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6
2010-11 SEASON OUTLOOK
Chemistry is defined as the elements
of a complex entity and their dynamic
interrelation. The Manhattan men’s
basketball program defines chemistry
as the unification of seven returnees,
seven newcomers, and experienced
leadership vying for one goal: the MAAC
Championship. The 2010-2011 Jaspers
squad features many new faces which
give the program a fresh look in the 105th
season in its storied history.
Head coach Barry Rohrssen will
return to the helm for his fifth season
leading the Kelly Green and White. The
Brooklyn-born Rohrssen is the sixth
longest tenured coach in the program’s
illustrious history. Now Rohrssen will be
joined by a restructured coaching staff
that is prepared to bring prominence
back to Riverdale. Scott Adubato, a
former BIG EAST and NBA assistant,
NBA veteran Scott Padgett, along with
Jasper standout Jason Wingate ’06 join
Rohrssen and returning assistant C.J.
Council on the bench. Manhattan’s staff
possesses a variety of experience in the
collegiate and professional ranks and is
prepared to take the Jaspers program to
great heights.
“This year’s staff has experienced
success on many levels as both players
and coaches,” explained Rohrssen. “Our
players have a good level of respect for
our staff’s accomplishments and have
responded well.”
On the floor, the Jaspers will rally
GEORGE BEAMON
behind the leadership of seniors Andrew
Gabriel, Nick Walsh and graduate
transfer Demetrius Jemison who bring a
plethora of experience to the hardwood.
The trio will be asked to set the tone and
pick up where the Jaspers left off last
season playing their best basketball of the
year in the MAAC Tournament.
“We have many new faces throughout
the program becoming familiar with
each other. Developing chemistry will
be essential,” said Rohrssen. “Good
teams have good players, great teams
have great teammates. We look for our
returning seniors and upperclassmen to
provide this team with leadership.”
Despite the graduation of six seniors,
two 1,000-point scorers and the
2009-2010 MAAC scoring champion,
Manhattan has reason to be optimistic
entering the new campaign. The Jaspers
feature a balanced crop of new and old
talent with significant size and agility on
the roster that the program has not seen
in recent years.
“It is an open field this season in terms
of playing time,” Rohrssen emphasized.
“We will look to see who puts forth
the greatest effort and we will build
around two intangibles: work ethic and
selflessness.”
THE BACKCOURT
Guard play will be a key to Manhattan’s
success in 2010-2011. The Jaspers tallest
task at hand may be replacing more than
2 0 1 0 - 1 1 • M A N H A T T A N C O L L E G E M E N ' S B A S K E T B A L L
NICK WALSH
1,200 points from its top three scorers
who anchored the Manhattan backcourt
last season. Senior Nick Walsh will serve
as a veteran presence, while sophomore
George Beamon and freshman point
guard Michael Alvarado will be key
figures in the Jaspers’ backcourt youth
movement.
“This season we will look for new
people to step up and provide us with
some scoring punch,” Rohrssen noted.
Walsh, a 5’10” sharp shooter from
Riverdale, appeared in 77 games and has
buried 47 3-pointers in his first three years
at Manhattan. He is a durable option
who can serve as a spark off the bench
and can erupt for double figures on any
given night. He has displayed this ability
several times, most notably last season
when he exploded for a career-high 16
points against William & Mary. Walsh will
be counted on this year to serve as one
of the Jaspers’ biggest threats beyond
the arc. He has notched 13 multi 3-point
performances over his career.
“Leadership is at a premium in any
program,” explained Rohrssen. “The
more seniors you have, guys who have
experience, are the ones who have been
battle tested, and those guys really help
you and we are lucky to have Nick in the
backcourt.”
Beamon is a swingman from Roslyn,
N.Y. who brings endless energy to the
court. He is a pure offensive threat who