Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, N.Y. (November 9, 2007)- The Manhattan men's basketball team opens its 2007-08 season on Saturday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m. in Newark, N.J. against the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders.

Today's Matchup: The Jaspers open up the 2007-08 against the same opponent as least season, NJIT. This is the second meeting between the two local programs, as the Highlanders won the previous meeting, 56-55, last season at Draddy Gym. This marks the third straight year the Jaspers have opened the season against a team from the Garden State, as Manhattan began the 2005-06 season by taking on Seton Hall in the Preseason NIT.

What's Next?: Following today's game, 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.

For Openers: Manhattan is 69-32 all-time in season openers. Last season, NJIT downed the Jaspers, 56-55, in the season lid-lifter. Manhattan is 4-3 in its last seven season openers.

All-time record: Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1203-1039 (.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 102 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.

Playing It Close: Manhattan was in a position to win almost every game its played last season, as 14 of the Jaspers' 30 games have been decided by five points or less. Nine of Manhattan's 13 wins have been by a combined 28 points, while six of the teams' 17 losses (NJIT, Fordham, St. Francis, Canisius, Niagara, Siena) were by a combined 16 points.

Veteran Production From The Rookie Class: With seven freshmen on the roster last year, including all of the Jaspers' guards, Manhattan had to rely heavily on a group with no collegiate experience, but the group stepped up, and played a large role in the success the team had last season. The rookie class has accounted for 47.6% (942 points) of the team's 1978 total points. Darryl Crawford led the rookies, averaging 9.6 points per contest.