Conference play has started, so now it is time to look at the key storylines and see who has impressed and who has not this season. We’ll know more about where teams fit in the MAAC after today’s games.

Marist Keeps Struggling & Ticket-Gate?

Marist had more turnovers (9) than field goals (7) in the first half in a loss at Holy Cross Monday. Marist had a lead at Fairfield Thursday night but the Stags went on a 13-1 run to take the lead with under 4 minutes to go. Head Coach Chuck Martin has said he sees some progress, Marist has shot better in each of its last 3 games after being blown out by Hartford by 37.

Siena fans have been complaining that Marist is intentionally not selling tickets online to hold off Siena fans from coming to Poughkeepsie for their game later this year. We are currently investigating this story but so far have no heard any incidents that may have caused this stonewalling of online ticket sales.

Marist and Siena fans will both suffer for the inability to secure tickets to a game that is very popular, especially those who planned to come from out of town to go see this game in late January. I would say this decision would be more infuriating to out-of-town alumni who like to go see rivalry games, not just Siena fans.

Meanwhile, Marist is still seeking their first win despite not having played a home game yet this season.

Niagara, Rider & Fairfield: Looking Like Contenders

Niagara blew out Manhattan by 24 but the Purple Eagles have had trouble managing expectations this year. Losing Tyrone Lewis in the opening game of the year for a few games did not help either. Niagara lost a winnable game at Auburn, lost by 2 to Austin Peay on a neutral floor and last week could not stop Akron in a 12 point road loss.

Rider has returned to form, picking up an impressive 8 point non-conference win over St. Joseph’s. Preseason Conference Player of the Year Ryan Thompson has not truly gotten going yet. So far he has scored more points from the free throw line (77.8% FT shooter) than from behind the three point line (39.3% 3pt shooter). Thompson has also turned the ball over more this year than in years past.

Other than a Maryland loss and a Charles Jenkins’ led 38 points at Hofstra, Fairfield has done very well in the non-conference slate this year while battling injuries. Fairfield managed a 9 point win over Marist to open the 2009-10 MAAC regular season schedule.

Iona & St. Peter’s: Who will rise to contend?

Iona won one game in Orlando and gets a tough test in Siena at home on Monday night. They were unable to hold off St. Peter’s in a 56-54 loss at home to open their conference slate. Jonathan Huffman led the way for Iona with 14 points. Iona put up a fight in Orlando in two tough losses to Baylor and Florida State and has another tough test at Providence later this month.

While for St. Peter’s Wesley Jenkins has been a force. Jenkins took the team on his back on this week in two close wins. On Monday, Jenkins sank two free throws, for his team-high 16 points, with 2.2 seconds left then stole the inbounds pass to ensure the Peacocks a 58-56 win over Lafayette. On Friday night Jenkins, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the second half, gave the Peacocks their first conference win.

Jenkins made a season-high 4 three pointers and has scored double digit points in every game this season. Darius Conley delivered a career high 11 points in their win over Iona.