Riverdale, N.Y. (January 8, 2007)- The Manhattan College men's basketball team will put its modest two-game win streak on the line in its second MAAC road game, traveling to Buffalo, N.Y. to take on Canisius College. The Jaspers and Golden Griffs will play Monday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
Today's Matchup:
The Jaspers travel to Buffalo, N.Y. to take on Canisius College on Monday, January 8. The game is part of a stretch that sees the Jaspers play nine of 11 games on the road, as three three-game mini road trips are broken up by single home games. Manhattan leads the all-time series with Canisius, 40-28. The two teams split the season series in 2005-06, with each team successfully defending its home court. Prior to the loss at Canisius, the Jaspers had won eight straight against the Golden Griffs. This will also be the first meeting for the two head coaches, as
Barry Rohrssen and Tom Parrotta are both first-year mentors.
What's Next?:
Following today's game, the Jaspers continue the final leg of a stretch that sees the team play nine of 11 games on the road, traveling to New Rochelle, N.Y. to take on Iona College on Friday, January 12. The game, scheduled for a 9:00 p.m. tip, will be aired on ESPNU. Iona leads the all-time series, 36-31, though Manhattan has won the last two meetings, a series sweep last year. The Jaspers have won eight of the last 13 meetings. Three of the last four games between these two perrenial MAAC powers have been decided by a total of eight points. Last year, the Jaspers defeated the Gaels in New Rochelle, 87-68, for the first time in the last eight meetings, and upended Iona at Draddy, 78-74, on the regular season's final day to earn the MAAC Regular Season Championship.
All-time record:
Manhattan is in its 101st season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1195-1030 (.537), while the team has posted a 193-194 (.499) 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 eight of the Jaspers' 13 games have been decided by four points or less. The five Manhattan wins have been by a combined 14 points, while three of the teams' eight losses have been by a combined eight points (NJIT, Fordham, and St. Francis).
Go Artie! It's Your Birthday!:
In each of the last two seasons, Manhattan has played a game on Arturo Dubois' birthday, January 6. Last season, Dubois put together a 21 point, 14 rebound, two block performance in an 87-68 Manhattan win at Iona. This year, Dubois talliied game-highs with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks to help lead the Jaspers to a 58-54 win over Fairfield at Draddy Gym.
"D" Double-Figuring It Out:
Sophomore
Devon Austin is playing a large role in the Manhattan offense, and is currently putting together a double-figure scoring streak. Austin has reached double-digits in the scoring column in the team's last seven games, raisining his scoring average from 9.8 to 12.3 ppg in the process. He has scored at least 10 points in 10 of the Jaspers' 13 games.
