This is the ninth (and final) of the capsules for each of the NYC teams when I’m sure their season has concluded.
Team: Manhattan
Record: 21-13 (12-6 in the MAAC)
Season High: Winning at Iona on Emmy Andujar’s last-second shot
Season Low: Losing in overtime to Siena in the quarterfinals of the MAAC Tournament
Really Good At: Defense – This team became a lock-down defensive team. With Rhamel Brown and Roberto Colonette patrolling the middle, the press forcing turnovers and making opponents think, and a general ability to lock down on shooters the Jaspers became a defensive force.
Struggled With: Turnovers – The Jaspers just turned the ball over way to much during their first season in Steve Masiello’s offensive approach. They finished with a turnover rate of 22.9%, eighth in the MAAC during conference play. If you eliminate those turnover possession Manhattan probably had the best offense in the league. It’s something to work on for next season.
Key Losses:
- Roberto Colonette (6.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
- Kidani Brutus (8.3 PPG, 2.4 APG)
- Liam McCabe-Moran (5.3 PPG, 36.5% 3PT%)
Key Returnees:
- George Beamon, Jr., G (All-MAAC First Team, 19.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG)
- Rhamel Brown, So., F (MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, 7.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG)
- Michael Alvarado, So., G (8.5 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG)
- Emmy Andujar, Fr., G/F (8.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.2 APG)
Key Quotes:
“Great season. Biggest turnaround in college basketball. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Steve Masiello
Outlook: Positive. The three seniors that are leaving the Manhattan program do represent some quality players, but the Jaspers seem to be well positioned for next season. Beamon will be a star in the MAAC during his senior season (possibly the best player in the conference) and Brown, Alvarado and Adujar are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of talent in Riverdale. There is a strong recruiting class coming in with players that seem to fit Steve Masiello’s system. That’s one of the keys too. The players now have had a season to learn the trapping defensive system Masiello brought with him from Louisville. They should be able to work on it this offseason. Now that they’ve tasted success players like Beamon are just going to be that much hungrier. It should make for a focused, talented Manhattan team come 2012-13, one that has the potential to win the MAAC.
The Full Series of Season At A Glance Posts:
NYC Buckets Archive 