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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Manhattan (1-4) begins Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Friday, Dec. 5 against Fairfield (2-5) at 7 p.m. in a game that will be streamed live through ESPN3. The game will also be broadcast on tape-delay by SNY on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.
TOP STORYLINES
#1 - After arguably one of the most gut-wrenching finishes in school history, Manhattan opens up MAAC play at Nutmeg State rival Fairfield.
#2 - Head coach Steve Masiello is 2-1 in league openers while the Jaspers are 9-4 over the last 13 years in MAAC lidlifters.
#3 - Friday's game will be the first of six December tilts for Manhattan. A year ago, the Jaspers went 5-0 in December and are 12-6 in the month during Masiello's four-year tenure.
QUICK HITS
* Both teams begin MAAC play following tough losses as Manhattan was felled by George Mason 64-63 on a 75-foot buzzer-beater while Fairfield dropped a 72-66 overtime decision at Bucknell.
* A year ago, the teams split their two meetings with Jaspers winning 83-57 at home and the Stags returning the favor with a 71-67 victory.
* Masiello is 12-7 against Fairfield as a coach at Manhattan, including 5-3 as the Jaspers' head man.
* All-time, Manhattan is 49-44 vs. the Stags.
* Friday's match-up will conclude the Jaspers' season-opening six game road trip and will also be streamed live via ESPN3.
* Manhattan, which will be playing 11 of its first 13 games in different venues, will be looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since January of 2013.
* Sophomore Tyler Wilson notched a career-best matching 15 points and career-highs of 11 free throws and seven assists at George Mason.
* After hitting for double-figures just once last season, Wilson has done so three times in five games this year and is averaging 9.0 points and a team-leading 3.8 assists (t-4th MAAC) per game while converting a team-leading 25 free throws.
* Last year, Wilson, who has more than quadrupled his scoring and doubled his assist numbers, notched just 2.1 points and 1.6 assists per game.
* In the final five minutes of games this year, Wilson is averaging a team-leading 4.0 points per game. Wilson is also making good on 70.6 percent (12-for-17) from the line, compared to just 45.0 percent (9-for-20) by the rest of the team.
* Wilson along with juniors Ashton Pankey and Shane Richards have scored 47 of the Jaspers' 63 points in the final five minutes of games while shooting 58.3 percent (14-for-24) from the floor with the rest of the team notching 16 points on 28.6 percent (6-for-21) shooting.
* Richards paced Manhattan in scoring for third time this season at George Mason, finishing with 18 points, fueled by 5-for-8 shooting from deep. This season, he has notched double-figures in four games and is seventh in the MAAC in scoring (15.8 ppg) while raising his scoring almost 7.5 points each time out. Richards is also third in the MAAC in three pointers per game (3.2). eighth in steals (1.6) and 10th in minutes (33.6).
* Thanks to Richards, the Jaspers shot a season-high 47.1 percent (8-for-17) from long range against the Patriots. He is third in school history with 158 career three pointers, just five behind Luis Flores' second-place total of 163.
* In the first half of the Manhattan's five games, Richards is averaging 10.8 points each time out while shooting 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from deep, compared with just 5.0 points per game on 20.0 percent (3-for-15) from long range after halftime.
* Joining Richards in double-figures in scoring is senior Emmy Andujar, who is averaging 10.8 points per game (t-19th MAAC) to go along with a team-leading 6.6 rebounds (t-8th MAAC) each time out.
* Andujar is averaging 9.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over eight career match-ups with Fairfield.
* Despite playing just 22.4 minutes per game, Pankey is averaging 9.2 points (t-29th MAAC) and 4.8 rebounds each time out while making good on a team-best 48.5 percent (11th MAAC) from the field.
* Pankey (6.4 ppg - 2.8 ppg) and Wilson (6.0 ppg - 2.4 ppg) have more than doubled their scoring outputs after halftime this season.
* Both Andujar and Pankey came off the bench for the first time this season at George Mason while giving the Jaspers their third different starting line-up.
* Sophomore Carlton Allen garnered his first career start against the Patriots, meaning that 10 of the 12 Jaspers that have seen action this season have started at least one game in their collegiate careers.
* As a unit, Manhattan is limiting the opposition to 29.6 percent (8-for-27) shooting from long range in the first half but is allowing teams to make good on 40.9 percent (9-for-22) after halftime.
* The last time out, the Jaspers were without senior RaShawn Stores, sophomore Jermaine Lawrence, freshman Samson Usilo and classmate Zane Waterman. The quartet has missed a combined 15 games this season.
* In part to the absence of forwards Lawrence and Waterman, Manhattan has failed to record at least 30 rebounds in each of the last four games after doing so just once a year ago.
