Manhattan Opens MAAC Tourney Against Fairfield

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Albany, NY - No. 7 Manhattan (10-20) will open up MAAC Tournament play against No. 10 Fairfield (9-21) on Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 pm at the Albany Times Union Center.
 
How We Got Here
* The Jaspers defeated Quinnipiac 62-58 this past Sunday and finished the regular season by winning 6-of-10.

Williams Named To All-Rookie Team
* Freshman Warren Williams was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team on Monday and is averaging a team-leading 8.5 ppg while pacing the MAAC in field goal percentage (.560). * The Jamaica native also scored in double-figures a team-leading 14 times and picked it up over the last seven games, to the tune of 11.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg.
* Williams becomes the 10th student-athlete under Head Coach Steve Masiello to earn postseason All-MAAC recognition and the first person to earn MAAC All-Rookie Team honors since Shane Richards and RaShawn Stores in 2012-13.

Pregame Meet-Up
* #JasperNation invited for a pregame meet-up prior to the game at City Beer Hall at 4:30 pm, located on 42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207.

Down Low With The Big Guy
* Williams matched a career-high with 15 points against Monmouth while pulling down a career-high eight rebounds.
* Over two games against Fairfield, Williams averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg.
* Williams picked up his play over the final seven games of the year, averaging 11.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg while shooting 62.7 percent (32-of-51) from the floor.

MAAC Tournament Tidbits
* Manhattan will be the No. 7 seed for the fourth time in program history and the first since 1998. 
* In 1998, the Jaspers advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Championship.
* No. 7 seeds are 27-32, all-time, and have won two MAAC Titles (2001, 1987) and at least one game in each of the last nine years, including advancing to the semifinals in three of the last six seasons.
* Masiello has a school-record nine wins with two titles in seven previous trips to the MAAC Tournament.
* Manhattan is 27-32 with five MAAC Championships and is 19-16 when playing for the title in Albany.
* Counting his time as an assistant, Masiello has been associated with over half of the Jaspers' MAAC Tournament wins (14-of-27).

Senior Night
* Prior to the Monmouth game, the Jaspers recognized seniors Thomas Capuano, Ibrahima Diallo, Matt Maloney and Samson Usilo in the program's annual senior day festivities.
 
Series History
* Manhattan leads the all-time series by a 54-49 count with each team defending homecourt this season.
* While Fairfield holds a 6-3 advantage when squaring off in the MAAC Tournament, Masiello led The Jaspers to a 60-42 win in the teams' last meeting in 2013.
* On the year, Manhattan and Fairfield each scored 121 combined points in the two meetings (60.5 ppg).

Ebube Against Fairfield
* Sophomore Ebube Ebube averaged 17.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg this year vs. Fairfield while shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the floor
* Ebube scored a career-high 20, on 8-of-14 shooting, with five rebounds against the Stags in the teams' last meeting. 
* In the first meeting, he registered a then career-best 15 points with eight boards.

Ebube Breaks Out
* Ebube earned MET Writers Association honorable mention accolades for the week ending February 24, after averaging 16.0 ppg & 7.5 rpg.
 
* Ebube collected his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Iona before turning in a big game at Fairfield.
* The Puerto Rico native paces the team in rebounding with 4.6 rpg, including 2.2 each time out on the offensive end (6th MAAC), and has reached double-figures on the glass four times, highlighted by a career-high 12 in the win over Coastal Carolina.
* On the year, Ebube has drawn a team-high 28 offensive fouls, including six in the win over Rider.

Tykei Takes Off
* Freshman Tykei Greene scored a career-high 16 points against Iona.
* He is averaging is averaging 10.5 ppg over his last six games, while hitting for double-figures in scoring three times during that time.
* Greene, who scored all 14 of his points after halftime in the win at Niagara, is 13-for-27 (.481) from long range over his last six games, after making good on 8-for-51 (.157) in the first 24. 

Nationally ...
* Manhattan ranks 15th nationally in scoring defense, yielding a MAAC-low 63.0 ppg, 60th in turnovers forced (14.8/game) and 102nd in steals (6.9/game).

February/March
* The Jaspers are 49-37 (.570) are the months of February/March, including 14-10 (.583) in March, under Masiello.

Close Calls
* Manhattan is 6-3 in MAAC games decided by 10 points or less and is shooting 45.5 percent (30-of-66) over the final five minutes of those games while making good on 72.5 percent (29-of-40) from the line.

Dynamic Duo
* Since entering the starting line-up 10 games ago, freshman Samir Stewart is averaging 10.0 ppg and 2.5 apg while shooting 46.9 percent (30-of-64), including 46.0 percent (23-of-50) from deep.
* Stewart scored a career-high 22 points in the first win over Niagara, going 6-for-6 from the floor, including converting on five triple attempts, and 5-of-5 from the line.
* Junior Tyler Reynolds is averaging a team-leading 11.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg over his last 10 games while making good on 44.6 percent (41-of-92) from the field and 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from deep.
* Reynolds scored a career-high 23 points and nine rebounds in the win over Rider while going 6-for-11 from distance. 

