Let’s break this down.
The MAAC (our favorite conference, because the nicknames/mascots are so good and it was named by a goat) is, right now, at least a five-team race. Maybe a six, or seven, or ten-team race. The Golden Griffins are the only ones that are really out of it (that’s Canisius), sitting at 4-9 while the leaders are 8-5 (seven games left, in case you’re unfamiliar with the MAAC’s scheduling, which consists of twenty games for each team—a full home-and-home with each league opponent, played primarily on Fridays and Sundays, putting the *student* back in “student-athlete”). It is, to say the least, lit. Here’s what’s on the docket tonight, in decreasing order of NIT importance (because remember, whoever wins this league is probably going to lose in the conference tournament and go to the NIT):
6. Stags at Red Foxes
Fairfield and Marist are part of the three-way tie for eighth, two and a half games back of the leaders. Not impossible for them to come back, but certainly improbable.
5. Idle: Purple Eagles
I almost used the word “idol” here, but maybe that would have been correct, given Niagara’s nickname.
The thing making this more important than Fairfield/Marist is that I’d assume Niagara’s going to practice, and in the MAAC as much as anywhere, you practice how you play.
4. Jaspers at Gaels
Manhattan isn’t out of this, but if they can’t get a road victory during their weekend trip upstate, they might be. Iona’s going to be easier to beat than Siena.
3. Hawks at Golden Griffins
This gets a boost, not only because I missed it when looking through the immense five-game slate, but also because Canisius deserves some credit for standing out even among a conference of charming, unusually-nicknamed teams and Monmouth. The NIT isn’t just about mathematical importance. It’s also about the spirit of the thing.
2. Bobcats at Peacocks
Has Quinnipiac lost its mojo? To quote my knock-off magic eight ball, signs point to yeah. A big opportunity for Saint Peter’s to create some separation, especially considering this next one…
1. Broncs at Saints
This could be the night, and Siena could be the place that Rider falls out of first place for the first time since right before their last game, five days ago. Wow.
***
What a night.
