Basketball Week continues with the Marist women’s basketball roundtable. Our basketball writers dive into expectations for the Red Foxes this season prior to the season-opening tipoff next Thursday at 7 p.m. on the road against Drexel.
What do you make of Marist being ranked 11th in the MAAC Conference preseason coaches poll?
Michael Burns, Women’s Basketball beat writer and Assistant Editor: It is tough to disagree with this ranking. The team lost two main pieces in forward Zaria Shazer and point guard Kiara Fisher and dropped 25 games last year. While Catie Cunnigham is an important returning player, the question on where the offense will come from is a valid one. Junior center Morgan Lee showed some bright spots last season, but she is going to have to fully put her game together if Marist views her as the key piece on offense. Perhaps the offense being more spread out could lead to more success, but there is no indication right now of that being the case.
Luke Sassa, Editor-in-Chief: This ranking feels fitting. While the Red Foxes are returning numerous key players including junior center Morgan Lee and senior guard Catie Cunningham, they lost their best player from a season ago in Zaria Shazer to graduation. Shazer finished third in the MAAC in minutes played, second in the conference in rebounds per game and sixth in the conference in points per game. Lee seems primed to step into a lead role without Shazer on the roster, but the team is undoubtedly weaker without her. Then there is the fact that Marist posted a 6-25 record last season and was unable to close out games; the Red Foxes went 1-4 in overtime. Until Marist has depth players begin to consistently step up, closing out games will continue to be a challenge.
Aidan Lavin, Assistant Managing Editor: It’s appropriate given that they finished last in the MAAC with a 4-16 conference record and 6-25 overall record, the program’s worst record since the 2000-2001 season. Marist was obviously unimpressive last season and will primarily rely upon their returning pieces apart of last year’s team to improve. Marist will be in a unique position to catch opponents by surprise all season and play with less pressure given the low expectations the MAAC has placed upon them.
Max Rosen, Assistant Editor: Given that the Red Foxes are coming off a season in which they posted one of the worst records in program history and lost their most impactful player in Zaria Shazer, it should come as no surprise that they are picked to finish in the MAAC basement. Shazer led the team in points, rebounds and steals last year and was sixth in the MAAC in scoring. No other Marist player cracked the top 35. The Red Foxes struggled mightily as it was last year and now they have to somehow replace Shazer’s production, which is sure to be a challenge.
Jaylen Rizzo, Assistant Editor and Director of Social Media & Graphics: This decision is accurate based on last season’s performance and the loss of two key players, Zaria Shazer and Kiara Fisher. The team struggled both offensively and defensively, and their record of 6-25 represents those faults. With only four wins in conference play, the Red Foxes do not have much of a track record to get them in a higher ranking.
Which of the five incoming players brings the most potential to the team?
Michael Burns: Erin Doughty, entering her second year as head coach, is an important subplot, as she wants to develop some of the younger players. If that comes to pass, look for freshman guard Danielle Williamsen to be a potential spark plug on offense. Williamsen played at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School where she averaged 20.4 points and 2.5 steals per game in her career. She also set a school record for career points, totaling 1,767. Williamsen can be a catalyst for an offense that needs to find ways to score.
Luke Sassa: Graduate forward Brooke Jarvis stands out as the most likely to make an immediate impact given her ample experience, past production and current holes on the roster. With Shazer leaving Marist, plenty of minutes have opened up at the forward position. Jarvis proved to be a robust scorer (16 PPG) and rebounder (7.8 RPG) during her time at Division III Hobart and William Smith Colleges, making her an intriguing candidate to offset some of Shazer’s lost production. The biggest challenge for Jarvis will be adjusting to the Division I style of play, which only adds to the intrigue surrounding her performance this season.
Aidan Lavin: Doughty had no problem playing underclassmen during her first season as head coach. Juniors Morgan Lee, Jackie Piddock and Ciara Croker as well as sophomore Julia Corsentino all logged at least 19 minutes per game last year. However, if last season is any indication of what is required to win, experience is needed to win games. Of the four newcomers, only one has substantial college basketball experience, making the obvious choice graduate student forward Brooke Jarvis. Coming in with three years of Division Three collegiate experience, Jarvis will play valuable minutes and take very little time to adjust to the Division One environment. The 5’11” forward was the focal point last season at William Smith College, leading her team in scoring (15.1), field goals made and attempted (133/364) and minutes (29.6).
