Staten Island, NY - The 2018 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament continues on Grymes Hill for the No. 1 seed Wagner men's basketball team as the Seahawks host the No. 7 seed, Robert Morris, in Saturday's second semifinal game. The winner of this contest will advance to the NEC Championship game, on Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN 2, opposite the winner of the No.4 LIU Brooklyn vs. No. 6 Fairleigh Dickinson matchup.
* A win for Wagner means that the Seahawks will host the championship game at the Spiro Sports Center.
*
A win for Robert Morris means that the Colonials will travel to the winner of the LIU Brooklyn-Fairleigh Dickinson contest as the Colonials would be the lowest remaining seed left in the tournament.
Seahawk Tidbits:
- Wagner advanced to this afternoon's semifinals after defeating the No. 8 seed, Central Connecticut, 73-61 on Wednesday evening at the Spiro Sports Center to remain perfect at home this season (15-0).
- The No. 7 seed Robert Morris upset the No. 2 seed and last year's league champions, Mount St. Mary's, 60-56, in Emmitsburg, MD at Knott Arena. RMU had three in double-figures, led by Matt McConnell, who poured in 18 points and nine rebounds. Dachon Burke added 14 points and six assists while Jon Williams chipped in 11 points.
- At home during the NEC Tournament, Wagner is 2-1 against the Colonials,
- As the overall No. 1 seed, Wagner is 6-1 in tournament play, having secured the 2003 league title while reaching the finals in 1993, 2005 and 2016.
- The Green & White have entered the conference tournament as the #3 seed or higher in six of the last seven years while advancing to the semifinals in five of the last six seasons.
Last Time Out For Wagner: vs. No. 8 Central Connecticut (Northeast Conference Quarterfinals | February 28, 2018):
- Senior guard JoJo Cooper tossed in 20 points to lead four players in double figures as the top-seeded Wagner men's basketball team earned a 73-61 win over Central Connecticut in Northeast Conference Quarterfinal action on Wednesday night at the Spiro Sports Center.
- With the victory, the Seahawks will now host seventh-seeded Robert Morris on Saturday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. in a contest that will be carried on ESPN 3. The Colonials advanced to the semis with a 60-56 upset win at second-seeded Mount St. Mary's.
- Redshirt junior guard Romone Saunders added 18 points and 10 rebounds in posting his second consecutive double-double for the Seahawks, while sophomore guard Blake Francis and freshman forward Nigel Jackson supplied 17 and 10 points, respectively.
- Joe Hugley led all scorers with 22 points off the bench for Central Connecticut while Tyler Kohl and Austin Nehls adding 15 and 10 points, respectively. Thanks in large measure to the defensive effort turned in by Saunders on Kohl, the Blue Devils' leading scorer was held to just 4-of-17 shooting from the field.
- Wagner outshot CCSU 49 percent to 34.9 percent, and led in rebounds (34-27), points in the paint (20-12), points off turnovers (17-7) and in fast break points (8-0). The Blue Devils held a 30-14 advantage in bench scoring, thanks in large part to Hugley's 22-point effort
All-Time Series Against The Robert Morris University Colonials:
- All-time, the Seahawks and the Colonials are meeting for the 74th time with Robert Morris 44-29 edge in the head-to-head series.
- This season, Wagner swept the season series from Robert Morris, defeating RMU 62-49 back on January 18 on Staten Island and then a 77-64 victory at PPG Paints Arena eight days later.
- In the two meetings, Wagner has outscored the Colonials by 13.0 points a game (69.5-56.5) this season while RMU held a slim 2.0 advantage on the boards (41.5-39.5).
- In games played in the NEC Tournament, the Green & White are 3-4 against RMU, with the last meeting occurring back in the 2016 NEC Quarterfinals, with Wagner picking up a 59-50 win as the Seahawks were the No. 1 seed while RMU was the No. 8 seed.
- At home during the NEC Tournament, Wagner is 2-1 against the Colonials.
