EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has announced the 2019 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-MAAC Selections. Iona is voted first in the Preseason Coaches' Poll and three student-athletes receive preseason distinction.
Seniors
E.J. Crawford and
Tajuan Agee are members of the Preseason All-MAAC First Team. Junior
Asante Gist has been voted a Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honoree. Crawford is the only unanimous selection to the All-MAAC First Team.
E.J. CRAWFORD
Crawford was a 2018-19 All-MAAC First Team and All-MET First Team honoree. He was also an NABC Division I District I Second Team and 2019 MAAC All-Championship Team performer.
Appearing in and starting in all 33 games, Crawford finished the campaign ranked second in the conference in scoring (17.7), and sixth in shooting (50.4%). Crawford also ranked top-15 in the league in free throw percentage (81.6%), three-point field goal percentage (37.9%) and minutes per game (35.6).
Crawford has improved his scoring, rebounding and shooting numbers in each of his last three seasons. The Hartford, CT native scored double-digit points in all but three games during the 2018-19 season. He played a full 40 minutes in four contests, including the MAAC Championship quarterfinals matchup against Saint Peter's where he lead the Maroon & Gold with 26 points.
TAJUAN AGEE
Agee was a 2018-19 All-MAAC Second Team and All-MET Third Team honoree. Additionally, he was a 2019 MAAC All-Championship honoree.
In his first season with the Maroon & Gold, Agee appeared in and started in all 33 games. He averaged 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.69 blocks per game.
Agee improved as the 2018-19 campaign went on, finishing with seven 20+ scoring games and 12 games with 10+ rebounds. He was instrumental with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting in the MAAC Championship quarterfinal game against Saint Peter's. Agee finished the season leading the MAAC with nine double-doubles.
ASANTE GIST
Gist appeared in all 33 games last season, making 21 starts. He started in the last 11 games of the season. Over the Maroon & Gold's four postseason games, Gist was an offensive juggernaut, averaging 15.8 points per game on 41.4% overall shooting and 42.3% three-point shooting. He had a season-best 22 points in the MAAC Championship semifinals and championship games against Siena and Monmouth. In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the North Carolina Tar Heels, Gist had 17 points and dished out five assists over the course of a full 40 minutes.
Overall, Gist finished the 2018-19 season averaging 12.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He shot 40.8% from the floor and 36.0% from beyond the arc. Gist had nine games with 20+ points during the season and 19 games with at-least two three-point baskets.
MAAC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
The Gaels were voted number one in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 119 votes. Iona received 10 of the 11 first place votes. The Maroon & Gold are two votes shy of a perfect 121 tally. It's the first time Iona has been voted as the preseason favorite since 2017.
Rider is second in the coaches' poll, receiving one first place vote and 109 votes total. Quinnipiac, Monmouth and Manhattan round out the top-five. Siena and MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Jalen Pickett are sixth in the preseason poll, following by Canisius and Marist. Saint Peter's, Niagara and Fairfield round out the bottom three of the poll.
| PLACE |
TEAM |
VOTES |
| 1. |
Iona |
119 (10) |
| 2. |
Rider |
109 (1) |
| 3. |
Quinnipiac |
86 |
| 4. |
Monmouth |
81 |
| 5. |
Manhattan |
79 |
| 6. |
Siena |
78 |
| 7. |
Canisius |
52 |
| 8. |
Marist |
44 |
| 9. |
Saint Peter's |
34 |
| 10. |
Niagara |
26 |
| 11. |
Fairfield |
18 |
The bullseye remains on the Maroon & Gold's back following a fourth straight championship and 12th title in program history. Iona returns its three preseason All-MAAC selections as well as veterans
Ben Perez,
Andrija Ristanovic and
Niksa Nikolic.
The Gaels welcome eight new first-year players to the 2019-20 roster;
Mo Thiam,
A.J. McNeil,
Parker Weiss,
Isaiah Washington,
Colton Cashaw,
Isaiah Ross,
Michael Ortale Jr. and
Dylan van Eyck.
PRESEASON ALL-MAAC SELECTIONS
FIRST TEAM
| PLAYER |
YEAR |
TEAM |
| Tajuan Agee |
Senior |
Iona |
| E.J. Crawford* |
Senior |
Iona |
| Jalen Pickett |
Sophomore |
Siena |
| Stevie Jordan |
Senior |
Rider |
| Rich Kelly |
Junior |
Quinnipiac |
SECOND TEAM
| PLAYER |
YEAR |
TEAM |
| Malik Johnson |
Senior |
Canisius |
| Asante Gist |
Junior |
Iona |
| Deion Hammond |
Junior |
Monmouth |
| Ray Salnave |
Junior |
Monmouth |
| Frederick Scott |
Junior |
Rider |
| Dimencio Vaughn |
Junior |
Rider |
THIRD TEAM
| PLAYER |
YEAR |
TEAM |
| Jesus Cruz |
Junior |
Fairfield |
| Landon Taliaferro |
Senior |
Fairfield |
| Pauly Paulicap |
Senior |
Manhattan |
| Warren Williams |
Sophomore |
Manhattan |
| Jacob Rigoni |
Junior |
Quinnipiac |
| Tyere Marshall |
Senior |
Rider |
*unanimous selection
UP NEXT
The Iona College men's basketball program plays its first game at the Hynes Athletics Center in an exhibition on Saturday, Nov. 2 against Mount Saint Vincent. The Maroon & Gold's official campaign starts on Saturday, Nov. 9 against La Salle. The Gaels home-opener is on Wednesday, Nov. 13 against Ohio.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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