Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, N.Y. (December 28, 2007)- The Manhattan College men's basketball team will close out the 2007 calendar year with a road game at Rutgers University on Saturday, December 29.  The game will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be aired on SNY and ESPN360.

Today's Matchup: The Jaspers close out 2007 by going back on the road to begin a stretch of five of six road games with a game at Rutgers University on December 29. Rutgers leads the all-time series, 16-14, though the Jaspers have won the last two meetings, and three of the last five. The Jaspers and Scarlet Knights last met in the 1995-96 season, with Manhattan posting a 81-76 win in Pisacataway. One of the more memorable wins in program history also occurred at the RAC on March 23, 1992, when Chris "Smooth" Williams went the length of the floor to score the game-winner at the buzzer in the Jaspers' 62-61 win in the NIT.

What's Next?: Following today's game, the Jaspers return to MAAC play by hosting Niagara University at Draddy Gym on Saturday, January 5. Game-time is 2:00 p.m. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 42-21. The Purple Eagle have won four of the last five meetings following a stretch that saw Manhattan win seven straight, including the MAAC Championship game in 2004. Last season, Manhattan dropped a 81-70 decision on the road, and fell just short, 76-74, at home to the MAAC Tournament Champions. Devon Austin averaged 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game versus Niagara in 2006-07, including a 22 point (10-10 FT), seven rebound performance in the game at Draddy Gym..

All-time record: Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1210-1043 (.537), while the team has posted a 202-203 (.499) record over 26-plus 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 101-plus seasons, including the four of the last six seasons, the Jaspers have posted a .500 or better record. Manhattan's 200 MAAC wins makes them just the second MAAC team to reach 200 wins in conference, joining Iona College.

Jaspers Live on the Internet: For the 10th 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.

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. In 2004-05, 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 the game against Long Beach State.

In the polls: Four teams on Manhattan's schedule appear in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll (released December 17), as Siena is ranked 24th, and Niagara, Rider, and Wagner are among those receiving votes. Manhattan is 1-0 against these teams this season.

Manhattan College Basketball Weekly: Last season, Manhattan College Basketball Weekly aired its inaugural season, with nine episodes stretching over the 2006-07 men's basketball season. Hosted by Ed Cohen, the show took an in-depth look at the past and present of Manhattan basketball, and also highlighted other great moments in Jasper athletic history. The show aired every Friday at 4:00 p.m. and replayed at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays on SportNet New York (SNY). The show is slated for a second season this year.