Manhattan Jaspers
MAAC (19-13, 13-7)
The Manhattan Jaspers are in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. Thanks to Coach Steve Masiello, who almost bolted after last season, the Jaspers are always going to be a tough out in the postseason. They are well-coached and will never give up. They do not project as a Sweet Sixteen team, but they can certainly spoil a trip for someone else.
Big Wins: 1/4 at Canisius (63-60), 2/1 at Monmouth (87-76), 3/9 vs Iona (79-69)
Bad Losses: 12/5 at Fairfield (54-67), 1/2 at Niagara (61-73), 1/23 at Quinnipiac (59-73)
Coach: Steve Masiello
Why They Can Surprise:
The best element of the Jaspers’ game is their toughness. They draw contact whenever they can. They were third in the nation as a team in free-throw attempts (they made well over 500 during the season). They play with great energy and scrappiness. Defensively, they play the passing lanes very well. They led their league in steals. Holding teams to 32% from behind the arc has been a great asset to them especially late in the season. They have three electric offensive players: Emmy Anjudar, who leads the team in multiple categories, Ashton Pankey and Shane Richards, who thrives at the line. The three average over 13 points per game each. When they are clicking, Manhattan is hard to beat. Confidence is high for this team and they finally defeated Iona after losing to them twice in the last five weeks. They are riding a four-game winning streak, including the upset win over the MAAC top-seed.
Why They Can Disappoint:
They have three guys that can score, but as a team they are unlikely to stop good teams over a stretch of games. They give up nearly 68 points per game. The Jaspers only average 69. Something will have to give. Their biggest issue on offense is their tendency to turn the ball over and they averaged nearly 15 per game. That will not help them come tournament time. The roster is full of decent size, but Manhattan is not adept at rebounding. They have been outrebounded in most games all season and no team will be intimidated by Manhattan in the paint. Their ability, or inability, to body up athletic big men is going to be paramount.
Probable Starters:
RaShawn Stores, Senior, Guard, 6.3 pg, 3.0 apg
Donovan Kates, Senior, Guard, 3.5 ppg, 1.0 apg
Emmy Anjudar, Senior, Forward, 16.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.1 spg
Shane Richards, Junior, Forward, 13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Ashton Pankey, Junior, Forward, 13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Rich Williams, Sophomore, Guard, 5.7 ppg
Tyler Wilson, Sophomore, Guard, 3.4 ppg, 2.9 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.9 (100th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.5 (197, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (177, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.6 (204, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (153, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.0 (192, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.4 (160, 9)
Rebound Margin: -2.1 (270, 9)
Assists Per Game: 13.9 (82, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.5 (318, 11)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Second Round loss to Louisville
2012 CIT First Round win over Albany
2012 CIT Second Round loss to Fairfield
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
