Iona and Manhattan may both be capable of winning a few games in the NCAA Tournament this year, but it’s likely that only one of them will get to Dance.

The MAAC has historically been a one-bid league, and first-year Manhattan coach Steve Masiello doesn’t see that changing this March.

“Don’t get me wrong, the regular season matters and the seeding matters and you want to win the conference,” Masiello, whose team hosts Iona Saturday night, told SNY.tv Friday by phone. “But it all comes down to what you do on March 2-5.” (more…)

By JOSH NEWMAN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The scene wasn’t quite out of the Twilight Zone, but it was odd enough to anyone who knows the history and was paying attention.

Here was first-year Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello still in stunned disbelief after the Jaspers, once down as many as 18, claimed a 75-72 win at MAAC-leading Iona on Thursday night thanks to freshman forward Emmy Andujar banking in a 3-pointer from about 25 feet out at the regulation buzzer.

The officials reviewed it, Andujar’s shot was indeed good and Masiello and his players understandably went nuts.

Masiello turned, and who was at midcourt near the scorer’s table to greet him? Yes, his former employer and ex-Jaspers head coach Bobby Gonzalez to give him a huge hug and say a few kind words. (more…)

Paul Bayt, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound 2012 shooting guard from Park Tudor (Ind.), is headed to Manhattan.

“The coaches believe in me and believe in my ability and I believe in their vision and the way the school and program is headed,” Bayt told SNY.tv.

“Bayt is a deep, deep 3-point threat,” Park Tudor coach Ed Schilling told SNY.tv . “At a long 6-4 he can shoot his picture perfect 3-pointer with guys in his face. He helped his Park Tudor team to the Indiana high school championship.”

Instead of going on the AAU circuit this summer, Bayt worked out two hours,  five days a week with NBA guys like Patrick Patterson, Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward.

FREE THROWS

6-3, 185-lb combo guard Aishon White of Chipola JC, committed to Eastern Kentucky, per Billy Diamond…Oak Hill guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will visit N.C. State this wknd with Tyler Lewis.

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C.J. Jones, a 6-foot-1, 186-pound combo guard from Chicago Orr High School, has verbally committed to Steve Masiello and the Manhattan Jaspers.

“I chose Manhattan because it was the best fit for me and my family and I know the coaching staff at Manhattan is going to take good care of me,” Jones said by text. “But I will just try to be the best player I can be for Manhattan. I plan on making a big impact from day one.”

A onetime Ball State commit, Jones figures to be a strong defender at Manhattan.

“He’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the country,” a source close to the staff said.

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Manhattan signed point guard Decarlos Anderson and wing Emmanuel Andujar of Rice High to National Letters of Intent.

Anderson is a 6-foot-2 product of I.C. Norcom High School in Suffolk, Va. who helped the Greyhounds win back-to-back Group AAA State Championships. Andujar is a 6-5 versatile wing who played under head coach Dwayne Mitchell at Rice High School in New York City.

“We are excited about Decarlos joining the Jasper family,” head coach Steve Masiello said. “Decarlos is a winner who has experienced success throughout his high school career. He can play multiple positions in the backcourt and we will look for him to be an integral part of our basketball team.” (more…)

Louisville assistant Steve Masiello has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next head coach at Manhattan College, a source with direct knowledge told SNY.tv Sunday.

“It’s done,” said another candidate who was in the mix.

Masiello was a former Manhattan assistant under Bobby Gonzalez from 2001-5 before joining Rick Pitino’s staff at Louisville, where he has successfully recruited the New York area and helped Louisville become a perennial Big East and national contender.

“Steve is from Westchester,” New York Panthers director Gary Charles told SNY.tv before the news broke. “When he was at Louisville, he recruited Edgar Sosa, Samardo Samuels, Earl Clark and Francisco Garcia. Everyone in New York knows Steve Masiello.” (more…)

As the Coaching Carousel spins on, Manhattan, Miami and UNLV are still seeking coaches. Here’s a brief rundown on where each school is at:

MANHATTAN: The school offered the job to LIU coach Jim Ferry, but the two sides could not agree on the financials. Sources said Ferry was seeking in the neighborhood of seven years at $350,000 per, and the school is willing to pay more like $175,000, plus about $200,000 for the staff.

The administration is now split between Rhode Island College coach Bob Walsh and Louisville assistant Steve Masiello, sources said. (more…)

LIU coach Jim Ferry has been offered the job as the next coach at Manhattan, a source with knowledge told SNY.tv.

Ferry would replace Barry Rohrssen, who was fired last month after five seasons.

Ferry beat out Louisville assistant Steve Masiello, Rutgers assistant Van Macon, Rhode Island College coach Bob Walsh and Manhattan assistant Scott Padgett.

Ferry went 27-6, 16-2 last season while leading the Blackbirds to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997, where they lost to North Carolina in the first round.

He was 125-140 in nine seasons at LIU.

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