FanPost

Manhattan College 2015-16 Season Preview

As head coach Steve Masiello hoisted his second consecutive MAAC trophy, he knew his team would face questions about its ability to threepeat and he has locked in on the challenge. The Manhattan College Jaspers approach the 2015-2016 season with pep in their step, led by Masiello in his fifth year as head coach. There was some speculation that Masiello would snag a job at a larger market school after his attempts to do so were thwarted prior to last season, but the coach has instead opted for continuity, returning to Manhattan to build on his already illustrious career there.

Since Masiello took the helm in 2011, the Jaspers have been a program on the rise. 2011 saw the team record the biggest turnaround in the nation, going from 6-25 with 3 conference wins, to 21-13 with 12 conference wins. Masiello has steadily built on the team’s success since then, and the Jaspers are the winners of the past two MAAC Championships. Still, lingering questions remain about the program’s ability to maintain its success. During the 2015 season, the Jaspers leaned heavily on the frontcourt duo of Ashton Pankey and Emmy Andujar, who were the number one and two leaders on the team in points, rebounds and assists. Now alumni (and contributors to Masiello’s 100 % graduation rate), Pankey and Andujar leave behind significant shoes to fill on both ends of the court. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to the roster turnover. With only two freshman recruits solidified, the Jaspers appear to be focusing primarily on growing from within, with around half of the roster returning this season. Even with that return, Manhattan is still a young team in terms of experience, and with the loss of Pankey and Andujar, Masiello will have his system put to the test this year. Manhattan ranked eighth nationally in defensive turnover percentage and was in the top thirty for pace and steals. This defensive rigor resulted in Manhattan’s opponents turning the ball over on nearly 25 percent of their positions and allowed the Jaspers to thrive in transition on offense. The program’s continued success hinges on its ability to reproduce the same gritty and tenacious style of play, but with different player personnel.

Rising senior Shane Richards will need to rise to the challenge and, indeed, appears poised to have a breakout season. He is one of two returning starters from last year’s successful campaign. Richards’ entire collegiate career to this point is a story of defying expectations. Largely ignored on the national recruiting scene coming out of high school and told that he didn’t have the game for division one basketball, Richards found a home at Manhattan and is now just 60 points shy of registering his 1,000th career point. Last season, Richards averaged a team high 32.5 minutes per game and shot .406 from the floor, including 38% from three. Richards is a perfect fit for the Masiello system. He is scrappy and never takes a play off. In preparation for the season, he is spending long hours in the gym and analyzing game film. With Pankey and Andujar gone, the pressure is on Richards to increase his production and to serve as a leader both off and on the court.

Rashawn Stores, a 5’10 guard, returns to a Manhattan backcourt that lacks in depth will also need to play an increased role. Stores is the other returning starter from last season and was granted a fifth year of eligibility after sitting out the 2011-12 season. He recorded his best season yet in 2014-15, recording 6.0 ppg along with 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals. Stores shot nearly 50 percent from three in the second half of games and has a reputation of being a closer, which is a clear need on a team that has lost their top two offensive options. Stores is joined in the backcourt by Brooklyn native and junior guard, Samson Usilo, who sat out all of last season due to injury. His return is welcome, as Usilo averaged 20 ppg and 5 rebounds in his last active season.

Going in to the 2014-15 season, the Jaspers were thought to be a vulnerable team, having had their offseason time with Masiello cut short and losing core players, but the team was able to exceed expectations and punch their ticket to the big dance. Manhattan will enter this season with high hopes of continuing their MAAC dominance. The coach certainly seems confident.

Manhattan College kicks off its regular season on November 16 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

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