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Riverdale, NY - Winners of five-of-six, Manhattan (9-17; 7-7 MAAC) will welcome Iona (11-15; 9-6 MAAC) to Draddy Gymnasium for the first time since January 17, 2017.
Series History
* The Gaels lead the all-time series by a 55-40 count and have won the last seven match-ups.
* This will be the teams' lone regular season meeting, after meeting three times last year.
* The Jaspers will be looking for their first victory in the series, since defeating Iona 79-69 on March 9, 2015 for the MAAC Championship.
* Senior
Samson Usilo is the lone remaining member from Manhattan's 2015 MAAC title team and along with Iona's E.J. Crawford, Ricky McGill, Asante Gist, Andrija Ristanovic and Isaiah Still are the lone players in the league to have won a MAAC title.
* This marks the first time since March 2, 2008 that both teams will enter with a losing record.
Jaspers Sweep Western New York Swing
* Manhattan returns home after defeating 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, freshman
Samir Stewart (13), classmate
Warren Williams (12), freshman
Tykei Greene (11) and junior
Tyler Reynolds (10) gave Manhattan four double-figure scorers for just the second time this year (Niagara).
* Freshmen
Tykei Greene averaged 12.5 ppg while notching back-to-back double-figure scoring performances for the first time in his career, highlighted by a career-high 14 points with five rebounds in the victory over Niagara.
* Stewart matched Greene with 14 points against the Purple Eagles and thanks to scoring a career-high 22 points in the first win over Niagara, averaged 18.0 ppg while making good on 84.6 percent (11-of-13) from the floor, including 90.0 percent (9-of-10) from deep.
The Last Six Games ...
* The Jaspers have won five of their last six games, thanks to shooting 48.0 percent from the floor, including 44.4 percent from deep, while opponents are averaging just 56.8 ppg, on 41.0 percent shooting, including 29.5 percent from deep.
* Since entering the starting line-up, Stewart is averaging 13.2 ppg and 1.8 spg while shooting 70.6 percent (24-of-34), including 72.0 percent (18-of-25) from deep.
* Reynolds is averaging a team-leading 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg during that time while making good on 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the field and 45.9 percent (17-of-37) from deep.
* The Harcum College transfer hit for a career-high 23 points and nine rebounds in the win over Rider while going 6-for-11 from distance.
Close Calls
* Manhattan is 5-2 in MAAC games decided by 10 points or less and is shooting 55.6 percent (25-of-45) over the final five minutes of those games while making good on 77.4 percent (24-of-31) from the line.
Flipping The Switch
* The Jaspers are 4-1 in February and 48-34 (.585) are the months of February/March under Head Coach
Steve Masiello, including 24-9 (.727) at Draddy.
The Masiello Way
* Manhattan held the opposition to less than 60 points in victories over Fairfield and Saint Peter's and is now 48-8 (.857) under Masiello 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.
Reynolds Leading The Way
* Reynolds is averaging 8.1 ppg, including a team-best 10.4 ppg during league play, and has paced the team in scoring a team-leading seven times
From Deep
* Stewart is shooting a MAAC-leading 47.1 percent (40-of-85) from deep, includuing 62.0 percent (31-of-50) during league play.
* Reynolds, meanwhile, is seventh in the MAAC in three-point shooting (.413) with senior
Thomas Capuano ranking 14th (.377).
* Reynolds has connected on at least three triples on nine occasions.
W's Up!
* Williams hit for double-figures in scoring for the team-leading 10th time this year at Canisius, finishing with 12 points, on perfect 5-for-5 shooting, and continues to rank second in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.553).
Numbers
* Manhattan is 16th nationally in scoring defense, yielding a MAAC-low 62.6 ppg, 47th in turnovers forced (15.2/game) and 82nd in steals (7.2/game).
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.
* For the first time in 10 MAAC games, the Broncs were outscored after halftime (42-31).
* 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 (15.2/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.
Ebube Squared
* Sophomore
Ebube Ebube had a career-high 15 points with eight rebounds in the win over Fairfield before adding 10 points, five rebounds and a a career-high six drawn offensive fouls in the victory over Rider.
* In large part to Ebube, Manhattan set a season-high by drawing eight Rider offensive fouls.
* Ebube grabbed a career-high 12 caroms in the win over Coastal Carolina while also collecting double-figures against Fordham and at GW.
* On the year, Ebube has drawn a team-high 26 offensive fouls while averaging a team-leading 4.6 rpg, including 2.0 orpg (7th MAAC).
The Keystone State Standout
* Sophomore
Nehemiah Mack, who scored a career-high 21 points at UAlbany, is the lone Jasper player to start all 25 games and is among the league leaders with 1.3 spg (10th MAAC) and 2.5 apg (15th MAAC).
* During league play, the Pennsylvania native has handed out a career-high matching five assists three times en route to registering a stellar 2.3 assist/turnover ratio.
Newcomers Break Out
* Manhattan's newcomers have accounted for 59.8 percent of the team's scoring, 49.0 percent of the rebounding and 55.0 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.
* Classmate
Christian Hinckson had a personal-best 11 points in the first match-up with Rider.
Manhattan-Fairfield Tidbits
* Manhattan has now won three-straight games against Fairfield while holding the Stags to less than 60 points each time out.
* The Stags, which entered the game averaging 71.0 ppg, were limited to just 49 points, on 34.7 percent (17-of-49) shooting, including just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from deep.
In The First Meeting With Niagara
* The Jaspers set season-highs in points (90), field goal % (.630), 3-point % (.591), threes (13) 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 23 of its 26 games.
Double Your Pleasure
* Manhattan has overcome double-digit deficits in its wins over Coastal Carolina (13) and Niagara (14).
Sammy Steps Up
* Senior
Samson 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.
* Usilo added a season-high nine points and six rebounds against Marist and was recently featured in the New York Post. Click
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 Iona
• The Gaels are led by the high-powered quartet of E.J. Crawford (17.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Ricky McGill (15.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.5 rpg, 2.7 spg), Tajuan Agee (12.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and Asante Gist (12.1 ppg).
All-Time:
Capuano vs. Iona - (7 GM | 5.3 ppg, 3pt FG % (.429)
McGill vs. Manhattan - (7 GM | 6.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.0 spg, FG % (.571), 3pt-FG % (.500)
Crawford vs. Manhattan - (4 GM | 10.4 ppg, FG % (.405), 3pt-FG % (.333)
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 125-127 (.496) record, including going 79-69 (.534) during MAAC play, and 61-36 (.629) at Draddy Gym over his eight seasons, including 48-25 (.653) 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 207-163 (.559) record.
* Now in his 22nd season as either a player or a coach, Masiello has a career collegiate record of 486-273 (.640), including 365-245 (.598) 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 1373-1244 overall record (301-323 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
* Manhattan is at Fairfield on Sunday, February 24 with opening tip tabbed for 3:30 pm.
