PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team will open up its regular season on Saturday, November 9 vs. Manhattan at 2 PM. A Sweet 16 banner-raising ceremony will take place at halftime to commemorate last season. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica banner.
Manhattan Jaspers at La Salle Explorers
Saturday, November 9 | 2 PM | Tom Gola Arena
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Game Notes
La Salle | Manhattan
GameDay Information
- La Salle alumni are invited to the pre-game reception at St. Benilde Tower beginning at noon. Price is $25.
- All fans are invited to try out the refurbished Blue and Gold Commons for lunch or dinner before or after the game. Show your game ticket and receive $2 off.
- Fans can purchase SWEET! The Journey of the 2012-13 La Salle Explorers at the ticket office at halftime for $20.
Last Time Out
La Salle took down IUP, 87-57, in an exhibition last Saturday behind a game high 18 points (6-9 FG, 5-7 3-PT, 1-1 FT) from Taylor Dunn. The Explorers shot 57 percent (32-56) from the field, 53 percent (10-19) from behind the arc, and 87 percent (13-15) from the charity stripe.
All-Time Series
The Jaspers represent one of the Explorers oldest opponents. This season's matchup marks the 100th anniversary since the advent of the rivalry in 1913, with this Saturday's matchup marking the 46th installment in the long-standing series. The Blue & Gold hold a commanding 38-7 record in previous meetings against the Jaspers, including a 89-64 victory in their most recent matchup on New Years Eve during the 2008-09 season. In the last thirty seasons dating back to 1983-84 the Explorers are 21-1, with the Jaspers only win, a close 67-65 affair, coming in 1992.
Coach's Corner
Head coach Dr. John Giannini on…
What to expect from Manhattan:
I think they're a terrific defensive team. I think they're extremely unique because they're a good pressing team and a good matchup zone team. Usually, just one of those presents tremendous challenges but to do both really keeps their opponents off guard. They're long, they're athletic, they play very hard, and they're deep. I think they're one of the better teams we play this year. I think they're capable of getting in the NCAA Tournament and winning games.
The effect of the NCAA's new foul enforcement:
It's affecting us the way it's going to affect every team. Our offense is much better and our defense can't be as aggressive. We only turned IUP over nine teams and last year we turned people over about 16 and a half times [per game]. It's going to be difficult to guard people closely and use pressure and quickness and not have some kind of contact. I think offenses are going to get better and I think defenses are going to get worse across the board.
Scouting the Explorers
La Salle expects to feature one of the conference's top backcourts, anchored by Atlantic 10 first-team preseason choice Tyreek Duren. Duren drained 13 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 3-PT, 1-1 FT) and added six assists in Saturday's win over IUP and did not record a single turnover. Backcourt mate Tyrone Garland added 16 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3-PT, 4-4 FT) in 25 minutes of work. He led the squad in points per 40 minutes a season ago with 21.2.
Jerrell Wright and Steve Zack picked up where they left off last season, combining for 24 points (10-15 FG, 4-4 FT) and 13 rebounds on Saturday. Wright scored 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT) and added seven rebounds in 21 minutes while Zack scored 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT) with six boards in 19 minutes. Both players made big jumps as sophomores last season and look poised to be one of the better low post duos in the A-10.
La Salle's bench shined on Saturday, led by Dunn's efficient 18-point outing. Jermaine Davis played 15 minutes, chipping in with four points and two boards. Rohan Brown saw 21 minutes of action and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
Scouting the Jaspers
Manhattan enters the 2013-14 season with an experienced and talented roster. The Jaspers return 89% of its scoring and 88% of its rebounding from last year's squad, which concluded the season one game short of earning a berth in the NCAA tournament field, finishing as MAAC Tournament runner-up. This year's team is favored to win the MAAC, voted first in preseason polling of the league's coaches.
The team is buoyed by the return of star senior George Beamon. The guard led the Jaspers in scoring a season ago, averaging 16.8 ppg, before suffering a season ending injury just four games into the '12-'13 campaign. Beamon was named to the preseason All-MAAC first team and is tabbed by Matt Norlander of CBS Sports as one of the Top 30 Under the Radar Performers for this upcoming season.
The Jaspers boast three other players named to preseason All-MAAC teams. Senior forward Rhamel Brown joins Beamon as a preseason first team selection, while senior guard Michael Alvarado and junior forward Emmy Andujar were tabbed to the preseason third team.
Brown played admirably, stepping up in the absence of Beamon, a season ago. He led the team in both scoring (11.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg). He also was an intimidating presence in the paint, leading all MAAC players with 95 blocks (3.0 bpg), while headlining a team defense that held opponents to 59.9 points per game in '12-'13.
Alvarado was the Jaspers main weapon in the backcourt last season, averaging 8.4 ppg and 2.1 apg. Andujar complimented Brown in the frontcourt, chipping in 8.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg in '12-'13.
Up Next
The Explorers will host Quinnipiac at 9 AM on Tuesday, November 12 as part of ESPN's Sixth Annual Tip-Off Marathon. All fans in attendance will receive an Under Armour water bottle following the game. The first 500 students will receive special ESPN Tip-Off Marathon Entourage shirt, sponsored by the La Salle Funding Board.
