Game Notes - New Jersey Institute of Technology (11.15.08)
2007-08 Final Statistics
2008-2009 Manhattan Men's Basketball Season Outlook
Two year's ago Barry Rohrssen inherited a Manhattan College men's basketball team coming off one of the most successful era's in program history. But with just five players returning to the roster, Rohrssen was asked to rebuild the program from ground up and continue the good name Manhattan brings to Metropolitan New York college basketball.
With this task at hand, Rohrssen developed the blueprint and quickly began construction.
The Brooklyn-born Rohrssen was familiar with the principles great Jasper teams of the past were built on. In fact, as a kid he would frequent the blue seats in the upper level at Madison Square Garden to watch the historic teams who donned the Kelly Green and White. Often he would navigate down the aisles, find a seat behind the Manhattan bench, and absorb the teachings of Hall of Fame head coach Jack Powers.
Fundamentals. Hard-nosed defense. Movement on offense. Passion. With this valuable knowledge, Rohrssen's next step was compiling a capable roster.
Well known for his recruiting abilities, especially in the Big Apple, Rohrssen immediately signed six recruits and led a youthful squad to a fifth place conference finish during his inaugural season. His 10 MAAC victories went down in the record books as the second most for a Manhattan coach in his first season with the program.
In the second season under this new leadership, the Jaspers continued to progress. Despite having 11 of the 13 players on the roster underclassmen, Manhattan achieved another milestone, earning their first postseason win during the Rohrssen era.
Fast forward to the present. Three recruiting classes since his first day on the job, Rohrssen is patrolling the sidelines instilling the values he learned to a more experienced roster. The 2008-09 Manhattan men's basketball program is a team based on unity, and in position again to compete at the top of the MAAC.
The Jaspers welcome back 88% of their scoring offense, including 12 letterwinners and four starters. Senior Devon Austin returns as the most experienced player and will power the front court, while junior point guard Antoine Pearson is coming off a landmark year, as the team's top scorer.
The Backcourt
Strong guard play has served as the cornerstone to many Jasper championship teams of the past. For the first time during the Rohrssen era, Manhattan welcomes back an experienced unit highlighted by 2008 All-MAAC selection Antoine Pearson.
“We have a group of guys returning with significant playing time under their belts,” explained Rohrssen. “Individually, they each add something different to the mix.”
Pearson, a crafty player with good shooting range, brings passion and excitement to the floor. Last season, he emerged as one of the top point guards in the conference and the metropolitan area. He was awarded All-MAAC Third Team and All-Metropolitan Third Team honors after leading the Jaspers in scoring (12.2 ppg), assists (2.3 apg) and 3-point shooting percentage (41.1%). The local product from St. Dominic's High School is one of the premier free-throw shooters in the conference and has proved to be a clutch competitor throughout his career.
Patrick Bouli, a hard-nosed defender from Cameroon, adds depth at the point. Known as an unselfish player who protects the ball well, Bouli is coming off a season where he led the Jaspers in assist:turnover ratio. Capable in all areas of his game, Bouli has come close several times to recording the program's first triple-double.
Rohrssen emphasizes the importance of the point guard position, “Successful teams have point guards who make the other four guys on the floor better players.”
On the wing, Chris Smith and Darryl Crawford bring contrasting styles to the hardwood.
Smith, a sophomore from Millstone, N.J., previewed his explosive athletic ability during an abbreviated 2007-08 season. After joining the squad in January, Smith started in 15 of 21 appearances, averaged 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. A consistent double-double threat, Smith recorded two last season in back-to-back wins over Marist and Siena. An all-league performer at St. Benedict's Prep, Smith's above-the-rim style electrifies the crowd.
“Chris was a pleasant addition to our team last season,” said Rohrssen. “It is not always easy for someone to enter midstream, but Chris did a solid job throughout that transition period.”