- In the last ten meetings, Wagner is 6-4 against Robert Morris while holding a holding a 4-1 mark in the last five games, which includes this season's series sweep.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall Series Record |
Wagner 29, Robert Morris 44 |
Last Five Games |
Wagner 4, Robert Morris 1 |
Last Ten Games |
Wagner 6, Robert Morris 4 |
Most Points Scored By Wagner |
101: January 25, 2003 - Wagner 101, Robert Morris 80 |
Fewest Points Scored By Wagner |
48: February 11, 2017 - Wagner 48, Robert Morris 50 |
Wagner's Largest Win Margin |
26: January 5, 2002 - Robert Morris 63, Wagner 89 |
Most Points Scored By Robert Morris |
104; January 17, 2009 - Wagner 56, Robert Morris 104 |
Fewest Points Scored By Robert Morris |
48, (2x), last March 1, 2014: RMU 48, Wagner 59 |
Robert Morris Largest Win Margin |
48: January 17, 2009: Wagner 56, Robert Morris 104 |
Current Wagner Streak Against Opponent |
Won, 2 |
First Meeting |
February 13, 1982 - Wagner 70, Robert Morris 84 |
Last Meeting |
January 28, 2018 - Wagner 77, Robert Morris 64 |
Last Wagner Win |
January 28, 2018 - Wagner 77, Robert Morris 64 |
Last Robert Morris Win |
February 11, 2017 - Wagner 48, Robert Morris 50 |
|
All-Time vs. the Current Members of the Northeast Conference:
- Against current members of the Northeast Conference (NEC), Wagner is 256-232 (.524) all time.
- Under head coach Bashir Mason, the Seahawks are 71-36
Wagner All-Time Record vs.
Northeast Conference Schools
(Includes Postseason)
SCHOOL |
RECORD |
LAST MEETING |
W/L |
Bryant |
11-5 |
2/8/2018 |
Won, 96-76 |
Central Connecticut |
28-19 |
2/22/2018 |
Won, 64-62 |
Fairleigh Dickinson |
55-53 |
2/11/18 |
Lost, 76-69 |
LIU Brooklyn |
46-60 |
2/17/2018 |
Won, 78-74 |
Mount St. Mary's |
37-22 |
2/24/2018 |
Lost, 73-62 |
Robert Morris |
29-44 |
1/28/2018 |
Won, 77-64 |
Sacred Heart |
24-14 |
2/15/2018 |
Won, 99-84 |
St. Francis Brooklyn |
44-51 |
12/31/2017 |
Lost, 82-75 |
Saint Francis U |
36-36 |
1/26/2018 |
Won, 91-61 |
2017-18 Northeast Conference (NEC) Standings (including contests through 2/28/2018)
SCHOOL |
NEC |
PCT |
OVERALL |
PCT |
STREAK |
1. WAGNER * ^ |
14-4 |
.778 |
22-8 |
.733 |
W1 |
2. Mount St. Mary's * |
12-6 |
.667 |
18-14 |
.563 |
L1 |
Saint Francis U * |
12-6 |
.667 |
18-12 |
.621 |
L1 |
4. LIU Brooklyn * |
10-8 |
.556 |
16-16 |
.500 |
W3 |
St. Francis Brooklyn * |
10-8 |
.556 |
13-18 |
.419 |
L3 |
6. Fairleigh Dickinson * |
9-9 |
.500 |
13-17 |
.433 |
W2 |
Robert Morris * |
9-9 |
.500 |
16-16 |
.500 |
W1 |
8. Central Connecticut |
7-11 |
.389 |
14-18 |
.438 |
L1 |
9. Sacred Heart |
5-13 |
.278 |
10-21 |
.323 |
L1 |
10. Bryant |
2-16 |
.111 |
3-28 |
.097 |
L4 |
* Clinched NEC Tournament berth
^ Clinched NEC Regular Season title
Scouting The Robert Morris University Colonials:
- The Colonials eradicated a 10-point halftime deficit in advancing to this afternoon's semifinals against the Seahawks with a 60-56 road victory over No. 2 seed Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday evening.
- Robert Morris holds the longest current qualification streak at 15 and has won a conference-best eight NEC Tournament championships.
- Over the last nine years, the Colonials have posted an 18-6 record. RMU has won the NEC title in 2009, 2010, and 2015.
