The Paladins (7-4) are rolling. After taking down Harvard in a statement win and blowing out Bob Jones, Furman heads to New York City with some momentum to end the non-confrence slate. This is the kind of non-conference road test that Bob Richey’s squads want, a trip to a historic venue against a team trying to find its identity. The Jaspers are struggling, having just been run out of the gym by Fordham, but Draddy Gymnasium is a tough place to play, and John Gallagher’s teams are known for mucking things up. The Dins need to be sharp, handle the physicality, and keep the offense humming.
Manhattan: The Scouting Report
It’s been a rough go for Manhattan. They sit at 4-7 and are coming off a brutal 82-53 loss to rival Fordham in the “Battle of the Bronx.” In that game, the Jaspers shot just 34% from the field and 21% from three. Offense has been their Achilles’ heel all season; they struggle to generate clean looks and rely heavily on isolation play.
Defensively, Coach Gallagher usually employs a mix of man and zone looks designed to confuse opponents, but this year’s group hasn’t clicked yet. They gave up 82 points to a Fordham team that isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut. If Furman moves the ball like they did against Harvard, they should find open shots.
The Battle of the Backcourt
Manhattan’s guard play is their only real source of offense. Anthony Isaac was the bright spot against Fordham, dropping 16 points and getting to the line 8 times. The Paladins need to keep him in front and force someone else to beat them. On the other end, Asa Thomas has been a revelation for the Dins. His spacing and shooting ability should stretch Manhattan’s defense, opening up driving lanes for the guards.
Controlling the Pace
Manhattan wants this game to be a rock fight. They play at a slow tempo and try to limit possessions. Furman, conversely, has been at its best when pushing the pace and getting into secondary transition. If the Dins can grab defensive rebounds and run, they can bury the Jaspers early.
The Forecast
This has “trap game” written all over it if Furman comes out sleepy, but the talent gap is undeniable. Manhattan just doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Paladins for 40 minutes, especially with the way the Dins are shooting the ball right now. Look for Furman to weather an early surge from the Jaspers, settle in, and pull away in the second half behind another big night from the perimeter.