All that is good with Metro Atlantic Athletic men’s basketball.
Needham and English grab weekly honors
Derek Needham scored a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning three pointer with 16 seconds remaining, to defeat Saint Joseph’s University on the road. It was Fairfield’s first win over Saint Joseph’s since the 1977-78 season. After hitting the shot to give Fairfield a two-point lead, Needham drew an offensive foul and made a free throw to give the Stags a three-point lead. He finished the game with eight field goals in 15 attempts with five three pointers in nine attempts. He also had five assists with a steal.
Three among 2013 Bob Cousy Award candidates
Edison, N.J. – Fairfield University’s Derek Needham, Manhattan College’s Michael Alvarado and Niagara University Juan’ya Green were named to the watch list of candidates for the 2013 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award.
The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in men’s college basketball. Over 80 candidates have been nominated for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award.
MAAC moves to 20 regular season games
Edison, N.J. – With the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference expanding to 11 teams starting with the 2013-14 season, the league will move to playing a 20-game double round robin conference schedule in both men’s and women’s basketball.
“A 20-game double round robin schedule that was unanimously approved by the athletic directors provides equity for all of our competing student-athletes as they work towards the goal of a MAAC championship,” MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor stated. “I am also pleased to develop a format that brings all of our coaches, student-athletes and fans to Springfield to enjoy our championship experience. I want to thank all of the athletic directors for their assistance in finalizing this endeavor.”
Tsuj’s Ten: Big 4 Christmas Edition
Oscillating between NAUGHTY and NICE. It is truly scary to think that Antoine Mason is just a red-shirt sophomore. It’s unfair to mention his bloodlines, as he’s an entirely different player than his father, Anthony. Antoine was a volume player in his R-freshman season, hoisting many ill-advised shots and playing pretty unpredictable basketball. He’s matured as a sophomore, and he’s at his best inside the three-point arc where he can use his wide receiver-esque frame to torment opponents.
Canisius cruises past Longwood
Canisius senior guard Isaac Sosa scored a season-high 24 points after making a career-high eight 3-point field goals and fellow senior Alshwan Hymes came off the bench to add 18 points to help lead the Golden Griffins to an 82-54 win over Longwood Monday night in the Koessler Athletic Center. Canisius improved to 7-2 on the year with the victory, while the Lancers slipped to 3-8 with the loss.
Manhertz brings grit to the Golden Griffins
The change in the Canisius Golden Griffins men’s basketball program can be as obvious as the overall record or as subtle as a change in the game notes.
Jim Baron’s tenure as head coach of the Golden Griffins, while still measured in months, harkens back decades in the men’s basketball program history. With a resounding82-54 triumph Monday night over Longwood, the Golden Griffins have improved to 7-2 on the young season. Not since 1966-67 have the denizens of Main Street, Buffalo known such numbers.
Olson, Brooks record career highs in Loyola win over Mount
BALTIMORE – Robert Olson scored nine of his career-best 22 points during a 22-2 Loyola University Maryland run midway through the first half, and Julius Brooksadded a career-high 12 points, as the Greyhounds defeated visiting Mount St. Mary’s University, 79-57, on Saturday night in Reitz Arena.
Olson made a career-high nine shots, on 14 attempts, and exceeded his previous best by a point with a lay-up and free throw with 2:23 remaining in the game.
Fordham holds off Siena
Chris Gatson scored 20 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, helping Fordham to a big early lead it never relinquished in an 81-75 victory over Siena Sunday in the Bronx. The Saints played their best basketball of the season in the second half, rallying to within a single point before succumbing late.
Rob Poole scored a career-high 21 points on 7-9 shooting to lead four Saints in double figures.
Manhattan edged by South Carolina
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Manhattan’s second half comeback bid fell short as the Jaspers were edged 63-57 by South Carolina (8-3) Saturday in the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational at Barclays Center. Freshman forward Shane Richards had a career night with a game-high 18 points on six three-pointers to lead Manhattan (3-7). Three Gamecocks scored in double-figures in their third straight win as junior guard Brenton Williams led the way with 17 points.
La Salle spoils Laury’s debut for Iona
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Iona College men’s basketball team dropped an 88-74 decision to La Salle in non-conference action at Tom Gola Arena. A late Explorer (7-2) run in the second half proved to be the Gaels’ (5-5) undoing.
Under-the-radar-player-of-the-week: Billy Baron
If I’m gonna give Wyatt some love, the least I can do is throw a bone to the guy who beat the Owls earlier in the week. Baron is literally Buffalo’s favorite son. He transferred to Canisius over the summer because the school hired his father, Jim, after Jim was fired from Rhode Island. Previously, Billy left Virginia midway through his freshman season to join his dad at Rhode Island.
