The phrase “throw the records out the window” has been used before a lot of Niagara-Canisius men’s basketball games over the last dozen years.
That won’t be necessary tonight, when the Little Three rivals meet in a pivotal Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at the Koessler Center.
Not since 1998 has Canisius (10-11, 5-5) been ahead of Niagara (11-11, 4-6) in the MAAC standings after 10 games. That was the season before Joe Mihalich took over the Purple Eagles.
Of late, the series has been as one-sided as at any point in its history. Niagara has won 13 of the last 14 meetings, and even Canisius coach Tom Parrotta regards his team’s home win two years ago as a “fluke.”
“When we were at the top of the standings the last couple of years, we had to match their intensity because we knew how big it would be for them to beat us,” said Niagara’s Tyrone Lewis, who is expected to return tonight after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.
Last February, the Purple Eagles put on a dominant defensive performance, winning 57-41. The last time Niagara held Canisius to so few points was 1941.
Lewis said the Purple Eagles need to rediscover that defensive mindset in order to revive an offense that has struggled mightily this month. In losing six of eight MAAC games for the first time under Mihalich, Niagara has averaged less than 63 points in regulation.
“When you get a lot of fast break points, those layups, it makes the 3-point shot a lot easier,” Lewis said.
Lewis said another reason the Purple Eagles have struggled late is that fellow seniors Bilal Benn, Rob Garrison and Demetrius Williamson have had to learn how to respond to losing after having been on winning teams for their entire careers.
“I remember talking to ’Meech and he said, ‘I’m not used to this, Ty.’ He was emotionally stressed. He didn’t know what to do,” said Lewis, who didn’t come from a powerhouse high school program and lost eight of his first 10 games as a freshman in 2007.
That was the last time the Purple Eagles were 11-11. From then on, they won 12 straight on their way to the MAAC Championship.
“I’ve been here before,” Lewis said. “This is all about just banding together. One win will get us going.”
“The sky is not falling,” Mihalich said. “We’re a .500 team right now, but we can get it together in a quick fashion and be a good team. These guys have won a lot of games. They’ve been to the postseason. They don’t need to win 12 in a row to feel invincible. We just need a couple good wins.”
Led by senior guard Frank Turner, who is tied with Lewis for the MAAC scoring lead, the Golden Griffins have matured this season. They’re 4-4 since January, but have played well in losing efforts at Siena and Fairfield.
“We feel we’re even better than our record,” Turner said.
In his first three years at Canisius, Parrotta didn’t feel his team was good enough to beat Niagara without a good amount of luck.
“They’re a team that’s had their way with us for many years,” said Parrotta, who was a Niagara assistant from 1995 through 2001. “But we’ve come a long way.”
“This is probably one of the biggest games of the season,” said Julius Coles, the Griffs’ second-leading scorer. “During the offseason, we go up there and play against those guys. We know them well. And obviously we have a lot of history.”
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.
Sports
Related Photos
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Niagara heads to Canisius in unfamiliar underdog role
- Sports
-
-
Wolverines tame the Lions
Three Niagara Falls Wolverines players hit double-figures in Thursday’s 74-45 Niagara Frontier League boys basketball win over visiting Lockport on “Senior Night” in the Wolvearena.
-
Running miles for acres
Runners of all shapes and sizes will run 10 miles for 52 acres of land this weekend at the 2012 YMCA/Camp Kenan Y-10 race downtown.
-
Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
-
Roy-Hart swimmers dominated
Pictured are members of the Royalton-Hartland boys varsity swim team, which recently captured its sixth straight Niagara-Orleans League title and swept the annual league meet in Akron by winning every event. From left, first row, are Josh Beabout, Kurtis Parker, Roy Phipps and Zach Yates; second row, Cody Jones, Luke Brauer and Patrick Jones; third row, Jason Beabout and Lyle Wagner.
-
Syracuse beats Georgetown in OT, 64-61
Kris Joseph scored a career-high 29 points, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime, and No. 2 Syracuse beat 12th-ranked Georgetown 64-61 on Wednesday night to give coach Jim Boeheim his 880th career win.
-
Lions sweep Lewiston-Porter
It was a full moon and the vampires and werewolves were out in the Lady Lions Den.
-
Cotto training in Lockport
Professional boxer and World Boxing Organization Lightweight champion of the world Jose Miguel Cotto (32-2-1) has chosen Lockport as his training camp for his upcoming fight with Jose Luis Castillo (63-11-1) on March 24 in Houston Texas.
-
Roy-Hart dominates boys all-League swm meet
Undefeated (10-0) regular-season champion Royalton-Hartland dominated the competition Tuesday taking first place in all 11 events at the 2012 Niagara-Orleans League boys individual swim championships.
-
Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
-
Super Bowl draws record viewers on NBC
For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Red Wings and Maple Leafs to Play at Big House
Parade for the New York Giants Super Bowl Champs
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Giants Beat Patriots 21-17 to Win Super Bowl
Manning Named Super Bowl MVP
Giants Beat Patriots in Super Bowl 46
Rodgers Wins AP MVP at 'NFL Honors'
Aaron Rodgers Wins AP NFL MVP
Martin, Five Others Elected to Football Hall
Brady, Manning Headline Super Bowl XLVI
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Rangers' Hamilton Confirms Alcohol Relapse
Goodell: Player Safety Is Top Priority
Coaches Update Injuries Ahead of Super Bowl
Pats Mesko Fulfills American Dream at Super Bowl
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Gronkowski's Ankle Still 'Day to Day'
Umenyiora Explains Missed Media Session
Fans Having a 'Super' Time in Indianapolis
