The Rider Broncs (10-14) will have their hands full against the top scoring defense in the Metro Atlantic Athletic when they take on the Canisius Golden Griffins (10-14) at Koessler Athletic Center. The game gets underway at 3:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 7 and will air on ES3.
The Golden Griffins got blown out by Iona 84-66 on Friday. Malcolm McMillan finished with 18 points to lead the team. The Broncs, meanwhile, are coming off a 66-60 win over Niagara on Friday. Kahlil Thomas had a big game, accounting for 20 points and 12 rebounds to claim his ninth double-double of the season.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Broncs won the first game 79-68. Thomas put up 21 points and 14 rebounds.
The Golden Griffins have gone 10-14 Straight Up (SU) and 8-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Canisius has averaged 70.8 points per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 78.5. Canisius is excellent from the perimeter with 213 three-pointers made (8.0 per game), the 26th-most in the country. The Canisius defense has been shutting down opposing offenses over the past 10 games, only allowing an average of 66.4 points per game, well under their season average of 80.0.
As for their opponent, the Broncs head into the game with records of 8-12 ATS and 10-14 SU. Rider has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. The Rider defense has allowed an average of 76.6 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 67.1.
With the Broncs’ last win against Canisius, their SU record is now 7-3 over Canisius in their most recent meetings. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, Rider has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Rider held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings. Canisius never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Can, ATS Winner – Can
Notes
The Canisius Golden Griffins average 78.5 points per game, ranking 56th in the nation. The Rider Broncs rank 58th in points allowed with 67.1.
Canisius lost its last game by an 18-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Rider is 3-1. Canisius is 1-2 in blowouts this season.
The Canisius Golden Griffins average 71.6 possessions and 1.096 points per possession in games this season. The Rider Broncs average fewer possessions with 66.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.014.
The Canisius Golden Griffins average an effective field goal percentage of 49.1% this season. The Rider Broncs have a poor record of 3-7 when opponents have an eFG% of 49.1% or greater.
On average, the Canisius Golden Griffins attempt 26.0 three point field goals per game and the Rider Broncs attempt 18.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Canisius has a losing record of 9-14, while Rider is 5-4.
Canisius ranks 58th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.26. Rider is ranked lower at 197th with an A/TO of 1.01.
On average, Canisius makes 6.2 steals per game. Rider is a losing 5-8 when it gives up at least 6 steals.
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