Saturday in the MAAC

[superbook]

YTD: 27-16

Yesterday: 2-1, big miss with Brown as their lack of rebounding really hurt them

Niagara -8.5

Despite the loss of their top two scorers, Terrence Todd (ineligible) and Deng Gai (injury), the Stags have still managed to win four in a row. Gai is also the teams leading rebounder and among the leaders in the nation in blocked shots.

But the road stops in Niagara.

Fairfield is coming off a 67-63 win at Canisius but the Griffs had no answer for Fairfield big man Rob Thomson as their big man Wyatt was on the bench with an injury he suffered in the previous game at Manhattan. Canisius was also minus their playmaker Doss and it showed.

Fairfield had a comfortable 40-27 lead at the half in that game but their lack of depth really showed in the 2H as the short-handed Canisius was able to get back in the game.

Fairfield has only one big guy in Thomson, Niagara's trio of Reaves, Cruz and Mendez will have no problem handling him. And after some early league losses, the Purple Eagles seem to be hitting on all cylinders, determined to get back into it. Niagara has much greater depth and will pull alway down the stretch.

In their blow-out of Marist on Thursday night, Niagara shot well behind the arc and used a tough full-court D to stop the Red Foxes from trying to slow the game down.

Niagara is always tough in the Gallagher Center, they're playing well right now, and they should have no trouble getting by the short-handed Stags.

good luck

 

[Drpzne]

Welcme back

Welcme back

Jon,
Good to see you back on the forum. I've missed your insight these last couple months. Best of luck with your plays.
-DZ-

 

[superbook]

Thanks DZ.

Just a couple of other thoughts:

The Buffalo swing is always tough because the away team has to come in and play and then sit around in their hotel rooms before they play again two days later. Plus Canisius and Niagara get a vocal crowd in those small little gyms; esp vocal on a Saturday night.

Fairfield starters all played 30+ minutes on Thursday night including 35 for Thomson. Lack of depth will hurt them esp in 2H; might be worth a look at as a 2H play if you're online at 4:00PM EST.

- Jon

 

[superbook]

Just for fun Ivy four-teamer:

Cornell/Yale Over 136.5

Yale struggled with Columbia last night; defense should be a little lax on night #2, Cornell will push the pace

Brown -8.5

Brown was confused by Cornell's tandem of guards, couldn't rebound with Big Red; Bruins match up better against Columbia. Powers looked great in 2H; he's a streaky player and should keep it going tonite.

Dartmouth +21

Penn coming off a big win over Harvard, Dartmouth won't make the same mistakes on D as Crimson did and may even get their O going tonite. Penn will rest starters early in anticipation of Tuesday game so back door cover is always possible too if Penn gets up.

Princeton -11.5 1H

Tigers starters will eat up Harvard. Princeton went to the bench very early last night so starters are rested, and Harvard D is terrible.

 

[Box and one]

superbook,agree with you on Niagara.Good pt about everyone playing 30 minuts.
Niagara has so much talent.They should be putting people away.Unreal how bad their defense is.But they know their season depends on "D".
what about tomr game
St Peter-Manhattan...wonder what the line will be. I say manhattan -8.
GL today with your Ivies
I like Cornell -8 over Columbia.I played that.