* Manhattan has won the rebounding battle just once, by a 33-32 count against a Florida State squad that boasts three players that stand at least seven feet tall.
* Freshman Calvin Crawford is averaging 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 15.0 minutes over his last three games after failing to score or grab a rebound in 5.0 minutes each time out over the first two games.
* Sophomore walk-on Trevor Glassman notched his first collegiate points, a three pointer, in the first half at George Mason.
* The Jaspers have forced the opposition into 20 offensive fouls (4.0/game) that has led to 26 points (5.2/game) over the first five times out, highlighted by a pressuring Binghamton into eight offensive fouls that led to 15 points.
* Manhattan will play eight of their nine non-conference games either on the road or in neutral venues while six of the aforementioned nine non-league games will be against teams from the Atlantic 10 (3), ACC (2) and Big Ten (1).
* Five of the Jaspers' first six games and six of their nine non-conference games will appear on the ESPN family of networks. All told, Manhattan currently has six games slated for ESPN3 and one each for ESPN2 and ESPNU.
* Since returning to Riverdale, Masiello has led the Jaspers to the program's fourth MAAC Championship as well as a pair of 20-plus win campaigns. In his first tenure, he was a part of two MAAC Championships and three 20-plus win seasons.
* All told, Masiello has been a part of three of the Manhattan's four MAAC championships and five of their 12 20-win seasons while accruing a 144-79 record.
* Now in his 19th season as either a player or a coach, Masiello has a career collegiate record of 422-189, including 301-161 on the sidelines, with one National Title, one National Championship appearance, two Final Four appearances, six Elite Eight berths, seven conference championships, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and 15 20-win seasons.
KEY MATCH-UPS
* A year ago, the teams split their two meetings with Jaspers winning 83-57 at home and the Stags returning the favor with a 71-67 victory.
* Masiello is 12-7 against Fairfield as a coach at Manhattan, including 5-3 as the Jaspers' head man.
* All-time, Manhattan is 49-44 vs. the Stags.
* Friday's match-up will conclude the Jaspers' season-opening six game road trip and will also be streamed live via ESPN3.
* Manhattan, which will be playing 11 of its first 13 games in different venues, will be looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since January of 2013.
* Sophomore Tyler Wilson notched a career-best matching 15 points and career-highs of 11 free throws and seven assists at George Mason.
* After hitting for double-figures just once last season, Wilson has done so three times in five games this year and is averaging 9.0 points and a team-leading 3.8 assists (t-4th MAAC) per game while converting a team-leading 25 free throws.
* Last year, Wilson, who has more than quadrupled his scoring and doubled his assist numbers, notched just 2.1 points and 1.6 assists per game.
* In the final five minutes of games this year, Wilson is averaging a team-leading 4.0 points per game. Wilson is also making good on 70.6 percent (12-for-17) from the line, compared to just 45.0 percent (9-for-20) by the rest of the team.
* Wilson along with juniors Ashton Pankey and Shane Richards have scored 47 of the Jaspers' 63 points in the final five minutes of games while shooting 58.3 percent (14-for-24) from the floor with the rest of the team notching 16 points on 28.6 percent (6-for-21) shooting.
* Richards paced Manhattan in scoring for third time this season at George Mason, finishing with 18 points, fueled by 5-for-8 shooting from deep. This season, he has notched double-figures in four games and is seventh in the MAAC in scoring (15.8 ppg) while raising his scoring almost 7.5 points each time out. Richards is also third in the MAAC in three pointers per game (3.2). eighth in steals (1.6) and 10th in minutes (33.6).
* Thanks to Richards, the Jaspers shot a season-high 47.1 percent (8-for-17) from long range against the Patriots. He is third in school history with 158 career three pointers, just five behind Luis Flores' second-place total of 163.
* In the first half of the Manhattan's five games, Richards is averaging 10.8 points each time out while shooting 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from deep, compared with just 5.0 points per game on 20.0 percent (3-for-15) from long range after halftime.
* Joining Richards in double-figures in scoring is senior Emmy Andujar, who is averaging 10.8 points per game (t-19th MAAC) to go along with a team-leading 6.6 rebounds (t-8th MAAC) each time out.
* Andujar is averaging 9.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over eight career match-ups with Fairfield.
* Despite playing just 22.4 minutes per game, Pankey is averaging 9.2 points (t-29th MAAC) and 4.8 rebounds each time out while making good on a team-best 48.5 percent (11th MAAC) from the field.
* Pankey (6.4 ppg - 2.8 ppg) and Wilson (6.0 ppg - 2.4 ppg) have more than doubled their scoring outputs after halftime this season.
* Both Andujar and Pankey came off the bench for the first time this season at George Mason while giving the Jaspers their third different starting line-up.
