Watch Live on Watch ESPN | Listen Live | Live Stats | Follow on Twitter | Purchase Tickets
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan enters the game having won six of its last seven games during the month of February. The Jaspers are currently tied for third place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, a game behind Quinnipiac for second place in the conference with two regular season games left to play.
SO LONG, SENIORS
Manhattan's senior class of Michael Alvarado, George Beamon and Rhamel Brown will take the court for the final time at Draddy Gym this season. The class has won 20 games twice as a group and is the first trio in Manhattan College history to score 1,000 points. In 2010-11, the Jaspers won six games and then posted the nation's largest turnaround with 15 more wins the next season, a 21-13 campaign in 2011-12 in head coach Steve Masiello's first year at the helm. The trio then helped lead Manhattan to its first MAAC championship appearance in nine years.
HOME SWEET HOME
Manhattan has won seven of its last last eight games at Draddy Gymnasium, all within the conference. The Jaspers have won 11 of their last 13 MAAC games at Draddy Gymnasium, dating back to last season.
JASPERS WIN #20
Manhattan's 75-61 win at Monmouth on February 19 was the 20th victory for the Jaspers this season. Manhattan has won 20 games in two of the last three seasons under third-year head coach Steve Masiello.
JASPERS LOVE FEBRUARY
Manhattan has a 6-1 record during the month of February, continuing a trend that began last year when the Jaspers went 5-2 during February. They are 11-3 in February during the last two seasons, heading into the pivotal month of March.
THE SERIES WITH IONA
Manhattan-Iona, one of the best local rivalries in recent years, will meet for the 84th time on Friday night on ESPNU. Iona holds a 46-37 lead in the all-time series between the two charter members of the MAAC that are separated by just nine miles.
LAST TIME VS. IONA
Manhattan started the second half on an 11-0 run but Iona responded with a decisive 17-3 to take the lead for good on its way to an 85-73 victory at the Hynes Center on Jan. 31.
LIFE BEGINS AT 70
During the offseason, head coach Steve Masiello preached a faster pace to his team. That has resulted in final scores above 70 points in 22 of Manhattan's 27 games. Manhattan's 77.7 points per game rank among the top 50 teams in the nation, rank second in the conference and are 20 points per game more than its average of 58.3 points per game during the 2012-13 season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Manhattan is tied for first in the nation with Wichita State and Stephen F. Austin with 12 wins in true road games. The Jaspers have 13 wins away from Draddy Gymnasium, which lead all Division I programs. Four of the six wins during the Jaspers' current win streak have come on the road, including wins at Canisius, Niagara, Rider and Monmouth.
| Wichita State | 12-0 |
| Stephen F. Austin | 12-2 |
| Manhattan | 12-4 |
BEAMON, ALVARADO, BROWN BYPASS 1,000 POINTS
Manhattan's senior class of Michael Alvarado, George Beamon and Rhamel Brown has been one of the most prolific senior classes in recent Jasper history. Beamon recently moved into fourth place on the Manhattan career scoring list, while Alvarado and Brown passed the 1,000-point mark earlier this season. The trio of Beamon, Alvarado and Brown is the first senior class in Manhattan College history to score more than 1,000 points.
| Name | Years | Games | Points |
| 1. Luis Flores | 2001-04 | 89 games | 2,046 |
| 2. Keith Bullock | 1989-93 | 120 games | 1,992 |
| 3. Tim Cain | 1981-85 | 108 games | 1,872 |
| 4. George Beamon | 2009-pres. | 114 games | 1,755 |
| 5. Durelle Brown | 1997-01 | 112 games | 1,634 |
| 6. Peter Runge | 1986-90 | 103 games | 1,622 |
| 7. Steve Grant | 1974-78 | 103 games | 1,610 |
| 8. Larry Lembo | 1962-65 | 66 games | 1,443 |
| 9. Darryl Crawford | 2006-10 | 121 games | 1,431 |
| 10. George Bucci | 1972-75 | 79 games | 1,331 |
| 11. John Leonard | 1978-82 | 103 games | 1,329 |
| 12. Jamal Marshall | 1991-95 | 117 games | 1,307 |
| 13. Dave Holmes | 2000-04 | 112 games | 1,291 |
| John Marren | 1967-70 | 70 games | 1,291 |
| 15. Brian Mahoney | 1968-71 | 72 games | 1,289 |
| ........... | |||
| 27. Michael Alvarado | 2010-pres. | 111 games | 1,131 |
| 29. Rhamel Brown | 2010-pres. | 123 games | 1,099 |
BEAMON IS BACK
Manhattan senior George Beamon is averaging 24.0 points during Manhattan's last six games. He has scored 20+ points in 15 of his 24 games this season.
