The Metropolitan Poll Season 2, Volume 16: Iona Closes in on the 1 Seed

Image: Lohud

Welcome back, New Yorkers! As we get closer and closer to Selection Sunday, several of our Metro teams are making a final push within their conference for a top seed. Let's see how our five pundits voted this week, and what it means going forward for these nine teams.

The Metro Poll-Week 16

Hello there, Johnnies! For the first time since Week 5, St. John's is the number one ranked team in New York City, dethroning Iona after a nearly three month reign. They've definitely earned it, as Julian Champagnie leads the Red Storm on a two game win streak over Xavier and Butler, scoring 27 and 31 respectively in the process. Currently the eighth seed in the Big East, the Johnnies have a long way to go before they're even remotely back in the March Madness conversation, but in a potential 7-bid league this year, they may just have an inkling of a chance. With four games left on their schedule before the Big East tournament, the Johnnies face some tough, yet beatable opponents in Creighton, Marquette, Depaul, and Xavier.

As for this week's 2-seed, the Iona Gaels continue to tear up the MAAC. In their most recent win, a 76-58 victory over Fairfield, the Gaels showed once again why they are the clear favorite to represent the MAAC in three weeks time. Against the Stags, Iona put on one of their best shooting performances of the season, 50.8% from the field, and 44.4% from three point range. Nelly Junior Joseph, already one of the best players in the conference, lit up Fairfield for 15 points, 10 boards, and 3 steals. According to Rick Pitino via Lohud, this team is firing at all cylinders, and as cohesive as ever, as can be seen by just five turnovers given to the stags.

Overall, there's a lot of good stuff cooking in the five boroughs, and for all the best coverage of these teams and more, keep checking back on College Hoops Digest.