MEN'S BASKETBALL LOOKS TO REBOUND AGAINST RIDER - Manhattan University Athletics

Today's Matchup: The Jaspers return home for the first time in four games to take on Rider University tonight. It will be the 30th meeting between the two programs with Manhattan leading the all-time series, 16-13. The Jaspers split with the Broncs last season, with Rider getting the most recent win of the two. Junior forwards Devon Austin dropped a career high 38 points in his only game against Rider last year. In their win against the Broncs, the Jaspers had four players in double digit figures including Antoine Pearson's career high 21 points in an 86-75 victory. Before the most recent loss, Manhattan had won the previous three of the last four games against Rider. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

All-time record: Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1210-1047 (.536), while the team has posted a 203-205 (.497) record over 26-plus 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.

Familiar Faces, Familiar Places: Tha coaching staff for the Jaspers should know several of their opponents well, as the current Manhattan staff has worked for the men's basketball programs at three school on the Jaspers' schedule this season. Assistant Coach John Alesi served as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University in the 2003-04 season. Assistant Coach Edgar De La Rosa served as an assistant coach at Fordham University from 1994-99, assistant coach Ron Ganulin served as an assistant coach at Saint Peter's College from 1982-85, and Ganulin and head coach Barry Rohrssen coached at St. Francis-N.Y. College. Ganulin was the head coach for the Terriers from 1991-2005, while Rohrssen served as an assistant coach at St. Francis from 1993-95. Both Rohrssen and De La Rosa graduted from St. Francis in 1983, and both played basketball for the Terriers.

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 accounted for 47.6% (942 points) of the team's 1978 total points. Darryl Crawford led the rookies, averaging 9.6 points per contest.

Lots Of Home Cooking Again In 2007-08: The Jaspers play five non-conference home games in addition to the nine MAAC home games that make up their schedule. The 14 homes games is the second largest home slate for Manhattan, matching last season (7-7) as well as the 1997-98 schedule (9-5), and second only to the 1978-79 schedule that saw 16 games played at Draddy Gym (4-12).

What's Next?: Following today's game, the Jaspers will go right back into action against Rider. This time they will play the game in Poughkeepsie. Manhattan has only played Fairfield, twice consecutively during the regular season. The Jaspers swept the Stags in the 2003-04 season. Manhattan has also played Fairfield,along with Loyola and Saint Peter's twice consecutively, with one game being played in the MAAC Tournament. The Jaspers have a 6-4 record when playng team's in back-to-back games. They have won their last six contests against those consecutive teams. Soon after the game against Rider, Manhattan will take on Loyola College on Saturday, January 26. The game will be televised on ESPNU and will begin at 4:00 p.m.