Quinnipiac men’s and women’s basketball received high honors in the annual MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll as both programs look to return to the MAAC Tournament this year and get the job done by winning the MAAC Title.
Here’s a breakdown of where Quinnipiac placed in both polls and the preseason honors that Bobcat players received from the annual poll, which is voted on by each MAAC head coach.
Men’s basketball
Quinnipiac has been voted the favorite to win the MAAC Championship for the second year in a row despite falling to Iona in the MAAC tournament this past April.
Despite never winning a conference title, Quinnipiac has dominated the MAAC in the regular season, posting a 15-5 record against MAAC opponents in the last two seasons, earning back-to-back regular season MAAC titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The Bobcats were able to retain the services of senior forward Amarri Monroe and sophomore guard Jaden Zimmerman, two crucial pieces to last season’s squad that will help to keep Quinnipiac afloat in the challenging world of MAAC play.
Besides Monroe and Zimmerman, the look of the team is almost completely different compared to last season. Eight players either transferred to a different program or graduated, meaning head coach Tom Pecora and company had to rely on new recruits and the transfer portal to fill out the roster.
It seems like coaches from across the MAAC see the upside that new faces, such as senior guard Asim Jones and freshman guard Tai Turnage, bring to the table.
Monroe and Zimmerman received preseason honors as well. Monroe was named Preseason Player of the Year for a second consecutive season and Preseason All-MAAC First Team. The reigning MAAC Player of the Year looks to add another record-breaking campaign to his Quinnipiac career.
Zimmerman was awarded Preseason All-MAAC Second Team after a stellar freshman campaign.
Only time will tell if Quinnipiac can bring a third consecutive regular season MAAC title back to Hamden, complete the task in the postseason.
Women’s Basketball
Despite losing one of the most talented players in program history in guard Gal Raviv this offseason, Quinnipiac was picked second to win the MAAC.
Fairfield, who bested the Bobcats in the MAAC title game in April, was unanimously picked first.
Besides Raviv, the program is returning all of its key players along with some new pickups in the transfer portal and recruitment cycle. Head coach Tricia Fabbri will continue to lead a well-oiled machine in the Bobcats as they set out to prove they can keep up with the Stags.
Junior forward Anna Foley and graduate student guard Jackie Grisdale received Preseason All-MAAC First Team honors. Foley put together an impressive sophomore campaign and Grisdale continues to be one of the top three-point bucket getters in the entire MAAC conference.
Junior guard Karson Martin was awarded with Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honors. Martin saw her role and usage decline last season as Raviv was a significant portion of the Bobcats’ offense. Without the reigning MAAC Player of the Year on the roster, Martin will see a significant increase in usage, something that coaches across the conference seem to agree with.
If there’s one thing to take away from the Coaches Poll for both teams, it’s that Quinnipiac basketball is in good hands.
