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Broncs expect to be factor in MAAC race

No matter where you look for information on the 2011-12 season for the MAAC the theme remains the same: regular season champion Fairfield and MAAC Tournament finalist Iona will stage a two-team race for the title. But while the Stags and Gaels are most certainly contenders for the league's automatic bid don't forget about Tommy Dempsey's Rider Broncs.

In the most recent installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Loyola (MD) great Andy O'Donnell. A guard who helped lead the Greyhounds to three NAIA Tournament appearances, O'Donnell remains just one of two Loyola (MD) alums to have played in the NBA. Mike Morrison (1990) was the other Greyhound to have reached the NBA.

Jon Teitel: Why did you decide to go to Loyola?

First place is on the line in the Colonial Athletic Association on Thursday night as Hofstra (14-6, 8-1) heads south to take on VCU (16-5, 8-1) in a matchup that features two of the best guards at the mid-major level. Charles Jenkins (23.7 ppg, 5.0 apg) is practically a household name at this point in his career and with a pro body combined with an excellent skill set the senior from Queens is a solid bet to end up on an NBA roster next season.

Expected to be the best game on Wednesday's schedule the in-state battle between Utah State and BYU did not disappoint. BYU held the visiting Aggies to no field goals in the last 4:22, outscoring Utah State 10-3 down the stretch in a 78-72 win. Jimmer Fredette led all scorers with 26 points (to go along with five assists) and three other starters scored in double figures while Tai Wesley led Utah State with 19 points before fouling out late in the second half.

In his latest coaches interview, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with former Rider head coach Kevin Bannon, who led the Broncs to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1993 and 1994. From Lawrenceville Coach Bannon went on to Rutgers, where he coached four season before being fired in 2001. Now working in broadcasting as well as two different Mercer County (NJ) commissions (Park and Sports & Entertainment), Coach Bannon has even won an Emmy Award for his broadcasting work. 

Weekly Honors

America East: Stony Brook F/G Tommy Brenton was named to the conference's Honor Roll due to his averages of 10.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game last week. The Seawolves are 3-0 for the first time since 1994. 

Atlantic 10: Fordham F Chris Gaston was named to the Honor Roll due to his averages of fifteen points and ten rebounds per game in three games. The freshman has a pair of double-doubles to his credit thus far.

The MAAC race should be quite exciting with Niagara, Rider, and Siena all legitimately pushing for the conference title. Expect all three to consistently appear in mid-major rankings.

Fairfield

Niagara

Rider

Siena

Other (Iona, Manhattan, SPC, etc)

Overall Rank: #84

Conference Rank: #3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Association