Manhattan March Madness Breakdown

There are a number of questions swirling around a Manhattan (2-7, 15-5) program that is certainly built to be a real pain in the ass to a higher seed next week. If they face a vulnerable high seed and if point guard Michael Alvarado's ankle is 100% and star guard George Beamon's injured shoulder is 100%, then the Jaspers have the talent and city game to reach the Sweet 16. They proved that by beating rival Iona twice at the end of the season, including in the championship game of the MAAC conference to become top dog of a very good mid-major. Manhattan, with a 75 bpi, 61 rpi, 67 ranking in ken.pom and a ranking of 15 in the mid majors top 25 is dangerous because they can score, at 77.4 a clip, and yet play tough defense (like Iona). They are a team to circle when filling out your brackets. Beamon (19.2 ppg, 19.8 ppg last 7, 41%FG-37%3pt-83%FT) is the go-to player. Beamon certainly looked healthy in scoring 25 pts in the MAAC semis against a Quinnipiac squad that had swept the season series, and then adding 16 in the championship game against Iona. He is a gunner to get. Alvarado (12, 7.3, 45-28-66) is one to pass on as ankles are tricky and he is not that much better than his mates. Forward Rhamel Brown (10.1, 12.1, 55-51) is a shot-blocking big who does his work down below. Having just won his third straight conference defensive player of the year, Brown will be on the court as much as possible. The next player to keep an eye on is sub forward Emmy Andujar (8.5 14.7, 53-36-68) who is a lot tougher than his name would suggest. He has been playing very well of late but is a true wild card, scoring 1 point on 2/4 versus St.Pete's and 28 against Iona on 2/28. But for a late round pick you could get lucky.