Manhattan Jaspers
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #80
Conference Rank: #1 MAAC
| Manhattan Team Page |  | Buy Manhattan Basketball Tickets |
Manhattan fell to the middle of the MAAC table with a 9-9 record in 2012-2013. But that is what happens when your best player suits up for just five games. George Beamon, a 6-4 wing, was injured early last season and the Jaspers did a pretty good job moving on without him considering they lost him by surprise. Two years ago Beamon averaged 19.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals. He is a great scorer from anywhere on the floor and can do absolutely everything. The MAAC player of the year candidate is back for another go at his senior season.
2012-13 Record: 14-18, 9-9
2012-13 Postseason: None
Coach: Steve Masiello
Coach Record: 35-31 at Manhattan, 35-31 overall
Who’s Out:
Not including Beamon, Coach Steve Masiello returns his top six minute earners. But this was a deep team, so the losses are not insignificant. Robert Colonette started 22 games and did the dirty work in the paint. Guard Mohamed Koita started 17 games during his senior season despite averaging just 13.4 minutes per game. Koita was a consistent shooter when he pulled the trigger. Ryan McCoy had potential as a lanky 6-9 forward who can shoot, but he averaged less than ten minutes per game as a sophomore and left the program.
Who’s In:
The other bad news that kept Manhattan down the Metro Atlantic pecking order came about Ashton Pankey. The transfer from Maryland was denied his application to be eligible last season. But that does not matter now as the 6-10 forward is eligible and ready to add his rebounding domination to the squad. Back in 2011-2012, the freshman Pankey started 17 games for the Terps and averaged 4.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. He is a huge pickup for the Jaspers. The frontcourt adds more depth with bruising 6-10 freshman Carlton Allen. Tyler Wilson and Rich Williams will not be asked to do too much as freshmen, yet Williams, a versatile 6-5 guard, has the potential to provide Manhattan with quite a few different skills off of the bench right away.
Who to Watch:
The Jaspers frontcourt is absolutely loaded with Pankey joining the mix. Rhamel Brown, a 6-7 senior, is a quality interior scorer and a great rebounder and shot blocker. He led Manhattan in all three categories, averaging 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Emmy Andujar and Shane Richards will battle it out with Pankey for the other starting spot and minutes off of the bench. Andujar proved to be a very capable secondary scorer and rebounder beside Brown. He can play that same role this year, but compliment Pankey as well. However, just calling Andujar a complimentary player is not fair. At 6-6 and 205 pounds, he could even spend more time at the small forward position this year if the depth up front can manage without him. Shane Richards is certainly better equipped to play on the wing. He is just 6-5 and lacks the interior toughness that Andujar has, but he is a great shooter. Richards knocked down 40.4 percent of his attempts from long range as a freshman and he will provide a great offensive spark, most likely off of the bench for most of this season.
Final Projection:
The backcourt is led by point guard Michael Alvarado. He is a decent scorer and ball handler and a good defender. Alvardo may not put up big numbers, although his assist total should increase with Beamon back to make shots, but he does a solid job running the team. The battle for minutes beside Alvarado will be interesting again in 2012-2013. Donovan Kates is a big 6-6 guard who can attack the basket. If he can start knocking down his shots with more consistency, Kates could be in for a big junior season. ReShawn Stores can do a bit of everything. The 5-11 junior is a good ball handler and will at least be Alvardo’s backup at the point. He could also play at the same time as Alvarado if Coach Masiello needs more ballhandlers, with less size, on the floor. C.J. Jones showed flashes as a freshman, but he must find his stroke in order to see his playing time increase. With Beamon back in the mix, the Jaspers backcourt is loaded and that alone is enough to have Manhattan back in serious competition for a MAAC title.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Michael Alvarado, Senior, Guard, 8.4 points per game
Donovan Kates, Junior, Guard, 6.7 points per game
George Beamon, Senior, Guard, 13.4 points per game
Ashton Pankey, Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season
Rhamel Brown, Senior, Center, 11.4 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 58.3 (332nd in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.9 (32, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.8 (289, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.4 (61, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.7 (226, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.7 (179, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.2 (269, 8)
Rebound Margin: -0.3 (189, 6)
Assists Per Game: 10.7 (304, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.2 (332, 10)
See All Top 144 Basketball Previews