* Sophomore Carlton Allen garnered his first career start against the Patriots, meaning that 10 of the 12 Jaspers that have seen action this season have started at least one game in their collegiate careers.
* As a unit, Manhattan is limiting the opposition to 29.6 percent (8-for-27) shooting from long range in the first half but is allowing teams to make good on 40.9 percent (9-for-22) after halftime.
* The last time out, the Jaspers were without senior RaShawn Stores, sophomore Jermaine Lawrence, freshman Samson Usilo and classmate Zane Waterman. The quartet has missed a combined 15 games this season.
* In part to the absence of forwards Lawrence and Waterman, Manhattan has failed to record at least 30 rebounds in each of the last four games after doing so just once a year ago.
* Manhattan has won the rebounding battle just once, by a 33-32 count against a Florida State squad that boasts three players that stand at least seven feet tall.
* Freshman Calvin Crawford is averaging 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 15.0 minutes over his last three games after failing to score or grab a rebound in 5.0 minutes each time out over the first two games.
* Sophomore walk-on Trevor Glassman notched his first collegiate points, a three pointer, in the first half at George Mason.
* The Jaspers have forced the opposition into 20 offensive fouls (4.0/game) that has led to 26 points (5.2/game) over the first five times out, highlighted by a pressuring Binghamton into eight offensive fouls that led to 15 points.
* Manhattan will play eight of their nine non-conference games either on the road or in neutral venues while six of the aforementioned nine non-league games will be against teams from the Atlantic 10 (3), ACC (2) and Big Ten (1).
* Five of the Jaspers' first six games and six of their nine non-conference games will appear on the ESPN family of networks. All told, Manhattan currently has six games slated for ESPN3 and one each for ESPN2 and ESPNU.
* Since returning to Riverdale, Masiello has led the Jaspers to the program's fourth MAAC Championship as well as a pair of 20-plus win campaigns. In his first tenure, he was a part of two MAAC Championships and three 20-plus win seasons.
* All told, Masiello has been a part of three of the Manhattan's four MAAC championships and five of their 12 20-win seasons while accruing a 144-79 record.
* Now in his 19th season as either a player or a coach, Masiello has a career collegiate record of 422-189, including 301-161 on the sidelines, with one National Title, one National Championship appearance, two Final Four appearances, six Elite Eight berths, seven conference championships, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and 15 20-win seasons.
KEY MATCH-UPS
* The Glass - Manhattan will have to do a better job on the boards, as the Jaspers have won the rebounding battle and notched at least 30 on just one occasion this season.
* Free Throws - The Jaspers converted on a season-best 73.1 percent (19-for-26) from the line the last time out, including 75.0 percent (18-for-24) after halftime, and will need to keep improving from the line.
* Eliminate Scoring Droughts - Manhattan has had prolonged scoring droughts in each one of its four losses, including allowing George Mason to end the first half with a 13-0 spurt the last time out.
* The Shane & Tyler Train - Richards and Wilson have been arguably the two most improved players in the MAAC this season will need to maintain their consistent play for the Jaspers to have a successful season.
ABOUT THE STAGS
ABOUT THE STAGS
Fairfield enters play with a 2-5 record and has played a tough schedule that has included games at Nationally ranked Duke, SoCon favorite Wofford and CAA favorite Northeastern. Junior Marcus Gilbert is the team's lone double-figure scorer at 14.0 points per game for the Stags, pacing a balanced roster that features nine players that are averaging at least 12 minutes per game.
TYLER'S TEAMMATES
TYLER'S TEAMMATES
For the second-straight game, Wilson will square off with a former teammate. Amadou Sidibe of Fairfield and Jalen Jenkins of George Mason both played with Wilson at Cardinal Hayes.
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
The teams split their two meetings a year ago. In Manhattan's 26-point win over Fairfield, sophomore Rich Williams scored a career-high 14 points off the bench. In the rematch, the Stags jumped out to a 19-point first-half lead before withstanding a frantic Jasper second-half rally to even the season series.
NORTHEASTERN NOTES
NORTHEASTERN NOTES
* Wilson paced Manhattan in scoring (12 points) for the second time in his career against the Huskies.
* Despite the loss, the Jaspers limited Northeastern to just 21 second-half points, marking the team's top defensive performance for a half of basketball this season.
* Led by three steals from Andujar and Wilson, Manhattan registered a season-best 10 thefts but saw their 12-game winning streak when notching double-figures snapped. A year ago, the Jaspers went a perfect 11-0 when recording double-digits in steals.
HISTORY LESSON
HISTORY LESSON
Last year all seven of Manhattan's non-conference wins came either on the road or neutral courts. This season the Jaspers will play four road and four neutral site games during their non-league match-ups.
