With the Marist men’s and women’s basketball seasons fast approaching, Center Field is dedicating an entire week to basketball content for our annual Basketball Week.
The Marist men’s basketball team tips off next Monday at 5 p.m. on the road against Harvard. In this roundtable, our basketball writers give a top-to-bottom assessment of the state of the team entering this season.
What is your assessment of the Red Foxes being selected second in the MAAC Conference pre-season coaches poll (with one first-place vote)?
Marley Pope, Men’s basketball beat writer and Managing Editor: It shows the respect of this Marist team and their returning players. It also shows the quality the conference lost last season and the mystery surrounding several teams. Marist should no doubt finish in the top four of the MAAC conference and potentially higher. The Red Foxes return a young backcourt in sophomores Jadin Collins-Roberts and Josh Pascarelli, two players who tracked the bulk of the team’s minutes last year as freshmen and are now All-MAAC preseason selections. The expectations are high this year after a historic season a year ago with a No. 3 seed and a semi-final appearance in the MAAC tournament. The coaching staff brought in some offensive-minded players who can upgrade the offensive output this team needed in critical games last season.
Aidan Lavin, Men’s basketball Editor: The preseason poll favors continuity. During an era dominated by the transfer portal, retaining a core of impactful players is often incredibly difficult to come by at every level of college sports. A prime example of this is last year’s offensive catalyst, center Max Allen II, leaving the Red Foxes in favor of playing overseas. After strong showings last year as the first and third seeds in the MAAC, both Quinnipiac and Marist retained a plethora of impact players. The Red Foxes bring back five players averaging at least 14 minutes per game last year while three Bobcats starters and an impactful bench player return for the reigning MAAC regular season champions. Two successful teams in the MAAC having a substantial amount of their talent return, while rare, is always a positive and the preseason poll recognizes that by ranking Quinnipiac first and Marist second.
Dan Aubach, Editor-in-chief: When considering where the Red Foxes got placed last season in the polls–dead last in 2023–this is monumental respect for Marist head coach John Dunne’s ability to retain a roster within a portal-poaching conference.
What’s more surprising is the conference coaches’ faith in finishing higher than the Red Foxes’ unexpected third-place finish from last year, propelled by an offense relying on the frontcourt of Max Allen II (who left the Red Foxes for the Vietnamese Pro League). If anything, there is faith that the Marist backcourt, Josh Pascarelli and Jadin Collins-Roberts, is talented enough to take the Marist beyond their performance last year. There’s even some faith that the Red Foxes could finish with the No.1 seed, evidently with one first-place vote in the coaches poll.
With the many certainties that Marist and Dunne can bring, this year’s MAAC has several uncertainties that could shift around the coaches’ poll initial projections (which are never accurate). This includes two new teams in the conference (Merrimack being a potential conference winner) and the threat of the bottom three teams being eliminated from tournament play. The No. 2 projection for Marist is nice, but take it with a grain of salt because of the shifting of the MAAC this year.
Mike Burns, Assistant Editor: It makes sense. The Red Foxes finished third in the MAAC standings last season and made a semi-final appearance later on in the MAAC tournament. Jadin Collins-Roberts and John Pascerelli both enter this season coming off terrific freshman years; a year in which the two combined for 30 double-digit scoring games. The subtraction of Max Allen II hurts, but it allows senior forward Jackson Price to step up and excel even further in the starting center role. With Marist coming off their highest win total since the 2007-08 season, a second-place ranking is more than justified.
Ben Leeds, Associate Editor: Marist’s ranking in the preseason poll can be directly credited to their now sophomore guard tandem, Josh Pascarelli and Jadin Collins-Roberts. Experienced guard play is an important factor for any team, but with the team expected to play fast and run-and-gun in transition, how they handle the offense will determine whether or not Marist lives up to their high expectations.
However, it is important to note that the preseason coaches poll results should always be taken lightly, especially in the modern-day transfer portal era. The votes are tallied before anyone gets a real chance to see how new teams are gelling together on the court, making it harder to predict where each team will stand once conference play ramps up. Regardless, they still provide a solid indication of where each team falls in the tiers of the conference, and due to Marist’s reputable returning class, their spot is well warranted.
How can Marist build from last season and progress towards a MAAC championship appearance?
