Why MAAC preseason favorite Rider has underachieved

The MAAC’s two New Jersey teams, Saint Peter’s and Rider, have stumbled into losing streaks at a bad time. After visiting both on Saturday, I examine what’s ailing them. Click here for Sunday’s edition covering the Peacocks.

Rider’s Mervin James (5) and Allen Powell go for a loose ball against Georgia on Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Rider Athletics)

LAWRENCEVILLE – I opened the Lindy’s Sports 2023-24 college basketball preview magazine the other day to revisit its projections for the MAAC. I remembered that Rider was the preseason favorite, aligning with the coaches’ poll, but wanted to check out the reasoning.

Second-team All-MAAC selection Mervin James leads the charge for the Broncs. Allen Powell has all-league potential and is one of Rider’s best 3-point shooters (45). Tariq Ingraham battled injuries while at Wake Forest but started 16 games last season at Rider and should step into an even bigger role this year. TJ Weeks Jr., a starter at UMass, helps headline a cast of newcomers.

The prevailing thought was that after a second-place finish, Rider – despite saying farewell to All-MAAC guard Dwight Murray Jr. – had more than enough coming back to jump Rick Pitino-less Iona in the standings. Preseason magazines aren’t meant to be crystal balls, but the coaches clearly came to this consensus too.

Now 5-8 in the MAAC, the Broncs have already lost more league games than the last time they were considered preseason favorites, 2018-19, when they went 11-7 and dropped the 4-versus-5 game in the MAAC tournament.

Why is Rider looking at a Tuesday game in Atlantic City rather than a first-round bye?

James is doing more than his share. His 18.6 points per game lead the conference, and he grabs 6.4 rebounds per game, combining with Ingraham (6.4) and Weeks (6.3) to help Rider rate out as the best rebounding team in the MAAC. That’s more or less where the positives end.