- Robert Morris has qualified for 34 of the league's 37 postseason tournaments - the most in league history.
- Three Colonials are averaging double figures, led by All-NEC Second Teamer, Dachon Burke, who has averaged 17.5 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 46.0 percent from the field.
- Koby Thomas, the 2017-18 NEC Rookie of the Year, is scoring 12.1 ppg in 26.6 mpg while leading the Colonials on the boards at 7.0 ppg.
- Matt McConnell is the third RMU player in double figures, contributing 10.6 ppg.
- For the regular season, the Colonials were second to Wagner in scoring defense (71.1 ppg) and first in 3PT FG% (32.1%) and also leading the circuit in steals, swiping 7.8 a contest.
Coach Mason Earns Second NEC Coach Of The Year Honors:
- On the eve of the 2018 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament, it was announced that Wagner sixth-year head coach Bashir Mason, who led the Seahawks to a 21-8 regular season record and the No. 1 seed in this week's tourney, was named the 2017-18 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year.
- In receiving Coach of the Year honors, Mason becomes the first Seahawk coach in men's program history to win the award multiple times, having first won the honor back in 2016.
- In all, it marks the fourth time that a Seahawk bench boss has won the award: Mason (2015-16 & 2017-18), Dereck Whittenburg (2002-03) and Tim Capstraw (1991-92)
- Coach Mason becomes the tenth coach in NEC history to win two or more Coach of the Year awards. He joins St. Francis Brooklyn's Glenn Braica (2011-12 & 2014-15), Jim Ferry (LIU Brooklyn | 2004-05 & 2010-11), Mike Rice (Robert Morris | 2007-08 & 2008-09), Howie Dickenman (Central Connecticut | 1999-00, 2001-02, 2005-06, 2006-07), Ron Ganulin (St. Francis Brooklyn | 1997-98 & 2003-04), Jim Phelan (Mount St. Mary's | 1992-93 & 1995-96), Dave Magarity (Marist | 1986-87 & 1994-95), Jarrett Durham (Robert Morris | 1988-89 & 1989-90) and Tom Green (Fairleigh Dickinson | 1984-85 & 1985-1986).
Cooper, Francis, Saunders Garner All-NEC Honors:
- The Seahawks had three players garner All-NEC honors as senior guard JoJo Cooper (Wilmington, DE/Concord) earned First Team accolades. Sophomore guard Blake Francis (Herndon, VA/Westfield) was named to the Second Team and redshirt junior guard Romone Saunders (Temple Hills, MD/Potomac [Mt. Zion Prep]) was selected as one of five players to the Third Team.
- With three Seahawk student-athletes earning all-league honors, it marks the first time since the 1994-95 season in which the program has had three or more players named to an all-conference team as that season Tony Rice and Milan Rikic were each selected to the Second Team while Dan Seigle earned a spot on the All-Newcomer Team.
- To Read the Full Release: CLICK HERE
Wagner All-Time 20-Win Seasons:
- The 2017-18 Seahawks are the eighth team in Wagner history to reach the 20-win mark.
- The 21 wins by the 2017-18 Seahawks tied for fourth in all-time single-season wins
- The 21 regular season wins were the most under Bashir Mason. In 2015-16, Mason led the Seahawks to a regular season mark of 20-9 en route to a 23-11 overall record.
- A win over Mount St. Mary's would give Wagner a 15-3 NEC record, tying the 2007-08 and the 2011-12 teams for the Seahawks' best single-season NEC record.
Wagner Basketball All-Time 20-Win Seasons
Year |
Overall |
NEC Record |
Head Coach |
2011-12 |
25-6 |
15-3 |
Dan Hurley |
2015-16 |
23-11 |
13-5 |
Bashir Mason |
2007-08 |
23-8 |
15-3 |
Mike Deane |
2017-18 |
22-8 |
14-4 |
Bashir Mason |
2002-03 |
21-11 |
14-4 |
Dereck Whittenburg |
1978-79 |
21-7 |
|
P.J. Carlesimo |
1967-68 * |
21-8 |
|
Chester Sellitto |
1955-56 * |
20-3 |
|
Herb Sutter |
* Pre-Division I Era
Serious Home Cooking:
- The Spiro Center has turned into a house of horrors for opponents this season, and Wagner head coach Bashir Mason and his players kept it that way, at least in the regular season.
