2017-18 MAAC award predictions

An experienced veteran amid a conference-wide youth movement, Tyler Nelson should reprise his role among MAAC's leading scorers heading into his senior season at Fairfield. (Photo by Vincent Simone/NYC Buckets)

Last week, we opened the month of October with our Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preview, in which Iona was our pick to win the regular season, followed by Manhattan, Monmouth, and an up-and-coming Niagara team whose upside positions them as a strong contender heading into the Times Union Center next March. To supplement that, we offer predictions on who the conference's regular season awards and recognitions will be presented to on both the men's and women's sides as we close in on the opening tip of the 2017-18 campaign one month from Tuesday:

Player of the Year: Tyler Nelson, Fairfield (2016-17 stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG)
Nelson is this year what Billy Baron was for Canisius three years ago: A senior leader among a conference that has gotten younger as a whole. The Stags' leading scorer loses two of his running mates in Curtis Cobb and Jerry Johnson, Jr. this season, but still returns a supporting cast that should earn Fairfield a preseason ranking in the top half of a conference it could very easily win if all breaks well for head coach Sydney Johnson, not to mention a handful of highly touted newcomers to the program. If everyone is able to involve themselves in the Stags' uptempo offense, the Massachusetts native should be able to average 20 points per game without breaking a sweat.

Rookie of the Year: Prince Oduro, Siena

The 6-foot-8 Canadian forward led his country's national team to a gold medal this summer and has not missed a beat since arriving in Loudonville, drawing rave reviews from not only head coach Jimmy Patsos, but also national media as well. All indications are that Oduro, who drew interest from Mississippi State before ultimately signing with the Saints, will be the starting center on opening night against College of Charleston, giving him a major opportunity to step into the shoes of Brett Bisping early and often as Siena embarks upon the challenge of having to replace four 1,000-point scorers in their starting lineup.

Sixth Man of the Year: Calvin Crawford, Manhattan (2016-17 stats: 9.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG)

The emergence of junior college transfer Pauly Paulicap, coupled with Crawford's ability to provide an instant spark off the bench in the opening minutes, will give Steve Masiello a myriad of options in Riverdale this season as the Jaspers bring the most experience back to the MAAC in the hopes of erasing a two-year stretch of misery compounded by an injury-ravaged roster. Crawford can play any of the three frontcourt positions, something that bodes well for Manhattan and their immense depth as the year goes on.

Defensive Player of the Year: Dominic Robb, Niagara

Robb's teammate, Chris Barton, is arguably one of the MAAC's better on-ball defenders, but the junior forward from Pittsburgh has an impact in the interior that is unique to any player in the conference. The 6-foot-8 Robb led the MAAC with 74 blocked shots last season, and should see his numbers go up as the Purple Eagles take the next step into a force to be reckoned with.

Coach of the Year: Steve Masiello, Manhattan

Chris Casey will see a boost to his candidacy if Niagara is indeed able to finish among the top five in the MAAC, but Masiello has a legitimate opportunity to complete a last-to-first turnaround this year as long as the Jaspers can stay healthy and use their experience to their advantage. In his first campaign at the helm six years ago, Masiello guided Manhattan to a 15-win improvement from his predecessor, Barry Rohrssen, yet lost out to Jimmy Patsos; then of Loyola, for Coach of the Year honors in a season where both teams ultimately made postseason appearances. Should the 40-year-old manage to return his team to the status it enjoyed just three years ago when winning a second conference championship in as many seasons, it could merit a distinction at the end of the year as he and his program shoot for a third league title in five years.

All-MAAC First Team (in alphabetical order)

Rickey McGill, Iona

Tyler Nelson, Fairfield

Matt Scott, Niagara

Micah Seaborn, Monmouth

Rich Williams, Manhattan

All-MAAC Second Team (in alphabetical order)

Nico Clareth, Siena

Jermaine Crumpton, Canisius

Kahlil Dukes, Niagara

Deyshonee Much, Iona

Zavier Turner, Manhattan

All-MAAC Third Team (in alphabetical order)

Chaise Daniels, Quinnipiac

Devine Eke, Rider

Stevie Jordan, Rider

Isaiah Reese, Canisius

Zane Waterman, Manhattan

Women's Basketball Award Predictions

Preseason Player of the Year: Alexis Lewis, Iona

Sixth Player of the Year: Sarah Shewan, Quinnipiac

Defensive Player of the Year: Aryn McClure, Quinnipiac

Coach of the Year: Brian Giorgis, Marist

All-MAAC First Team (in alphabetical order)

Samantha Cooper, Fairfield

Rebekah Hand, Marist

Alexis Lewis, Iona

Aryn McClure, Quinnipiac

Victoria Rampado, Niagara

All-MAAC Second Team (in alphabetical order)

Jen Fay, Quinnipiac
Maura Fitzpatrick, Marist

Alana Gilmer, Marist

Kamila Hoskova, Rider

Kollyns Scarbrough, Siena

All-MAAC Third Team (in alphabetical order)

Kayla Grimme, Manhattan

Sara Hinriksdottir, Canisius

Stella Johnson, Rider

Paula Strautmane, Quinnipiac

Kaylee Stroemple, Niagara