Metro Conference Championship Predictions & Futures Odds
Updated November 4, 2026
Updated November 4, 2026
The 2026–27 Metro Conference men's basketball championship race features several contenders, including Fairfield, Merrimack, Siena, Iona, and Marist. Formerly known as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the league enters its first basketball season under the Metro name. Siena returns as the defending tournament champion, while Merrimack looks to build on its regular-season success and Fairfield enters as the coaches' preseason favorite.
The preseason coaches' favorite returns conference Preseason POY Declan Wucherpfennig.
Last season's regular-season champions bring back head coach Joe Gallo.
The defending champions feature returning forward Brendan Coyle and transfer guard Pace Prosser.
Several transfers give Iona the size and offensive weapons to challenge the conference's leading teams.
John Dunne's program enters the season with encouraging defensive efficiency projections.
The preseason coaches' favorite returns conference Preseason POY Declan Wucherpfennig.
Last season's regular-season champions bring back head coach Joe Gallo.
The defending champions feature returning forward Brendan Coyle and transfer guard Pace Prosser.
Several transfers give Iona the size and offensive weapons to challenge the conference's leading teams.
John Dunne's program enters the season with encouraging defensive efficiency projections.
Merrimack is our prediction to win the 2027 Metro Conference Men's Basketball Championship. The Warriors finished the 2025–26 regular season with a 17–3 conference record, demonstrating the effectiveness of Joe Gallo's defensive system. Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses was particularly impressive, as Merrimack led the conference with a +3.50 turnover margin per game in league play. That ability to generate additional possessions and limit opponents' scoring opportunities makes them attractive when making college basketball predictions in the Metro.
Efficiency metrics also support Merrimack's candidacy. A preseason Bart Torvik projection placed the Warriors first in the conference overall, with a projected adjusted defensive efficiency of 104.1 points allowed per 100 possessions, one of the strongest defensive projections in the Metro. Although the roster has undergone significant turnover, additions such as Denver Anglin and AJ Lesburt Jr. provide experienced scoring and playmaking options that could complement the Warriors' established defensive approach.
Fairfield's returning talent and Siena's championship experience make both serious threats, but Merrimack's combination of coaching continuity, disruptive defensive principles, and experienced newcomers gives the Warriors a compelling path to the title. If Gallo successfully integrates his new offensive contributors while maintaining the program's defensive identity, Merrimack should be positioned to capture the conference tournament championship and secure an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Unbalanced Schedule
Metro teams play 20 league games but do not face every opponent twice, potentially creating meaningful differences in schedule difficulty.
Merrimack's Defense
The Warriors' ability to create turnovers can dramatically affect matchups against teams with inexperienced or newly assembled backcourts.
Major Changes
Siena's transition to Nevada Smith and Merrimack's rebuilt rotation could change the balance of power as the season progresses.
Tournament Qualification
Only 10 of the Metro's 13 programs advance to Atlantic City, making qualification and tournament seeding important considerations.
