~ NU is 20-20 with two titles in 22 appearances at the MAAC Championship.
Joe Mihalich is 16-11 in the MAAC Tournament and led NU to the 2005 and 2007 crown.
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Juan'ya Green was named to the MAAC All-Rookie and All-MAAC Third Team.
Antoine Mason was also named to the rookie team.
~ Green is second among the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 17.5 points per game. Green is third in the MAAC in scoring and in assists per game (4.3) and first in steals per game (1.8). He is one of 18 players and three freshmen to lead his team in scoring, assists and steals in the nation.
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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.
~ Niagara is 2-3 versus Canisius in the MAAC Tournament (won last meeting).
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 eight of their 12 players are underclassmen, have a 0.59 rating; in contrast to the most experience team in the country is Lamar at 2.62. NU is ahead of Nicholls State (0.57) and St. John’s (0.47).
Green, Mason Named To MAAC Teams
Freshman Juan’ya Green was named to the 2011-12 MAAC All-Rookie Team and earned MAAC All-Third Team honors. Antoine Mason joined Green on the rookie team to become the fourth and fifth Purple Eagles to be named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team in program history.
Postseaon Accolades For Green, Mason
Juan’ya Green and Antoine Mason each have earned postseason awards from several outlets. CollegeHoops.Net named Green to the All-MAAC Team on Feb. 27. Green was the only freshman on the list. College Sports Madness named Green as its MAAC Freshman of the Year and to the All-MAAC First Team, while Mason was placed on the third team.
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Frosh
Juan’ya Green is averaging 17.5 points per game to rank second amongst freshmen. Green is 8th amongst freshmen in steals per game and 11th in assists per game.
Green Claims Final Rookie Of The Week Award
Juan’ya Green earned the final MAAC Rookie of the Week award on Monday. Feb. 27. Green averaged 26.5 points per game, 4.0 assists per game and 3.5 steals per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 81.5 percent at the free-throw line as Niagara split its final two regular season games last weekend.
Green, Mason Setting Freshman Records
Juan’ya Green set the Niagara freshman single-season 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 10 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Antoine Mason is second with 476 points and 24 field goals behind Jordan. Mason had a medical redshirt last season after playing in the first three games.
On Jan. 29, Green made nine free throws to set the freshman single-season record which was previously held by Jordan (97).
On Feb. 26, Green broke Ronnell Felton’s record of 53 steals and needs 16 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 18 players nationally and one of three freshmen nationally to lead his team in those categories.
Last Exit To Springfield
The MAAC Basketball Championships have found a new home. From 2012-14, Springfield, Mass. will be the site of the men’s and women’s basketball championships.
Niagara At The MAAC Tourney
Niagara is 20-20 in 22 appearances at the MAAC Tournament since its first appearance in 1990. The Purple Eagles won the 2005 edition in Buffalo, N.Y. and topped Siena in the 2007 final when it was last held in Bridgeport, Conn.
Joe Mihalich is 16-11 at the MAAC Tournament and the two tournament championships has come with him at the helm. Mihalich has led NU to the semifinals in nine of his 13 appearances.
February Fever
Niagara is 34-13 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. NU finished the month 4-4 to have six straight seasons with a .500 percent of better record during this month.
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (5-24, 1-17 MAAC)
Canisius has lost 12 of its last 13 games. The Golden Griffins are led by All-MAAC Second Team junior guard Harold Washington (16.7 ppg). Canisius is last in the conference in scoring defense and field goal percentage, but leads the conference in free throw percentage.
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 98-73)
The 171 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history. Niagara has dominated the series with its archrivals, including winning 16 of the last 19 meetings and both meetings this season.
Last Meeting - February 15, 2012
Canisius 57, Niagara 60 (OT)
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles concluded their home schedule by escaping archrival Canisius in overtime, 60-57, for their ninth straight win in the series at the Gallagher Center.
Vs. Canisius In The MAAC Tourney
Niagara has faced its rival five times in the MAAC Tournament and has a 2-3 record. NU won the most recent meeting on March 3, 2002 (70-60) to advance to the championship game.
2002 Semis - No. 4 Niagara 70, No. 8 Canisius 60
2001 Quarters - No. 2 Canisius 72, No. 6 Niagara 70
1997 Semis - No. 2 Canisius 78, No. 6 Niagara 59
1994 Quarters - No. 1 Canisius 59, No. 8 Niagara 45
1993 Semis - No. 2 Niagara 64, No. 6 Canisius 59
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.