Marley: Marist needs to become more dangerous on offense, something the coaching staff emphasized this off-season with their recruiting in the transfer portal. The loss of Max Allen II gives John Dunne a chance to tweak the nature of the offense that is better suited to senior forward Jackson Price, a 6-8 perimeter big who can make shots from deep.
Marist brought in four transfers, all juniors, who are gifted offensive players. Elijah Lewis is penned in to start at the three spot in place of veteran Javon Cooley. Martin Kawa will back Pascarelli off the bench and offer microwave shot-making. Dunne believes Travis Roberts is a shooting wing who can improve his numbers with better shot selection. Caleb MacKrey will back up Collins-Roberts and be a secondary ball handler and playmaker off the bench.
Aidan: Pair their conference-leading defensive efforts with a more explosive offense. Last season, the Red Foxes finished second to last in the MAAC, scoring 64 points per game. While their shooting percentages were above average, their pace of play was often painfully slow leading to low scoring outputs. The coaching staff clearly recognized their need for more scoring, adding multiple offensive threats through the transfer portal including junior guards Martin Kawa and Elijah Lewis, who averaged 19.1 and 16.7 points per game respectively at their previous schools. If Marist can integrate an increase in scoring while maintaining the typical defensive tenacity of John Dunne’s teams, leaps and bounds will be made toward their MAAC championship aspirations.
Dan: I’m interested to see the product on the court for the first time with how dynamic this brand-new offense can be. My guess? A slow start as senior forward Jackson Price adjusts to his full-time starting role as the team’s stretch-five piece. If Price can lock into his new role, the guard talent will complement him. Price is talented enough to take over scoring efforts in a more balanced system, with nine games with 10 points or more in 28 games last season.
The most crucial effort to build on the impressive offense of last year playing to untapped potential in perimeter shooting. Marist ranked third in the conference in three-point percentage but only attempted the eighth-most shots from beyond the arc.
Dunne knows that losing Allen means relying more on shooting efforts, and one of his biggest acquisitions in the portal reflects that: Division II Adelphi University transfer Elijah Lewis. His silky-smooth three-point shot is needed production for the offense to become more balanced. Averaging 16.7 points per game last season, Lewis should be the most natural transfer to contribute within the rotation with a 40% three-point percentage.
Mike: The key is to progress further on offense. Marist was tied for fifth in the nation in points against, allowing just 62.2 points a game. Of course, this is a testament to their defense, but part of this also stems from their unhurried offense. The team relied on Max Allen II quite often, leading to them playing at their own leisurely pace. Now that he is out of the picture, Marist is provided with an opportunity to open their offense up to more players and create more transition buckets. Look for the Red Foxes to use their guards more on offense while continuing to have a strong defensive presence.
Ben: Staying near the top of the MAAC standings. Though easier said than done, the program has been on a steep upward trajectory since its Cinderella-esque run to the MAAC Championship game in 2023. Last year’s season provided yet another step forward. Featuring a roster with plenty of fresh faces, Marist picked up right where they left off in Atlantic City the previous year, winning 18 games and finishing third in the MAAC. Though it did not result in another trip to the championship game, I believe it is safe to say the season was a success.
Marist proved themselves as a true contender in the conference for the coming years, thanks to their young talent. This year, however, needs to be the season that they put together both a successful regular season and tournament. Expectations are high and rightfully so, but Marist can not afford to have a lost season and go backward given the recent progress they have made.
What area(s) will Marist need to improve in to return to the top of the MAAC standings?
Marley: Head coach John Dunne has said a lot about how Marist will look different this year, specifically on the offensive end and in transition. He wants to get out more and play with more pace, which should in theory improve their poor offensive efficiency and tempo from last year. Part of that was a product of playing through Max Allen II, who had a 30% usage rate in the low post. The inefficient offense last season hurt while they turned the ball over too much, even though Marist played a slow tempo.
Price is a different player and opens the half-court offense for more dribble drive and spacing for the talented guards on this team to make the defense work. Another area where growth is needed is on the offensive glass. Marist did not crash the boards well last season, leaving tons of second-chance opportunities on the court. Freshman big man Tarik Watson can help in this area due to his relentless effort and ability to rebound.