| Nov. 9 | at La Salle | 24 points |
| Nov. 12 | at Columbia | 28 points |
| Nov. 16 | vs. George Washington | 34 points |
| Nov. 20 | at Illinois State | 20 points |
| Nov. 26 | vs. Fordham | 24 points |
| Dec. 15 | at UNC Wilmington | 23 points |
| Dec. 17 | at South Carolina | 26 points |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Buffalo | 22 points |
| Jan. 2 | at Saint Peter's | 28 points |
| Jan. 24 | vs. Rider | 21 points |
| Feb. 7 | at Canisius | 27 points |
| Feb. 9 | at Niagara | 20 points |
| Feb. 13 | at Rider | 22 points |
| Feb. 16 | vs. Niagara | 27 points |
| Feb. 19 | at Monmouth | 31 points |
Beamon has also posted four double-doubles this season, leading the team in rebounds with 6.8 per game:
| November 24 | vs. Fordham | 24 points | 11 rebounds |
| December 6 | at Marist | 12 points | 10 rebounds |
| January 2 | at Saint Peter's | 28 points | 10 rebounds |
| January 26 | vs. Quinnipiac | 12 points | 12 rebounds |
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?
Part of Manhattan's strong defense has been the play of Rhamel Brown in the paint. Brown has blocked at least one shot in every game this season and has blocked four or more shots 14 times already this season. The 6'7” senior currently ranks fourth in the nation in blocked shots.
| 1. Jordan Bachynski | 7'2" | Arizona State | 4.14 |
| 2. Rhamel Brown | 6'7" | Manhattan | 3.93 |
| 3. Khem Birch | 6'9" | UNLV | 3.71 |
| 4. D.J. Cunningham | 6'10" | UNC Asheville | 3.50 |
| 5. Sim Bhullar | 7'5" | New Mexico State | 3.45 |
RHAMEL'S BLOCK PARTY
The Jaspers' all-time leader in blocked shots, Rhamel Brown recently broke his single-season blocked shots record, previously set last season.
| 1. Rhamel Brown | 2013-14 | 106 |
| 2. Rhamel Brown | 2012-13 | 95 |
| 3. Rhamel Brown | 2007-11 | 84 |
| 4. Arturo Dubois | 1986-90 | 74 |
| 5. Rhamel Brown | 2005-08 | 68 |
Brown is also the active leader in career blocked shots among all Division I players.
| 1. Rhamel Brown | Manhattan | 353 |
| 2. Jyles Smith | Savannah State | 304 |
| 4. Alec Brown | Green Bay | 301 |
| 3. Jordan Bachynski | Arizona State | 300 |
| 5. Daniel Miller | Georgia Tech | 271 |
BOUNDING AND ASTOUNDING
Not only is Brown the Jaspers' all-time shot block king, he ranks among Manhattan's top ten in career rebounds, coming down with more than 700 rebounds during his career.
