Today's Matchup: The Jaspers continue a three-game road swing that takes them to the West Coast for the New Year. The trip to the West Coast begins on Saturday, December 30, as the Jaspers take on Long Beach State in a return game from last season's BracketBuster matchup. The 49ers won the two programs' only meeting, last season at Draddy Gym, 108-94. Arturo Dubois (27 points) and Devon Austin (20 points) both either matched or surpassed their career-highs in the game. The top players from the first 100 season of Manhattan basketball were honored in a halftime ceremony. The game mark the first for Manhattan in California since the 1996-97 season (vs. Stanford at the ARCO Arena).
What's Next?:
Following today's game, the Jaspers will conclude a three-game road swing that takes them across the country and into 2007, taking on Pepperdine University on January 2. The Jaspers will meet the Wave in the first ever meeting between the two programs. The two West Coast games mark the first for Manhattan in the Golden State since the 1996-97 season (vs. Stanford at the ARCO Arena).
All-time record:
Manhattan is in its 101st season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1193-1029 (.537), while the team has posted a 192-194 (.497) record over 25+ seasons of MAAC play. The men's basketball program was established in 1904-05 and has taken two seasons off (1943-44 and 1944-45) due to World War II. In 55 of the program's 100 seasons, including the last five seasons, the Jaspers have posted a .500 or better record.
Jaspers Live on the Internet:
For the ninth consecutive year, Manhattan College's men's basketball games will be broadcast live via the Internet. In partnership with Stretch Internet, followers of Manhattan basketball can now access the live play-by-play of all Jasper games. A link to the broadcast is available on Manhattan College's website (GoJaspers.com). Ed Cohen and Brian Mahoney will serve as the voices of Jasper basketball. Each broadcast will begin with the "Coach's Pre-Game Report" 15 minutes prior to tip-off.
Playing It Close:
Manhattan has been in a position to win almost every game its had played this season, as six of the Jaspers' 10 games have been decided by four points or less. The three Manhattan wins have been by a combined eight points, while three of the teams' seven losses have been by a combined eight points (NJIT, Fordham, and St. Francis).
Player-Coach-Broadcaster, An All-Time Jasper:
Brian Mahoney handles the color commentary for the Jaspers' men's and women's basketball teams, but his connection to Manhattan College runs much deeper. Mahoney is a 1971 graduate of Manhattan College and has also served as the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater. Mahoney, who was inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998, tallied 1,289 points over his four year playing career as a Jasper (1968-71), and ranks 13th on the all-time scoring list. Following his senior season, in which he averaged 20.6 points per game and earned All-East honors, Mahoney was drafted in the fifth round of the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He coached the Jaspers from 1978-81, posting a 16-62 record. Mahoney also coached at St. John's, and was named Big East Coach of the Year in 1993. Last season, Mahoney was named one of the top 20 Jaspers from the first 100 years, and was recognized as part of a special ceremony at halftime of last season's Long Beach State game.
We're (no longer) Streaking!:
After failing to connect on a three pointer against Loyola College at Draddy Gym on December 10, 2006 (0-9), Manhattan's school record streak of 326 consecutive games with at least one made three pointer came to an end. Before the Loyola game, the last time Manhattan had not hit a three-point shot was December 29, 1994 at Draddy Gym vs. Colgate, in a 54-51 win (0-11). The NCAA record is held by UNLV who has hit a three-point basket in 631 consecutive games entering this season. The Runnin' Rebels streak dates back to November 26, 1986.
California Dreamin':
Manhattan will spend the New Year's holiday in California, playing Long Beach State on December 30 and Pepperdine on January 2. The games will mark the first games for Manhattan in the Golden State since the 1996-97 season, when the Jaspers battled Stanford at the Arco Arena. The last Jasper team sport to travel to California was in 2003, when the Manhattan women's volleyball team particiapted in the NCAA Volleyball Championships, falling to Pepperdine, 3-0, on December 4, 2003, in an Opening Round match.
Winning The Battle Of The Boards:
First year head coach Barry Rohrssen has preached the value of hitting the glass hard to his young team, and they have responded, outrebounding their opponents in six of their first 10 games (60.0%). Over the previous four seasons, the year that the Jaspers outrebounded their opponents the most frequently was in the 2003-04 season, where Manhattan pulled down more rebounds than its opponent 58.1% of the time. In the last five-plus seasons, Manhattan is 43-14 (75.4%) in games it has outrebounded its opponent.