Max Rosen: Chloe Escanillas. The freshman sharpshooter made 66 triples in her senior season at Rutgers Prep in New Jersey and saw steady improvement in her stats throughout her high school career. Marist does have two transfers with collegiate experience this season in Malea Egan and Brooke Jarvis, but Egan is coming off a season in which she did not see consistent minutes and Jarvis is coming from Division III Hobart and William Smith, so it is unclear what level of contribution either of them will have. It will be interesting to see how playing time shakes out and how many minutes Escanillas earns, but she certainly has the potential to impact the team, particularly offensively, as much as any player on the roster.
Jaylen Rizzo: Chloe Escanillas has the potential to be a big asset to the team this season. Her high school career was very successful, including having 122 career rebounds, something the Red Foxes struggled with in the past few seasons. Offense being her strong point, Escanillas can possibly help tie the team together moving forward.
What areas does Marist have to improve upon heading into this season?
Michael Burns: The Red Foxes have to be a more cohesive unit on offense. The team averaged 17.5 turnovers per game last season, with a season-high 34 turnovers in a 90-64 loss to Niagara. For a group that struggled to score last season, giving the ball away is going to be even more costly than it is for other teams. The high turnover rate can be pointed to last year’s team having to learn a new offensive system under Doughty. But with her now having a full season under her belt, the team has to get more comfortable and consistent to execute their scoring approach.
Luke Sassa: There are plenty of specific areas in which Marist must improve, including playmaking, scoring efficiency and pace, but perhaps the most pressing area for improvement is performance in the clutch. Marist had five games go to overtime last year and only won one of them; the Red Foxes had an additional six games during which they blew a second-half lead. Marist’s defense often kept them in games, but too many times the offensive attack stagnated without point guard Kiara Fisher regularly available to run the show. This allowed teams to pull away late in games when Marist’s starters began to fatigue. Marist needs to do a better job coming out of the halftime locker room with energy if they want to keep pace in the MAAC.
Aidan Lavin: Offensive efficiency. Marist only averaged 55.5 points per game, eighth in the conference, while shooting .353 percent from the field which was the second-worst. They also finished with the fourth most turnovers per game in the MAAC at 17.5 per game, resulting in a negative four turnover margin. Taking care of the basketball and taking and making more efficient shots will lead to more success. Expect three juniors, redshirt guard Lexie Tarul, guard Jackie Piddock and center Morgan Lee, to be the focal point of Doughty’s second-year offense. Former McDonald’s All-American nominee, freshman Danielle Williamsen can light up the scoreboard as well, setting her high school’s career points record, to help with Marist’s offensive woes.
Max Rosen: After a season as lowly as last year for the Red Foxes, there is room for improvement in just about every facet of the game. They did manage some respectable defensive numbers including a second place finish in opponent field goal percentage, so the offensive numbers stand out a bit more. They were eighth in the MAAC in scoring, 10th in team field goal percentage, ninth in three-point field goals made, and as mentioned earlier, had no player crack the top-35 in scoring aside from the now departed Shazer.
The Red Foxes will need to create a more efficient offense and likely will need a player or two to step up and fill Shazer’s shoes on the offensive end if they want to compete.
Jaylen Rizzo: Based on last season’s performance, the team needs to improve on their shooting consistency, rebounding and overall team chemistry. There were many games where they looked messy on the court, with passes intended for certain players not being completed and disorganized offensive plays. From what has been seen so far, the Red Foxes seem like they are playing better together and have refined their moves. If they can rebound the ball and make more accurate shots, the team has a chance to go further this season.
Which player do you think will have the biggest impact on the team this season?
Michael Burns: Morgan Lee. Toward the end of last season, we saw what Lee was capable of with two 20-point contests and eight total blocks in the final three games for the Red Foxes. The 6’5 center initially struggled to provide a rebound presence but was eventually able to put it together with a combined 35 boards over her last four games. Lee also offered the ability to hit shots from long range, shooting at a 34% clip from beyond the arc in 2023-24. There needs to be more consistency from Lee if the Red Foxes want to rely a bit more on her, but she is an absolute X-Factor if she can develop that continuity.
