MAAC Player of the Year: Alex Franklin, Siena

Senior Alex Franklin was honored with MAAC Player of the Year Thursday. Franklin ranks in the top six in MAAC individual categories with 15.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game and a 56.6% field goal percentage. This counts as a culmination of hard work for Franklin. Franklin made his first All-MAAC First Team this year and has built on a career that shined early with 27 points, as a Freshman, in Siena’s loss to Niagara in the 2007 MAAC Championship.

MAAC Rookie of the Year: Derek Needham, Fairfield

Derek Needham dominated as a Freshman and shattered offensive records at Fairfield this year. He set records in points, 460, and assists, 156, at Fairfield this year for a freshman. Needham ties the most weekly MAAC Rookie of the Week awards won this year with 10. Needham led the Stags and all MAAC freshmen in scoring with 15.9 points per game and 5.4 assists per game. He ranks as the seventh best freshman scorer in the nation.

MAAC Coach of the Year:  Kevin Willard, Iona

Willard led the Gaels to a 21-9 record and their first 20+ win season since reaching the NCAA tournament in 2006. They have done it with defense as they rank second in the MAAC in defensive efficiency and second in scoring defense (61.8 ppg). Willard’s Gaels challenged Florida State and Baylor in both of their games in the MAAC-hosted Old Spice Classic and then finished the event with a victory over Creighton. The Gaels also went on an eight game win streak besting the 2005-06 champion Gaels streak of seven.

MAAC Defensive Player of the Year:  Anthony Johnson, Fairfield

Senior Athony Johnson led the Stags with 2.3 blocks per game and averages 9.9 rebounds per game. Johnson’s presence helped the Stags finish first in blocked shots in the MAAC. Johnson has improved on the glass every year, blocking more shots and grabbing more rebounds per game in every season as a Stag.

MAAC 6th Man of the Year: Mike Evanovich, Fairfield

Senior Mike Evanovich has been a presence off the bench, shooting 46% from three point range to win MAAC 6th Man of the Year. Evanovich’s 46% is also best in the MAAC entering this weekend’s tournament and helped the Stags rank fourth in three point field goal percentage at 34.4%.

Very much thanks to our twitter followers who received the news first, hat tip to friend of the site @geoffbrault for help as well on the awards!

Men’s All-MAAC First Team
Anthony Johnson Fairfield
Ryan Thompson Rider
Alex Franklin Siena
Ronald Moore Siena
Ryan Rossiter Siena

Men’s All-MAAC Second Team
Derek Needham Fairfield
Scott Machado Iona
Bilal Benn Niagara
Tyrone Lewis Niagara
Edwin Ubiles Siena

Men’s All-MAAC Third Team
Frank Turner Canisius
Rico Pickett Manhattan
Wesley Jenkins St. Peter’s
Nick Leon St. Peter’s
Clarence Jackson Siena

Men’s All-MAAC Rookie Team (candidates for Rookie of the Year)
Derek Needham Fairfield
Kyle Smyth Iona
Robert Olson Loyola
Candon Rusin Marist
Darius Conley St. Peter’s