By Hayden Shapiro and Marley Pope
Within the world of men’s college hoops, the MAAC conference has had some true standouts this season.
Here is a look at some of the conference’s top performers.
Corey Washington, Sophomore Forward, Saint Peter’s
The 6’6 sophomore averages 14.5 points per game, which may not stand out in a conference with a plethora of scorers. Yet his ability to score efficiently and in transition truly makes him a superstar. He excels at trailing behind the point guard in transition, creating open looks for himself and his teammates. His efficiency stands out, as shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three is something you don’t often see from a player who is the team’s clear number-one option. Washington handles his workload extraordinarily well. This Peacocks squad would not be third in the MAAC standings without his poise, confidence, and ability to show up every game, on the road or in Jersey.
Sean Durugordon, Junior Guard, Siena
The Harlem native missed some contests to start this year’s campaign while awaiting approval from the NCAA as a two-time transfer. To say he has since emerged as one of the best players in the MAAC is quite an understatement. His 23 points per game is elite, and watching the way he scores is remarkable. Most shooters need to be square to the hoop to be able to shoot the rock, but Durugordon’s ability to shimmy off defenders and shoot it fading away, or even through contact is what makes him so special. He is lights out from three-point range as well. His efforts may be overlooked because of Siena’s conference-worst record, but that shouldn’t take away respect for one of the best players in the entire conference.
Seydou Traore, Freshman Guard/Forward, Manhattan
For a player who stands at six feet seven inches, he truly embraces the role of a point forward. His speed and lateral quickness are intangibles that can’t be taught. His stats don’t jump off the page, but his impact on every game is evident. Traore averages 32 minutes per contest, and every minute is played physically and intelligently. The New York product plays with his head on a swivel and excels at chasing down long rebounds, accumulating nine of them per game. Traore is looked at as a glue guy for this Manhattan squad, but his presence on the court is felt whenever he is out there. The fact that he is only a freshman and still has a next level to his game should give opponents nightmares for the future.
Caleb Fields, Senior Guard, Fairfield
The senior guard out of New Jersey has absolutely taken his game to the next level this season. In past years, he struggled to take on defenders off the dribble. This season, his three-point percentage sits at 39 percent and his efficiency driving to the basket is much improved. Fields brings a veteran presence on the court and his impact is always felt. He is the vocal leader for the Stags, often seen talking to referees on controversial calls while remaining cool, calm and collected throughout the process. Fields is a very streaky perimeter shooter, but the green light has been bright for him as of late. He erupted at a home game against the Marist Red Foxes and has not looked back, logging 19, 16, 25, and 18 points throughout four of the last five Fairfield contests. Fields means everything to this Stags squad, and his basketball savviness combined with the ability to shoot through contact makes him one of the best players in the MAAC.
Mervin James, Senior Forward, Rider
The Caribbean forward has been a nightmare for opposing teams to prepare for. James can change the way he plays throughout the game because of his basketball-oriented mind. He can shoot the triple, sitting at a 38 percent clip this season. This is a huge leap from last year for him, as he shot the three at only 24 percent. James has the body control of a wide receiver and uses defenders’ weaknesses in his favor. He is also a joy to watch on the glass, posting a resounding seven rebounds per game despite playing mostly on the perimeter. His long arms and strong frame make it so difficult for the other team to guard him; if Rider is to make a run in the MAAC Championships, they need James to deliver.
Max Allen II, Sophomore Center, Marist
The big man out of Las Vegas, NV has taken the league by storm with his unique ability to score with both hands in the paint and polished footwork that makes him difficult to guard. The transfer from San Jose State is the Red Foxes’ leading scorer at 12.8 points per game and is fourth in the MAAC in field goal percentage at 56 percent.
Even more impressive is that he has played such little Division I basketball – he played 6 minutes per game in eight games before red-shirting – yet has become the offensive focal point carrying the load for John Dunne’s squad. At times he looks unguardable, and when defenses send help, Allen II is a willing passer who opens up looks for others. Allen II is debatably the most offensively skilled big in the MAAC in a league loaded with high-scoring guards.