- The 2017-18 Seahawks set a program-record for wins in a season at home with 15 as Wagner earned a 73-61 victory over the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils in the 2018 NEC Quarterfinals.
- The Seahawks are one of seven teams left unbeaten at home this season as the Seahawks possess the fourth-longest home win streak in the nation.
- South Dakota State of the Summit League holds the nation's longest win streak at 20 straight, followed by Louisiana of the Sun Belt and Charleston of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), each have won sixteen straight home contests.
- Since the Spiro Sports Center opened on February 20, 1999, the Green & White have had nine seasons in which the team has posted double-digit victories, and the first since the 2015-16 season, when that squad, coached by Coach Mason, finished 13-4.
Season |
Home Record |
Overall Record |
Result |
Coach |
2000-01 |
11-8 |
16-13 |
NEC Quarterfinals |
Dereck Whittenburg |
2001-02 |
13-5 |
19-10 |
NEC Quarterfinals
NIT Participant |
Dereck Whittenburg |
2002-03 |
14-1 |
21-11 |
NEC Regular Season Champions
NEC Tournament Champions
NCAA Tournament Participant |
Dereck Whittenburg |
2007-08 |
13-3 |
23-8 |
NEC Semifinals |
Mike Deane |
2011-12 |
12-3 |
25-6 |
NEC Semifinals |
Dan Hurley |
2012-13 |
11-3 |
19-12 |
NEC Semifinals |
Bashir Mason |
2013-14 |
10-3 |
19-12 |
NEC Semifinals |
Bashir Mason |
2015-16 |
13-4 |
23-11 |
NEC Regular Season Champions
NIT Participant |
Bashir Mason |
2017-18 |
15-0 |
22-8 |
??? |
Bashir Mason |
- How rare would it be for the Seahawks to go undefeated at home for the entire season? In the history of the NEC, only five teams have posted unblemished home records with LIU Brooklyn being the most recent. The Blackbirds went 15-0 at the Steinberg Wellness Center en-route to winning the second of three straight NEC championships.
- In fact, the five teams that went unbeaten at home all won the NEC regular-season championship and four of the five captured NEC Tournament titles.
NEC Teams With Perfect Home Records
Team |
Record |
Year |
Result |
Wagner |
15-0 |
2017-18 |
??? |
LIU Brooklyn |
15-0 |
2011-12 |
NEC Champion |
Monmouth |
13-0 |
2003-04 |
NEC Champion |
LIU Brooklyn |
12-0 |
1996-97 |
NEC Champion |
Fairleigh Dickinson |
15-0 |
1990-91 |
NEC Runner-Up |
Robert Morris |
12-0 |
1982-83 |
NEC Champion |
Milestone For Coach Mason:
- Head coach Bashir Mason, who is currently the sixth-youngest active head coach in Division I, reached a coaching career milestone on Saturday, January 20.
- In Wagner's 62-49 home victory over Robert Morris back on January 20th, Coach Mason earned his 100th career coaching victory.
- In the process, Coach Mason became just the third Seahawk bench boss to eclipse the 100 career wins, joining former coaches Herb Sutter (352) and Tim Capstraw (117).
- Additionally, Coach Mason and Capstraw are the only two Seahawk coaches to reach 100 wins in the Division I era, which began in 1976-77, under Wagner Hall of Famer and 3x-time NBA Champion, P.J. Carlesimo
Wagner Coach |
Career Record |
Years Coached |
Herb Sutter |
352-252 |
1937-1965 |
Tim Capstraw |
117-164 |
1989-1999 |
BASHIR MASON |
109-77 |
2012-present |
Chester Sellitto |
97-89 |
1965-1972 |
Mike Deane |
95-113 |
2003-2010 |
Neil Kennett |
81-115 |
1982-1989 |
Dereck Whittenburg |
67-50 |
1999-2003 |
P.J. Carlesimo |
65-93 |
1976-1982 |
Dan Hurley |
38-23 |
2010-2012 |
Bill Keegan |
29-25 |
1934-1937 |
John C. Goodwin |
26-73 |
1972-1976 |
Elmer Ripley |
23-22 |
1922-1925 |
Ray Kirschmeyer |
16-36 |
1929-1934 |
Joseph Flotten |
10-4 |
1925-1926 |
John Futchs |
8-10 |
1926-1927 |
John Morris |
7-19 |
1927-1929 |
Erastus LaRue Ely |
1-4 |
1920-1921 |
Walter B. Peterson |
1-6 |
1921-1922 |
Cooper Keeping Good Company:
- JoJo Cooper's (Wilmington, DE/Concord) terrific all-around numbers for first place Wagner this season have elevated him to quite the lofty perch.
