Travis Tellitocci brings a unique skill set with him to the MAAC, as the 40-year-old joins the conference officially on May 15 as its fourth commissioner after spending the past six-and-a-half years as assistant commissioner in the Ohio Valley Conference, where he currently oversees football, basketball and baseball among his many responsibilities. Prior to arriving at the OVC, a position that Ensor recommended him for upon its vacancy in 2016, he spent a decade within the MAAC at Marist, rising through the ranks in Poughkeepsie before ultimately being promoted to deputy athletic director under Tim Murray before taking his current position.
Tellitocci hit all the right notes in his introductory press conference, and from past experiences observing his work at Marist, his attention to detail and fearless vision to think outside the box and not fearing to dream big is the forward thinking and shot in the arm that the MAAC will need in an ever-changing college basketball landscape that places mid-major leagues in an uncertain position with regard to name, image and likeness opportunities that are still being presented to schools at the MAAC level, as well as the transfer portal changing the way programs are built and teams are constructed.
“We will not be afraid to take chances in the MAAC,” he declared. “That’s been something throughout my career that’s been a hallmark. We’ll be strategic, calculated and steadfast in our approach to those chances, but we definitely want to be bold, innovative and have vision. I’m a true believer that if you do the little things right, it’ll lead to bigger things. I’m a detail guy, I’m not really good with the status quo. I come in every day and I try to make things a little better.”
“Ultimately, we want to strengthen the strategic direction of the conference, we want to raise its visibility. How do we stand apart from the other 31 conferences in the NCAA? How do we increase our attractiveness within the MAAC, and really looking at external opportunities? The conference job is a lot different than campus. You’re really playing air traffic controller, so I think there’s a lot more of trying to get everybody on the same page, rowing in the right direction. That’s how you really move things forward. If you have two or three schools that aren’t really in the same lane, I think it’s a little harder to get things done, so the biggest takeaway that I have from my conference experience is you’re going to have difficult decisions, you’re going to have tough moments. You can’t hide from problems, I think you have to be aggressive and face things head-on.”
Naturally, expansion and conference realignment will continue to be a central issue within the MAAC, which joined the carousel again last offseason with the addition of Mount St. Mary’s as the replacement for Monmouth, who departed for the Colonial Athletic Association. The future of the MAAC tournament, which is currently uncertain after the expiration of the current contract with Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City at the conclusion of this season, is also a hot-button topic that the new commissioner is eager to tackle and be an integral voice in whatever negotiations and conversations may occur.
“I think as you look at potentially adding teams, one of the things that we talked about in the OVC is the school has to be the right fit,” Tellitocci said with regard to his views on how to attack realignment. “I think your shared common values and goals has to big part of that. Location is obviously a big part of that in terms of wanting to look at new markets potentially and increase exposure for the league. I don’t think there’s a perfect number that I’d put on it at this time. I know the presidents and Rich have explored this quite a bit already, so I’m anxious to join the discussions and really try to understand the schools that they’re currently looking at, and putting a plan forward. The one thing I do know is I think it’s important to be aggressive. I don’t think you want to be playing from behind, it’s important to get out in front of it and really formulate a plan and move forward.”
“Having been in the league and seeing the tournament in Trenton as a student, in Bridgeport, in Springfield, in Albany, I know that there is definitely an opportunity for the MAAC to have a great setup. The one thing I’ll tell you is what Rich has done, and what the presidents and athletic directors have done with the conference tournament in the MAAC, is pretty special. There aren’t a lot of conferences at this level that benefit from the revenue distribution that’s been negotiated through the MAAC. I’ve been used to moving our conference tournament in our league as well, so I’m really just excited to get in with the presidents and athletic directors to be a part of those discussions, roll up my sleeves and see how we can make that event even better.”
The debate of keeping the tournament at a neutral site versus playing it on home campus sites similar to the format in the America East and Northeast Conferences, as well as the Patriot League, has raged on recently as there is a belief that despite Albany being the most financially lucrative and successful venue, the specter of Siena having a homecourt advantage despite having not won the tournament since 2010 still looms large. Tellitocci did not pick a side in the matter one way or the other, but did say he would evaluate all possible ideas once he settles into his new role.
“We have the same discussions in the OVC about neutral courts, about playing the tournament on campus,” he shared. “I think there’s pros and cons to both. I know the neutral court is important for a lot of the coaches and administrators as well, and fan support is also important. The one thing, as I look at the conference tournament and just bring my past experience to it, is it’s really hard to get fans to travel to the conference tournament, so my focus would be, how do we continue to build fan bases on campus? Sometimes the tough part is to get the conference to get fans to the event, but I think that really has to start on campus and building connections with the student-athletes. I look at my time at Marist and the following that they had with women’s basketball. A lot of that had to do with not only success, which was important, but there was a personal connection there. The fans really wanted to follow those student-athletes wherever that might have been, whether that was Albany or Springfield.”
