Purple Eagles Prep For Exciting Campaigns
MAAC Sports
New Era Begins For Niagara Men’s Basketball
The Niagara University men’s basketball program begins a new era with first year head coach Chris Casey at the helm. Casey, who replaces Joe Mihalich who was at Niagara for 15 years, brings a wealth of experience as both a head coach and assistant coach in college basketball, and has enjoyed success at his stops along the way. He was an assistant at St. John’s, Central Connecticut State and Saint Peter’s. Most recently, Casey was head coach LIU Post where he guided the Pioneers to a 62-25 record in three years. His 2011-12 team went 23-6 and he was named East Coast Conference and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Division II Coach of the Year.
Casey welcomes back four veterans from last year’s team that won the MAAC regular season title and participated in the NIT. The Purple Eagles have a strong and experienced backcourt with the return of senior Marvin Jordan and junior Antoine Mason. Mason averaged 18.7 points per game, and is the MAAC’s top returning scorer. He was selected to the All-MAAC first team preseason squad, chosen by the league’s head coaches. Jordan, the lone senior on the team, added 8.2 points per game, and is regarded as a three-point specialist with 215 in his career, third most in Niagara history. Two other veterans on hand are 6-7 junior forward Joe Thomas and 6-4 sophomore guard Tahjere McCall. The Purple Eagles will also look to newcomers such as 6-0 Cameron Fowler, a transfer from Iowa State, and 6-8 Marcus Ware, who played three years at Monmouth and is eligible immediately. Swing Ramone Snowden, versatile at 6-5, and 6-2 guard Wesley Myers are a pair of freshmen who look to contribute.
The Purple Eagles, picked to finish 8th in the MAAC preseason poll as chosen by the league’s head coaches, will participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament and include matchups with Seton Hall, Kent State and Western Carolina. Niagara will make four appearances on the MAAC Television Network, including Jan. 16 at Fairfield (EPSN3), Jan. 30 at Siena (ESPN3), Feb. 1 at Marist (ESPN3) and a “Battle of the Bridge” game vs. Canisius on Feb. 14 (either ESPNU or ESPN3).
Niagara Women’s Basketball Look to Rebuild in 2013-14
The Niagara University women’s basketball team will look rebuild in the 2013-14 season after losing veteran players. The Purple Eagles finished fifth in the MAAC with a 9-9 league mark and 15-16 overall record in 2012-13. They were selected eighth in the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Niagara University may not have veterans Lauren Gatto, Shy Britton, and Kayla Stroman returning,but the Purple Eagles and 7th year head coach Kendra Faustin will look to lone returning senior Chanel Johnson and juniors Meghan McGuinness and Kelly Van Leewen for leadership. The Plainfield, N.J. native Johnson appeared in 24 contests, making 14 starts for the Purple Eagles last season while scoring 5.2 points per game. A Preseason All-Big 4 First Team selection, McGuinness leads all returning Purple Eagles with 9.6 points per game and ranked eighth in the MAAC shooting 35% from behind the arc. Van Leeuwen, 5-9 guard, scored 4.8 points per game and doubled her minutes played last season, averaging 28.1 minutes per game while also being named to the Preseason All-Big 4 Second Team.
Niagara opens the 2013-14 season at home in the Gallagher Center against Lehigh University on Friday Nov. 8 at 7:00 pm. The Purple Eagles will appear on two games on the ESPN networks as part of the MAAC’s television package, including Feb. 7 when they visit cross-town rival Canisius in the “Battle of the Bridge” on ESPN3, and on Feb. 22 when the Purple Eagles travel to conference newcomer Monmouth University on ESPN3.