# 4: St. Peters Peacocks
Head Coach: John Dunne
2009-2010 Record: 16-14
Conference Record: 11-7
St. Peters was a sure pick at my number three spot a month ago. Now with Senior guard Wesley Jenkins possibly lost for the season with a knee injury the Peacocks file in at number four.
John Dunne has built an outstanding and highly respected program in his time in Jersey City. The former Siena and Seton Hall assistant is a underrated front man who stresses defense and toughness. Each year under his guidance St. Peters has moved closer and closer to becoming a true contender in the MAAC.
2010-2011 seems to be a judgment year for Dunne and his team. A once young and pesky squad now seems ready to be one of the leagues elite. But can they do it without one of the top shooting guards in the league? As of right now nobody seems to be ready to give a honest answer as to Wesley Jenkins health. With or without Jenkins St. Peters will give teams problems, enough for me to still pick them at # 4, even if Jenkins does not play.
The Low Down On The Peacocks:
The back court of Nick Leon and Wesley Jenkins could be the best in the league. These two have been effective from jump street in Jersey City. Both are 1,000 point scorers who can string together threes in bunches. Leon is a undersized guard who plays with heart and craftiness. Although turnover prone, Leon gets the job done from the point guard slot. Jenkins could be the leagues best sniper from three land. Jenkins makes defenses play him honest with sharp and effective cuts to the rim.
While Jenkins and Leon have been carrying the scoring load over the past three years, Dunne has been patiently waiting for the front line to catch up. This year St. Peters will boast a front line that is more than capable of battling with the leagues elite.
Ryan Bacon is one of the leagues best at swatting shots and cleaning the glass. Bacon is the most tenacious rebounder in the league not named Rossiter. If Bacon has added an effective post move or two and improved his touch around the hoop, look for some big scoring outputs to go along with his rebounds and blocks.
Darius Conley is big and effective down low. He won't do anything flashy but fits St. Peter's pedigree of tough and tenacious. Throw him in with Bacon and you have a formidable front line.
Two under the radar players to watch will be Jeron Belein and UTEP transer Blaise Ffrench. Belein had a solid year last season, and pending Jenkins injury he may asked to take on more of the scoring load. Belein has the capability to be one of the best wing defenders in the leage.
Ffrench may be even more vital for Dunne if Jenkins is unable to play. If Jenkins is out Ffrench will have to rub the rust off quick and be ready to contribute in big ways. Ffrench is a strong athletic guard who will see big minutes with or without Jenkins.
The Negatives:
If Jenkins can't go, St. Peters looses one of the best players in school history, and a preseason All-MAAC first team selection. Over the past three years Dunne has constantly ran plays to get him open looks. St. Peters has always played tough, and has some great pieces outside of Jenkins, but if he can't play St. Peters is a much less dangerous team.
Offensive productivity has been a weakness from this group in past years. Even if Jenkins is able to play, it will be interesting to see if St. Peters can continue their grind it out style, while putting more points on the board.
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