Luke Sassa: While Morgan Lee is likely to have the largest overall impact on the team, I believe there is no greater X-Factor to this team’s success than Julia Corsentino. After establishing herself as a playmaking deep threat in high school, Corsentino played a relatively modest bench role as a freshman, often serving as a secondary ball handler to Kiara Fisher or Jackie Piddock. Corsentino will look to take on more responsibility in running the offense and making more 3-pointers. She shot 29% from deep as a freshman and will need to be more efficient while shooting on a higher volume, which she proved in high school she is capable of. If Corsentino continues to adjust and can successfully step into a larger role, it will go a long way toward revamping Marist’s offense.
Aidan Lavin: Catie Cunningham. When the senior forward goes, the team goes. The Red Foxes finished with a negative eight-point differential last season. However, in the six games that Cunningham posted a double-double of points and rebounds, the point differential was plus three and resulted in two of the team’s six wins. Cunningham provides high intensity and physicality on the defensive end, often taking on the toughest matchup on defense while being able to create opportunities inside for herself on the offensive end, leading to free throws and layups. Cunningham was second on the team in rebounds, steals, free throws made all trailing Zaria Shazer. Now that Shazer is gone, Cunningham’s window for an even bigger impact is open.
Max Rosen: Catie Cunningham. Cunningham is one of the most impactful returners for the Red Foxes coming off a season in which she averaged six points and better than seven rebounds per game. After Shazer led the squad in each of those categories last season, Cunningham stands out as the most likely candidate to step up and replace at least some of Shazer’s production, particularly when it comes to rebounding. Cunningham was strong on the offensive boards, cleaning up 80 offensive rebounds throughout the season, by far the most on the team and 22 more than Shazer. If Cunningham can continue to be a force on the boards and find a little more consistency in the scoring department, she is sure to be vital to any success the Red Foxes have.
Jaylen Rizzo: Catie Cunningham will be the leader this team needs to come back from last season. Being one of the staple players during her career so far, the team follows her lead and helps her stay consistent in the offense. Cunningham has a high rebound rate, and with that being something the team lacks, she has the opportunity to turn the results around. Her positive attitude boosts the morale of those around her to help keep the energy high during the more difficult games. If Marist works together under her lead, they have the chance to improve their overall record.
Predict the team’s record and where they will finish in the MAAC.
Michael Burns: I see the Red Foxes finishing at 10-19 (7-13 MAAC). Marist is certainly going to be a gritty team, I just see it being difficult for them to find a groove initially. The team is going to have to learn how to play without Shazer and develop on-court chemistry as the season goes on. But if they can find a way to do that sooner rather than later, a few more wins could be added to the prediction above, as well as some more belief in the future of this team.
Luke Sassa: 9-20 (7-13 MAAC). Although Marist is losing their two most established players in Shazer and Fisher, some positive regression along with the continued maturation of young players should help Marist add a few wins to their ledger. Regardless, it’s clear that this is still a building season, and that the best days are likely still ahead for the program.
Aidan Lavin: 9-20 (6-14 MAAC) is probably a more optimistic answer than most in terms of how this team finishes. Finishing ninth in the conference with optimism for the future, the Red Foxes feature more depth and, likely, comfortability with play style and teammates. Last year, both Shazer and Fisher were expected to carry a heavy load. While ultra-talented, both of them had somewhat disappointing seasons, Fisher due to injury and Shazer due to lack of support. Eight of the 2023 underclassmen now enter 2024 with a season’s worth of experience, giving Marist’s coaching staff an array of playable options. If Marist goes away from trying to force-feed an individual and plays a more team-centric brand of basketball, it could be very beneficial.
Max Rosen: I predict the team finishes with a record 8-21 (6-14 MAAC) and finishes tenth in the MAAC. It will be hard for the team to struggle quite as much as they did during one of the worst seasons in program history, but there is also little reason to believe that they can pull off a complete 180 and compete in the MAAC just a year later. The Red Foxes hope that some of their younger talent will show signs of strength to allow them to build in the coming seasons.
Jaylen Rizzo: I think they will finish with a 11-18 record, (8-12 MAAC), finishing in eighth to make the MAAC Tournament. Because of the number of new players on the roster, it may be hard for them to get their footing at first, but with the right effort and motivation, I feel like they can improve their record from last season.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo; Photos from Marist Athletics
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