A defensive struggle can be expected from the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (13-13) and Sacred Heart Pioneers (10-16) when two of the nation’s top scoring defenses battle it out at Rothman Center. The game starts at 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Knights got blown out by Wagner 94-74 on Thursday. Mike Holloway played well for Fairleigh Dickinson, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. The Pioneers are coming off a 74-57 win over Bryant on Thursday. Cane Broome had a good game and claimed his second double-double of the season, accumulating 27 points and 10 rebounds.
Broome has been on a tear over the last five games for the Pioneers, averaging 24.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers.
It could be a sloppy game for the Sacred Heart offense, which ranks 324th in the nation in ball security (TO% of 21.1%). It’ll be facing the gambling Fairleigh Dickinson defense, which forces the 18th-most turnovers in the nation (22.4%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Knights won the first game 80-68. Earl Potts Jr. put up 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Notes
Fairleigh Dickinson lost its last game by a 20-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Sacred Heart is 1-5. Fairleigh Dickinson is 2-4 in blowouts this season.
Fairleigh Dickinson has an average field goal percentage of 46.3%. Sacred Heart is a subpar 1-11 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights and the Sacred Heart Pioneers both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Fairleigh Dickinson is 105th and 69th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Sacred Heart ranks 249th and 197th in these categories.
The Sacred Heart Pioneers rank 77th in offensive rebounds. The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights rank 336th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Fairleigh Dickinson is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TO% of 22.4% (ranked 18th). Sacred Heart has a losing record of 4-7 SU this season when its TO% reaches 22.4% or greater.
