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Metro Atlantic overview

Iona gunning for rare back-to-back NCAA bids

Special to CNNSI.com

Dwayne Archbold and his Siena teammates are trying to get back to the top of the Metro Atlantic. Vincent Laforet/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Iona 2. Niagara 3. Manhattan 4. Rider 5. Siena 6. Canisius 7. Fairfield 8. Marist 9. Loyola 10. St. Peter's

Top storylines

Several factors point to the Iona Gaels earning another NCAA Tournament berth this season. Recent history isn't one of them. No MAAC team has earned back-to-back invitations to "The Big Dance" since Lionel Simmons led LaSalle to three straight appearances from 1988-90, but that doesn't mean Iona can't do it this year. Even though the Gaels lose MAAC Player of the Year Tariq Kirksay, their best player of the '90s, and two other starters, they return a wealth of talent and bring in an outstanding crop of newcomers led by Rutgers transfer Earl Johnson and the multi-talented Courtney Fields.

With the nation's second-highest backcourt returning and highly touted transfer Michael Schmidt now eligible to play, Niagara won't sneak up on anyone while bidding for its first NCAA bid since a diminutive guard named Calvin Murphy led the Purple Eagles to a berth in 1970.

Lots of moves under new coach Bobby Gonzalez paid off as the Manhattan Jaspers tripled their conference win total to a respectable 9-9 and jumped from 10th to sixth in the standings, but the job is not complete. Expectations have increased for this season as Manhattan returns its top three scorers and welcomes a strong batch of newcomers.

Players to Watch

Top Three Players

Demond Stewart, G, Niagara • Stewart (22.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.1 spg), a transfer from Division II Mercyhurst College, took the league by surprise starting with a 37-point, 11-rebound effort against Buffalo in the season opener. He finished as the seventh-leading scorer in the nation. Mario Porter, F, Rider • The 6-6 Porter (17.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 spg) went from eighth man as a freshman to a second team All-MAAC pick last season. Porter's versatility makes him a difficult matchup. Durelle Brown, F, Manhattan • Brown, a 6-7 senior, will lead the way for the Jaspers. Brown (21.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg), a first-team all-conference performer last season, should be a top contender for MAAC Player of the Year.

Top Newcomer

Earl Johnson, G, Iona • Johnson, a 6-foot senior transfer from Rutgers, certainly has the experience. A member of the All-Big East Rookie Team as a freshman, he averaged slightly less than 10 points during his career and will be a difficult matchup for MAAC opponents.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Jeff Ruland, Iona • Last year, Ruland led Iona to a 20-11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth. His two-year record is 36-25.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Bob Leckie, St. Peter's • Leckie will be under pressure to revive the basketball program at his alma mater, which lost its last 14 games a year ago.

Mark Your Calendar

Dec. 28, Niagara at Iona • A key indicator on who will rule the conference race. Jan. 20, Manhattan at Iona • Manhattan could be almost ready to put the regular-season title away with a win here. Feb. 16, Manhattan at Niagara • This could be for second place, or it could be for the championship if Iona falters.

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