Game 16: Manhattan (9-6, 2-1) vs. Loyola (9-4, 2-1)
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Reitz Arena (2,100) - Baltimore, Md.
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Scouting Report
Manhattan (9-6, 2-1 MAAC)
Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello has the Jaspers off to a 9-6 overall record, which marks the top start of a first year head coach in program history through 15 games since Fran Fraschilla opened the 1992-93 season with a 10-5 record. Prior to Fraschilla, it goes back to Jack Powers '58 who was the next former head coach in the program's storied history as he also went 10-5 in his first 15 games at the helm in 1968-69.
In their nine wins this season the Jaspers are averaging an 18.4 point margin of victory. Manhattan has been one of the top defensive teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season as the Jaspers lead the league with a 40.8% field goal defense and a 32.2% 3-point field goal defense. Manhattan is second in the conference, only two tenths behind Loyola, in rebounds per game (36.7 rpg). The Jaspers are also the league leader in defensive rebound percentage (.686).
Junior guard George Beamon has anchored the Jaspers scoring efforts this season averaging 16.4 points per game which is the fifth highest in the MAAC. Beamon is only 186 points shy of becoming the 33rd player in program history to score 1,000 career points. Beamon is also second in the MAAC in free-throw shooting (86.6%), he is seventh in steals per game (1.4 spg) and 10th in the conference for field goal percentage (48.1%).
Manhattan's bench production has been primarily led by senior guards Kidani Brutus, Liam McCabe-Moran and sophomore forward Rhamel Brown. Brutus (7.9 ppg) and McCabe-Moran (7.4 ppg) are the Jaspers top outside shooting threats as they are tied for a team-high 24 3-pointers. McCabe-Moran is second in the MAAC with a 45.3% shooting percentage beyond the arc. Brown is averaging 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and he leads the MAAC with 38 blocked shots. The 6'6" 215-pound Brooklyn native leads Manhattan and is third in the MAAC with a 58.4% field goal shooting percentage.
Senior forward Roberto Colonette has been one of the Jaspers top big men as he leads the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and has averaged 6.9 points per game. He has 15 blocks and 17 steals this season.
Jaspers' point guard Michael Alvarado moved into the starting line up for the last 11 games. He leads the team and ranks seventh in the MAAC with 3.2 assists per game, going along with an 8.1 scoring average. Alvarado is shooting 45.8% (11-24) from downtown.
Freshman forward Emmy Andujar, a two-time MAAC Rookie of the Week honoree, is the only Jasper to start all 15 games. The 6'5", 205-pound forward has averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He is shooting 48.0% from the field and has 16 steals. Freshman guard Donovan Kates has been another weapon off the bench as he holds a 5.9 scoring average with 14 3-pointers and he is shooting 75% (33-44) at the free-throw line.
Loyola (9-4, 2-1 MAAC)
Loyola got off to a spectacular start winning eight of their first nine contests, but the Greyhounds have recently posted a 1-3 record in the last four games. The Greyhounds hold a 2-1 record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and are coming off a 66-61 home loss to Niagara on Monday.
The Greyhounds have four players averaging double-figures in scoring this season, including a team-high 16.1 scoring average from sophomore Dylon Cormier. The 6'4" guard from Baltimore is shooting 45.8% from the field and he ranks third in the MAAC with 23 steals. Sophomore guard Justin Drummond has averaged 12.6 points coming off the bench in 11 of his 13 appearances.
Loyola big men Shane Walker and Erik Etherly have anchored the Greyhounds production in the post. Etherly, a 6'7" 225-pound junior, leads Loyola with 7.7 rebounds per game. He has a 12.4 scoring average and has blocked 15 shots this season. Walker is a 6'10" 225-pound senior from England who is averaging 10.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and he has blocked a team-high 18 shots.
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