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Happy Monday, hoops fans! As we enter conference play, the votes in our Metro Poll get closer and closer. In our second to last Metro Poll of 2021, check out how our 5 College Hoops Digest Contributors ranked the 9 teams from the Mecca of Basketball.
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Our first unanimous number one in a while, Iona takes this week's top spot due to their own successes under Rick Pitino, as well as St. John's tough loss to Pittsburgh last week. The Johnnies did open Big East play with a forfeit win against Seton Hall, but in a Big East full of Top 25 teams this year, it will be hard for the Johnnies to stand out without some high quality wins. As of now, the three Metro teams most likely to make the tournament are Iona, Wagner, and Hofstra.
Hofstra Takes Down 24 Arkansas
Speaking of Hofstra, the Pride pulled off probably the biggest win of the week, when they took down 24th-ranked Arkansas. Hofstra has already knocked on the door twice this season against ranked teams, but on Saturday, the Pride were finally able to grab a win that will set their place in conversations on Selection Sunday. Amazingly enough, a former Arkansas player led the charge for Hofstra to get the win. Abayomi Iyiola, who transferred from Arkansas in the offseason, led the Pride with 18 points and 14 rebounds. With a win like this, Hofstra may even be in the running for an at-large bid out of the CAA.