2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team

Marist entered the season having finished in third place in the MAAC. The team returned first team All-MAAC selection Jordan, and third team All-MAAC selection Whittington. Jordan led NCAA Division I in total assists with 247, and assists per game with 8.5, while Whittington was a prolific 3-point shooter.[1] James Smith, a versatile 7' center, also returned for Marist. With the returning talent, Marist was the unanimous choice to win the conference title.[2] Jordan was selected as the preseason MAAC player of the year, while Whittington was tabbed as a preseason All-MAAC first team selection.[3]

The team had a fast start to the season, getting off to an 14–4 mark, and 6–1 in conference play.[4][5] They would lose three of their next four games, but finished the season on an eight-game winning streak. This enabled Marist to qualify for just their fourth post season appearance (2 NCAA and 1 NIT).[6][7]

Marist's first highlight of the season was a win over Big Ten member Minnesota in the inaugural Old Spice Classic on November 23, 2006. Despite playing SEC foe Arkansas close in the semifinals, the Razorbacks proved too tough down the stretch. Marist concluded the Old Spice Classic by defeating Western Michigan in the third place game. Jordan was named to the All-Tournament Team and selected as the MVP of the tournament.[8] The team continued their highlights, defeating Old Dominion at home on November 29, 2006. Old Dominion had defeated No. 8 ranked Georgetown just 10 days prior. The final score was exactly the same as the previous season, although the Monarchs won that contest. Both teams ended the night with identical 5–2 records as well.[9]

On February 24, 2006, Marist played their final MAAC game at home against their rival, the Siena Saints. Entering the contest, Marist was 13–4 in MAAC play, while Siena was 12–5. Niagara, who would play against Rider on Sunday afternoon, was also 12–5. There was a potential for a three-way tie for first place should Marist lose the game. The team would need a win to capture the outright MAAC regular season championship for the first time in school history.[10] In a nationally televised game on ESPN2, and in front of a sellout crowd of 3,200,[11] Marist defeated Siena 98–88 in overtime.[12] Both games that the two teams played during the season had been overtime wins for Marist. They ended the regular season slate 23–7 overall, and 14–4 in the MAAC, and clinched the No. 1 seed in the MAAC Tournament, while also setting the school mark for victories in a season (23).

As the No. 1 seed in the MAAC Tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut, they defeated No. 8 seed Canisius 87–63 in the quarterfinals.[13] In the semifinals, they were matched up again with Siena, for the third time in the season. This time, Siena defeated Marist 86–78, and Siena moved on to the championship game.[14] Because they finished the season as the No. 1 seed, and failed to win their conference tournament, they were an automatic selection to the NIT. In the first round, they were matched up to play at Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Senior guard Will Whittington led Marist with 31 points, as Marist scored the upset, 67–64.[15] It was the first postseason win in school history. Despite Whittington leading the Red Foxes with 18 points, Marist lost to NC State in the second round, 62–69 to end the season.[16]

2006–07 Marist Red Foxes women's basketball team