Idan Tretout, Graduate Student Guard, Iona
The Brooklyn native has balled out since transferring in from Harvard, leading the Gaels in points per game with 14.3, which is good for eighth-most in the MAAC. Tretout possesses a level-headed, multi-dimensional offensive game with sneaky athletic ability. Despite below-average shooting numbers (40 percent from the field and 33 percent from three), the six feet four-inch combo guard is always dangerous in first-year head coach Tobin Anderson’s high-pace system. In Tretout’s most recent game, he dropped 30 on the MAAC-leading Quinnipiac Bobcats on their home floor with six three-pointers. This performance is evidence as to why he was picked All-MAAC third team this season.
Even though Iona has not played to expectations thus far – they are fifth in MAAC standings after being picked second in the Preseason Poll – there is plenty of time left for this team to get hot and make noise in Atlantic City in March. Tretout will be at the forefront for the Gaels as they hope to string some wins together after not having more than two consecutive wins all season.
Matt Balanc, Graduate Student Guard, Quinnipiac
The graduate student guard is the second-leading scorer in the MAAC at 18.4 points per game and has led the Bobcats to the top of the MAAC standings and their current seven-game win streak. Balanc displays ridiculous athletic ability with tons of vertical leap in his shooting and an innate ability to drive to the rim. Just last Sunday, Balanc scored the game-winning bucket in a dramatic road win over in-state rival and fellow top MAAC team Fairfield in a packed Mahoney Arena.
Balanc is also a high-volume three-point sniper, currently hitting at a 36 percent clip on the second most attempts in the MAAC in addition to making the most threes per game at 2.8. His dynamic offensive ability poses a danger to any opposing defense, and he can heat up in an instant. He currently is the favorite to win MAAC Player of the Year, rightly so given his leadership and performance so far this season.
Ahmad Henderson II, Freshman Guard, Niagara
The five-foot nine-inch freshman is as shifty as they come from the point guard spot and is the leading freshman scorer in the MAAC at 13.6 points per game. Henderson II has already turned in five 20-point outings including a 23-point performance to hand Mount St. Mary’s their second home loss all season on January 21.
Henderson II fits right into the offensive philosophy of the Purple Eagles: attack with pace and spacing to create high-quality looks where he drains 37 percent of his shots from deep. He has quickly grown into the facilitator for Greg Paulus’ squad as a dangerous ball-handler who can blow by any perimeter defender. Niagara has exceeded expectations so far as they sit at fourth in the MAAC standings while being picked ninth in the preseason. Henderson II is a big reason why.
Tre Dinkins, Junior Guard, Canisius
With sophomore guard Taj Staveskie going down with an injury in mid-November, Canisius needed someone to pick up the slack on the offensive end. Tre Dinkins has done that and more this season with his all-round offensive ability. He leads the MAAC in three-pointers, hitting at 36 percent while averaging 15 points per game and 4.1 assists per game, which is fifth in the MAAC.
The junior out of Chester, PA has blossomed into one of the smoother scorers in the conference. Other than his deep shooting, Dinkins shows soft touch while operating the pick-and-roll, and is comfortable shooting contested mid-range jumpers. Dinkins can also drive to the rim and finish in the paint with his athleticism.
Dakota Leffew, Senior Guard, Mount St. Mary’s
Leffew is silky on the perimeter and can explode to the rim when he drives. The senior out of Georgia is the Mount’s offensive catalyst, averaging 17.6 points per game. Leffew plays the most minutes out of anyone in the MAAC and produces at a high level. Picked All-MAAC first team, Leffew is a consistent scorer on a nightly basis working primarily out of the mid-range to finish around the basket. When he steps out behind the arc, opposing defenses must stay close as he possesses a quick and smooth trigger.
Edited by Jimmy Tsiantoulas and Luke Sassa
Photo Credit: Luke Sassa
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