The 2021–22 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball season began with practices in October 2021, followed by the start of the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 9. Conference play started in December and concluded in March 2022. This was the 41st season of MAAC basketball.
The 2022 MAAC tournament was held from March 8 through March 13 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the third year in a row. Saint Peter's defeated Monmouth in the championship to win the conference's automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011. Saint Peter's received a No. 15 seed in the NCAA tournament East Region, and faced No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round. They became the tenth No. 15 seed on record to upset a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament with a shocking 85–79 victory in overtime. Advancing to the second round, they took on No. 7 seed Murray State, winning that game 70–60, and became the third No. 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16. At the same time, they became the first MAAC men's basketball program to ever advance to the Sweet 16 as well. In the Sweet Sixteen, Saint Peter's would become the first ever No. 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight after beating No. 3 seed Purdue 67–64. Their magical season would come to an end in the Elite Eight, with a loss to No. 8 seed North Carolina 49–69.
This was the final MAAC season for Monmouth, which joins the Colonial Athletic Association on July 1, 2022. On May 2, 2022, it was announced that Mount St. Mary's will leave the Northeast Conference and join the MAAC, replacing Monmouth on the same date.
Head coaches
Coaching changes
No coaching changes occurred in the offseason.
Coaches Team Head coach Previous job Years at school Overallrecord MAACrecord MAAC titles MAAC Tourneytitles NCAATournamentsCanisius Reggie Witherspoon Chattanooga(asst.) 6 1 0 0Fairfield Jay Young Rutgers(asst.) 3 0 0 0Iona Rick Pitino Louisville 2 0 1 1Manhattan Steve Masiello Louisville(asst.) 11 0 2 2Marist John Dunne Saint Peter's 4 0 0 0Monmouth King Rice Vanderbilt(asst.) 11 3 0 0Niagara Greg Paulus George Washington(asst.) 3 0 0 0Quinnipiac Baker Dunleavy Villanova(asst.) 5 0 0 0Rider Kevin Baggett Rider(assoc. HC) 10 1 0 0Saint Peter's Shaheen Holloway Seton Hall(asst.) 4 0 0 0Siena Carmen Maciariello Siena(asst.) 3 2 0 0 Notes: All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only. Year at school includes 2021–22 season. Overall and MAAC/NCAA records are from time at current school and are before the beginning of the 2021–22 season. Previous jobs are head coaching jobs unless otherwise noted.
Preseason
Preseason Coaches Poll
RankTeam 1. Iona (11) 2. Saint Peter's 3. Marist 4. Monmouth 5. Rider 6. Fairfield 7. Manhattan 8. Siena 9. Quinnipiac 10. Niagara 11. Canisius
( ) first place votes
Preseason All-MAAC teams
2021–22 MAAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAAC Teams First Team Second Team Third Team F– Nelly Junior Joseph – Iona G– George Papas – Monmouth G– Marcus Hammond – Niagara G– Dwight Murray, Jr. – Rider F– KC Ndefo – Saint Peter's F– Warren Williams – Manhattan F– Jacob Rigoni – Quinnipiac F– Kevin Marfo – Quinnipiac F– Dimencio Vaughn – Rider G– Daryl Banks III – Saint Peter's F– Malek Green – Canisius G– Jake Wojcik – Fairfield G– Ant Nelson – Manhattan G– Ricardo Wright – Marist G– Shavar Reynolds Jr. – Monmouth
† denotes unanimous selection
Preseason Player of the Year Recipient SchoolKC NdefoSaint Peter's
MAAC regular season
Conference matrix This table summarizes the final head-to-head results between teams in conference play. *Completed for 2021–2022 season* CanisiusFairfieldIonaManhattanMaristMonmouthNiagaraQuinnipiacRiderSaint Peter'sSienavs. Canisius 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1vs. Fairfield 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0vs. Iona 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1vs. Manhattan 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2vs. Marist 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1vs. Monmouth 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1vs. Niagara 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1vs. Quinnipiac 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0vs. Rider 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1vs. Saint Peter's 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0vs. Siena 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 Total7–138–1217–38–129–1111–98–127–138–1214–612–8
Player of the week Throughout the regular season, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference offices named player(s) of the week and rookie(s) of the week. Week Player of the week Rookie of the weekNovember 15, 2021Marcus Hammond, NiagaraTJ Long, FairfieldNovember 22, 2021George Papas, MonmouthCorey McKeithan, RiderNovember 29, 2021Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona TJ Long (2), FairfieldDecember 6, 2021George Papas (2), MonmouthJao Ituka, MaristDecember 13, 2021Shavar Reynolds Jr., MonmouthJao Ituka (2), MaristDecember 20, 2021Jao Ituka, MaristJao Ituka (3), MaristDecember 27, 2021Scott Hitchon, CanisiusWalter Clayton Jr., IonaJanuary 3, 2022Kevin Marfo, QuinnipiacWalter Clayton Jr. (2), IonaJanuary 10, 2022Dwight Murray Jr., RiderJared Billups, SienaJanuary 17, 2022Jose Perez, ManhattanJao Ituka (4), MaristJanuary 24, 2022Elijah Joiner, IonaJao Ituka (5), MaristJanuary 31, 2022Kevin Marfo (2), QuinnipiacNoah Harris, MaristFebruary 7, 2022Marcus Hammond (2), NiagaraXzavier Long, CanisiusFebruary 14, 2022Anthony Gaines, SienaJao Ituka (6), MaristFebruary 21, 2022Nelly Junior Joseph (2), Iona Jao Ituka (7), MaristFebruary 28, 2022Tyson Jolly, IonaTJ Long (3), FairfieldJao Ituka (8), MaristMarch 7, 2022Marcus Hammond (3), NiagaraJao Ituka (9), Marist
Records against other conferences Records against non-conference foes for the 2021–22 season. Records shown for regular season only.