Aidan: The late great college basketball bench boss, Don Meyer, who is ranked ninth all-time in men’s college basketball career wins once said, “You aren’t going to win championships unless you make layups and free throws.” Free throw win games; they created nightmares when missed in the final seconds of a game to go to the MAAC championship. Marist shot a pinch under 70 percent from the charity stripe last season, ranking eighth in MAAC.
Outside of junior forward Trace Salton shooting 81 percent on just 11 attempts and senior forward Jackson Price, the returning Red Foxes shot 66 percent or worse from the line last season. Converting free throws in late-game situations will secure wins, and hitting timely ones throughout the game either keeps distance from opponents or keeps games within striking distance.
Dan: I could be repetitive in this section and mention shooting again, but I believe this team simply needs to play a refined form of basketball with sound fundamentals. That starts with rebounding and making free throws, two controllable variables that would set apart this year’s team with the third-place finish last year. An uptick in both of those categories (eighth in free-throw percentage, ninth in team rebounds in 2023) will set this team apart if the offense gets clicking.
Mike: Upgrading to a fast-rhythm offense. Over the last two seasons, the Red Foxes have leaned heavily on their star big men (Max Allen II and Patrick Gardner). While Jackson Price is certainly a factor, the offense has to mainly run through the guards this season to keep a quick rhythm of play. Marist has the roster built to develop that up-tempo offense, the only problem is they have not been used to playing that style of basketball recently. It could be something that we see improved upon right away or as the season goes on; either way that should be the main focus right now.
Ben: If Marist is going to play faster this year, they are going to need to be able to effectively rebound the ball on the defensive end. Marist was effective on the glass defensively but will need to step it up so they can get out in transition quicker. Giving up offensive rebounds leads to second chances to score, making it much harder for Marist to control the tempo of the game
It is important to note that Marist finished dead last in the MAAC in total offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds per game. Added incentive and aggressiveness on the defensive boards could lead to some more inspiration on the offensive glass, which would go a long way toward improving an area of weakness last year.
Who is a potential breakout candidate?
Marley: There is a lot of buzz surrounding Kawa, who averaged 19 points per game last season in junior college. He can score in a variety of ways, including the pull-up off of screens, attacking the rim, or nailing threes in the half-court or transition. Marist did not have high-quality bench players last year in terms of offensive production outside of Price, and Kawa’s presence could help balance the scoring output and depth on that end. Kawa also returns to Division I after spending a year in junior college. He has something to prove this season after refining his game and body last year.
Aidan: There are so many options to choose from here. While a solid core of the roster returns, four transfers and a few freshmen are expected to contribute immediately. While there are plenty of shiny new options to choose from along with Pascarelli and Collins-Roberts garnering all the attention, the breakout candidate sneakily becomes senior forward Jackson Price. Fittingly, Price will break out from the shadows of Allen II and be the starting five-man. Price is a refined big and very capable of stretching the floor. As this Marist team is projected to play more downhill, Price’s spacing should create open looks from deep.
Dan: Let’s go with sophomore guard Josh Pascarelli, who I could see leading the team in points this season. The All-MAAC Rookie Team member shined, finishing his freshman season second in the team in points per game (10.9) and sixth in three-point percentage in the entire conference (.378). He had four games this season with 20-plus points, games heavily reliant on successful shooting from beyond the arc.
It can be argued that Pascarelli already “broke out” per say, but while my last breakout candidate was an All-MAAC Rookie Team member who did not quite break out the following year–guard Isaiah Brickner–Pascarelli has already proved for an entire he has the tangibles to take the next step as a primary scoring option. It will be interesting to see how many three-point shot attempts Pascarelli puts up without the presence of Allen being double-teamed down low, and with newcomer Lewis a being potential scoring option from the perimeter.
Mike: The breakout candidate for this season is a new addition to the Red Foxes: Elijah Lewis. Lewis joins a Marist squad having most recently played at Adelphi University where he averaged 16.7 points per game while shooting an efficient 85.4% from the line. He brings the ability to create his own shots while also helping Marist at the free-throw line, an area where the Red Foxes struggled last season. As for his defensive presence, Lewis had 13 blocks and 23 steals in 29 games last season. Lewis is also listed at 6’5’’, bringing some more height to both the guard position and the roster. With the Red Foxes having just lost Javon Cooley, Lewis slides into that role and should provide Marist with a boost in scoring.