| Name | Years | Rebounds |
| 1. Bill Campion | 1972-75 | 1,070 |
| 2. Keith Bullock | 1989-93 | 1,012 |
| 3. Steve Grant | 1974-78 | 940 |
| 4. Peter Runge | 1986-90 | 894 |
| 5. Bob Mealy | 1957-60 | 872 |
| 6. Jason Hoover | 1993-97 | 865 |
| 7. Dave Holmes | 2000-04 | 826 |
| 8. Rhamel Brown | 2010-pres. | 772 |
| 9. Angelo Lombardo | 1954-57 | 739 |
| 10. Jamal Marshall | 1991-95 | 716 |
AWESOME ALVARADO
Manhattan senior Michael Alvarado has averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists during the last four games. At Monmouth on February 19, Alvarado dished out a season-high eight assists with only two turnovers in the game. He is closing in on the top five assist men in program history.
| Name | Years | Assists |
| 1. Ed Lawson | 1983-85, 86-88 | 447 |
| 2. Phil Lane | 1996-2000 | 419 |
| 3. Charlie Mahoney | 1972-75 | 384 |
| 4. Tom Courtney | 1975-79 | 367 |
| 5. Charles Dubra | 1988-92 | 355 |
| 6. Michael Alvarado | 2010-pres. | 352 |
| 7. Jason Wingate | 2002-06 | 334 |
| 8. Mugsy Green | 2000-02 | 308 |
| 9. Keaton Hyman | 1992-95 | 301 |
| 10. Carey Wilson | 1989-93 | 286 |
EMMY AWARD WINNING
Junior Emmy Andujar matched his season high with 14 points and eight rebounds at Siena on February 19. He made five of six field goals, dished out two assists and had one steal in 21 minutes of action. Andujar is averaging 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds during his last two games.
STORES READY FOR BUSINESS
Junior RaShawn Stores has started the last 19 games for the Jaspers and played arguably his best basketball of the season during Manhattan's recent six-game win streak. At Rider on Feb. 13, Stores poured in a season-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field. He also made three of four shots from three-point range.
PANKEY PROVIDING SOLID POST PLAY
Sophomore Ashton Pankey has started the last 15 contests for Manhattan. Pankey made six of seven field goals vs. Niagara on Feb. 16 to finish with 12 points. In that game, Pankey pulled down five rebounds and blocked two shots in 21 minutes of action.
RICHARDS BURNING THE NETS FROM DISTANCE
Sophomore Shane Richards made two three-pointers in the Jaspers' Feb. 21 game at Siena to tie gojaspers.com's Chris Williams '93 for sixth place on Manhattan's all-time list. Teammate George Beamon, despite making just six three-poitners in his first two seasons at Manhattan, currently ranks 11th on the program's career list for made triples in a season.
| Name | Years | Games | 3FGs |
| 1. Devon Austin | 2005-09 | 111 games | 165 |
| 2. Luis Flores | 2001-04 | 90 games | 163 |
| 3. Steve McDowell | 1994-98 | 100 games | 145 |
| 4. Mike Konovelchick | 2002-06 | 118 games | 142 |
| 5. Charles Dubra | 1988-92 | 118 games | 136 |
| 6. Shane Richards | 2012-pres. | 58 games | 132 |
| Chris Williams | 1989-93 | 117 games | 132 |
| 8. Kidani Brutus | 2010-12 | 63 games | 126 |
| 9. Jeff Xavier | 2004-06 | 60 games | 125 |
| 10. Ted Ellis | 1991-96 | 80 games | 122 |
| 11. George Beamon | 2009-pres. | 114 games | 113 |
RICHLY DESERVED
Freshman Rich Williams matched his career high with 14 points in Manhattan's 90-72 victory over Niagara on Feb. 16. Williams made 5-of-11 field goals in a variety of spots on the court, along with four of six free throws in 20 minutes off the Manhattan bench.
HEY, MISTER WILSON
Freshman Tyler Wilson had a strong game against Niagara on Feb. 16. The rookie point guard dished out a career-high six assists with just one turnover in 18 minutes off the bench. Wilson also contributed two steals and owns a 1.6:1 assist to turnover ratio this season.
