College basketball season is in full swing. Both the men’s and women’s teams here at Quinnipiac are off to strong starts.
Tricia Fabbri’s squad has been on fire. Their 7-1 record is tied for the program’s best start since 2012-13. On the men’s side, Tom Pecora has his team at a respectable 5-5, with a perfect 2-0 record in MAAC play.
So what do the people want to know about these teams? I asked and you responded!
WOMEN’S MAILBAG
After going 7-1 in non-conference play, should they be considered the new favorites in the MAAC or is Fairfield still the favorite?
From @BRickevicius on X
I think the Bobcats are the favorite right now. They’re playing at a level comparable to Fairfield’s level of play last season and look like they can win the conference.
The Stags have still been excellent, with wins over Arkansas and Villanova, and they’ve arguably played a tougher schedule than Quinnipiac. But their 52-39 loss to Richmond at home stands out to me.
The experts seem to favor the Bobcats too. ESPN analyst Charlie Creme’s bracketology model has Quinnipiac as the projected auto-bid out of the MAAC (as a 13-seed too, no less). Seeing how each team handles conference play will give us a better picture.
If women’s basketball doesn’t win the MAAC, could you still see them making March Madness?
From @Ehlers_Eli on X
Now THAT’S a fun thought experiment! It’s been over 20 years since a women’s team out of the MAAC received an at-large bid in March. That team was the 2000-01 Fairfield Stags. Led by Dianne Nolan, they went 25-6 and ripped off wins against Cal, Miami and Boston College, but lost to Siena in the MAAC Championship.
Mid-major conferences rarely ever get at-large bids over Power Six teams. The only way I see it happening is if both Fairfield and Quinnipiac finish the year around the 30-win mark and both find themselves in the MAAC championship. If either team gets upset somewhere along the way, I don’t see the MAAC being a two-bid league. The most likely scenario is that the loser of that game would be one of the first four out.
Will Gal Raviv win the MAAC Rookie of the Year?
From @NaffahZach on X
If Raviv keeps this level of play up, she should win it unanimously.
As a first-year she’s third in the MAAC in overall scoring at 16.1 PPG and is running the offense as the starting point guard like an upperclassman.
It’s early, but Raviv is also on pace to shatter the program’s Division I rookie scoring record of 13.9 PPG set by Erin Kerner in 2005-06.
What do you think has caused such a shift in ability between this season and last season?
From @alyssa.venus on Instagram
Experience.
Having Jackie Grisdale healthy and back on the floor has been huge. Her veteran presence and scoring were sorely missed while she was out with a lower-body injury last season.
The core of Ella O’Donnell, Anna Foley and Karson Martin all having a year of heavy usage under their belts has helped too. All three look more confident and are playing with more poise than last year.
Getting to the newcomers, Raviv’s play at point guard has also been a giant factor. Maria Kealy and Paige Girardi platooned there for most of last season and were serviceable, but neither had the star factor, scoring ability, or instincts with the ball that Raviv has.
Additionally, adding Caranda Perea out of the portal has given them much better floor spacing in the frontcourt and she’s been the team’s best shooter so far.
Who will step it up off the bench in MAAC play?
From @zstoks3773 on X
So far, it’s been Ella O’Donnell. Pushed to a sixth-man role by the addition of Perea, O’Donnell has thrived. She’s been the most efficient shooter on the team (50.0 FG%) and has played crucial minutes when Foley gets into foul trouble.
She’s playing physical, smart basketball and I think she’s been doing a fantastic job as a rebounder and defender. She’ll have some big-time performances in the conference slate.
I also think that Ava Sollenne will be an important bench piece once conference play starts. Fabbri has kept the guard rotation much smaller this year, but Sollenne has still gotten into every game the Bobcats have played.
Her shooting and energy on defense will keep getting her minutes and she’ll likely get a larger piece of the pie once the Bobcats start dealing with two-game weeks in conference play.
MEN’S MAILBAG
If the Bobcats win the MAAC, ___ will be the player that steps up and gets them there.
From @jameskassan on Instagram
Amarri Monroe, 100%. He was named the Preseason Player of the Year for a reason. Quinnipiac is 4-0 when Monroe scores over 15 points and he’s begun to hit his stride as the team’s primary scorer. He’s shown flashes of the takeover ability on offense Matt Balanc showcased during his time in Hamden and I think that will continue to grow.
Monroe has straight-up said that his best basketball is yet to come. He’s also blossoming as a leader in the locker room and has been more outspoken on the court this year too.
Who should be this team’s sixth man for key games?
From @z_taranko on Instagram
First-year Jayden Zimmerman has proven that he can be this team’s sixth man. He provides a jolt of energy every time he checks in, whether it’s a big three, monster dunk, or athletic defensive play.
He got a string of starts when Savion Lewis’s injury forced Khaden Bennett over to point guard but he’s looked more comfortable coming off the bench. He’s a pace-changer and someone the Bobcats will turn to in key moments down the stretch as he keeps getting better.
Do you think the three-game losing streak prior to MAAC play will be a positive for the team?
From @Ehlers_Eli on X
I don’t think that three-game skid to end November is anything to overreact to. The only loss from that road trip that concerned me was against Stonehill. The Skyhawks shot over 54% from three in that game and Quinnipiac just didn’t look in it from the get-go.
It is important to note that the team was banged up too – Savion Lewis and Alexis Reyes both missed multiple games during that week. Monroe also struggled and was held to under 25% shooting in each loss. It gave the team a bit of a reality check and exposed some weaknesses to address, like perimeter defense and closing games out.
I also think they’ve bounced back extremely well. Monroe got back on track with a 20-point double-double at Rider to start MAAC play. He’s talked a lot about the team’s “one game at a time” mentality. Quinnipiac has three more non-conference games on the schedule – Holy Cross, CCSU and Hofstra – and I think those games will be a good litmus test of whether that losing stretch was a fluke.
Can Khaden Bennett finish the year averaging over 15+ PTS?
From @NaffahZach on X
Don’t know if I can hammer the over on that one, Zach. Bennett has been a breakout star for the Bobcats – the sophomore guard is averaging 17 PPG over his last five games and has broken into the starting five.
He’s one of the best inside finishers on the team and has emerged as a knockdown shooter from three. I think the 13.5 mark is a little more reasonable. He’s been fantastic though and has emerged as a legitimate three-level scorer on this team.
Who needs to step up with the absence of Spence Wewe for the next month or so?
From @BRickevicius on X
Wewe will likely be out for “four-to-six weeks” according to Pecora. Though raw and in a limited role, he’s looked promising behind Paul Otieno at center. With Wewe down, Richie Springs and Grant Randall will both get bigger pieces of the pie.
Randall in particular was playing out of position at center against Sacred Heart and looked good in his minutes there. He’s been one of the Bobcats best rebounders off the bench. Otieno will still get the majority of the playing time at the five but Wewe’s injury puts more pressure on him to limit his fouls.
Feelings on the light blue unis?
From @mugnoma on X
Best jerseys on campus. I’ll die on that hill.
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The women’s team is back in action on Dec. 15 up in Burlington at the University of Vermont. Their conference opener is on Dec. 19 at home against Rider.
Meanwhile, the men continue their season on Dec. 17 at home against Holy Cross.
