Game Notes | Live Audio
The Niagara Purple Eagles, who have won four of their last five games, will wrap up their regular season against the Marist Red Foxes on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Purple Eagles (13-17, 8-9 MAAC) have won four straight conference games and are currently in position for a first round bye in the 2012 MAAC Championships in Springfield, Mass. from March 2-5. A win or a Siena loss to Canisius will give Niagara the sixth seed and a first round bye; the Purple Eagles would then face Fairfield, Loyola or Manhattan. A loss by NU and a win by Siena will pit the Purple Eagles versus Canisius in the first round. Marist’s (12-17, 6-11 MAAC) matchup in in the tournament will be Saint Peter’s in the 8-v-9 matchup on Friday.
Niagara handled the Red Foxes in the first meeting this season, winning 86-67 on Jan. 15 at the Gallagher Center. NU’s 86 points were the most against a conference opponent since Feb. 12, 2010 and NU had a season-high 14 3-pointers and tied a season-high with 22 assists.
Ready for Action
~ NU’s four-game regular season conference winning streak is its longest since 2009 when the Purple Eagles won seven straight from Jan. 31 – Feb. 14. The Purple Eagles also have the longest current conference win streak in the MAAC.
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Juan'ya Green is second among the nation’s freshmen in scoring averaging 17.1 points per game. Green is third in the MAAC in scoring and in assists per game (4.3) and second in steals per game (1.8).
~ Green is one of 19 players and three freshmen to lead his team in scoring, assists and steals in the nation.
~ Green needs one steal to set the freshman record for most steals (53).
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Marvin Jordan is second in the MAAC in 3-pointers made (76) and is tied for 30th in the nation.
~ NU is the third youngest team in the nation, according to KenPom.com.
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 WWKB 1520 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 eight of their 12 players are underclassmen, have a 0.59 rating; in contrast the most experience team in the country is Lamar at 2.61. NU is ahead of Nicholls State (0.57) and St. John’s (0.47).
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Frosh
Juan’ya Green is averaging 17.1 points per game to rank second amongst freshmen. Green is 10th amongst freshman in steals per game and 11th in assists per game.
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 19 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Antoine Mason is third with 456 points and is 11 points and 31 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 one steal to break Ronnell Felton’s record of 53 steals and 22 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.
Follow The Leader
Juan’ya Green leads the Purple Eagles in scoring, assists and steals. Green is the only player in the MAAC, is one of 19 players nationally and one of three freshmen nationally to lead his team in those categories.
Trey Bien
Marvin Jordan set the sophomore record in 3-pointers when he made his 76th trey on Feb. 24. Jordan passed Daryl Greene who set the mark during the 1999-00 season.
On The Court
Marist Red Foxes (12-17, 6-11 MAAC)
Marist enters its regular season finale with a 5-2 record in its last seven games. Chavaughn Lewis leads the team in scoring (13.9) and Adam Kemp leads the team in rebounding (7.3). The Red Foxes will finish eighth in the conference and will play Saint Peter’s in the first round of the MAAC Tournament
Against the Red Foxes (NU leads 20-14)
Niagara has won six of the last eight meetings in the series that started on Dec 5, 1987.
Last Meeting - January 15, 2012
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s basketball team concluded its home conference weekend with a dominating performance en route to an 86-67 victory over the Marist Red Foxes on Sunday at the Gallagher Center.
Cashing In At The Charity Stripe
Niagara went 30-for-38 at the free-throw line in its comeback win over Saint Peter’s on Feb. 24. The Purple Eagles’ 30 points at the line accounted for 51 percent of their points. The free throws made and attempts were the most in a non-overtime game since beating Loyola, 86-77, on Jan. 31, 2010 (31-for-42).
February Fever
Niagara is 34-12 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.
