PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Patrick Mahoney, Junior, Forward, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute junior Patrick Mahoney was selected the Liberty League Player of the Year. He led the Engineers to the 2020 Liberty League regular season title while pacing the squad in scoring (15.4 points per game), field goal attempts (347) and field goals made (161). Among league leaders, he finished the regular season and conference tournament ranked sixth in scoring (6th) and fifth in field goal percentage (.464). He also averaged 5.7 rebounds per game while registering 39 assists and 26 steals. Mahoney, the three-time Liberty League Performer of the Week, led the Engineers to their first league championship game appearance since 2008-09 as they posted a program-high 23 wins.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dom Black, Sophomore, Guard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sophomore Dom Black was named the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year. The Engineers won their first league regular season title since 2008-09 and advanced to the championship game while posting a school-record 23 wins. In 27 starts in 27 games, Black was tops on the team in minutes (837), averaging 31 minutes per game. He also led the team in rebounds (168), assists (94) and steals (58) while ranking third in scoring average (11.4) and blocks (12).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Trent Adamson, Forward, St. Lawrence University
For the second consecutive season, a St. Lawrence University first-year has been recognized with Liberty League Rookie of the Year honors. Adamson was the Saints’ top scorer with 343 points on the year (13.7 per game). He was also second on the team with 6.7 rebounds per game and recorded a team-best 39 blocks while leading the team to its second-straight Liberty League postseason appearance. Adamson also averaged 1.6 blocks per game, which ranked him third among the league leaders.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mark Gilbride – Head Coach; Assistant Coach Erich Kaempffe
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute men’s basketball coaching staff earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year in a vote by the league’s head coaches. Head Coach Mark Gilbride and assistant coach Erich Kaempffe guided the Engineers to a 23-4 overall record and a second consecutive trip to the conference tournament. The 23 wins was a program-record and during the regular season, RPI put together an 18 game winning streak from November 19th through February 8th. RPI claimed its first Liberty League regular season title and the top seed in the postseason since 2008-09 before falling in overtime of the championship game. The Engineers paced the league in scoring defense, holding opponents to 60.6 points per game and they were tops in field goal percentage at .470. They are headed to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008-09 with an at-large bid, RPI will face New England College in the first round.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Sebastian Alderete, Sr., G, Ithaca
Tucker Lescoe, Sr., G, Hobart
Patrick Mahoney, Jr., F, RPI
Jackson Meshanic, So., F, Hobart
Riley Thompson, Sr., G, Ithaca
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Dom Black, So., G, RPI
Zach Bromfeld, Jr., F, Vassar
Mike Concannon, So., G, Union
Dan Masino, So., G, Hobart
Skylar Sinon, So., G, Ithaca
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
Luke Hicks, So., St. Lawrence
Mason Memmelaar, So., F, RPI