~ The Purple Eagles have reeled off three straight conference wins to sit in a tie for sixth place. NU currently has the second longest win streak in the MAAC.
~ Since the 2006-07, Niagara is 33-11 including a 21-3 record at the Gallagher Center in the month of February.
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Juan'ya Green is second among the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 17.1 points per game. Green is third in the MAAC in scoring, in assists per game (4.5) and in steals per game (1.7).
~ Juan’ya Green’s 17 points in NU’s last game passed Garry Jordan’s (‘81) total of 462 points for most points by a freshman in program history. Green has 478 points on the season. Green, who already holds the free throw freshman record, needs six steals to set the freshman record for most steals.
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Marvin Jordan leads the MAAC in 3-pointers made (75) and is 18th in the nation. Jordan also tied the sophomore record in 3-pointers in NU’s previous game.
~ NU is the third youngest team in the nation, according to KenPom.com.
~ NU is 53-36 all-time against the America East, including 2-0 this season.
How To Tune In
NU fans can listen live to all the action from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WGR 550 AM. Internet listeners can listen free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.
Youthful Experience
According to the weighted formula by KenPom.com, Niagara is the third youngest team in the nation out of 345 teams. The Purple Eagles, whose nine of their 12 players are underclassmen, have a 0.59 rating; in contrast the most experience team in the country is Lamar at 2.60. NU is ahead of Boston College and St. John’s.
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Frosh
Juan’ya Green is averaging 17.1 points per game to rank second amongst freshmen.
Green, Mason Eyeing Freshman Records
Juan’ya Green set the Niagara freshman scoring record in NU’s win against Canisius on Feb. 15. Green passed Garry Jordan who scored 467 points during the 1977-78 season. Green needs 27 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Antoine Mason is third with 420 points and is 58 points and 41 field goals behind Jordan. Mason had a medical redshirt last season after playing in the first three games.
On Jan. 29, Green had made nine free throws to set the freshman single-season which was previously held by Jordan (97).
Green is also closing in on the steals and assists. He needs five steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 26 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.
February Fever
Niagara is 32-11 since the 2006-07 season, including a splendid 21-3 mark at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles opened February with two narrow defeats on the road dates and before topping Siena (Feb. 9), Rider (Feb. 11) and archrival Canisius to close out its home schedule. Niagara has five straight seasons with a winning record during this month.
On The Court
Vermont Catamounts (18-10, 12-2 AE)
Vermont, the defending America East Regular Season Champion, is on a nine-game winning streak and sits in a tie for first place in the America East Conference. Vermont has the conference best field goal defense percentage (.415) and 3-point field goal percentage (.355).
The Catamounts are third in the AE in scoring (67.2) and second in scoring defense (61.6), scoring margin (+5.6), free throw percentage (.737), in assists per game (13.3) and steals per game (6.2). Three players are averaging double figures, led by freshman Four McGlynn (11.8).
Niagara and Vermont have faced six common opponents with the Catamounts defeating Marist, Siena, UMBC and Hartford (twice) while losing to Quinnipiac and Iona.
Against the Catamounts (Niagara leads 15-2)
Niagara and Vermont will play each other for the first time in 23 years on Saturday. The teams have met 17 times, with Niagara leading the all-time series 15-2. The Purple Eagles have won the last six meetings.
Last Meeting - January 26, 1989
Niagara 79, Vermont 65
BracketBuster History
The Purple Eagles have won five straight in the series and are 5-2 in the event since first participating during the 2004-05 season.
2011 – Niagara 61, Central Michigan
2010 – Niagara 85, Milwaukee 79
2009 – Niagara 70, Illinois State 56
2008 – Niagara 76, Appalachian State 75
2007 – Niagara 90, Liberty 81
2006 – Valparaiso 88, Niagara 82
2005 – Akron 74, Niagara 68
Sweeping the Griffins
Niagara’s overtime win over archrival Canisius on Feb. 15 handed the Purple Eagles a season sweep in the series for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The Purple Eagles 21-point win at Canisius on Jan. 19 was NU’s largest road win in the series in 29 years.
Little 3 Love
The Purple Eagles have dominated the Little 3 in recent seasons, owning a 24-4 record in the last 28 games against Canisius and St. Bonaventure. Niagara is 16-3 versus the Golden Griffins since Feb. 12, 2003 and 8-1 against St. Bonaventure who snapped NU’s eight-game win streak on Dec. 30, 72-70.
