2008 Woodie Awards
Men's Baskeynall Looking to Shape Up For Rest of Season
Eduardo Guerrero
Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: Sports
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Whenever a team in any sport defends a championship, they immediately garner a target on their backs. Opponents recognize that they are champions. Yet, as much respect as they are given, they also know teams will come at them with everything they have in order to prove they too can be champions.
For the Jaspers Men's Basketball team, they have showed the poise that has made them two-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions. There are other teams in the MAAC that are starting to or are attempting to catch up with the Jaspers.
After the losses of Luis Flores to the National Basketball Association and Dave Holmes to graduation, experts still expected the Jaspers to remain on top of the MAAC standings. While the team is not playing up to expectations, they are still in the hunt for the MAAC regular season championship and should have a good impact in the MAAC Tournament scheduled to be in Buffalo, N.Y in early March. At 9-8 overall, only Niagara, Marist, and Rider hold better overall records than the Jaspers. Their 4-5 conference record currently has the team in fifth place in the conference. The five losses in conference play already surpasses last years total and equals the four losses in the 2002-2003 season.
There are a number of reasons why the Jaspers have not been as strong this season as in the last two. After gaining back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament berths and a win over former No. 1 Florida in the first round last year, the Jaspers opened eyes around the country. Their schedule this season saw them play more teams that are in the upper echelon of College Basketball such as North Carolina State and Arizona. Although they were blown out in both games, the experience of playing against top teams in front of hostile crowds can only help this team down the road. The four losses they garnered in conference play have all been by nine points or less. Two of the losses came in overtime and two of the losses where by two points each.
For the Jaspers Men's Basketball team, they have showed the poise that has made them two-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions. There are other teams in the MAAC that are starting to or are attempting to catch up with the Jaspers.
After the losses of Luis Flores to the National Basketball Association and Dave Holmes to graduation, experts still expected the Jaspers to remain on top of the MAAC standings. While the team is not playing up to expectations, they are still in the hunt for the MAAC regular season championship and should have a good impact in the MAAC Tournament scheduled to be in Buffalo, N.Y in early March. At 9-8 overall, only Niagara, Marist, and Rider hold better overall records than the Jaspers. Their 4-5 conference record currently has the team in fifth place in the conference. The five losses in conference play already surpasses last years total and equals the four losses in the 2002-2003 season.
There are a number of reasons why the Jaspers have not been as strong this season as in the last two. After gaining back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament berths and a win over former No. 1 Florida in the first round last year, the Jaspers opened eyes around the country. Their schedule this season saw them play more teams that are in the upper echelon of College Basketball such as North Carolina State and Arizona. Although they were blown out in both games, the experience of playing against top teams in front of hostile crowds can only help this team down the road. The four losses they garnered in conference play have all been by nine points or less. Two of the losses came in overtime and two of the losses where by two points each.