnovers per game, 1.8 spg, 39.3 percent FG, 67.9 percent FT

The MAAC hasn't seen a freshman like Needham in quite a while. He's in the top five in scoring and assisting, and is tied with Frank Turner as the league's best pick-pocket.

A lock for MAAC Rookie of the Year, Needham has virtually no chance of earning Player of the Year despite leading an injury-plagued Fairfield team to a top-four finish. You will see his name in this discussion in each of the next three years.

My winner: It's extremely difficult to choose one Siena player to collect the accolade, but Alex Franklin is my pick. His value to the Saints extends to both ends of the floor, and he has been an absolute monster this season.

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