Two straight losses may have knocked St. John’s from the top spot, but Iona’s 11 consecutive wins more than validate its ascension.
(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. Iona (2)
Record: 19-8, 16-2
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) at Manhattan
After two straight NCAA Tournament appearances, this may be Tim Cluess’ most impressive season to date, with the coach clinching another MAAC regular season title after losing last season’s third-leading scorer in the country – “Momo” Jones.
2. St. John’s (1)
Record: 18-11, 8-8
Up next: Sunday (Noon) vs. DePaul
The 9-1 stretch was mighty impressive and showed the Red Storm can beat any team, but it may all be for naught without wins against DePaul, Marquette and a trip to the Big East Tournament championship game.
3. Manhattan (3)
Record: 20-7, 13-5
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) vs. Iona
The seeding is somewhat irrelevant in Springfield, Mass. Any of the top four teams (Iona, Manhattan, Canisius and Quinnipiac) could win the tournament, and the Jaspers’ league-best defense may be the difference when the games slow down.
4. Stony Brook (4)
Record: 20-9, 12-3
Up next: Sunday (2 p.m.) vs. Albany
The Seawolves got smacked around at Vermont on Thursday, 69-53, ensuring them the second seed in the America East Tournament. After failing as the No. 1 seed in three of the previous four seasons, this slot can’t be any worse.
5. Columbia (7)
Record: 17-10, 6-4
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) at Dartmouth
Impressive back-to-back wins over Brown and Yale put the Lions in a third-place tie and three games behind first-place Harvard. Maybe Saturday’s game in Cambridge might matter…
6. Seton Hall (5)
Record: 14-14, 5-10
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) vs. Providence
After a near-upset at Creighton came an upset loss at DePaul. Good luck figuring that all out.
7. Wagner (6)
Record: 17-11, 11-4
Up next: Saturday (6 p.m.) vs. Robert Morris
Seven straight wins have given the Seahawks the second seed in the NEC Tournament. After two straight semifinal appearances, Wagner will have a chance to advance to the championship after two home games.
8. St. Francis Brooklyn (8)
Record: 17-13, 8-7
Up next: Saturday (5 p.m.) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
The Terriers are tied for fourth-place and may get a home playoff game after all. It’s hard to envision St. Francis winning three straight in the NEC Tournament, but Saturday’s one-point overtime loss at first-place Robert Morris shows no team wants to play them.
9. Army (9)
Record: 13-15, 9-8
Up next: Saturday (3 p.m.) vs. Lafayette
The Black Knights have lost five of six and look as if they may be heading for a quarterfinal road game at Bucknell, which beat Army by 12 at home on Feb. 15.
10. St. Peter’s (11)
Record: 12-16, 8-11
Up next: Sunday (2 p.m.) vs. Niagara
The Peacocks are peaking at the right time, winning three straight heading into the season finale.
11. Rutgers (10)
Record: 10-18, 4-11
Up next: Saturday (Noon) vs. South Florida
12. Fordham (12)
Record: 9-17, 2-11
Up next: Saturday (5 p.m.) vs. La Salle
13. Fairleigh Dickinson (13)
Record: 10-19, 6-9
Up next: Saturday (5 p.m.) at St. Francis Brooklyn
14. LIU Brooklyn (14)
Record: 9-19, 4-11
Up next: Saturday (4:30 p.m.) vs. Bryant
15. Hofstra (15)
Record: 8-22, 4-11
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) vs. James Madison
16. NJIT (16)
Record: 13-16
Season complete.
17. Fairfield (17)
Record: 6-24, 3-16
Up next: Friday (7 p.m.) vs. Marist