Fourth in a series oflocal hoop previews.
The Manhattan Jaspers are at the crossroads. After resurrecting the basketball program in 1999, head coach Bobby Gonzalez has the talent and depth to turn the corner. The question is, will they?
“Going into this year, everything is on track,” Gonzalez said. “It might take some time to develop chemistry and to gel, but we’ll get there. I like this team because I have a lot of options to work with. I can change the lineups throughout the games [due to the depth].”
Gonzalez, who has compiled a 26-30 record in two seasons, warned that the high expectations for last season’s team were premature.
The Jaspers finished 14-15 (11-7 MAAC), a two-win improvement. Better, but not enough to overtake Iona, which has won the MAAC tourney title the past two seasons.
Now, Gonzalez is forced to fill the void left by graduate Durelle Brown and his 18 ppg. Mixing and matching a three-guard set should do the trick. Expect the Jaspers to run as often as possible and trap frequently throughout games.
As long as senior Damien “Mugsy” Green is on the court, the Jaspers offense is in great hands. The 5-10 guard, who averaged 9.8 ppg last season, is the key to the Jaspers’ halfcourt set.
“[Mugsy] is our leader, he is the general,” Gonzalez said. “We will go as far as he can take us.”
Junior Justin Jackette, who was injured at season’s end, will return along with his 6-2 frame and 11.5 ppg. Gonzalez called Jackett “a complete player” and expects his point total to rise this year.
Gonzalez expects a lot from sophomore transfer Luis Flores.
“Luis is a key guy, because I can really see him becoming a double-figure scorer and rebounder,” Gonzalez said of the former Rutgers guard. “He’s tough and can bring solid offense to the table.”
Sophomore Dave Holmes, junior Jared Johnson and senior Willie Haynes will share time at the power-forward spot.
The center position will be filled by Darnell Tyler, who has looked very impressive. “He is a lefty that looks like [former Knick] Anthony Mason,” Gonzalez said of the 6-9, 250-pound junior. “He is raw and bold, but I believe he is going to be a very special player here.”
Sophomore center Jason Benton and senior Noah Couglin also will be called on to come off the bench.
With St. John’s and Hofstra on the early schedule, Manhattan’s goal is to get as much as possible out of those early non-conference games and use them to its advantage to prep for conference play.
If they do so, and stay in the thick of things as they did last year, the Jaspers are ready to make a serious bid at the MAAC title.
NEXT: Iona
