Riverdale, N.Y. (November 13, 2007)- The Manhattan College men's basketball team will look to continue the success of its season opening win at NJIT on Wednesday, November 14, traveling to Staten Island, N.Y. to take on the Wagner College Seahawks of the Northeast Conference. The game, which will be televised on Time Warner Cable in New York City and Mount Vernon, will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Today's Matchup:
The Jaspers continue a three-game, season-opening road trip by traveling to Staten Island, N.Y. to take on Wagner College on Wednesday, November 14. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 38-10, and has won four of the last five contests. In the last meeting, the Jaspers defeated the Seahawks, 63-60 at Draddy Gym last season.
Devon Austin tallied 10 points and five rebounds in the win, the first as a head coach for
Barry Rohrssen. Manhattan last played at Wagner in the second game of the 1993-94 season, a 73-71 Seahawk win.
What's Next?:
Following today's game, the Jaspers conclude a three-game, season-opening road trip by traveling to Hempstead, N.Y. to take on Hofstra University on Saturday, November 17. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 37-18, and has won the last four meeting, nine of the last 10 and 11 of the last 13 contest with the Pride. In the last meeting, the Jaspers defeated Hofstra, 79-77 in overtime at Draddy Gym last season. Devon Austin tallied 19 points in the win, including the game-winner with 1.2 seconds left on teh clock. Manhattan last played at Hofstra in the 2002-03 season, a 93-75 Jasper win.
All-time record:
Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1204-1039 (.537), while the team has posted a 201-202 (.499) record over 26 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.
What A Short, Brief Trip It's Gonna Be:
Over the past several seasons, Manhattan has logged more than its fair share of frequent flyer miles, as the Jaspers have played in Arizona, North Carolina, Tennesee, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, California, Virgnia, and Wisconsin since te 2003-04 season. This season, however, that trend will not continue. According to Kyle Whelliston of ESPN.com, in 2007-08 Manhattan will log the least amount of road miles of any team in Division I, traveling just 1,803 toal miles. Fellow MAAC school Saint Peter's is second with 2,153 miles to travel, while Hawaii will log the most miles, traveling 38,621 miles this season.
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. Last season, 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 last season's Long Beach State game.
Stifling Defense Doesn't Let NJIT Up For Air:
Manhattan held NJIT to just 28 points in the season opener on November 10. The dominant defensive performance marked the first time since the first game of the 1946-47 season that the Jaspers held an opponent under 30 points (57-16 over Brooklyn Cathedral). Manhattan held the Highlanders to 16.7% shooting from the floor and just eight made field goals (three in the second half), while not allowing a field goalgoal over the opening 8:42 of the game and for a 14:56 span in the second half.
