An interesting article in the NY POST about how the MAAC's Manhattan is really NY's college team:
Combined, the two legendary programs (Syracuse and St. John's) have one player from the five boroughs — a walk-on — while the only New York City team guaranteed to hear its name called on Sunday night’s Selection Show — the Manhattan Jaspers — feature eight players from the city and one from Long Island. Does that make the Jaspers, entering their first NCAA Tournament in 10 years, New York’s team?....
As Masiello often says, “It isn’t about getting any New York kid, it’s about getting the right New York kid. “If there’s a player in New York, the tri-state area, that fits what we do, he can’t leave. That’s our first priority,” Masiello said. “It’s not about talent. We’re guys who sacrifice here. If you fit what we’re doing and you’re within 100 miles of us, we have to get you. You’re not leaving.”....
Great segment with the Jaspers in the CBS studios at halftime of the St. Joe's vs VCU game. You would think that Massiello would have shaved for the occasion. Looked like a hobo.
Think the Jaspers will get closer to Louisville than the Stags did? Fairfield lost 72-57 earlier in the season to Pitino & Co.
If Louisville plays the way they did against the Stags, Manhattan could win this game. Highly unlikely but we've seen stranger things than this happening.
Think the Jaspers will get closer to Louisville than the Stags did? Fairfield lost 72-57 earlier in the season to Pitino & Co.
A couple of reasons why this one could be worse. First of all the Cards have been playing at a much higher level than when they played the Stags. In reality that game back in November involved a good effort by Fairfield for sure, but really a very sloopy performance by Loiusville, the result being a closer than expected contest. Loiusville is much better now, and quite frankly their #4 seed is seen by some experts as a joke considering many expect them to make the Final Four. Bad luck for Manhattan as far as this draw. Secondly, I think the perception is that Pitino playing his former assistant Masiello might set up a "friendly" rivalry game where the Cardinals win of course, but they will not run up the score. But the word I have heard is that there is quite a bit of animosity between the two based on some misunderstanding recently. Therefore if given the chance, Rick would not hesitate to pile it on if he could. Of course the Jasper squad that will show up for this game is obviously far superior to the Fairfield team that played that night at the casino (despite the Stag upset of Manhattan in January), so if they perform at their best maybe this will be a decent contest. I look for a fairly close game for about three quarters, but near the end the Cards will beat them by quite a large margin.
It will be interesting to see how many fans will come to these postseason games, especially the CIT and CBI games? What makes Siena very attractive to the CBI is that Siena averaged 6,593 fans at home in the Capital District market this season including 11,311 for the annual rivalry game with Albany. Yale averaged only 853 fans at home in their 2,800 seat Lee Ampitheater this season and Quinnipiac averaged 1,890 at home. However, Yale and Quinnipiac are only 11 miles apart but do their fans care enough to go to the game?
Siena had to promise CBI organizers a guarantee in the range of $35,000 in order to host a tournament game.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game will range from $13-$25 for adults ($8 for children and non-Siena students) and can be purchased through TicketMaster starting at 11 tonight or in person at the Times Union Center Box Office beginning at 10 a.m. Monday. The box office will be open until 6 p.m. on Monday and reopen Tuesday at 10 a.m. Siena student tickets include free shuttle bus service to and from the game and are priced at $6 (must be purchased at Times Union Center box office).
The Stony Brook-Siena winner will face Penn State or Hampton in a CBI quarterfinal on Monday, March 24 at a site to be determined after the first round. There is a chance Siena could host that game.
I have said many times the "C-Tournaments" are useless. It's nonsense and now has hit rock bottom. Does Siena really belong in the post-season? These exhibitions are a joke and I hope we never play in them again.
Last Edit: Mar 17, 2014 13:37:36 GMT -5 by paulie74
As much as I despise Iona, I think they can beat LA Tech and win a couple games....
So does the Bleacher Report:
Iona 22-10 (17-3 MAAC)
The Gaels like to go, and they do it as well as any team in the country. They push the ball and the game tempo from the beginning of the game. They score 83.5 PPG, good for No. 4 in the nation. They do a good job of sharing the ball (17.3 APG; No. 3 in the nation) and taking care of the ball (1.65 A/TO).
Prediction:Iona will challenge teams with their pace, which might be enough to help the Gaels steal a few games.