New Faces
* The Jasper newcomers have accounted for 62.0 percent of the team's scoring, 51.5 percent of the rebounding and 56.5 percent of the minutes. 
* Stewart scored a game-high 19 points  and a career-best five steals in the win over Saint Peter's, after canning the game-winning three pointer in the first meeting against the Peacocks with just 2.7 seconds remaining.
* Freshman Elijah Buchanan had a career-high matching 10 points against Saint Peter's while classmate Christian Hinckson had a personal-best 11 points in the first match-up with Rider.

Defense Yields Success
* Manhattan limited Quinnipiac, Fairfield and Saint Peter's to less than 60 points and is now 49-8 (.860) during Masiello's eight years when doing so.
* The Jaspers also forced a season-high matching 13 steals against the Peacocks in moving to 42-13 (.764) under Masiello when hitting double-figures in thefts.

Jaspers Sweep Western New York Swing
* Manhattan defeated Canisius & Niagara on the road for the first time since its MAAC Championship season of 2013-14.
* The Jaspers bested the Golden Griffins by a 70-65 count thanks to shooting a MAAC season-high 65.1 percent (28-of-43) from the floor.
* Over the final 14-plus minutes of the win, the Jaspers shot 91.7 percent (11-12) and scored on 13-straight possessions that didn't end in a turnover.
* Also in the victory, Stewart (13), Williams (12), Greene (11) and Reynolds (10) gave Manhattan four double-figure scorers for just the second time this year (vs. Niagara).
* Stewart had 14 points in the second meeting and averaged 18.0 ppg in the season sweep, while making good on 84.6 percent (11-of-13) from the floor, including 90.0 percent (9-of-10) from deep.

Reynolds Leading The Way
* On the year, the Syracuse native is averaging 8.1 ppg, including a team-best 10.0 ppg during league play.
* Reynolds has paced the team in scoring a team-leading eight times while connecting on at least three triples on 10 occasions.

From Deep
* Stewarts is seventh in the MAAC from long range at 40.9 percent (45-of-110) from deep, including 48.0 percent (36-of-75) during league play.
* Reynolds ranks 11th in the MAAC in three-point shooting (.390) and is averaging 8.1 ppg, including a team-best 10.0 ppg during league play.

Jaspers Tame Broncs
* Manhattan defeated MAAC Preseason favorite Rider 73-66 in collecting its third-straight victory.
* The Jaspers overcame a four-point halftime deficit, fueled by a game-changing 12-0 run.
* Reynolds notched a career-high 23 points while Stewart added 19 points.
 
* The duo combined to go 10-for-16 from long range.
* Manhattan also snapped a five-game losing streak to the defending MAAC Regular Season champions.

Samir Named MAAC Rookie Of The Week
* Stewart scored a 19 points in the win over Saint Peter's after going for 11 in the victory vs. Fairfield en route to earning top rookie honors from the league on Monday, February 4.
 
* Stewart averaged 15.0 ppg and 3.5 spg while shooting 81.8 percent (9-of-11) from the field, including 85.7 percent (6-of-7) from distance.

The Turnover Game
 * Manhattan ranks third in the MAAC in turnovers forced (14.8/game) and have has paced the league in the category three times in the last five years (2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14).
* The Jaspers are 26-14 (.650) under Masiello when turning the opposition over at least 20 times.

The Keystone State Standout
* Sophomore Nehemiah Mack, who scored a career-high 21 points at UAlbany, is the lone Jasper player to start all 30 games and is among the league leaders with 1.1 spg (12th MAAC) and 2.7 apg (12th MAAC).
* During league play, the Pennsylvania native has handed out a career-high matching five assists three times en route to registering a stellar 2.2 assist/turnover ratio. 

In The First Meeting With Niagara
* The Jaspers set season-highs in points (90) and assists (19) in their January win over Niagara.
* Manhattan outscored the Purple Eagles 47-24 over the final 14:06 and scored on 14 of their final 15 possessions.
* The bench dropped a season-high 47 points and has posted a scoring advantage over the opposition in 27 of its 30 games.

Double Your Pleasure
* Manhattan has overcome double-digit deficits in its wins over Coastal Carolina (13) and Niagara (14).

Sammy Steps Up
* Usilo was inducted into the prestigious Chi Epsilon National Engineering Honor Society, which is dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of civil engineering. 
* He scored a season-high nine pointswith six rebounds against Marist and was recently featured by Fox5 Sports and the New York Post.
* Click HERE for the video and HERE for the article.

Pauly Being Pauly
* Junior Pauly Paulicap, the reigning MAAC Defensive POTY, notched a game-high 17 points at St. Francis Brooklyn with four blocks and now rejected at least four shots 11 times as a Jasper, including turning away at least three on 16 occasions.
* He registered his sixth career double-double against Stony Brook with a career-high 24 points with 10 rebounds and five blocks and is tied with Mike Bruno for eighth in school history with 89 rejections.

