Metro Atlantic Athletic foes will collide when the Niagara Purple Eagles (6-21) take on the Marist Red Foxes (5-20) at Gallagher Center. Action starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 18.
The Purple Eagles got blown out by Rider 77-59 on Sunday. Emile Blackman was the game’s high scorer with 21 points. The Red Foxes are coming off a bitter 76-73 loss to Fairfield on Monday. Kristinn Palsson had a good game for Marist, posting 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Purple Eagles won the first game 69-66. Matt Scott finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds.
The Purple Eagles come into this game 6-21 Straight Up (SU) and 11-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Purple Eagles have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 68.6 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 63.2 points per game. The Purple Eagles will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent defensive struggles. The Purple Eagles have given up an average of 78.9 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 71.0 PPG.
On the other side, the Red Foxes head into the game with records of 10-9-1 ATS and 5-20 SU. Marist has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. During the last 10 games, they averaged 63.9 PPG, below their 71.3 PPG season average.
Following the Purple Eagles’ latest win over Marist, their SU record rises to 6-4 over Marist in their most recent meetings. Furthermore, with a 6-4 record, Niagara has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers, neither team was able to hold the advantage in all three of these categories over their past five meetings against one another.
Predictions: SU Winner – Nia, ATS Winner – Nia
Notes
Marist scores 73.8 points per away game (ranked 77th). Niagara ranks a poor 152nd in points allowed at home, allowing 69.6 points.
In its last game, Marist lost by a margin of three points. Niagara is 4-1 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Marist has a 1-6 record in close games.
Niagara has an average field goal percentage of 40.4%. Marist is a subpar 3-20 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Niagara Purple Eagles rank higher based on their field goal percentage (325th) than their effective field goal percentage (335th). The Marist Red Foxes rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (228th) than their field goal percentage (281st).
The Niagara Purple Eagles average 5.5 steals per game. When giving up 5 or more steals, the Marist Red Foxes have an abysmal record (4-13) this season.
