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Watch out for these five local mid-major teams as NCAA Tournament nears

By
Social Links for Zach Braziller
Published March 8, 2024, 10:38 p.m. ET

Right here, right now.

Five local mid-major teams, beyond Hoftra, to keep an eye on as the NCAA Tournament nears:

Saint Peter’s

The Peacocks can finish third in the MAAC with a win at home over first place Quinnipiac on Saturday. Picked to finish 10th, Saint Peter’s has enjoyed a strong season under second-year coach Bashir Mason.

Led by leading scorer and rebounder Corey Washington, it has gotten hot at the right time, winning five of six down the stretch.

Saint Peter's guard Corey Washington
Saint Peter’s guard Corey Washington has been key to the team’s offense. AP

Stony Brook

The seventh seed in the CAA Tournament, the Seawolves are a sleeper.

Six of their eight league losses came by single digits, and they have played the league’s top teams tough.

Stony Brook is balanced, with four players averaging in double figures, and it is experienced — led by seniors Chris Maidoh, Tyler Stephenson-Moore, Dean Noll and Aaron Clarke.

Stony Brook's Tyler Stephenson-Moore shoots over St. John's Sean Conway during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
Stony Brook’s Tyler Stephenson-Moore shoots over St. John’s Sean Conway during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. AP

It opens the tournament in D.C. on Saturday against No. 10 Northeastern.

Wagner

Wagner already pulled off one upset, now it is looking for two more.

The Seahawks upset No. 3 Sacred Heart in the opening round of the NEC Tournament on Wednesday and will visit top-seeded Central Connecticut on Saturday.

They were swept in the season series, though both defeats came by a single point.

Junior guard Melvin Council Jr. does it all for Wagner — its leader in scoring, rebounds, steals and blocks.

Princeton

One of last March’s darlings, the Tigers are a contender to do damage in the dance again — but only if they can get there. It won’t be easy.

Princeton guard Jack Scott (3) and forward Caden Pierce (12) celebrate the team's win over Missouri
Princeton guard Jack Scott (3) and forward Caden Pierce (12) celebrate the team’s win over Missouri. AP

Yale — which is tied atop the conference with Princeton with one game to go — and Cornell will be tough in next weekend’s Ivy League Tournament at Columbia.

All three teams split the season series against one another.

The big two of Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce are well-rounded shot-makers for the nation’s 31st-ranked offense in terms of efficiency.

Iona

It has been a rough first season in New Rochelle for Tobin Anderson, particularly of late.

The Gaels are tied for seventh in the MAAC ahead of their regular-season finale against Siena on Saturday and have dropped five of six.

Losing leading scorer and rebounder Greg Gordon (personal reasons) has been a killer.

Still, it would be foolish to count out Iona in the always unpredictable MAAC.