Jaspers Set for 13-Game Non-Conference Slate
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan men’s basketball team is scheduled for 13 non-conference contests for the upcoming 2011-2012 campaign. The competitive slate will feature Manhattan’s participation in the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. The Jaspers were paired with Syracuse at the Carrier Dome in the opening round of the 16-team event. Manhattan will open the campaign at home on Nov. 12 hosting NJIT.
“We are excited about our non-conference schedule and the tests it will provide for our ball club,” explained Manhattan first year head coach Steve Masiello. “It is an honor to be a part of the NIT Season Tip-Off, a historic basketball event which has such a rich tradition. Our goal is to use the challenges presented in this schedule to get us prepared for the MAAC season.”
Manhattan is guaranteed four games in the NIT Season Tip-Off and will take on either Albany or Brown in the second round also at the Carrier Dome. The first- and second-rounds will be held Nov. 14, 15 and 16 with specific game dates and times to be announced at a later date. Oklahoma State, Stanford and Virginia Tech join Syracuse as regional hosts, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Colorado State, Florida International, Fresno State, George Mason, Monmouth, Oral Roberts, SMU and Texas San-Antonio round out the field.
Regional winners will advance to the semifinals at the newly renovated Madison Square Garden on Nov. 23. The remaining teams that do not advance to Madison Square Garden will compete in third- and fourth-round doubleheaders Nov. 21-22 on the campuses of the three highest remaining seeds. ESPN will provide coverage throughout the event on either ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3.com.
The Jaspers return to Draddy Gymnasium on Nov. 26 to renew its local rivalry with Columbia. It will be Manhattan’s first meeting with the Lions since 2003. Manhattan then hits the road for its second straight game with an Ivy League opponent on Nov. 29 when the Jaspers take on Penn at The Palestra in Philadelphia.
Manhattan hosts cross-borough rival Fordham on Dec. 7 for the 104th “Battle of the Bronx”, before rounding out 2011 with three consecutive road games. On Dec. 20, Manhattan will play a return match up with its 2010 Bracketbuster opponent Towson. Three days later, the Jaspers take on another Colonial Athletic Association member when they visit George Mason (Dec. 23). Manhattan completes the road series at Binghamton on Dec. 30.
“Our non-conference schedule is comprised of some very tough opponents and we will go up against some very good coaches. So come January we will know exactly where we stand going into MAAC basketball,” explained Masiello.
The Jaspers finish their non-league schedule on Feb. 18 with an ESPN Bracketbuster contest. It will be the ninth straight year Manhattan has participated in the event and it will serve as the home team this season. Manhattan will be assigned an opponent a few weeks prior to the contest. Previous opponents have been the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2004), George Mason (2005), Long Beach State (2006), Eastern Michigan (2007), Binghamton (2008), William & Mary (2009), Towson (2010) and Stony Brook (2011).
Manhattan fans can get their first look at the Jaspers in the annual Green & White Game. The date of the scrimmage has yet to be determined. The squad will also host Adelphi for an open scrimmage on Nov. 5.
Manhattan returns nine scholarship players, including its leading scorer All-MAAC selection George Beamon (16.3 ppg). Masiello also welcomes four newcomers in Decarlos Anderson, Emmanuel Andujar, Donovan Kates and Ryan McCoy.
All dates and times subject to change
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