Scott Spreitzer
CBB Conf Tourney Blowout of the Year! *37-18, 67% March Run!
My MAAC Game of the Year is a play on Niagara. These two teams split their season series with Marist taking the most recent meeting, 84-65. That loss served as a wake-up call for the Purple Eagles. Since then, Niagara has gone 8-3 SU and no one has been able to slow them down on the offensive end. The Eagles have averaged 79 PPG during the run. Marist, meanwhile, has gone the other direction. They limp into the tourney on a 3-6 SU slide, with two of those wins coming against a 12-19 Iona squad and lowly St. Peter's. They do have Syracuse-transfer Louis McCroskey back from injury, but they won't be able to hang with Niagara's offensive firepower. As mentioned above, the Red Foxes won the most recent meeting with the Eagles, a game played on their home court. But while Marist is 10-2 at home, they're just 1-4 in neutral site games. And, Niagara can't wait for a shot to atone for their embarrassing loss at Marist. Niagara guard Charron Fisher is the nation's leading scorer at 27.8 PPG. The 6'4, 230-lb., senior, had his worst shooting night of the season, making just 4-of-21 shots. In fact, it was one of just two games this season that Fisher didn't score at least 20 points. As a team, Niagara was ice cold, making just 27% of their shots, including 3-for-27 from area code three. At the same time, Marist couldn't miss. The Foxes his 28-of-56 from the field and 21-of-30 from the charity stripe. It was the Eagles fourth game in 10 days and coach Joe Mihalich said his team was gassed before they even took the court. The red-hot Eagles have had six days to rest for this one and are looking for their second straight trip to the Big Dance. Niagara is an absolute handful to defend when they're on their game like they are right now. Fisher, Tyrone Lewis, and Stanley Hodge combine for 14.7 three-point attempts per game, drawing defenders outside. They can then hammer opponents inside with 6'10 center Benson Egemonye. The Eagles are also tough on the glass with no less than five players averaging between 4.1 and 9.2 boards per game. This is an incredibly tough draw for the sixth-seeded Foxes, even if you take away Niagara's desire to atone for their ugly loss mentioned above. The Eagles began the season thinking MAAC Championship. That goal will remain alive after tonight's tilt. I'm laying the short number with Niagara, my MAAC Tourney GOY.