Jaden Daly

Elijah Lewis just iced it with a three straight away. He ends up with 22 and 8, and Marist convincingly wraps up a 2-0 #MAACHoops opening weekend with an 80-68 takedown of Manhattan.

Marist’s bigs have been the story of the second half, and the backup bigs at that. Tarik Watson and Jason Schofield have been the biggest reasons behind the Red Foxes opening a double-digit lead here. And after Daughtry got a putback to go, it’s 72-59 with 4:49 left. #MAACHoops

John Gallagher was flirting with a technical going into the U12. Both he and John Dunne have gotten fired up in this second half as the intensity has ramped up. Nothing brings out emotions quite like #MAACHoops.

With 11:53 to play, Marist leads Manhattan, 50-48.

John Dunne just called a phenomenal BLOB to set up a Daughtry dunk. I’m sure @samfederman.bsky.social will tweet it before the Marist account does.

Anyway, the Red Foxes have a 42-41 lead and Gal burned a 30 on the other end with 17:11 to play. #MAACHoops

That went from a John Dunne special to a typical Manhattan game in about 10 minutes, but Marist was able to survive it despite playing more on the perimeter than I’m sure it would have liked.

The Lewis/Menard combo has gone for 15/9/9 through a 33-all first half. #MAACHoops

Marist has come back with eight in a row out of the timeout. Threes from Rhyjon Blackwell and Justin Menard, who some of you will remember from Iona last year, have brought the Red Foxes to within one with 11:52 remaining in the opening stanza, 12-11 the score. #MAACHoops

Manhattan’s on a 10-0 run, and John Dunne wants a 30.

All Jaspers in the early going here, quadrupling Marist by a 12-3 count over the first 5:56. #MAACHoops

Off and running in the Hudson Valley. Elijah Lewis has finally broken the ice, after 2:11. He made his first free throw, missed the second.

Marist, with the rouge, has a 1-0 lead on Manhattan. #MAACHoops

Starters for both sides:

Manhattan — Jaden Winston, Devin Dinkins, Erik Oliver-Bush, Fraser Roxburgh and Marko Ljubicic.

Marist — Jadin Collins-Roberts, Justin Menard, Elijah Lewis, Jaden Daughtry and Parby Kabamba. #MAACHoops

ZEBRA ALERT — Today’s officials for Marist/Manhattan: Nathan Hall, Mike Nardone and Steve Perry.

Hall and Nardone were in Philly with me for the Big 5 Classic yesterday, Perry had Columbia/Albany.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Since rankings are a hot topic today, why not show off the most underrated #MAACHoops venue?

If I make it up here, it either means Marist is really good, or a big opponent is here. Game #28 might actually be a little of both.

Manhattan at McCann today.

Villanova’s sole loss this season was a five-point setback to BYU on a neutral floor opening night. It has since won seven straight in dominating fashion. That’s enough to put a number next to the Wildcats’ name on Monday.

They just won the Big 5 over Penn, 90-63. #NovaNation

Villanova 82, Penn 54, 6:26 left in regulation.

The Wildcats are doing tonight what they did to Queens and Sacred Heart, shooting 62 percent from the floor and connecting on 15 threes. #NovaNation

Villanova’s going to leave no doubt tonight, already leading by 25 at the U16. It will be the Wildcats’ first Big 5 championship since 2021-22, Jay Wright’s last season.

Penn is down 62-37 with 15 minutes to go. #NovaNation

Ethan Roberts is down for Penn, grabbing his left leg and having to be helped to a seated position.

Able to walk off under his own power, fortunately. #FightOnPenn

I made it to December 6th before I was exposed to the insufferable hell that is the Christmas song Mariah sold herself out for. Hell of a run to last this long, honestly.

And yet, I still haven’t seen the official sign of the holiday season, which is the Hershey’s Kisses ad. @jguerette.bsky.social

Villanova ended the first half on a 17-2 run, and Fran is visibly — rightfully — displeased on the way to the locker room. Was trying to read lips, but couldn’t make out his reaction.

Anyway, the Wildcats are up by a 44-29 count after 20. #NovaNation #FightOnPenn

After Penn tied it on a Lucas Lueth three (!!!), Villanova has come back with an 8-2 run to retake the lead with 3:40 to play before halftime, 35-29.

Penn being this close with nothing from Ethan Roberts and only three from TJ Power is impressive. The Quaker bench is showing up.

Cam Thrower has nine points, all from deep, off the bench. His last triple set off an impromptu celebration and launched Willard into a 30. I’m set up near the Penn bench, so I can’t tell if Kevin is going tomato (hi @jguerette.bsky.social!)

Villanova 27, Penn 24, 7:05 1H

Willard said after the Queens and Sacred Heart wins that when he has good shooters, he’s going to let them shoot it. That’s where we’re at with 10:10 remaining in the opening stanza, with the Wildcats’ marksmanship fueling a 22-16 advantage over Penn. #NovaNation

All three games didn’t go to the first media until after five minutes had been played. This one took 5:51.

Villanova’s got a 15-11 lead at this juncture, draining three triples in the opening minutes and locking down Ethan Roberts to start.

#NovaNation #FightOnPenn

Off and running for a Big 5 championship. Finally getting to see Penn’s alternate red uniforms in person, and they’re a thing of beauty.

Perkins strikes first for Villanova 36 seconds in, with a three just off dead center. #NovaNation

ZEBRA ALERT — Tonight’s officials for the Big 5 championship between Penn and Villanova: Nathan Farrell, Mike Palau and Nathan Hall. An excellent whistle here. #NovaNation #FightOnPenn #Big5

Usual starters for both sides:

Penn — AJ Levine, Ethan Roberts, Mike Zanoni, TJ Power and Augie Gerhart.

Villanova — Acaden Lewis, Bryce Lindsay, Tyler Perkins, Matt Hodge and Duke Brennan.

#NovaNation #FightOnPenn #Big5

Tonight’s main event.

Game #27, the Big 5 championship between Villanova and Penn. #NovaNation #FightOnPenn #Big5

DEUCE JONES AGAIN, AT THE BUZZER!!!

Initially ruled a two, but it looked like a three. After further review, it was.

St. Joe’s comes back to knock off Temple, 70-69. #THWND

Deuce Jones singlehandedly brought St. Joe’s back before Temple took the lead again on two free throws.

I’ll reset after a Donahue timeout:

The Owls 69, the Hawks 67, seven seconds left and St. Joe’s holding for the tie or win. #THWND #TUMBB

They’re going down the stretch in the second of three here, and Gavin Griffiths just gave Temple the lead on a three.

He’s got 15, Derrian Ford has 23, and with three minutes remaining in regulation, the Owls have a 63-60 cushion on St. Joe’s. #TUMBB

#MUPS were just lit by the Temple band.

A pleasant good evening to you, @bracketdobber.net and @milesmcquiggan.bsky.social.

At halftime, St. Joe’s has a 33-25 lead on Temple. #THWND