RICHARDS' CAREER NIGHT PACES MANHATTAN
RICHARDS' CAREER NIGHT PACES MANHATTAN
Richards scored a career-high 24 points while also handing out a personal-best five assists, against no turnovers, in leading Manhattan to a 78-63 win over Binghamton in the first game of the 2014 Basketball Hall of Fame (HOF) Tip-Off Springfield Bracket. Richards' averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 assists per game over the weekend en route to earning All-Tournament honors.
CAREER NIGHTS
CAREER NIGHTS
Crawford (9 points) and Allen (7) also recorded career-highs in scoring in the Jaspers' 78-63 win over Binghamton.
PROJECT MAYHEM
PROJECT MAYHEM
Manhattan has forced forced at least 20 turnovers in three of its five games and rank second in the MAAC and 30th nationally with a +4.4 turnover margin.
TOTAL DOMINATION
TOTAL DOMINATION
The Jaspers outscored Binghamton in the paint (30-22), off turnovers (30-11), in second-chance opportunities (18-16) and from the bench (29-19).
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
Williams' alley oop dunk off a pass from Andujar at UMass with 0.8 seconds forced overtime while garnering top billing on SportsCenter's top plays for Tuesday, Nov. 18.
EARLY START
EARLY START
The game, which was televised nationally via ESPN2, started at 11 a.m., as part of the network's Tip-Off Marathon matched the earliest Manhattan start time since the Jaspers bested Maryland 87-84 on March 18, 2006 in the First Round of the NIT.
DOUBLE DOWN
DOUBLE DOWN
Andujar led the way for the Manhattan against UMass with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists - all of which paced the team. For Andujar it was his fifth career double-double and third 20-plus point outing. Thus far, he is second on the team in scoring (10.8 ppg) (T-19th MAAC) and first in rebounding (6.6 rpg) (t-8th MAAC).
LENDING A HELPING HAND
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Andujar, who has seen his scoring increase this season, also has been an adept facilitator during his time in Riverdale and has 267 career assists. With 19 more helpers he will crack the school's Top-10 career list for assists.
MANHATTAN SIGNS TWO FOR NEXT SEASON
MANHATTAN SIGNS TWO FOR NEXT SEASON
Masiello has announced the signing of Nigeria natives Vincent Eze (6-8, 220) of Putnam Science (Conn.) and Akintoye Ojo (6-10, 230) of Cardinal Hayes for next season.
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
Manhattan boasts a roster of eight New York City natives and returns two starters and five key reserves that averaged at least 10 minutes a game a year ago.
RICHARDS LIGHTS IT UP FROM DOWNTOWN
RICHARDS LIGHTS IT UP FROM DOWNTOWN
Richards, the 2012-2013 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year matched the single-season Manhattan school record with 77 three pointers a year ago and is currently third in the league and 32nd nationally with 3.2 threes per game. He is also third in school history with 158 career triples and with five more would match former Jasper standout and Denver Nugget Luis Flores.
WATCH AND LISTEN ON GOJASPERS.COM
WATCH AND LISTEN ON GOJASPERS.COM
For the 17th year, Manhattan Men's Basketball games will be broadcast live over the internet on GoJaspers.com. Former Jasper greats Brian Mahoney and Chris Williams return as the color analysts, alongside play-by-play broadcaster Christian Heimall. Each broadcast will begin with the “Steve Masiello Pre-Game Report” 15 minutes prior to the opening tip.
109TH SEASON OF JASPERS BASKETBALL
109TH SEASON OF JASPERS BASKETBALL
In its 109th season, the Manhattan men's basketball program boasts a 1309-1160 overall record and 258-275 MAAC mark in 34 seasons as a conference member. The Jaspers' storied men's basketball team was established in 1904-05 and served a two-year hiatus during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 season due to World War II.
WHAT'S A JASPER?
WHAT'S A JASPER?
The unique nickname of Manhattan College's athletic teams, the Jaspers, comes from one of the College's most memorable figures, Brother Jasper of Mary, F.S.C., who served as the College's athletic director in the late 19th century. One of the greatest achievements of Brother Jasper was that he brought the then little-known sport of baseball to Manhattan College and became the team's first coach. Since Brother Jasper was also the Prefect of Discipline, he supervised the student fans at Manhattan baseball games while also directing the team itself. During one particularly warm and humid day when the college was playing a semi-pro baseball team called the Metropolitans, Brother Jasper noticed the Manhattan students were becoming restless and edgy with the team coming to bat in the seventh inning of a close game. To relieve the tension, Brother Jasper called timeout and told the students to stand up and stretch for a few minutes until the game resumed. Since the College annually played the New York Giants in the late 1880's and into the 1890's at the old Polo Grounds, the Manhattan College practice of the “seventh inning stretch” spread into the major leagues, where it has now become a time-honored custom practiced by millions of fans annually.