- Cooper is currently one of only two players in the nation this season averaging at least 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game on the year. Jon Elmore of Marshall has also reached these minimums.
- If the senior guard maintains those statistical plateaus for the remainder of the season, he would be just the 10th player in the last 25 years to end the year as a 14p/5.5r/6a/1.5s man.
- How exclusive is that list? Of the nine players who have achieved the statistical feat, seven have played in the NBA, including current ballers Kyle Anderson (Spurs), Lonzo Ball (Lakers) and Kyle Collinsworth (Mavericks). The list also includes former NBA All-Stars Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway, and former NBA players Luke Walton and Eddie Gill.
Player |
Class |
Season |
Position |
School |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
Anfernee (Penny) Hardaway |
Junior |
1992-93 |
Guard |
Memphis |
22.8 |
8.5 |
6.4 |
2.4 |
Jason Kidd |
Sophomore |
1993-94 |
Guard |
California |
16.7 |
6.9 |
9.1 |
3.1 |
Eddie Gill |
Senior |
1999-00 |
Guard |
Weber State |
16.3 |
6.4 |
6.9 |
3.2 |
Sean Kennedy |
Senior |
2001-02 |
Guard |
Marist |
14.7 |
5.5 |
7.9 |
1.9 |
Luke Walton |
Junior |
2001-02 |
Forward |
Arizona |
15.7 |
7.3 |
6.3 |
1.6 |
Kyle Anderson |
Sophomore |
2013-14 |
Guard |
UCLA |
14.6 |
8.8 |
6.5 |
1.8 |
Alex Hamilton |
Senior |
2015-16 |
Guard |
Louisiana Tech |
19.8 |
5.7 |
6.2 |
2.0 |
Kyle Collinsworth |
Senior |
2015-16 |
Guard |
Brigham Young |
15.3 |
8.2 |
7.4 |
2.0 |
Lonzo Ball |
Freshman |
2016-17 |
Guard |
UCLA |
14.6 |
6.0 |
7.6 |
1.8 |
JoJo Cooper |
Senior |
2017-18 |
Guard |
Wagner |
14.4 |
5.3 |
6.2 |
1.6 |
Pair of Seahawks Moving Up The Career Charts:
- Senior guard JoJo Cooper moved into sole possession of eighth place on the Wagner all-time career assists list, as he has dished out 502 career helpers. Next up for Cooper is Arvie Powell, who stands at 520 career dimes.
Wagner All-Time Career Assists List
5. Arvie Powell 520
8. Tony Rice 455
9. Kenneth Ortiz 429
- Redshirt junior forward AJ Sumbry has moved up on the Wagner all-time career blocks list, as the East Windsor, NJ native now has 93 rejections as a member of the Wagner basketball program.
- Sumbry is in sole possession of eighth-place and has a chance to move into seventh as he will surpass former Seahawk Nigel Wyatte ('04).
Wagner All-Time Career Blocks List (min. 75)
6. Nick Frederick 105
7. Nigel Wyatte 94
10. Mark Porter 84
11. Largest Agberhemsin 79
Cooper's Quest:
- It has been a magical senior season for Wagner senior guard JoJo Cooper and while an NEC Tournament title would be the icing on the cake, he also has the chance to etch himself in the conference record book.
- With 980 points, 477 rebounds and 502 assists, the 3-time NEC Player of the Week has an opportunity to enter the rare 1,000/500/500 club should the Seahawks make a deep postseason run.