KATES SOLID OFF THE BENCH
Junior Donovan Kates has provided a steady presence off the Manhattan bench this season. Against Quinnipiac on January 26, Kates scored eight points in 15 minutes, nailing each of his two three-point attempts. He also finished with a pair of rebounds.
MASIELLO REACHES 50 WINS
Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello earned his 50th career victory in the Jaspers' 64-49 home victory over Saint Peter's on February 4. Masiello owns a career record of 55-38 in his third year on the Jaspers' sidelines. He is the fastest Manhattan head coach to reach 50 victories since Manhattan College Hall of Famer won 50 games midway through his third season at the helm of the Jaspers.
Masiello also ranks among Manhattan's top head coaches in career winning percentage (minimum 75 games):
| Fran Fraschilla | 1992-96 | 86-34 | .716 |
| Neil Cohalan | 1929-42 | 165-82 | .668 |
| Bobby Gonzalez | 1999-2006 | 129-77 | .626 |
| Steve Masiello | 2011-pres. | 55-38 | .591 |
| Jack Powers | 1968-78 | 142-114 | .555 |
JASPERS ON TV IN 2013-14
Manhattan will have at least eight games on television in 2013-14. All remaining games, including the 2014 MAAC Tournament, can be heard live on gojaspers.com. Here is the upcoming television schedule for the Jaspers, as of February 27.
| Feb. 28 | Iona | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Mar. 2 | Canisius | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
MANHATTAN AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
The Jaspers are ranked among the nation's top 100 in several statistical categories, in games played through Sunday, February 23.
| Category | Rank | Actual |
| Free Throw Attempts | 2 | 874 |
| Blocks/Game | 6 | 6.4 |
| Free Throws Made | 7 | 582 |
| Steals/Game | 14 | 8.5 |
| Scoring Offense | 36 | 77.7 |
| Win/Loss % | 37 | 74.1 |
| Offensive Rebounds/Game | 48 | 12.8 |
| Field Goal % Defense | 51 | 40.6 |
| Scoring Margin | 61 | +7.1 |
| 3-Point Field Goal % | 84 | 36.5 |
| Turnover Margin | 87 | +1.4 |
| 3-Point Field Goal % Defense | 94 | 32.8 |
| Category | Player | Rank | Actual |
| Blocks/Game | Rhamel Brown | 2 | 3.93 bpg |
| Free Throws Made | George Beamon | 27 | 158 |
| Points/Game | George Beamon | 30 | 19.9 ppg |
| 3-Point FG % | Shane Richards | 34 | 41.1% |
| Free Throw % | George Beamon | 55 | 85.9% |
| Free Throw Attempts | Michael Alvarado | 67 | 186 |
| George Beamon | 71 | 184 | |
| 3-Point FG/Game | Shane Richards | 75 | 2.48 |
MANHATTAN IN THE MAAC
As of February 25, the Jaspers rank atop the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in several statistical categories:
| Category | Rank | Actual |
| Scoring Margin | 1st | +7.1 |
| Field Goal % Defense | 1st | 40.6% |
| Blocks/Game | 1st | 6.4 |
| Steals/Game | 1st | 8.5 |
Six different Jaspers also rank among the MAAC's top ten in several statistical categories:
| Category | Player | Rank | Actual |
| Scoring | George Beamon | 3rd | 19.9 |
| Rebounding | George Beamon | 9th | 6.7 |
| Field Goal Pct. | Rhamel Brown | 3rd | 52.4% |
| Assists | Michael Alvarado | 4th | 4.3 |
| Free Throw Pct. | George Beamon | 2nd | 85.9 |
| Steals | Michael Alvarado | 5th | 1.5 |
| George Beamon | 6th | 1.5 | |
| Three-Point FG Pct. | Shane Richards | 7th | 41.1 |
| Three-Pointers Made | Shane Richards | 4th | 2.5 |
| Blocks | Rhamel Brown | 1st | 3.9 |
| Ashton Pankey | T-9th | 1.1 | |
| Assist/Turnover Ratio | Michael Alvarado | 1st | 1.8:1 |
| Offensive Rebounds | Rhamel Brown | 6th | 2.8 |
| Defensive Rebounds | George Beamon | 5th | 5.0 |
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
Of the 13 players on the Manhattan roster, nine hail from the greater New York metropolitan area, including eight from the five boroughs of New York City. The Jaspers also have players from Illinois (CJ Jones), Kentucky (Donovan Kates), New Hampshire (Trevor Glassman) and New Jersey (Carlton Allen). Below are the nine players from the New York City area and their respective high schools.
