MAAC preseason award and all-conference picks

The likely choice for Preseason MAAC Player of the Year, A.J. English's candidacy is well deserved. (Photo courtesy of Big Apple Buckets)

With less than two hours before the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announces its preseason polls, awards, and all-conference honorees, we take the time remaining to give you our predictions for each category on both the men's and women's sides:

Men's Player of the Year: A.J. English, Iona (20.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.4 SPG in 2014-15) - Is there really any other choice after English announced he would return for his senior season? We'll sum up his credentials in a nutshell: The only other player in the nation to average at least 19 points, five rebounds and five assists per game last season? No. 2 overall NBA Draft pick D'Angelo Russell, now of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rest of All-MAAC first team:

Schadrac Casimir, Iona
Teddy Okereafor, Rider

Justin Robinson, Monmouth

Isaiah Williams, Iona

All-MAAC second team:

Marcus Gilbert, Fairfield

Khallid Hart, Marist

Deon Jones, Monmouth

Shane Richards, Manhattan

Marquis Wright, Siena

All-MAAC third team:

Kelvin Amayo, Iona

Brett Bisping, Siena

Emile Blackman, Niagara

Tyler Nelson, Fairfield

Phil Valenti, Canisius

Rookie of the Year: Micah Seaborn, Monmouth

Sixth Man of the Year: Ryan Oliver, Siena

Defensive Player of the Year: Isaiah Williams, Iona

Coach of the Year: Steve Masiello, Manhattan

Women's Player of the Year: Margot Hetzke, Siena (12.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG in 2014-15) - Last season's Rookie of the Year by a wide margin, Hetzke was the driving force behind a Saints squad ravaged by injuries, yet still led her team to the semifinals of the WBI. With more depth behind her, plus a supporting cast led by Kollyns Scarbrough and Meghan Donohue, Hetzke takes the next step in an already bright future.

Rest of All-MAAC first team:

Joy Adams, Iona

Sydney Coffey, Marist

Tori Jarosz, Marist

Casey Smith, Fairfield

All-MAAC second team:

Tiahana Mills, Canisius

Sarah Olson, Monmouth

Victoria Rampado, Niagara

Aaliyah Robinson, Iona

Kristin Schatzlein, Fairfield

All-MAAC third team:

Sajanna Bethea, Saint Peter's

Samantha Cooper, Fairfield

Marina Lizarazu, Iona

Maria Napolitano, Quinnipiac

Crystal Porter, Canisius

Rookie of the Year: Brittany Martin, Quinnipiac

Sixth Player of the Year: Kelsey Carey, Fairfield

Defensive Player of the Year: Joy Adams, Iona

Coach of the Year: Joe Frager, Fairfield