“I think the other important part for me is the TV window. I know with the tournament being pushed back a little bit, I always loved the Monday ESPN window, I felt like it was a premier slot. There’s a number of things that have to be looked at, but that’s not my decision to make right now. I know the presidents and Rich and the athletic directors have done a lot of work on that, and I know they’re going to make a good decision based on where the tournament should be.”
Tellitocci made it a point to get to know the administrators in the MAAC in his first several months on the job, reinforcing that he is willing to learn the lay of his new land from them and also apply some of his past experiences at Marist to his first foray as a conference commissioner.
“The first thing that I want to do is really listen and visit campuses, work with the MAAC staffs first and foremost,” he reiterated. “As I look for goals in the MAAC, it’s really strengthening what Rich has built and the strategic direction of the conference. How do we raise the visibility of the MAAC? How do we bring the brand more broadly? Obviously, Saint Peter’s run in the NCAA Tournament last year lifted the visibility of the league, and how do we take advantage of those opportunities for the league? I’m really excited to take some of the things we’ve done in the OVC in strengthening the visibility of basketball and bringing those to the MAAC, and looking at different opportunities in scheduling, taking advantage of the Friday night ESPNU games and doing some creative things to highlight some of our games and make them standalone opportunities. I think that’s probably the biggest thing, to create those new opportunities, to look at things with a fresh lens and really try to achieve differentiation from some of what the other conferences are doing.”
“You hear a lot about the first 100 days and what you do in that time. I’ve got a good sense, with the history of the league and being in it for 10 years, but I’m really trying to strengthen the relationship between the conference office and our member institutions. I think that’s really important. I want to make sure that we are in lockstep as we go through some of these unique challenges that have been mentioned. What can be done a little better, and how can we build off those opportunities?”
Quick Hits Around the MAAC
“Kyle (Cardaci) was tremendous tonight. He’d been in the doghouse a while. As of late, he’s really elevated our practices by playing hard. We had a new coaching staff and a lot of new players who had to get comfortable in their roles. It’s just something that takes time, but is now coming together.”
— Bashir Mason after Saint Peter’s win over Marist Friday
“I thought we found a way to win. Obviously Mount St. Mary’s is a good team, especially at home, and our bench did a great job coming in and really kind of changing the momentum of the game, and then I thought we did a good job executing late.”
— Carmen Maciariello on Siena's win at Mount St. Mary’s Friday
“I was on tonight. I definitely wanted the ball in that moment and I made the shot. My teammates have confidence in me, you see the reaction they had. That goes to show how much of a team we are and how we all care about each other and come together.”
— Allen Powell after his game-winning 3-pointer over Fairfield on Friday for Rider's eighth straight win
“It wasn’t even any of that, it was more of just taking the shots that I got, just staying aggressive, just being ready. I was just in my confidence, just staying ready. Everybody’s just lifting everybody’s spirits, that’s what we’re all about.”
— TJ Gadsden after scoring 31 points as Canisius defeated Quinnipiac Sunday
“TJ’s day was obvious, but Jordan (Henderson) bounced back from Friday night. Jacco Fritz almost had a very quiet triple-double…that was a pretty phenomenal effort, 12 points, eight rebounds, eight assists. We’re just trying to get across the point that we’ve got to stack these days on top of each other and that this is the direction we’re going in. We’re still on a journey, but this is who we could become.”
— Reggie Witherspoon on Canisius’ performance Sunday against Quinnipiac being a morale booster
“(Friday) Walter Clayton put on a shooting exhibition like I haven’t seen, and I said before the game, ‘God, I hope he continues today.’ (Niagara) was playing the type of pick-and-roll that gives us that shot, and he exploited it. Walter Clayton was outstanding.”
— Rick Pitino on Walter Clayton, Jr.’s offense during Iona’s Western New York trip
“Don’t take this comparison and run with it, but he’s very similar to James Harden. He’s got that speed dribble, speed dribble, speed dribble, he’s going better right, he finishes well on a pull-up if you try to take away his left hand, so he’s a tremendous player. He’s got a lot of James Harden in him, and that’s a great compliment.”
— Pitino on Niagara’s Noah Thomasson
“This conference is just bizarre. We got blown out by Quinnipiac and Siena. Canisius looked like they were having big difficulty (Friday), and (Sunday), they won by 20 against Quinnipiac. It’s a crazy league this year, nobody knows who’s gonna win it. Atlantic City should be a lot of fun. Who wouldn’t think they’d have a shot with this league?”