| Name | Hometown | High School |
| Michael Alvarado | Bronx | All Hallows |
| Emmy Andujar | Bronx | Rice |
| George Beamon | Roslyn, L.I. | Roslyn |
| Rhamel Brown | Brooklyn | Transit Tech |
| Ashton Pankey | Bronx | St. Anthony's |
| Shane Richards | New York City | York Prep |
| RaShawn Stores | Bronx | All Hallows |
| Rich Williams | Brooklyn | Transit Tech |
| Tyler Wilson | Bronx | Cardinal Hayes |
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Manhattan limited Siena to 37.3 percent shooting from the field in its last game on February 21. The Jaspers are 10-3 this season when holding opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Not only has Manhattan averaged 6.4 three-pointers per game, the Jaspers have defended the three-point line well. This season, Manhattan has limited opponents to 32.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Jaspers have held opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from three-point range in 17 of their 20 wins this season.
I'LL TAKE THAT
The Jaspers have used their pressure defense to force the most number of steals in the conference and rank 14th in the country as of February 23. The Jaspers forced 15 Niagara turnovers during their 90-72 win.
MANHATTAN WINS 1,300TH GAME
The Jaspers' 78-77 victory at Niagara on Sunday, Feb. 9 was the 1,300th win in men's basketball program history. In its 108th season, the Jaspers own an all-time record of 1,303-1,155.
MANHATTAN INKS FOUR IN CLASS OF 2018
Manhattan College men's basketball coach Steve Masiello and his staff have inked four standout incoming student-athletes during the NCAA early signing period. Nazareth (N.Y.) high school teammates Samson Akilo, a 6-foot-8 forward, and Samson Usilo, a 6-foot-4 wing, will join the Jaspers along with 6-foot-8 wing Calvin Crawford (Middletown, N.Y.) and 6-foot-9 wing Zane Waterman (Fayetteville, N.C.) in a highly regarded Manhattan class of 2018. “It's a very important class, losing three seniors in Michael Alvarado, George Beamon and Rhamel Brown, who mean a great deal to this program,” Masiello said. “We wanted to have a very strong class overall to really complement what we have on this team. I give a ton of credit to our staff, especially Rasheen Davis and Mathiew Wilson, for their help in recruiting this excellent group of young men.”
MANHATTAN ATOP MAAC POLL
The Jaspers were picked atop the 2013-14 MAAC preseason poll, as voted by the conference's 11 head coaches. Defending champion Iona was picked second, followed by Canisius, Rider, Marist, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Niagara, Saint Peter's, Siena and Monmouth.
NEW LOOK MAAC
This season marks the first time since the 1997-98 season that the MAAC has a different conference alignment. Loyola left the MAAC for the Patriot League at the conclusion of the 2012-13 academic year and was replaced by former Northeast Conference members Monmouth and Quinnipiac. As a result of the league's expansion from 10 to 11 schools, the conference schedule was also expanded. Each team will now play 20 MAAC games per season, up from 18.
MAAC TOURNAMENT CHANGES
With the addition of Monmouth and Quinnipiac bringing conference membership to 11 schools, the MAAC Tournament will have a new format this season. The top five teams at the conclusion of the regular season will have a bye into the quarterfinals, while the remaining six teams will play first-round games on March 6. There will be a day off before the quarterfinals that begin on March 8, followed by the semifinals on March 9. The MAAC Championship game on Monday, March 10, will once again be nationally televised on ESPN2. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be broadcast on ESPN3.
