MAAC

Although the conference table was mostly set back in January when we last updated the Consensus Conference Ranking, there have been some changes since. As you'll see below, the Mountain West dropped from 4th to 6th since January 3rd, while the Colonial and Ivy have jumped 2 spots.

Wednesday night's game between New Mexico and San Diego State was a big one for the visitors, as Steve Alford's team didn't own a single win over a Top 25 team. But also on the line was sole possession of first place in the Mountain West after UNLV fell at TCU on Tuesday night.

With the final month of the regular season on our door step, this is a good time to put together some all-conference teams. Enter CHN writer Jon Teitel, who not only picked his all-conference teams for each league but also provided a conference Player of the Year as well. Without further ado here are the all-conference teams, with the league POY in italics. 

America East
G Gerardo Suero (Albany)
G Darryl Partin (Boston University)
G Gerald McLemore (Maine)
F Chase Plummer (UMBC)
F Alasdair Fraser (Maine)

In the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Iona great Jeff Ruland, who remains to this day one of the school's greatest players. Ruland still ranks in the Top 5 all-time in points, rebounds and field goal percentage, and he's now the head coach at the University of the District of Columbia. 

Jon Teitel: You were nicknamed "McNasty". Who gave you the nickname, and how did you like it?

Light schedule tonight with Ivy League Fridays not really getting going on a consistent basis until next weekend, but there are some entertaining matchups to keep fans occupied. Both MAAC matchups consist of top-half (of the standings) teams taking on squads hoping to avoid "First Round Friday" in March's conference tournament. One such game is Iona hosting Rider on ESPNU, and while Tommy Dempsey's Broncs have been a major disappointment this year they have the firepower necessary to keep up with the Gaels.

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Pat Kennedy, who spent more than thirty years as a Division I head coach. During his time at Iona, Kennedy led the Gaels to three MAAC titles and two NCAA appearance, taking over for the late Jim Valvano after he moved on to NC State. After his time in New Rochelle, Kennedy went on to coach at Florida State, DePaul and Towson.

Jon Teitel: After three years as an assistant at Iona you replaced your mentor Jim Valvano as head coach at age 28.