-GAME #1 Cards vs. Jaspers
It’s here folks! Our #2 ranked Louisville Cardinal basketball team starts their march to Atlanta on Sunday as they will face former UofL assistant Steve Masiello’s Manhattan Jaspers.
This will be a tough opening game for our Cards as Steve Masiello has created a winning attitude in his short time with the program. The Jaspers finished second in their conference in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season and return 80 percent of their possession minutes. In Steve Masiello’s first season at the helm, the Jaspers played a style very reminiscent of Louisville under Rick Pitino. So it’s no surprise that they have one of the best defenses in their league. They also have a pretty good offense as well.
2011-12 MAAC league rankings in offense and defense:
-In-conference offense: 1.05 points per possession (2nd) In-conference
-defense: 0.94 points allowed per possession (2nd)
Senior George Beamon, Juniors Michael Alvarado, and Rhamel Brown will be the guys asked to lead this Manhattan team that has more depth than the program has seen in recent years. They return their entire starting lineup and have a roster full of guys that have seen major minutes. The offense flows nicely through George Beamon and point guard Michael Alvarado. Alvarado was injured near the end of last season, which led to Manhattan dropping five of their final eight conference games. But a healthy Alvarado and the development of point forward Emmy Andujar should give Masiello a variety of options for offense against our Louisville Cards.
Coach Masiello: “I think we have a lot of weapons this year. This is one of the deepest teams I have been around in all of my coaching and playing years.”
THE JASPER ROSTER:
George Beamon: 6-4 senior (19.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 spg), He is a guy that will stuff the stat sheet every time out. He’s one of the league’s top players, he led the MAAC in scoring and was third in 3-point percentage (.427).
Michael Alvardo: 6-2 junior (8.5 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.4 spg), this hard-nosed point guard is consider the floor general of the Jasper squad.
Rhamel Brown: 6-6 Junior (7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), the forward, led the team in blocks with 84 and was voted the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. He is the first Jasper to earn the award, was 19th in the nation in blocks (2.8 bpg) and has 147 in his career.
Emmy Andujar: 6-6 Sophomore, MAAC All-Rookie Team selection, started 32 of 33 appearances averaging 8.5 points per game.
Paul Bayt: 6-4 Freshman, averaged about 15 points and shot nearly 40% from three-point territory in two seasons at Park Tudor High School.
Roberto Colonette: 6-7 Graduate, Played in all 34 games, starting 26 times, averaged 6.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and nearly one block in 18.1 minutes per game.
CJ Jones: 6-0 Freshman, Ranked in the top 30 for point guards in the 2012 recruiting class by ESPN.com.
Donovan Kates: 6-6 Sophomore, Played in all 34 games, starting 11 times, averaged 5.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and knocked down 23 three pointers in 16.6 minutes per game.
Mohamed Koita: 6-4 Senior, Appeared in 33 games, starting 25 games, averaged 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and swiped nine steals in 13.3 minutes per game.
Adam Lacey: 6-10 Freshman, Top-100 recruit at his position in the nation for 2012 according to ESPN.com.
Ryan McCoy: 6-9 Sophomore, Played in all 34 games, starting twice, scored 55 points, grabbed 34 rebounds and dished out 21 assists.
Ashton Pankey: 6-10 Sophomore, (Maryland Transfer): Played in all 32 games, making 17 starts, averaged 4.7 points and 4.9 rebounds over 20.3 minutes per contest, led the Terps in rebounding.
Shane Richards: 6-5 Freshman, Ranked 17th best prospect from New York State in the 2012 recruiting class by ESPN.com.
RaShawn Stores: 5-11 Sophomore, Sat out due to NCAA requirements.
Sky Williams: 6-2 Freshman, Tuckahoe High School’s all-time leading scorer with over 1,537 career points.
Mark Jackson, Jr.: 6-3 Redshirt Sophmore, (Louisville transfer): Appeared in three games for our Cards. He won’t play this season for the Jasper’s.
Beamon, Colonette, Brown and Alvardo are proven talents, but Masiello’s young players, including several newcomers need to contribute, too. Pankey arrives with the most hype, but he needs to show why he was an ACC recruit.
Last season Manhattan struggled a bit early during non-conference play while adjusting to Masiello’s system. The adjustment period is over, but the Jaspers have a daunting schedule in front of them and it starts with the battle Sunday in the KFC Yum Center.
Expected starters for our Cards Siva, Smith, Hancock, Harrell, and Dieng. During the exhibition part of the schedule our Cardinals have pretty much played like we have all expected. The defense is coming along and the offense is streaky. The frontcourt has been dominate especially with the addition of Harrell. This will be the difference in this game. Our size, and power down low will take over. Cards win this one in a good opening test, and don’t expect it to be a blow out.
Beak Prediction:
Louisville 70 Manhattan 63
-(Last Minute addendum)
Manhattan star George Beamon will not play in the Jaspers game at Louisville on Sunday due to an ankle injury.