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MAAC Preview: Quinnipiac looks to dominate once more in 2018-19

The Bobcats are going for their fourth MAAC tournament championship after a strong 2017-18 campaign that culminated in a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Quinnipiac at Connecticut
Quinnipiac’s Aryn McClure was named MAAC Preseason Player of the Year and looks to lead the Bobcats to another flawless conference season.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Quinnipiac Bobcats joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in the 2013-14 season and wasted no time establishing their dominance, winning three tournament championships and all five regular-season titles. Entering the 2018-19 season, Quinnipiac was once again tapped to win the conference, receiving 10-of-11 first place votes in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Bobcats made an impressive run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season as a No. 9 seed, defeating No. 8 Miami in the first round before falling to No. 1 overall seed UConn.


Teams in the MAAC

Here are the teams in the MAAC conference listed with their records, according to the 2017-18 standings:

1. Quinnipiac Bobcats, 18-0 (28-6)

2. Marist Red Foxes, 14-4 (20-14)

3. Siena Saints, 11-7 (17-14)

4. Fairfield Stags, 10-8 (13-17)

5. Rider Broncs, 10-8 (14-17)

6. Niagara Purple Eagles, 9-9 (13-18)

7. Manhattan Jaspers, 9-9 (13-18)

8. Canisius Golden Griffins, 8-10 (10-20)

9. Monmouth Hawks, 7-11 (10-21)

10. Iona Gaels, 2-16 (2-28)

11. Saint Peter’s Peahens, 1-17 (4-26)


Biggest storylines of the 2018-19 season

Quinnipiac Bobcats look to repeat undefeated campaign

Defending-champion Quinnipiac University will host Fairfield University at the People’s United Center on Thursday, Jan. 3 to kick off conference play. The Bobcats have won 25 straight conference matches dating back to February 3, 2017, when they lost to the Fairfield Stags. While the Stags have recorded 11 straight winning seasons in conference play, the Bobcats went on a MAAC-record 18-0 run in conference play last season.

Quinnipiac boasts a talented roster that features seniors Aryn McClure and Jen Fay, both Preseason All-MAAC First Team selections. McClure was also named Preseason Player of the Year. Coming off a strong last season, Paula Strautmane was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team and rounds out the veteran-heavy squad heading into the 2018-19 season.


Game information

Season openers

LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds vs. Manhattan Jaspers

When: Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Draddy Gymnasium, Riverdale, NY

How to follow: Live stats

Quinnipiac Bobcats vs. Drexel Dragons

When: Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Daskalakis Athletic Center, Philadelphia

How to follow: Live stats

Notable contest

Fairfield Stags vs. Quinnipiac Bobcats

When: Thursday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Peoples United Center, Hamden, CT

How to follow: Live stats

Why you should watch: Senior Aryn McClure will be one to watch this season. With the veteran play of redshirt senior Jen Fay and McClure, the Bobcats will look to repeat their flawless 2017-2018 season with this first game in MAAC play.

Conference website: www.maacsports.com