Read More: https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20121224/fast-break/#ixzz2G7ETu0RY
The #Griffs rank 3rd in the nation in 3-pt. FGs made per game (9.6/GM) and 18th in 3-pt. FG% at 40% in the latest NCAA rankings. #MAACHoops
— Griffs_MBB (@Griffs_MBB) December 24, 2012
With Christmas break upon us for many teams – one match-up has my eye. #Iona and Saint Joseph’s on Friday #SJU — Ryan Michael Lazo (@RMLazo13) December 24, 2012
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: MAAC Recap
Exams are over and basketball is back in full swing. With lots of MAAC action this week there was lots to pick from for this week’s good, bad and ugly categories. Apologies to Loyola (MD) and Marist. I couldn’t figure out what to write about the easy victory over Mount St. Mary’s and the Hartford loss for the Red Foxes falls under the old adage of “If you don’t have anything nice to say…”
Canisius making “We’re Back” statement
The terminology for a break-through victory over a favored opponent, these days, is a “Signature Win.”
Canisius got that with its 72-62 victory over Temple (which entered the game with an 8-1 record) on Tuesday at the Owls’ on-campus Liacouras Center.
The Buffalo News trumpeted the result as a “We’re Back” performance by the Golden Griffins.
Taking a look at MAAC’s decision to add two teams
The rumors that began a couple weeks ago were accurate and the confirmation came Friday out of a meeting of MAAC school presidents at a meeting in New York City on Friday.
Quinnipiac and Monmouth, current members of the Northeast Conference, were invited to join the MAAC and both universities accepted by later in the day.
So, what does it mean?
Loyola moves up 1 to No. 20 in @collegeinsider #MidMajorTop25. Next opponent, Bucknell is 6th.loyo.la/SHPlWm#maachoops #gohounds
— Loyola Men’s BKB (@LoyolaMBB) December 25, 2012
Family pulled Loyola center back to Baltimore
The wristband caught his attention several times throughout a typical day. If he took a shower, the blue silicone bracelet stayed on. When he had basketball practice or a game, he moved it from his wrist to his ankle.
Pictures of red, yellow and blue puzzle pieces surrounded a simple message Jordan Latham read whenever he glanced at his wrist: I love someone with autism.
Lionel Gomis leaves Siena
Siena has announced that sophomore Lionel Gomis is no longer with the men’s basketball team and has left Siena for personal family reasons.
Gomis had not dressed for the last four games and was said to be taking some time away to deal with a personal matter. He returned to his home in Chicago following the semester after recently informing Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro and athletic director John D’Argenio of his desire to leave the program for family reasons.
Tsuj’s Ten: Can anyone stop Canisius?
For a team projected to finish ninth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the Canisius Griffins are making serious national noise. By winning their first two MAAC games, battling No. 4 Syracuse tightly for a half and soaring past the Temple Owls with a dominant second half, Jim Baron’s squad has vaulted to No. 27 in the nation according to CBS Sports’ RPI rankings (more on this stat later).
Wednesday’s 72-62 win over previously 8-1 Temple, who smothered the University at Buffalo 54-39 on Nov. 28, proved a signature non-conference victory for Canisius, who entered the contest as a 10-point underdog. It’s worthy of note, too, that Canisius was missing junior forward Jordan Heath, while Temple’s Anthony Lee—questionable entering the game—mustered 24 minutes.
Machado makes return to NBA
Lost in the shuffle of last-minute holiday shopping and several big games over the weekend, fans of Iona College received a somewhat unexpected Christmas present when the Houston Rockets recalled Scott Machado from their developmental league affiliate early yesterday afternoon. Even better than that, the former Gael made his second appearance as a Rocket, scoring two points in four minutes in Houston’s 121-96 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies at the Toyota Center in Houston.
5 observations from Temple-Canisius
1. MAAC FAVORITE
That’s what Jim Baron’s team looked like after they beat Temple 72-62 on Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Canisius is deep, talented, and has two veteran guards in Billy Baron andHarold Washington. There is something to be genuinely excited about in Western New York.
2. DEEP RANGE
Canisius’ greatest strength may be their ability to shoot with accuracy from three-point range. The Golden Griffins made 10-of-21 from deep in the win over Temple, including seven in the second half. An unsung presence for Canisius is Isaac Sosa. The transfer fromCentral Florida puts pressure on the defense as soon as he walks into the gym, and had 13 points and three made three-pointers against the Owls.
If you’re not tuned into the last minute of this @griffs_mbb game I don’t even wanna know you.
— Cece G (@GothamCitayyy) December 20, 2012
Got something to add to the Press Break. Please post it in a comment.
What a great resource. Thank you for sharing this.