Crawford's smooth technique energized the Jaspers off the bench in 27 of 31 appearances. He is a prolific scorer who manipulates opposing defenses with his sleek ability to penetrate through the lane. The Harlem native scored in double-figures 13 times last season, including two 20-point performances. A 42% career field goal shooter, Crawford brings consistency to the Jaspers' offense.
“Darryl possesses a strong ability to get to the basket,” Rohrssen explained. “He is an athletic player whose best basketball should still be in front of him.”
Sharpshooter Nick Walsh is the team's main threat from beyond the arc. A teammate of Crawford at All Hallows, he led the conference in 3-point field goal percentage for a good portion of last season, finishing with a 51.0% mark. Walsh delivered a trey in 13 games, and recorded three 3-pointers in five games, most coming when the Jaspers needed a boost off the bench. As a freshman, he led the Jaspers in scoring twice and posted double figures four times.
“Nick is our bullseye shooter,” stated Rohrssen. “His efforts and hard work are not limited to the court, they extend to the classroom. Nick is an exemplary student.”
Junior walk-on Victor Jackson rounds out the Manhattan backcourt. A Garnerville, N.Y. product, Jackson brings energy and enthusiasm to the hardwood. He has seen action at the point in 11 games over his career, including a start at Siena during the 2006-07 campaign. His immense work ethic sets the standard in the locker room.
The Front Court
With a unique mix of experience, skill, strength and versatility, Rohrssen has multiple combinations to go with up front.
Swingman Devon Austin returns to the starting lineup for his final season in Riverdale. His natural athleticism and uncanny ability to take over a game distinguishes the White Plains native as one of the Jaspers top-offensive threats. A two-time All-MAAC honoree, Austin is on the verge of joining the program's prestigious 1,000-point club. In his first three years, he averaged 10.5 points per game, boasted a 41.8% field goal percentage and a 79.8% free throw mark. Last season, he scored in double-figures 20 times and led the team on seven occasions. Austin ranked in the top-25 in the conference in points, minutes, 3-pointers, blocked shots and offensive rebounds.
Austin's tall, long build has proved to be an asset on the defensive end of the court. He plays the passing lanes well, and is a prolific shot blocker. Austin enters the 2008-09 campaign seventh all-time in Manhattan history with 78 blocked shots.
“Devon has been a pleasure to coach. His athletic abilities are obvious and have been well documented. He can be of great value to this team by demonstrating senior leadership,” said Rohrssen.
Sophomore power forward Andrew Gabriel, a skilled inside player from national power Christ the King High School, showed much promise as a freshman. Gabriel possesses good strength and agility. He crashes the boards well, especially on the offensive end. During his rookie debut, Gabriel finished in the top-15 of the conference in offensive rebounds.
Last season, Gabriel led the squad with a 49.0% field goal mark, averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Technically skilled down low, the Brooklyn native has good post moves and can score off the drive. Gabriel set a career-high with 21 points last season versus Canisius on 9-for-11 shooting.
The Jaspers will again look to Gabriel to contribute quality minutes.
“Andrew is a hard-nosed, blue collar type player. Every coach hopes to have at least one guy like this on their team,” explained Rohrssen.
Juniors Jamel Ferguson and Brandon Adams offer flexibility to the lineup.
Ferguson, the first recruit signed by Rohrssen, is a multi-skilled player with a savvy knowledge of the game. He is a good passer and has good court vision.
Adams is a power forward with good inside moves who excels in offensive sets. He is a determined force on the boards. Last season, Adams started 10 of his first 14 appearances.
“Jamel is a multi-positioned player who can help in a variety of ways. Brandon is a hard working, lead by example type guy. They both should provide talent and experience to this club,” stated Rohrssen.
The Jaspers center position will be anchored by an intriguing blend of talent in Laurence Jolicoeur, Herve Banogle and Djibril Coulibaly.
“This unique threesome each brings something different to the table, which is important when playing such a valuable position on the court,” Rohrssen noted.
