Before Rider squares off with Rutgers tonight, it’s time for our weekly review of the games, MAAC story lines and what’s to come… All stats are calculated rankings prior to Monday’s games.

Iona Makes a Statement in Providence

The Iona Gaels, with a few near misses in Orlando, came out with a statement win at Providence on Saturday night. Now the Gaels have another tough test in UConn on the 27th. Redshirt Freshman and Rookie of the Week Kyle Smyth put up a career high 21 points as the Gaels never surrendered the lead and broke it open to a double digit lead with just over three minutes to go in the game. The Gaels held the Providence Friars to 30.8% Field Goal percentage and they shot 5 of 31 from three point land at home. Iona shot 48% for the game. Iona will be a tough team in conference play and will rebound despite opening 0-2 in conference.

Here Comes Fairfield?

Sunday will tell us a lot about Fairfield as they travel to Rhode Island for one of their toughest non-conference games. Fairfield has impressed so far, going 5-0 at home thus far and losing two tough games at Maryland and was overpowered by Charles Jenkins’ 38 points for Hofstra in a 4 point loss.
True freshman Derek Needham has impressed for the Stags, scoring double digits in every game but one this season. Fairfield is 2nd in the MAAC (95th nationally) in 2 point Field Goal percentage with 50.3%, the leader? Siena at 52.5% (48th nationally). The Fairfield-Siena game in Bridgeport on January 16th should be a really good game.

Niagara: Looking Good

Niagara gave Illinois State of the Missouri Valley conference their first loss of the season led by Tyrone Lewis’ 26 points. Meanwhile this was Niagara’s 4th road/neutral win of the season. Niagara is 4-3 in road/neutral games this year. However, Niagara lost a home game this past week in a 6 point loss to Buffalo where they went 10 for 31 from three point land. Niagara struggled inside the two point arc as well, going 16 for 38 (42.1%). Niagara has had a problem with defensive rebounding this season. The Buffalo game was a simple example of that, the Purple Eagles were out rebounded 45 to 29 and let Titus Robinson grab 7 offensive rebounds.
Niagara moves into a soft spot on the schedule with 3 of their next 5 games at home. Niagara travels to El Paso to play in a tournament against Air Force and follows that up with UTEP or Norfolk State. Niagara will play Iona on January 2nd in a semi-home game at the HSBC Arena, their only scheduled game at the HSBC Arena this year.