BACK TO ALBANY
The 2014 MAAC Tournament will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., for the third consecutive year from March 6-10. This marks the final year in which the tournament will be held in Springfield. In 2015, the event returns to its former home - the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.
NEW FACES, OLD PLACES
There are two new, but familiar faces, on the Manhattan sidelines this season. Mathiew Wilson, formerly the director of basketball operations, was promoted to an assistant coach position on Steve Masiello's staff over the summer. Masiello then brought in former colleague Mike Bramucci to fill the director of operations slot. Bramucci and Masiello coached together at Manhattan College from 2001-03.
Roberto Colonette, a 2013 Manhattan College graduate and two-year letterwinner, is also on the staff this season as the team's strength and conditioning coach. Colonette is currently enrolled in the Manhattan College School of Continuing and Professional Studies, pursuing his Master's degree in organizational leadership.
FLORES NAMED TO MAAC HONOR ROLL
Former Manhattan standout Luis Flores '04 will be part of the MAAC Honor Roll, at the Basketball Hall of Fame, joining other Jasper greats Keith Bullock '93 and Jack Powers '58, who were inducted in the last two years. Flores is recognized as one of the greatest players in Manhattan College history, and helped engineer one of the greatest wins in school history. He scored 26 points to lead 12th-seeded Manhattan to a 75-60 victory over fifth-seeded Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2004.
BROWN, MAHONEY INDUCTED INTO MC HALL OF FAME
Former Manhattan greats Durelle Brown '01 and Charles Mahoney '75 were recently inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown ranks among the top 10 in field goals made and field goal percentage in a career. Fourth on the all-time points list with 1,634, Brown was also dominant on the boards, pulling down 6.1 per game in his junior and senior years. He was named first team All-MAAC during his junior and senior years and All-Metropolitan second team in 2000-01. Mahoney set a Manhattan career assist record of 394 in only three years. The high school New York State Tournament State Championship MVP, Mahoney scored 389 points as a freshman and added 904 during his varsity years for a total of 1,293 points. Coaches and sportswriters alike considered Charlie one of the best point guards in the metropolitan area.
WATCH AND LISTEN ON GOJASPERS.COM
For the 16th year, Manhattan College men's basketball games will be broadcast live over the internet on GoJaspers.com. Former Jasper greats Brian Mahoney and Chris Williams return as the color analysts, alongside play-by-play broadcaster Christian Heimall. Each broadcast will begin with the “Steve Masiello Pre-Game Report” 15 minutes prior to tipoff.
WHAT'S A JASPER?
The unique nickname of Manhattan College's athletic teams, the Jaspers, comes from one of the College's most memorable figures, Brother Jasper of Mary, F.S.C., who served as the College's athletic director in the late 19th century. One of the greatest achievements of Brother Jasper was that he brought the then little-known sport of baseball to Manhattan College and became the team's first coach.
Since Brother Jasper was also the Prefect of Discipline, he supervised the student fans at Manhattan College baseball games while also directing the team itself. During one particularly warm and humid day when Manhattan College was playing a semi-pro baseball team called the Metropolitans, Brother Jasper noticed the Manhattan students were becoming restless and edgy as Manhattan came to bat in the seventh inning of a close game. To relieve the tension, Brother Jasper called timeout and told the students to stand up and stretch for a few minutes until the game resumed. Since the College annually played the New York Giants in the late 1880's and into the 1890s at the old Polo Grounds, the Manhattan College practice of the “seventh inning stretch” spread into the major leagues, where it has now become a time-honored custom practiced by millions of fans annually.
108TH SEASON OF JASPERS BASKETBALL
In its 108th season, the Manhattan College men's basketball program boasts a 1283-1148 overall record and 243-270 MAAC mark in 33 seasons as a conference member. The Jaspers' storied men's basketball team was established in 1904-05 and served a two-year hiatus during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 season due to World War II.