We Interrupt this Regularly Scheduled Buffet to become the JT1 News Network

Allow us to introduce him: Jason Thompson. JT1. Or introduce yourself at: JasonThompson1.com

Nonethess, every year the MAAC gives The Buffet someone new to fawn over. Jared Jordan. Charon Fisher. Steve Burtt Jr. Ricky Soliver.

Who can forget Keydren Clark?

But, Jason Thompson is in a different class. 6'11 studs in a small conference? The first player in Division 1 in 12 years to have 3 20-20 games?

There were only 3 players to average 20 points and 10 assists in 2006-2007 college hoops ... and he was one of them (Quick: name the other two, and DO NOT cheat)

Despite losing their starting AND backup PG in one game, JT1 has led Rider to the championship game, where they face top-seeded and co-regular season champ Siena. The Saint had better hope they heeded the warning of Buffet reader (and hopefully 2008 columnist) Gregory Ott, who on February 12, 2008 said, "I've never been happier for Schwartzology, but Siena had better not look past Rider." Truer words have not been spoken.

On Saturday, what started as a near collapse (a 41-29 halftime lead was cut to 47-46 in 5 minutes to start the 2nd half, almost ended as a disaster, as starting PG Ryan Thompson got took an elbow to the noggin that led to a concussion with 7:31 left in the game, and his backup, Justin Robinson, a british import, suffered a high ankle sprain just 1 minute and 15 seconds later. Suddenly, freshman (and younger brother of the Broncs second leading scorer Harris) Patrick Mansell was thrust into action (nailing a huge 3 down the stretch) as Rider survived 75-71. Jason Thompson poured in 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Then, an injury-depleted Rider team (where Matt Griffin and Lamar Johnson saw their playing time multiply 8-times over) overcame a 7 point halftime deficit, forced Marist into some terrible looking 3s (The Red Foxes shot 12-41 from behind the arch), and got a JT1 performance that defines this kid -- 32 points, 18 rebounds, a block, and 8-8 from FT line in 40 minutes of action.

Siena has been equally up to the task this year, an upset win in Palo Alto (although, this was during the suspended days of Brook Lopez), gave Syracuse fits in the Carrier Dome, and winners of 5 straight coming into tonight's championship -- Siena is a quality outfit, don't let the Buffet love for Jason Thompson fool you. Edwin Ubiles is the team leading scorer at 17.4 per (4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1 block accompany those points) -- Also Kenny Hasbrouck (15.5 pts, 3.2 rebs, 2.2 assists and 2.4 steals) & Alex Franklin (15.4 pts, 8.2 rebounds) are no 2nd fiddles... you have to love this young team. (Hasbrouck is a junior, Ubiles and Franklin are sophomores) ... but something to think about is the interesting match-ups tonigt.

Ubiles is a 6'6 swingman, Hasbrouck a 6'3 guard and Frankin a 6'5 forward -- Rider's backcourt is a M.A.S.H. unit, so Siena should be able to expose them, but the three biggest men who play any meaningful minutes Josh Duell (6'7), Ryan Rossiter (6'9) and Cory Magee (6'7) are no match for JT1, and Magee/Rossiter are barely counted on for 11 minutes.

There is season history ... these two teams played twice in 10 days, each team swapping road wins. On Saturday, February 2nd, Rider stormed into the Times Union Center (site of tonight's championship) jumped out to a 25 point halftime lead that Siena whittled, but only could muster a 89-75 defeat. Jason Thompson exposed the lack of Saint height for 23 points, 21 rebounds, to go with 5 assists. Of note -- Jason's brother, Ryan (who suffered a concussion on Saturday) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His status for tonight is questionable.

Kenny Hasbrouck had 23 points, 3 rebs and 3 assists, Ubiles added 18 points and Alex Franklin chipped in 16-8-3 off the bench.

On February 10th, an 11-2 run over the final 1:58 and a Josh Duell 3-pointer with 1.3 left on the clock gave the Saints a stunning 80-77 come from behind win. Duell had 14 on the night, Alex Franklin, back in the starting lineup had 20 and 12, and Ryan Moore gave them 17 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, while Kenny Hasbrouck added another 18. Jason Thompson starred in the lost, putting up 26 points and 24 rebounds.

JT1 is a beast, enjoy the MAAC Final.