31-Game Slate Features 13 Home Dates and Participation in Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference released the 2011-2012 league schedule on Friday, which completes Manhattan’s 31-game slate. The Jaspers will begin conference play on Dec. 2 at Rider, before hosting its first MAAC opponent in the newly renovated Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 4 against reigning MAAC champion Saint Peter’s. The conference’s television schedule was not released.
Manhattan will open the 2011-2012 campaign at home on Nov. 12 against NJIT as first year head coach Steve Masiello makes his debut before the Jasper faithful. The Jaspers then hit the road for a four game stretch with their participation in the competitive 16-team field of the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. Manhattan visits the Carrier Dome on Nov. 14 to square off with Syracuse in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU. It kicks off the Jaspers fifth appearance in the NIT Season Tip-Off and is Manhattan’s 28th meeting all-time against the Orange.
Manhattan is guaranteed four games in the 27th annual NIT Season Tip-Off. The Jaspers will play Albany or Brown in the ensuing round in Syracuse, N.Y. on Nov. 15 for either the North Regional’s championship or consolation contest. The champion of the North Region will advance to Madison Square Garden to vie for the title, while the remaining teams in the tournament field will compete in third- and fourth-round doubleheaders Nov. 21-22 on the campuses of the three highest remaining seeds.
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.
After Manhattan visits Rider on Dec. 2 to open the MAAC season, the Jaspers have a two game series beginning with Saint Peter’s on Dec. 4. Manhattan hosts cross-borough rival Fordham on Dec. 7 for the 104th “Battle of the Bronx”, before rounding out 2011 with four consecutive road games, including three straight against the Colonial Athletic Association. On Dec. 10, Manhattan travels to Hempstead, N.Y. to meet Hofstra, and then returns a game with its 2010 Bracketbuster opponent Towson. Three days later, the Jaspers take on George Mason (Dec. 23). Manhattan completes the road series at Binghamton on Dec. 30.
Manhattan will be tested early in 2012 with stiff MAAC competition right out of the gate. The Jaspers play host to Rider on Jan. 2 and then travel to Baltimore to meet Loyola (Jan. 5). Manhattan has Fairfield at home on Jan. 8 and heads to New Rochelle, N.Y. on Jan. 12 to face local conference rival Iona.
Siena visits Draddy Gymnasium on Jan. 14 The Jaspers go to the McCann Center on Jan. 20 to face Marist, the site of Michael Alvarado’s half court game winning shot last season that garnered the #1 play in sports honors for that day on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 List. Manhattan plays Niagara at home on Jan. 22, before traveling to Western New York to face Canisius on Jan. 27 and the Purple Eagles again on Jan. 29.
Marist (Feb. 2) and Iona (Feb. 4) come to Draddy Gymnasium to start the final month of the regular-season. The Jaspers then embark on their longest road trip of the New Year, a three game set at Fairfield (Feb. 9), Saint Peter’s (Feb. 11) and Siena (Feb. 14).
Manhattan wraps up the regular-season with a three game home series, beginning with an ESPN BracketBuster contest on Feb. 18. It will be the ninth straight year Manhattan has participated in the event. The Jaspers opponent will be assigned a few weeks prior to the event date. Manhattan wraps up the regular-season in Riverdale with Canisius (Feb. 24) and then Loyola (Feb. 26) for Senior Day.
The 2011 MAAC Basketball Championships will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. from March 2 – 5. For more information on the MAAC Tournament visit www.MAACachussetts.com .
All dates and times subject to change
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