The 2016 College Crosse Conference Preview: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

We're going to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for today's College Crosse Conference Preview. Let's meet our teams!

(Italicized = #TheBigBBQ2015 participant.)

Teams to keep an eye on.

• Marist: The Red Foxes had a great 2015 campaign. Marist swept the conference regular season, won the MAAC AQ, and beat a tough Bryant team in the #TheBigBBQ2015. Indeed, from their March 10th loss to Penn State, through their NCAA loss to Syracuse on May 10th, Marist only lost one game (March 24th to Brown in OT) and was one of the hottest teams going into the dance last year.
  
  Marist should be at it once again in 2016, as the Red Foxes were named the preseason favorite in the MAAC and have a lineup that includes 4 players on the 2016 Preseason All-MAAC team. Don't be surprised to see the Poughkeepsie, NY squad in all the top 20 polls should they get off to a good start in 2016.
  
  
• Detroit: Though 2015 was the first above .500 season for Detroit, the Titans have been steadily building a capable program over the last 5 years. Detroit gave Marist its toughest MAAC game last year and the Titans stunned the Buckeyes in their 2015 opener. If Detroit can continue to win the games it should, and throw in an upset or two, the Titans will be in the MAAC race at the end of the season. If you're looking for an under the radar team (wayyyyy under) to follow this year, I'd give Detroit a look.

#BallerWatch.

• Joseph Radin, Marist: The Marist senior had one of the best years in MAAC history in 2015. Radin was the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 and his 55 goals broke the MAAC single season goal record (formerly 52). The Long Beach, NY native became the first Marist lacrosse player ever drafted, going in the 6th round of the MLL Draft last weekend. With another stellar season, Radin could finish his collegiate career with the first ever back-to-back trips to the #TheBigBBQ in Marist's history.
  
  
• J.D. Recor, Marist: J.D. Recor was an instrumental part of the Red Foxes offense last year. Recor finished 3rd on the team in goals (29), first in assists (43), and finished one point behind Radin for the team lead in total points (72). Big things are expected from the Lancaster, NY junior, as he was named to the 2016 Preseason All-MAAC team. If JD has another season in 2016 like he had in 2015 (finished 7th in the nation in assists per game), the Red Foxes will be right in the thick of things on Selection Sunday.
  
  
• Mark Anstead, Detroit: Mark hit the ground running last year and went on to win the 2015 MAAC Rookie of the Year. The Potomac, MD native finished second on the team in points and assists (38 & 17, respectively), and his 21 tallies was good for third best on the squad. Not too bad for a rookie. Detroit will need Anstead to really make a leap early in 2016 as four of their first five games are against Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Marquette.
  (Ed. Note: Wow, that's a hefty first course. Coach Kolon really doesn't mess about when he does the schedule, does he?)

Official College Crosse Conference Prediction: Marist.

• I think the Red Foxes are about to really make some noise this year. While their schedule is a bit scant on big out of conference games, Marist should be the team to beat for the MAAC AQ, and in the end the AQ is the most important thing.
  
  Coach Keegan Wilkinson led Marist to its best season in program history and the program's second trip ever to #TheBigBBQ in 2015. The Marist community has definitely embraced the team as a record setting (and VERY lit) crowd witnessed the Red Foxes beat Bryant in their first ever NCAA tournament win last year. I like this team a lot and hope that March 23rd game at Michigan is televised on BTN, as Marist deserves a regular season national tv audience.