Ben: Jadin Collins-Roberts. You may say he has already broken out; I’d argue he makes an even bigger leap this year. Collins-Roberts had a solid debut season but played his best with the season on the line at the MAAC Tournament in Atlantic City. Collins-Roberts earned Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honors, but he will perform above his ranking this year. The sophomore guard will end the season on the All-MAAC First Team, and be a candidate for MAAC Player of the Year.
Predict the Red Foxes’ non-conference and conference record and where they finish in the MAAC (regular and post-season).
Marley: I believe Marist will go 6-3 in the non-conference schedule, splitting in the first two against Harvard and Richmond, winning two-of-three in home games against Army, Dartmouth, and New Hampshire, then winning three-of-four between games of Lehigh, Stony Brook, UMBC and Binghampton. Then in MAAC play, Marist will go 14-6. They play Quinnipiac just once and improve from their 12-8 MAAC record a season ago. That brings the Red Foxes to a 20-9 record with a top-two seed in the MAAC championship. Marist will advance to the championship but fail to win it all in the final.
Aidan: A slow start will have people questioning Marist, finishing their non-conference play at a mediocre 5-4. However, two conference games against Mount St. Mary’s and Manhattan will put Marist at a 7-4 overall record with a 2-0 conference record before the bulk of their conference play. The start of the MAAC schedule is tough, featuring the three teams rounding out the top four of the preseason poll in Quinnipiac, Iona and Fairfield. Marist drops two of three against them, falling to .500 overall (7-7) and a game over .500 in the MAAC (3-2). The Red Foxes roll from there, taking 12 of their last 15; finishing with a 19-10 overall record and a 15-5 MAAC record. Marist appears to have the talent to cut the nets in Atlantic City, so why not predict them to do so?
Dan: Like I alluded to in my introduction, this team needs to prove they can put their offensive game plan together in the non-conference schedule to enter the conference schedule as the top team they are made out to be. I fully buy into it. This team has a talented and deep roster; much deeper than the Patrick-Gardner-led Cinderella run and even deeper than last season. After losing their first two non-conference games, they will snag wins against the New Hampshire teams (Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire) and finish their non-conference record 5-4. Kicking off their conference season with Mount St. Mary’s and Manhattan with wins, I see a 14-6 MAAC record, finishing the year at 19-10. They’ll face some adversity when facing tougher teams in the top of the conference with a loss to Quinnipiac and splits with Merrimack and Iona. Perhaps a couple of upsets will be sprinkled in the mix.
Predicting a tournament before even knowing the seeds is a tough task. I do think this team has the tools to make it back to the finals and would have a much different fate if they saw Fairfield in the playoffs due to their roster losses. The question is, can they take on the ever-so-hyped Quinnipiac Bobcats and Amarri Monroe? My initial guess is no. If we do a mid-season roundtable, hopefully, I can give a fair assessment of the potential this roster has in finally winning the MAAC.
Mike: It has been quite some time since the Red Fox fans had a team with serious expectations to root for. The Red Foxes will prove those expectations to be worthy with a strong start to the season, going 6-3 in non-conference play, along with two wins in between against Manhattan and Mount St. Mary’s to put them at 8-3 as they head into the rest of MAAC play. A slow start in this part of the season will find them at 9-6 and 3-3 in the conference with losses to Iona, Quinnipiac and St. Peter’s. This will prove to be just a small bump in the road, however, as the Red Foxes will cruise on to win eight of their next ten, finding themselves at 17-8 with an 11-5 conference record. One loss to Merrimack in their last four games will put them at 20-9 overall and 14-6 in the MAAC.
Marist will deliver a couple of thrilling MAAC tournament games en route to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1987.
Ben: The Red Foxes know their expectations are high this year, and I can see them jumping out to a hot start this season. Marist will finish well above .500 at 6-3 in non-conference play, then follow it up by going 15-5 in MAAC play, good enough to finish as the regular season champion for the first time since 2007.
But, this will not be the year that Marist breaks their nearly 40-year drought of making the NCAA Tournament. Only one of the past four regular-season champions has cut down the nets in Atlantic City, and the recent trend will continue this year. Marist’s season will come to its end in the semifinals, for the second consecutive year.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo; Photos from Marist Athletics
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