Griffs pick up Bronx forward

Chris Manhertz, a 6-5 power forward from Cardinal Spellman High in the Bronx, has given a verbal commitment to Canisius according to a source. Manhertz is the 172nd ranked power forward in the country according to ESPN.com who has this to say about him:

'"Manhertz has very good leaping ability and athleticism, which helps him to overcome his lack of height for the post. He has very good quickness and when he receives the ball in the paint, he attacks the rim with great vigor. He rebounds the ball very well on both ends of the floor due to his good, quick leaping ability, length, as well as his overall aggression with respect to rebounding. He runs the floor very well and can finish in transition. Manhertz will have to continue to work on his post moves as well as add counter moves to his post repertoire for the paint when he encounters bigs with a height advantage."

The fall signing period begins Wednesday.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Comments

[David,Amherst]

You're talking apples and oranges. In the MAAC, only Siena has the pedigree to gain a nod at an NCAA at-large berth. In the case of Niagara, the instant they lose one game, there is no at-large possibility. In the A-10, one loss does not eliminate a team from a possible at-large berth. The MAC has been a one school NCAA bid, but at least hs the possibility of being a Missouri Valley-like situation in some years.
Niagara has done well, at the MAAC level. But they are not Temple nor St. Joseph in recognition.

[E]

I'm not really sure how 11 winning seasons in the last 12; 2 NCAA Big Dance appearances since 2005; multiple NIT bids; and landing amazing recruits for 2009 (Gillette) and 2010 (Duncan) to reload to rise the level even higher is underachieving-

but you're entitled to your opinion, David, as am I.

I believe Niagara is actually the only WNY DI school that is achieving- everyone else in my opinion is underachieving, from a little bit (UB), to a lot (St. Bona), to disastrous (Canisius).

[David,Amherst]

E, I do get to Monteagle Ridge for some games. They are a good team, just beneath what they should be.
I'll be there definitely when they play Siena. They've got two wins already over Canisius, but if they even split with this bottom MAAC school, story closed.

[E]

Oh-

I missed the announcement that either of those guys was coming to St. Bonaventure. Wow- what a "get" by the Bonnies!

(sarcasm off)

Let's get realistic- if St. Bona or UB were to land a HS senior ranked in the top 20 at his position (any position), either school would be thrilled.

Niagara landed a center listed at #18 in the country. Not only someone who has shown talent, but one with height. A great get.

Give credit where it's due, David- that recruiting by Niagara is EXACTLY the type of recruit you said they could not get. But they did- now 2 years in a row.

[David,Amherst]

E, your apparently grade on the curve. Try Perry Jones,
6'10", Duncanville High School, Dallas, Texas.
Or, Fabricio de Melo, 7'0",
Weston, Florida.

[E]

I'd love to see Asprilla sign with Canisius too- cool that he visited the campus.

A bonus reason why I'd like to see it is to further dispel the myth preached by David that "Niagara and Canisius have no chance" at recruiting a quality big man. Niagara's already proven the theory to be wrong.

[E]

David of Amherst, please explain the tremendous recruiting being done by Mihalich if Niagara "has no chance" according to you?

In all seriousness, you do realize that Niagara has a commitment from the 18th ranked incoming Center in Shaquille Duncan, don't you? And that they have Andre Gillette here this year?

If you know that, why do you say that Niagara can't recruit the big guys? Facts are facts- your opinion is not based on fact.

[Larry]

That should be Dick Weiss who said Niagara AND Siena may both be dancing come March. Sorry for the lack of editing guys and gals!! :)

[Larry]

Basketball Times and new York Daily News writer writes in this month's issue of Basketball Times that this may be the year the MAAC places two teams in the Big Dance, Siena and Niagara. BT puts Siena at #15 in their Fabulous 15 for 2010.

BT predictios for the MAAC
1.Siena
2. Niagara
3. Rider
4. Manhattan
5. Loyola
6. St. Peter's
7. Iona
8. Fairfield
9. Canisius
10. Marist

St. Bona is picked to finish 11th in the A10 behind UMass and St. Joe's and ahead of St. Louis, GW and Fordham. Dayton, LaSalle and Richmind are predicted 1, 2 and 3 in the A10.

MAC East BT predictions

1. Akron
2. UB
3. Bowling Green
4. Kent State
5. Miami
6. Ohio

Eastern Michigan is predicted to claim the #1 spot in the West. No love for the MAC from BT as they say only 1 team will be dancing come March and their one bid status will remain as it has since 1999.

[David,Amherst]

It's the same issue at all four D-1 WNY schools. It's really more than a Charron-Mendez caliber athlete. The school that can get 1 or 2 real blue-chip athletes will be at the head of the class and even nationally competitive, with at least a good supporting cast. St. Bona has the best chance at that. UB less so. Niagara and Canisius, in the MAAC, no chance.

[E]

I remember when Niagara played Oklahoma in the NCAA in 2005, the commentator pointed out that while Niagara's players were very athletic, and not too far off of athletic ability of Oklahoma, the clear difference was size.

The MAAC being a guard league is true- but if a school can get a talent with size, it can soar to the top of the conference.

Canisius can benefit from this guy, but not as much as Niagara's signings of Gillette and Duncan. Asprilla would be amazing, but obviously a long shot. A friend of mine who knows someone said that Asprilla has a friend who goes to Canisius, so there is a personal angle that may help- I doubt he comes, though.

[the comparisons]

the points are all valid, but charron fisher was an undersized, athletic, aggressive 4, so why wouldn't a similar player work now?

[RecoveringHillbilly]

Dave the 2nd, you have to admit Dave the 1st is right on. The point is Canisius needs bigs. They have plenty of 6' 2" guards and swingmen, and this guy is just one more. He may a good player, but he'd be a GREAT sign if he were 3-4 inches taller. Yes, you have Alex Franklin for Siena playing PF at 6' 5", but he's been a stud since day one. This kid isn't at that level.

The MAAC is still a guard league, but increasingly we see teams with great bigs winning the MAAC titles (The Thompson Bros at Rider, Siena with Rossiter/Franklin, Marist with Whittingham/Stilphen, Niagara with Mendez)

[dave, clarence]

what dave, amherst would post if ub picked up mahertz: ub and bona continue to show why it leads the class. what a great get!

[David,Amherst]

I think the new college president said he wants a 6'10" guy that can shoot the ball. Might have to settle for 6'5" and runs well.

[John T,]

Any pick up from Cardinal Spellman is more than credible.

[donjoe]

They are going to play him at center?