Jolicoeur worked his way into the starting line up for the final 15 games of the 2007-08 season. His greatest strength is the ability to shoot the basketball. Jolicoeur has demonstrated he can face up and hit the outside jumper. The Queens product shot 43.8% from the field during the season. Jolicoeur caught fire several times last season, including a career-high 18 points at Rider in late January. He adds athleticism to the line up.
Cameroon native, Banogle gives Manhattan a different look down low. He is strong on the interior and will be asked to elevate his game in certain defensive schemes. Last season he appeared in 17 games averaging 8.8 minutes.
Coulibaly, a 6-9, 200-pound freshman from Mali, contributes a long, athletic frame in the middle. He runs the floor well and can excel in the transition game. Coulibaly is a shot blocker with the agility and potential to develop into a top post player in the MAAC. Prior to Manhattan Coulibaly averaged 10.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game at Cardozo High School in Queens.
Sophomore walk-on Marty Higgins is a valuable resource who adds depth to the unit. Higgins had a decorated prep school career split between The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla. and The Tilton School in New Hampshire. A 6-6, 220-pound southpaw, Higgins has extended shooting range and is a very hard worker.
Schedule
The Jaspers engage in a competitive 29 game slate, which includes 14 contests at Draddy Gymnasium. Manhattan's non-conference schedule is highlighted by 2008 postseason participants Morgan State (Nov. 19) and American University (Dec. 29), along with Atlantic 10 members LaSalle (Dec. 31) and Fordham. For the second straight season, Manhattan returns to Madison Square Garden for its MAAC showdown with Iona (Jan. 24).
The Jaspers open their season in Newark, N.J. on November 15 versus New Jersey Institute of Technology. Manhattan returns to Riverdale on November 19 for its home opener with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason favorite Morgan State Bears.
The following Saturday, Manhattan begins a brief road stretch at Fordham for the 101st meeting in this cross-Bronx rivalry. The Jaspers cross borough lines traveling to Brooklyn to renew its recent rivalry with St. Francis (N.Y.) (Nov. 26).
Manhattan hosts Colonial Athletic Association member Hofstra on November 29, and then opens league play with Canisius the ensuing Friday night in Riverdale.
The Jaspers head south down the interstate on December 7 to wrap up the MAAC opening weekend at Rider.
Manhattan rides out 2008 with five non-conference games. Princeton (Dec. 14), Long Island (Dec. 22) and 2008 NCAA Tournament participant American University come to Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers return last season's ESPNU Bracketbuster game at Binghamton on December 20. Manhattan concludes the stretch in the City of Brotherly Love for a New Year's Eve clash with LaSalle, the programs first meeting in more than 15 years.
Manhattan kicks off 2009 in Western New York at Niagara (Jan. 3) and Canisius (Jan. 5). The Jaspers enjoy its longest home series of the campaign with consecutive MAAC games against Marist (Jan. 9), Siena (Jan. 11), Loyola (Jan. 16) and Saint Peter's (Jan. 19). Manhattan's showdown with the Greyhounds will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
On January 24, the Jaspers meet Iona for a Saturday evening match up in Midtown Manhattan at the Garden.
Fairfield (Jan. 26) and Niagara (Jan. 31) come to Riverdale, before the Jaspers leave the metropolitan area for visits to Marist (Feb. 2) and Loyola (Feb. 7). Manhattan's contest with the Red Foxes will air live regionally on MSG Plus.
Manhattan's home game with Iona on February 9 will be televised on MSG Network.
The Jaspers travel north on the thruway to face off with defending MAAC champion Siena on Feb. 12. Manhattan returns to Riverdale the following Sunday to honor Devon Austin and Herve Banogle on Senior Day prior to its contest with Rider.
The Jaspers will participate in the ESPNU Bracketbusters (Feb. 20-21) as the road team this season.
Manhattan completes its regular-season schedule with road games at Fairfield (Feb. 27) and Saint Peter's (March 1).
The MAAC Basketball Championships will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. from March 6-9.
For the second straight year, all non-televised Manhattan basketball home games will be streamed live via JasperVision, an online video platform at GoJaspers.com.