Power 7 ConferencesRecordAmerican1–1ACC1–2Big East0–6Big Ten0–2Big 120–1Pac-120–1SEC1–2Power 7 Total3–15Other NCAA Division I ConferencesRecordAmerica East4–2A-102–6ASUN5–0Big Sky–––Big South1–0Big West–––CAA4–2C-USA0–3Horizon League1–3Ivy League7–4MAC1–2MEAC3–0MVC–––Mountain West–––NEC5–2OVC1–1Patriot League9–6Pacific West–––SoCon2–0Southland–––SWAC1–0The Summit0–1Sun Belt1–0WAC–––WCC–––Other Division I Total47–32NCAA Division I Total50–47
Postseason
MAAC Tournament
2022 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
NCAA Tournament
Seed Region School 1st Round 2nd Round Regional Semi Regional final 15 East Saint Peter's W 85–79OT vs (2) Kentucky W 70–60 vs (7) Murray State W 67–64 vs (3) Purdue L 49–69 vs (8) North Carolina
Game summaries
First round
Second Round
East Regional semifinal
East Regional final
NCAA Tournament Awards and honors East Region All-Tournament Team Daryl Banks III, Saint Peter's Doug Edert, Saint Peter's
National Invitation Tournament
Seed School 1st Round IonaL 74–79 at (3) Florida – (Exactech Arena, Gainesville, Florida)
Game summary
Honors and awards
MAAC Season Awards 2021–22 MAAC Men's Basketball Major Individual Awards Award Recipient(s)Player of the YearTyson Jolly, IonaCoach of the Year Rick Pitino, IonaRookie of the Year†Jao Ituka, MaristDefensive Player of the YearKC Ndefo, Saint Peter'sSixth Player of the YearDylan van Eyck, Iona
2021–22 MAAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams First Team Second Team Third Team Rookie Team †Tyson Jolly, Sr, G, Iona Nelly Junior Joseph, So, F, Iona Jose Perez, Sr, G, Manhattan George Papas, Sr, G, Monmouth Marcus Hammond, Sr, G Niagara Elijah Joiner, Sr, G, Iona Jao Ituka, Fr, G, Marist Walker Miller, Sr, C, Monmouth KC Ndefo, Sr, G, Saint Peter's Colby Rogers, Jr, G, Siena Ricardo Wright, So, G, Marist Shavar Reynolds Jr., Sr, G, Monmouth Matt Balanc, Jr, G, Quinnipiac Kevin Marfo, Sr, F, Quinnipiac Dimencio Vaughn, Sr, G, Rider Daryl Banks III, Jr, G, Saint Peter's Anthony Gaines, Sr, G, Siena TJ Long, Fr, G, Fairfield †Walter Clayton Jr., Fr, G, Iona †Jao Ituka, Fr, G, Marist Jaylen Murray, Fr, G, Saint Peter's Jared Billups, Fr, G, Siena
† denotes unanimous selection
All-MAAC tournament team 2022 MAAC Men's Basketball All-Championship Team Jacob Rigoni, Quinnipiac – 15.6 ppg, 1 bpg Dwight Murray Jr., Rider – 17.3 ppg, 6 apg, 38.6 mpg Walker Miller, Monmouth – 14.6 ppg, 1.3 bpg, 33.6 mpg Shavar Reynolds, Monmouth – 14.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 32.6 mpg Doug Edert, Saint Peter's – 12.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 28.6 mpg Matthew Lee, Saint Peter's – 10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 26.3 mpg MVP KC Ndefo, Saint Peter's – 13.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1 spg, 3.3 bpg
2021–22 Season final statistic leaders
+ Scoring leaders1 Jose Perez, Manhattan 567 18.92 Marcus Hammond, Niagara 524 18.13 Jao Ituka, Marist 427 15.34 George Papas, Monmouth 507 14.95 Walker Miller, Monmouth 498 14.65 Matt Balanc, Quinnipiac 439 14.65 Tyson Jolly, Iona 467 14.6
+ Rebound leaders1 Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac 316 10.22 Supreme Cook, Fairfield 274 8.33 Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona 272 8.24 Dimencio Vaughn, Rider 246 7.55 Nikkei Rutty, Monmouth 238 7.4
