Riverdale, N.Y. (February 24, 2007)- With MAAC Tournament seeding on the line, Manhattan will host local and conference rival Iona College on Sunday, February 25. The game, slated to begin at 3:00 p.m., will be aired live on the Madison Square Garden Network as part of the MAAC Television Package. Seniors Guy Ngarndi and Will Sabo will be honored prior to the game. In addition, MSG's Aeropostale College Basketball Weekly will broadcast live from Draddy Gym beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Today's Matchup:
The Jaspers wrap up the regular season, hosting local and MAAC rival Iona College at Draddy Gym on Sunday, February 25, in a game that will be televised on MSG as part of the MAAC Television Package. The game is slated to tip at 3:00 p.m. Iona leads the all-times series, 36-32, though Manhattan has won the last three meetings, including a 73-63 win in New Rochelle on January 12.
Arturo Dubois scored a career-high 31 points in that win to help celebrate his birthday. The MSG Network's Aeropostale College Basketball Weekly show will also broadcast live from Draddy Gym that day, with former Manhattan head coach Steve Lappas joining the broadcast crew.
What's Next?:
Following today's game, the Jaspers await the outcomes of several other MAAC games to determine where they will be seeded for the upcoming MAAC Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. next weekend, March 2-5. Manhattan is currently in fifth place in the MAAC standings entering the final weekend of conference play.
All-time record:
Manhattan is in its 101st season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1202-1038 (.537), while the team has posted a 200-202 (.498) 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. Manhattan's 200 MAAC wins makes them just the second MAAC team to reach 200 MAAC wins, joining Iona.
Tough To Beat:
Over the past five-plus seasons, Manhattan has a record of 115-52 for a .687 winning percentage.
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.
Manhattan College Basketball Weekly:
Beginning Friday, January 12, Manhattan College Basketball Weekly will air the first of nine episodes, stretching over the 2006-07 men's basketball season. Hosted by Ed Cohen, the show will take an in-depth look at the past and present of Manhattan basketball, and will also highlight other great moments in Jasper athletic history. The show will air every Friday at 4:00 p.m. and will replay at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays on SportNet New York.
Putting A Lid On The Basket:
Coach Rohrssen stresses defense, and the Jaspers have put the clamps on several teams this year, specifically in regards to field goal percentage. In 14 of the Jaspers' 27 games, they have held their opponents under 45% from the field, including a season-low 27.7% (13-47) at Fairfield on December 8. Over the course of the season, Manhattan had held its opponent under 35% from the field five times, and is 3-2 in those games.
Playing It Close:
Manhattan has been in a position to win almost every game its had played this season, as 13 of the Jaspers' 28 games have been decided by five points or less. Eight of Manhattan's 12 wins have been by a combined 22 points, while five of the teams' 16 losses (NJIT, Fordham, St. Francis, Canisius, Niagara) have been by a combined 13 points.
Veteran Production From The Rookie Class:
With seven freshmen on the roster, including all of the Jaspers' guards, Manhattan has had to rely heavily on a group with no collegiate experience, but the group has stepped up, and have played a large role in the success the team has had this season. Though three of the team's top five scorers played on the team last season, the rookie class has accounted for 45.9% (842 points) of the team's 1835 total points. Darryl Crawford leads the rookies, averaging 9.3 points per contest.