— Pitino on life in the MAAC this season
Scoring Leaders
T-1) Patrick Gardner, Marist (18.9 PPG)
T-1) Noah Thomasson, Niagara (18.9 PPG)
3) Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona (16.3)
4) Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider (16.1)
5) Javian McCollum, Siena (15.7)
6) Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (15.4)
7) Daniss Jenkins, Iona (15.2)
8) Anthony Nelson, Manhattan (15.1)
9) Jalen Benjamin, Mount St. Mary’s (14.9)
10) Isiah Dasher, Saint Peter’s (14.0)
Rebounding Leaders
1) Josh Roberts, Manhattan (9.5 RPG)
2) Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (9.4)
3) Supreme Cook, Fairfield (8.4)
4) Paul Otieno, Quinnipiac (7.3)
5) Mervin James, Rider (7.1)
6) Jared Billups, Siena (6.8)
7) Patrick Gardner, Marist (6.5)
8) Michael Baer, Siena (6.4)
9) Ike Nweke, Quinnipiac (6.2)
10) Xzavier Long, Canisius (6.2)
Assist Leaders
1) Daniss Jenkins, Iona (4.8 APG)
2) Anthony Nelson, Manhattan (4.6)
3) Luis Kortright, Quinnipiac (3.9)
4) Jalen Benjamin, Mount St. Mary’s (3.8)
5) Javian McCollum, Siena (3.8)
6) Latrell Reid, Saint Peter’s (3.8)
7) Dezi Jones, Quinnipiac (3.7)
8) Noah Thomasson, Niagara (3.6)
9) Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider (3.2)
10) Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona (2.8)
Field Goal Percentage Leaders
1) Josh Roberts, Manhattan (.702)
2) Paul Otieno, Quinnipiac (.587)
3) Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (.550)
4) Supreme Cook, Fairfield (.543)
5) Jackson Stormo, Siena (.525)
6) Allan Jeanne-Rose, Fairfield (.521)
7) Berrick JeanLouis, Iona (.510)
8) Patrick Gardner, Marist (.499)
9) Ike Nweke, Quinnipiac (.489)
10) Mervin James, Rider (.482)
Free Throw Percentage Leaders
1) Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona (.953)
2) Javian McCollum, Siena (.878)
3) Mervin James, Rider (.867)
4) Jaylen Murray, Saint Peter’s (.865)
5) Dezi Jones, Quinnipiac (.841)
6) Jalen Benjamin, Mount St. Mary’s (.798)
7) Caleb Fields, Fairfield (.797)
8) Jackson Stormo, Siena (.793)
9) Isiah Dasher, Saint Peter’s (.789)
10) Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider (.774)
3-Point Field Goal Percentage Leaders
1) Andrew Platek, Siena (.469)
2) Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona (.422)
3) Nick Brennen, Manhattan (.407)
4) Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider (.394)
5) Dezi Jones, Quinnipiac (.391)
6) Jalen Benjamin, Mount St. Mary’s (.390)
7) Jamir Moultrie, Canisius (.383)
8) Noah Thomasson, Niagara (.381)
9) Dakota Leffew, Mount St. Mary’s (.381)
10) Javon Cooley, Marist (.360)
Steal Leaders
1) Anthony Nelson, Manhattan (1.9 SPG)
2) Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona (1.6)
3) Caleb Fields, Fairfield (1.5)
4) Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider (1.4)
5) Luis Kortright, Quinnipiac (1.4)
Blocked Shot Leaders
1) Josh Roberts, Manhattan (1.9 BPG)
2) Osborn Shema, Iona (1.5)
3) Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (1.4)
4) Jackson Stormo, Siena (1.3)
5) Berrick JeanLouis, Iona (1.3)
Power Rankings
1) Rider (14-9, 11-3 MAAC)
Last Week: 1
Last Game: Friday 2/10 vs. Fairfield (W 58-57)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 vs. Canisius, 7 p.m.
2) Iona (18-7, 11-3 MAAC)
Last Week: 2
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 at Niagara (W 72-55)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 vs. Manhattan, 7 p.m.
3) Siena (17-9, 11-4 MAAC)
Last Week: 3
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 vs. Marist (W 73-65)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 vs. Quinnipiac, 9 p.m.
4) Niagara (14-10, 9-6 MAAC)
Last Week: 4
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 vs. Iona (L 72-55)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 at Mount St. Mary’s, 7 p.m.
5) Manhattan (9-14, 7-7 MAAC)
Last Week: 6
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 vs. Saint Peter’s (W 68-52)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 at Iona, 7 p.m.
6) Quinnipiac (17-9, 8-7 MAAC)
Last Week: 5
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 at Canisius (L 85-65)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 at Siena, 9 p.m.
7) Fairfield (11-14, 7-8 MAAC)
Last Week: 7
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 vs. Mount St. Mary’s (W 76-72)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 at Marist, 7 p.m.
8) Saint Peter’s (10-14, 5-10 MAAC)
Last Week: 9
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 at Manhattan (L 68-52)
Next Game: Sunday 2/19 vs. Iona, 2 p.m.
9) Marist (8-16, 4-11 MAAC)
Last Week: 8
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 at Siena (L 73-65)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 vs. Fairfield, 7 p.m.
10) Canisius (6-18, 4-11 MAAC)
Last Week: 11
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 vs. Quinnipiac (W 85-65)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 at Rider, 7 p.m.
11) Mount St. Mary’s (8-18, 4-11 MAAC)
Last Week: 10
Last Game: Sunday 2/12 at Fairfield (L 76-72)
Next Game: Friday 2/17 vs. Niagara, 7 p.m.
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