Yonkers Insider College Basketball Corner: Manhattan College Jaspers Basketball News.

 

Source: Manhattan College Jaspers Basketball.

Battle Of The Bronx Set For Thursday, December 3.

Riverdale, NY - The 113th edition of the 'Battle of the Bronx' between Manhattan and Fordham will be contested on Thursday, December 3 at Draddy Gymnasium.

The annual tilt with the Rams is the first non-conference game to be announced for the Jaspers for the 2020-21 season.

Last year, Manhattan posted a thrilling 54-53 come-from-behind overtime win behind 15 points and seven rebounds from 'Battle of the Bronx' MVP Elijah Buchanan (Jr., Bronx, NY / Woodstock Academy (CT)).

Manhattan now leads the all-time series by a 58-54 count as each of the last two meetings have been decided by one point.

All anticipated games for the upcoming season are subject to change.

Source: Manhattan College Jaspers Basketball.

MAAC Releases New 2020-21 Basketball Schedules.

Edison, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) today released revised basketball schedules for the 2020-21 season. The MAAC Council of Presidents adjusted the season's scheduling format in early November after taking into consideration evolving COVID-19 testing, travel and venue standards.

The new schedules feature a Friday/Saturday playing format at the same venue for both games, with 24 hours of spacing between the two contests. The men's and women's schedules mirror each other so that one institution's program is home while the other is away, both facing the same opponent.

Teams have the weekend of December 25-26 open for the holiday break, where non-conference games are permitted to be scheduled. In addition, the week of February 22-27 remains open for all teams as an opportunity to make up any conference games due to COVID-19 disruptions.  

As stated in the recently announced revised scheduling policy release, MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor noted "The MAAC's goal with the revised scheduling format is to complete the conference season and meet the NCAA minimum of 13 Division I games to be played by teams. In light of the evolving state and local health standards, the increasing levels of infection rates, and decisions related to testing teams and officials three times a week for COVID-19, the MAAC membership revised its existing format for this season. The health and safety of our student-athletes and those associated with our programs is the priority of the Council of Presidents."

The Council is also in the process of reviewing draft guidelines for Commissioner Ensor to use in the rescheduling of make-up games this season, anticipating disruptions to the schedule caused by the pandemic. The draft policy would grant the commissioner wide latitude and flexibility in rescheduling games, working with the Director of Athletics of the institutions affected, but relying on the commissioner to make the final decision. This would also apply to any additional games that may be scheduled between MAAC teams in their effort to reach the NCAA minimum of 13 contests, including up to four total contests between schools.
 
"With the focus on conference scheduling, and given COVID-19 disruptions, it is unlikely most schools will play the maximum NCAA limit of 27 games," said Ensor. "Non-conference games, while helpful for conditioning teams for conference competition, are not mandatory and need to be evaluated to insure student-athlete safety. It's at an institution's discretion how many non-conference games should be played."
 
Television information and start times will be announced at a later date.
 
Men's Schedule Highlights

• Preseason favorite Siena begins the season on the road against Jay Young and Fairfield. The Saints look to recapture the No. 1 seed for the MAAC Basketball Championship while the Stags look to build off an impressive first year with Young at the helm.
• Rick Pitino will make his MAAC debut at the Hynes Center in New Rochelle as the Gaels take on the Monmouth Hawks. Iona was ranked No. 2 in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Monmouth was ranked tied for third.
• Defending MAAC Coach of the Year Shaheen Holloway and the Saint Peter's Peacocks start their season hosting Niagara before traveling to face New Jersey rival Monmouth.  
• The final weekend of the season features five marquee rivalry matchups:
  • Rivals Manhattan and Iona face off in New Rochelle. Jaspers coach Steve Masiello and Gaels coach Rick Pitino have an extensive history with each other, as the long-time rivalry between the two schools looks to intensify.
  • The battle between Connecticut foes Fairfield and Quinnipiac with the Bobcats hosting the Stags in Hamden
  • The "Battle of the Bridge" in Western New York, where Niagara and second year head coach Greg Paulus will host Reggie Witherspoon and Canisius.  
  • Siena travels down to its closest neighboring school in Marist.
  • A New Jersey standoff between Rider and Monmouth as the Broncs play host to the Hawks in Lawrenceville.