+ Field goal leaders (avg 5 fga/gm)1 Josh Roberts, Manhattan 115 165 .6972 Jordan Jones, Marist 98 158 .6203 Warren Williams, Manhattan 93 153 .6084 Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson, Rider 111 198 .5615 Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona 160 292 .548
+ Assist leaders1 Dwight Murray Jr., Rider 150 4.72 Jose Perez, Manhattan 136 4.53 Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac 120 3.94 Noah Thomasson, Niagara 103 3.45 Elijah Joiner, Iona 96 3.3
+ Block leaders1 KC Ndefo, Saint Peter's 96 2.82 Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona 62 1.93 Josh Roberts, Manhattan 40 1.34 Jackson Stormo, Siena 35 1.35 Jordan Jones, Marist 35 1.2
+ Free throw leaders1 Doug Edert, Saint Peter's 86 97 .8872 George Papas, Monmouth 108 125 .8643 Shavar Reynolds, Monmouth 110 128 .8594 Daryl Banks III, Saint Peter's 85 99 .8595 Taj Benning, Fairfield 85 101 .842
+ Steal leaders1 Dimencio Vaughn, Rider 63 1.92 Ant Nelson, Manhattan 42 1.63 Nick Hopkins, Siena 42 1.54 Jordan Cintron, Niagara 45 1.55 George Papas, Monmouth 47 1.4
+ Three point leaders1 Colby Rogers, Siena 73 170 .4292 Raheim Sullivan, Marist 23 54 .4263 Doug Edert, Saint Peter's 46 112 .4124 TJ Long, Fairfield 52 129 .4035 Nick Hopkins, Siena 48 124 .387
Individual statistic NCAA Top 100 leaders *Final 2021–22*
Scoring Jose Perez, Manhattan (18.9/game): 45th Marcus Hammond, Niagara (18.1/game): 66th
Total Points Jose Perez, Manhattan (567): 80th
Rebounding Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac (10.2/game): 14th Supreme Cook, Fairfield (8.3/game): 56th Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (8.2/game): 58th
Total Rebounds Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac (316): 19th Supreme Cook, Fairfield (274): 48th Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (272): 52nd
Defensive Rebounds Anthony Gaines, Siena (6.11/game): 46th
Offensive Rebounds Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (3.27/game): 17th Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac (3.10/game): 32nd Supreme Cook, Fairfield (2.88/game): 49th
Assists Dwight Murray Jr., Rider (4.7/game): 55th Jose Perez, Manhattan (4.3/game): 65th
Total Assists Dwight Murray Jr., Rider (150): 52nd Jose Perez, Manhattan (136): 87th
Assist Turnover Ratio Dylan van Eyck, Iona (2.08): 70th Elijah Joiner, Iona (1.98): 88th
Steals Dimencio Vaughn, Rider (1.9/game): 52nd
Total Steals Dimencio Vaughn, Rider (62): 43rd
Blocks KC Ndefo, Saint Peter's (2.82/game): 11th Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (1.88/game): 50th
Total Blocks KC Ndefo, Saint Peter's (96): 7th Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (62): 42nd
Minutes Dwight Murray Jr., Rider (37.2/game): 9th George Papas, Monmouth (35.1/game): 64th
Total Minutes Played Dwight Murray Jr., Rider (1196): 43rd George Papas, Monmouth (1194): 46th
Double Doubles Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac (12): 26th Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona (11): 36th Supreme Cook, Fairfield (7): 95th
Field Goal Percentage (minimum avg 5 made per game) Jao Ituka, Marist (151–287 .5261): 59th
Total Field Goals Attempted Jose Perez, Manhattan (446): 67th
Free-throw percentage (minimum avg 2.5 made per game)