KEMI NKU Basketball Classic
* Manhattan took two of three at the KEMI NKU Basketball Classic with Mack and Williams each being named to the All-Tournament Team. 
* Williams scored all of his 13 points in the win over UNC Asheville after halftime and notched 12 points and seven rebounds against NKU, while Mack scored nine of his career-high 11 points in the final 3:50 of the Jaspers' comeback victory over Coastal Carolina.

Lucky Number 13
* In the win over Coastal Carolina, the Jaspers rallied from a 13-point deficit over the final 9:37 thanks to forcing the Chanticleers into 0-for-8 shooting during that time while posting a 13-7 advantage on the glass.

Scouting Fairfield
* The Stags are a perimeter-based attack that is averaging 8.4 triples per game and led by the quartet of Landon Taliaferro (12.3 ppg), Neftali Alvarez (11.3 ppg), Jonathan Kasibabu (10.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Jesus Cruz (9.7 ppg).

Congrats Coach
* Masiello earned his 200th win at the school against Coastal Carolina, which includes his time as an Assistant and a Head Coach, with the triumph. 
 
Masiello Quick Hits
* Masiello has led Manhattan to a 126-130 (.492) record, including going 80-72 (.526) during MAAC play, and 61-38 (.616) at Draddy Gym over his eight seasons, including 48-27 (.640) vs. league opposition. He has won two MAAC Titles, advanced to title game three times, claimed two Metropolitan Coach of the Year awards with a pair of 20-win campaigns. Masiello has also participated in the NCAA Tournament in 13 of his first 21 seasons as a player or coach, including being a part of eight conference champions and one National Title. 
* In his first tenure as an assistant, Masiello was a part of two MAAC titles and three 20-plus win seasons. All told, Masiello has been a member of four of Manhattan's five MAAC Championship teams and five of the school's 12 20-win seasons in recording a combined 209-166 (.557) record.
* Now in his 22nd season as either a player or a coach, Masiello has a career collegiate record of 487-276 (.638), including 366-248 (.596) on the sidelines, with one National Title, two National Championship Game appearances, two Final Fours, six Elite Eight berths, eight conference championships, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and 15 20-win seasons.

Preseason Musings
* Manhattan was tabbed eighth in the MAAC Preseason Poll with Paulicap selected to the preseason All-MAAC Second Team.
* Paulicap (1st) and Capuano (2nd) were each selected to preseason All-MAAC teams by Mid-Major Madness.

Congrats Smooth
* Former standout and current color analyst Chris "Smooth" Williams joined the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 10. Williams clinched the Jaspers' first-ever MAAC Championship in 1992-93 at the line and led the Jaspers to 72 career wins while handing out 271 assists and scoring 792 points.

This Is Manhattan Basketball
• Manhattan has three wins in NCAA Tournament play, defeating West Virginia (1958), Oklahoma (1995) and Florida (2004).
• The Jaspers have won five MAAC Tournament titles in the last 25 years (1993, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2015).
• Manhattan received an at-large berth in 1995 and defeated Oklahoma before falling to Arizona State.
* Was the first team in NCAA history to a win a game in Europe, defeating Holy Cross 70-54 on December 1, 2017 as part of the inaugural Belfast Classic.

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 baseball games while also directing the team itself. During one particularly warm and humid day when the college was playing a semi-pro baseball team called the Metropolitans, Brother Jasper noticed the Manhattan students were becoming restless and edgy with the team coming 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 1890's 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.

This Is Manhattan College
• Why is Manhattan College in the Bronx? Our campus was originally located in Manhattan at the intersection of 131st Street and Broadway. In 1923, Manhattan College moved to its present Riverdale location in order to accommodate a growing student body. But with more than 60 years of history established as Manhattan College, the institution decided to retain the name despite the geographic misnomer.
• 17 alumni are members of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering — an impressive number for an institution the size of Manhattan College.
• Manhattan is one of only 182 remaining colleges founded in the United States before the Civil War.

Meet The Staff
* Masiello is joined on the bench by Matt Grady, Doug Thibault, RaShawn Stores, Brandon Kuhn and Tyler Wilson. Grady is in his eighth year as an associate head coach with Thibault beginning year one. Stores is back for his third seasons while Kuhn is in his second year as the Strength & Conditioning Assistant/Director of Operations and Wilson his second as a Special Assistants to Masiello.
* Grady was a member of Manhattan's 2014 & 2015 MAAC Championship teams while Stores and Wilson were each student-athletes on the Jaspers' title-winning teams.

113th Season Of Manhattan Basketball
* In its 113th season, the Manhattan men's basketball program boasts a 1374-1247 overall record (302-326 MAAC). The Jaspers' storied men's basketball team was established in 1904-05 and took a two-year hiatus during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 season due to World War II. 

Up Next
* With A Win, Manhattan would take on No. 2 Canisius on Friday, March 8 at 9:30 pm.