Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas
Two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rivals play head-to-head on Friday when the Canisius Golden Griffins (2-11, 0-4 MAAC) visit the Manhattan Jaspers (4-9, 2-2 MAAC). Canisius has struggled from the start with just two victories in its first 13 games and the Golden Griffins were defeated by Mount Saint Mary’s 64-60 on Monday for their ninth straight loss. Manhattan has lost two straight after falling to the Quinnipiac Bobcats 84-65 on Sunday. Canisius will play without Frank Mitchell, while Manhattan does not have any players listed on its injury report.
The biggest reason Canisius has won just two of 13 games this season is its defense. The Golden Griffins are allowing an average of 76.2 points per game, while opponents are shooting 48.2% overall and 39.7% from behind the three-point line. Canisius is averaging 36.1 rebounds per game and allowing an average of 33.2 boards per contest. The leading rebounder for Canisius is Xzavier Long with an average of 5.9 boards per game. Long is also the leader in swats with an average of 0.7 blocked shots per contest. Jordan Henderson is the leader in steals with an average of 1.0 per game.
Canisius is scoring an average of 71.2 points per game, while shooting 40.2% overall and 35.0% from behind the three-point line.The leading scorer for Canisius is Henderson with an average of 13.5 points per game. The guard is shooting only 38.7% overall and 35.8% from behind the line. Second leading scorer Tahj Staveskie is averaging 12.2 points per game and shooting just 35.8% overall and 31.0% from long range. Staveskie is the leader in assists with an average of 3.0 dishes per game. Canisius is averaging 13.0 turnovers per game.