- Only two NEC players have ever reached the milestone: Mount St. Mary's great Gregory Harris, who amassed 1,760 points, 615 rebounds and 529 assists from 1996-00, and Wagner's Mark Porter who ended his career with 1,577 points, 531 rebounds and 523 assists.
- Since 1992, there have been just 55 players nationally to finish with 1,000/500/500, including NBA players Jameer Nelson, Speedy Claxton, Shabazz Napier, Frank Mason, Denzel Valentine, Andre Miller, Tim Frazier, TJ McConnell, Greivis Vasquez, Nate Wolters, Kyle Collinsworth and Luke Walton.
Farewell February:
- The Green & White finished the month of February with a 7-2 overall record.
- Wagner averaged 76.9 ppg, 37.1 rpg and dished out 13.9 helpers in the month.
- The Seahawks defense allowed 69.6 ppg, 32.9 rpg and 11.8 assists.
- Wagner was a 4.2 on the boards and a 2.7 in turnover margin, as the Seahawks averaged 10.6 mishaps while the opposition averaged 13.2 turnovers in the month.
- Romone Saunders, JoJo Cooper and Blake Francis all scored in double-figures in February, with Saunders leading the way at 16.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg in 33.7 mpg.
- Cooper netted 15.4 ppg while dishing out 6.1 helpers and 4.3 caroms in nine games this past month.
- Francis was just behind Cooper at 15.3 ppg while hitting on 37.5 percent from the outside.
Saturday Seahawks:
- Wagner is 6-4 in Saturday games this season, averaging 70.3 ppg while shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from beyond-the-arc in ten games.
- The Green & White is a 5.0 on the boards on Saturday, outrebounding its opponents 40.7-to-35.7.
- Blake Francis is averaging 17..5 ppg on Saturday while shooting 40.9 percent from the floor and 38.7 percent from beyond-the-arc.
- JoJo Cooper has averaged 13.4 ppg while dishing out 6.0 assists in Saturday contests.
- Romone Saunders has poured in 10.8 ppg while pulling down 6.5 rpg in just 29.4 minutes on Saturday.
Ten-Game Recap:
- The Seahawks are 8-2 in its last ten games.
- The team is averaging 76.9 ppg, shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 69.1 percent from the free-throw line.
- Wagner is holding opponents to 69.0 points per game, 42.8 percent from the field, 40.1 from beyond-the-arc and 67.9 percent from the charity stripe.
- The Green & White are a 4.3 on the boards, outmuscling opponents 37.4 to 33.1.
- Blake Francis is netting 15.9 ppg over his last ten games while dialing it up from the outside at a 40.0 percent clip.
- Romone Saunders has scored 15.7 ppg while pulling down a team-high 7.2 caroms over his last ten contests.
- JoJo Cooper is chipping in 15.6 ppg over his last ten games, while dishing out 6.4 apg, and grabbing a 4.0 rebounds in 37.9 minutes of action.
Turn The Beat Around:
- Wagner is averaging 15.9 points off turnovers while its opponents are logging just 12.5 ppg (477-375).
Good Basketball Always Starts With Good Defense:
- Four times this season, Wagner's tenacious defense has held its opponents to 50 points or less, which includes a 62-49 performance over Robert Morris (January 20, 2018).
- Six times this year, the Seahawks have held opponents to under 35.0 percent shooting from the floor, while holding three teams, Robert Morris (27.3%), Mercy College (24.1%), and Hartford (27.5%) to under 30.0 percent shooting.
Ready & Break:
- The Seahawks have shown the ability to run up and down the court as Wagner is averaging 10.0 points a game via fast break while limiting their opponents to just 5.9 points (300-176) and is surpassing last season's total point production via fast break opportunities.
- Last season, in 30 games, Wagner logged 133 total points off fast break chances, averaging out to 4.4. a contest.
Next Up For Wagner:
- If Wagner defeats Robert Morris this afternoon, the Seahawks will advance to the NEC finals on Tuesday, March 6 as the championship game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
- If Wagner is defeated by the Colonials, the Green & White will wait to hear their names called for the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
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