Game Notes
Baltimore, MD - Manhattan will take to the road for the first time this year at UMBC on Monday, November 12 at 7:00 pm in a game that will be streamed through
ESPN+.
Series History With UMBC
For the second-straight game, the Jaspers will be facing a first-time opponent in UMBC.
About UMBC
The Retrievers enter with a 1-1 record and is led by the trio of Brandon Horvath (13.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Joe Sherburne (12.0 ppg) and Max Curran 9.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg).
Road Tripping
Manhattan would collect its first victory in a road opener since besting La Salle 99-90 in double overtime on November 9, 2013.
DYK?
Head Coach
Steve Masiello holds a 3-1 lifetime record against schools from the America East, highlighted by his first-ever postseason victory in the 2012 CIT at UAlbany.
Against The America East
This will be the first of three games for the Jaspers against schools from the America East.
All-Time Against The America East
The Jaspers are 11-4, all-time, against current members of the America East.
Last Time Out ...
Manhattan dropped a 62-56 decision to Elon in the season opener despite a standout performance from senior
Thomas Capuano, who had 10 points, a career-high eight rebounds and four assists, against no turnovers, while sophomore
Nehemiah Mack scored all 10 of his points after halftime while notching double-figures for the first time in his career.
Highlights From Elon
Welcome Back
Senior
Samson Usilo scored eight points after missing all of last season while graduate student
Ibrahima Diallo, sophomore
Ebube Ebube and freshman
Elijah Buchanan made their first career starts.
The Freshmen
Led by f
Samir Stewart's seven points, the Jasper freshmen combined for 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and four steals while also helping the reserves outscore the starters by a 30-26 count.
Battling On The Boards
Manhattan posted a decisive 14-7 edge on the offensive glass, which led to a 20-12 advantage in second-chance points.
On The Offensive Glass
Trailing by 11 with less than eight minutes to play, the Jaspers were able to make it a one-possession game on three occasions thanks to scoring 13 points over six possessions that were the direct result of an offensive rebound.
The Turnover Game
Manhattan ranked 48th nationally with 14.7 turnovers forced last season and was at it again against Elon, forcing 18 miscues that led to 15 points off turnovers.
Coach Masiello Quick Hits
* Coach Masiello is fifth in program history with 116 wins
* Masiello has been a member of 199 victories as a member of the coaching staff at Manhattan, having accrued 83 as an assistant from 2001-2005.
* Masiello's teams have forced at least 10 turnovers in a game 50 times with the Jaspers going 40-10 (.800) during that time.
The Squad
Manhattan returns eight letterwinners from last year's team while welcoming 10 newcomers.
Along Came Pauly
Leading the returners is reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year junior
Pauly Paulicap.
Preseason Poll
Paulicap earned Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honors.
O Captain, My Captain
Capuano, Paulicap and Mack will serve as team captains for the upcoming year.
A Bronx Thing
Manhattan has claimed four of the last eight MAAC Defensive Player of the Year awards under Masiello as Paulicap joined three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rhamel Brown as the league's top defensive force.
Paulicap In The Rankings
* Paulicap ranked 16th in the NCAA last year with 2.5 blocks per game and rejected at least three on 14 different occasions last season.
* His 78 total blocks were the fourth-most in school history and more than 52 schools had all of last season. He also averaged 10.0 ppg and 6.9 rpg (4th MAAC) while ranking third in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.558) with four double-doubles.
* On the offensive glass, Paulicap paced the MAAC with 3.0 offensive rebounds each time out.
Getting Defensive
* Thanks in large part to Paulicap, Manhattan ranked among the top-three in the MAAC in six defensive categories: turnovers forced (14.8-3rd; 48th NCAA), rebounding defense (33.7-1st), scoring defense (70.2 ppg-2nd), blocks (3.9 bpg-2nd), field goal percentage defense (.437-3rd) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.345-3rd).
* Manhattan has paced the MAAC in turnovers forced in three of the last five years (2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2013-2014) and are 24-13 under Masiello when turning the opposition over at least 20 times.
Cap From Deep
Capuano paced the MAAC during league play with a 53.7 percent conversion rate from long distance.
Return Of The Mack
Mack was a steadying force in the backcourt last year, playing in 30 games and posted a 1.81 assist/turnover ratio.
Mid-Major Madness
Paulicap (1st) and Capuano (2nd) were each selected to preseason All-MAAC teams by Mid-Major Madness.
MAAC Preseason Poll
Manhattan was tabbed eighth in the MAAC Preseason Poll. The Jaspers were slated eighth prior to the 2011-2012 season and finished with 21 victories.
Non-Conference Noise
The Jaspers will play 12 non-conference games, highlighted by three games against teams that qualified for the NCAA or the NIT a year ago. Additionally, the 12 opponents combined for a stellar .518 winning percentage.
Making History
Manhattan was the first-ever NCAA Division I team to win a game in Europe besting Holy Cross 70-54 on December 1, 2017 as part of the inaugural Belfast Classic in Northern Ireland before dropping a 56-55 thriller to Towson in the Championship.
Close Calls
Last year, 58.1 percent of the Jaspers' games (18-of-31) were been decided by 10 points or less.
Closing It Out
In the last five minutes/OT of 10-point games, Manhattan shot 78.6 percent (92-of-117) from the line, and 43.4 percent (59-of-136) from the floor, including 42.0 percent (21-of-50) from deep.
60-Point Club
The Jaspers are 43-5 under Masiello when holding teams to less than 60 points.
Masiello At Manhattan
Masiello has led Manhattan to a 116-111 (.511) record, including going 72-62 (.537) during MAAC play, and 57-30 (.655) at Draddy Gym over his eight seasons, including 44-22 vs. league opposition. He has won two MAAC Titles, advanced to title game three times, claimed two Metropolitan Coach of the Year awards with a pair of 20-win campaigns. Masiello has also participated in the NCAA Tournament in 13 of his first 21 seasons as a player or coach, including being a part of eight conference champions and one National Title.
Smooth In The HOF
Former standout and current color analyst Chris Williams joined the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 10. Williams clinched Manhattan's first-ever MAAC Championship in 1992-93 at the line and led the Jaspers to 72 career wins while handing out 271 assists and scoring 792 points.
Up Next
Manhattan will play against Coastal Carolina at 4:30 pm in the KEMI Northern Kentucky Basketball Classic.
